Award-winning Business Leader, Hospitality Professional and Podcaster dedicated to inspiring the next generation of hospitality management.
ABOUT PAUL
Paul is a dynamic and accomplished Business Leader with a strong track record in the hospitality industry, who possesses a unique ability to successfully launch, transition, and drive profitable operations in diverse hotel markets.
In 2024, he was awarded a fellowship by the Institute of Hospitality Management and secured Chartered manager level with the Chartered Management Institute.
Under Paul's leadership as General Manager, Crowne Plaza Newcastle, a 251-bedroom hotel with extensive event space and leisure facilities has achieved outstanding results.
Motivated to inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders, Paul regularly gives talks in schools, colleges, and universities as a guest lecturer. This passion also underpins his podcast, the Next Gen Hospitality Podcast, where he interviews fellow experienced hospitality professionals.
Paul has achieved remarkable recognition throughout his career, receiving a number of prestigious hospitality industry awards. His personal accomplishments include being named Aimbridge EMEA General Manager of the Year for 2024. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality (FIH), a Committee Member of the Institute of Hospitality North, a member of the Standards Committee at the IHG Owners Association, and a CMI Chartered Member.
Under his leadership, Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter has continued to receive significant industry recognition. The hotel was awarded Gold for Business Events Venue of the Year at the North East England Tourism Awards 2025, followed by Silver in the same category in 2026. Other recent accolades include Silver for miaList Sales & Marketing Team of the Year, Winner of Best Venue Customer Service – Over 400 Theatre Style at the C&E Awards, Winner of the Finance Impact Award, and Finalist in the Engineering Impact Award. The hotel has also won Spa of the Year at the North East Beauty Awards in both 2023 and 2024, as well as Health and Fitness Venue of the Year 2025 in the Business Awards.
Previously, during his time with Hotel Indigo Durham, Paul was proud to win Aimbridge EMEA Large Hotel of the Year 2019 and IHG Hotel of the Year 2018/19.
When Paul managed Hotel Indigo Newcastle, the hotel was awarded Aimbridge EMEA Hotel of the Year 2015, while its restaurant was recognised as Marco Pierre White Restaurant of the Year in the same year.
AWARDS
