UK: Luxury soft brand Elegant Hotel Collection has appointed Anna Payne as director of marketing, partnerships and loyalty.
Payne brings more than 15 years of experience to her new role, having previously worked with hotel brands including Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Firmdale Hotels.
She joins Elegant Hotel Collection shortly after the brand launched in October 2023. The group offers member hotels a channel distribution strategy including booking engine, web services, GDS and OTA; multimedia and content management; RFPs; commission processing; and tailored account management such as sales and marketing initiatives.
Payne said: “Luxury hotels are my passion and I am looking forward to bringing this enthusiasm to the Elegant Hotel Collection and driving the growth of this exciting new brand.
“What it means to be a relevant, meaningful brand is constantly evolving. We will seek to delight and inspire by creating an exciting offering that is underpinned by unmatched client and customer experiences. We’re proud to be taking a fresh and consultative approach. My focus will be on helping our member hotels to succeed,” she added.
Catt McLeod, VP brand development, Elegant Hotel Collection said: “We are thrilled to welcome someone of Anna’s calibre and experience to the group.
“Anna’s expertise in growing partnerships and building a brand’s profile will be critical to us as we expand; offering unique, luxury hotels a voice in a crowded marketplace. We believe that [the brand], with its dynamic, technology-led approach to luxury distribution, offers a true alternative in the market, giving hotels a meaningful route to guests.”
