De Vere Group makes up to 20 redundancies as Robert Cook heads new Hotels and Village division

The De Vere Group looks set to make up to 20 redundancies as it merges its Hotels and Village Urban Resorts divisions, with Robert Cook at the helm.

Cook (pictured), who earlier this year was appointed chief executive of Village, has expanded his role as the newly created chief executive of De Vere Hotels and Village Urban Resorts, with immediate effect. Adrian Osinski, who until recently was chief operating officer (COO) of the hotels division, will move to De Vere Venues as COO under chief executive Tony Dangerfield.

Andrew Coppel, who will remain as group chief executive of the company, explained that the management changes reflected the way that the De Vere Group was evolving, following the sale of one hotel - the Royal Bath in Bournemouth - in the hotels division. The disposal of a further two hotels - the Grand Harbour, Southampton and the University Arms, Cambridge - is currently under negotiation. Meanwhile, the 25-strong Village brand has been set on a course of expansion, with up to 18 new properties planned over the next three to five years.

"With all the changes taking place, it made sense that we combined the two divisions under Robert," said Coppel, who explained that negotiations regarding the redundancies were currently being undertaken with staff and are expected to be completed by September.

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By Janet Harmer

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