Ceil Hotels who own Askham Hall, The Queens Head in Askam and the George and Dragon in Clifton have welcomed Nick Hanson as the new Group General Manager. Nick will oversee all three venues and the businesses expansion to Sharrow Bay.
A spokes person for Ceil Hotels said “Nick's vision for Ciel Hotels centres around Askham Hall, which remains the core and epitome of our group values. As we continue to grow, we aim to replicate this excellence across all our properties, strengthening our position as a family-run business deeply embedded in the community. In the short term, our goal is to reinforce these values while positioning ourselves as leaders in the UK hospitality industry. Our project at Sharrow Bay on the shores of Ullswater will honour these same principles.”
Sharrow Bay holds a special place in Nick’s career. Having started in hospitality in the late 80s, he sees Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel as the trailblazer that set the standard for today’s leading hotels and restaurants in the UK.
Nick had the privilege of working alongside many of the original team members as they transitioned leadership from Brian & Francis, and he now sees the opportunity to build on this foundation. With Richard Swale and Nico Chieze, Nick believes they can restore Sharrow Bay to its former glory—combining genuine hospitality with culinary excellence. While following in the footsteps of Brian and Francis is no easy task, Nick is excited by the prospect of creating new legendary experiences and building on the pride the local community has always had in this iconic location.
Throughout his career, Nick has worked alongside some of the best leaders and chefs, including stints at The Lygon Arms, The Royal Scotsman Train, Sharrow Bay, The Bath Priory, The Idol Rocks, and Mallory Court. These experiences have shaped Nick’s management style and reinforced his belief that sustained success stems from a fully engaged team with a shared vision.
Nick first started his career in the Lake District in the 90s that ignited his passion for the hospitality industry during his time at Leeming House.
They also welcomed a new Sous Chef Joe and Restaurant Manager Ellis to Askham Hall as Ceil Hotels revealed this week that Askam Hall has officially retained its Michelin Star for 2025
A spokes person for the group said “A huge well done to the 'Allium' restaurant team and everyone else who keeps the wheels turning behind the scenes. The greatest thing about Askham Hall is its people, those who are often overlooked or too shy to appear in these photos, we value you all for the collective happiness that you bring to the whole team and how that reflects on the guests' experience when they come to stay and dine with us.”
photos by Ceil Hotels Ltd
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
