EAMONN Elliott (pictured) has been appointed chief executive of Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington.

November sees the hotel celebrate its fifth anniversary and Mr Elliott will join in December to take it through its next phase of development.

He has worked at a number of leading venues, including eight years as general manager of the multi-award winning Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, and manager of the AA Irish Hotel of the Year - the Mount Falcon and Spa in County Mayo.

For the last five years he has been general manager of the Grand Jersey Hotel, taking it from an unknown 4*hotel to the Channel Islands highest rated hotel, gaining a Michelin Star for its restaurant and AA 5* status. His numerous personal awards include being the Institute of Directors Young Director of the Year 2013-2014.

Originally from Ireland, Mr Elliott trained as a professional footballer and played for Carlisle United before moving into spa management and gaining an honours degree in management from the University of York.

He said: "I believe that the infrastructure, foundations and quality of Rockliffe Hall demand the best team in the country. I look forward to seeing the business embrace this challenge and establish itself as one of the top culinary, golfing, spa and hospitality destinations in the UK and Ireland."

The 61 bedroom hotel has three restaurants, a world-class golf course, a multi-award winning spa and wedding and conference facilities. The 5* resort has seen its reputation grow internationally and staff numbers increase from 150 in 2009 to more than 320 mainly local people today.

Despite opening in a recession occupancy levels at the hotel have risen from 52 per cent in 2010 to 78 per cent for the period ending June 2014.

Its numerous awards include receiving the AA’s highest accolade of five red stars last year and being named VisitEngland’s Large Hotel of the Year in 2013.

Its spa was this year named as one of the UK's top five most luxurious by the Good Spa Guide and as one of the Sunday Times' top 10 spa hotels in Britain.

The golf club has, for the last two years, hosted the European Tour English Senior Open attracting international names and Ryder Cup stars such as Ian Woosnam, Mark James and Sam Torrance.

To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Rockliffe Hall is inviting the public to an anniversary masquerade ball on Saturday, November 22nd. For details visit rockliffehall.com or call 01325 729999.