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7 Hospitality Management

Hospitality with Purpose

United by a deep commitment valued by discerning property owners, our team brings together a wide range of expertise to drive consistent success for our partners. With knowledge honed over generations of experienced innkeepers, we go beyond foundational management to inspire pride within our team and earn respect in the hospitality industry.

We engage actively in community projects and support philanthropic initiatives through our hotels, underscoring our dedication to positive social impact. Through our corporate efforts, we proudly support organisations focused on building stronger, more compassionate communities

 

Weetwood Hall Estate, Leeds

The Results Speak for Themselves

As a leader in industry excellence, 7H integrates cutting-edge systems with a dedicated and seasoned leadership team to elevate hospitality standards. Our proven track record demonstrates success in revenue growth, profitability, guest satisfaction, and employee loyalty, strengthened by solid partnerships with key industry leaders.

Our Values

  • Transparency

    We believe in open, honest communication at every level of our business. From our partnerships with hotel owners to our interactions with guests and employees, we foster a culture of trust by sharing clear information, making ethical decisions, and being accountable in everything we do.

  • Ownership

    We think and perform like owners. We take full responsibility for our actions, results, and the experiences we create. Our team is empowered to act with initiative, solve problems proactively, and treat every property we manage as if it were our own. This commitment drives excellence and ensures we always go the extra mile.

  • Driven

    Passion and ambition are at the heart of 7 Hospitality Management. We are dedicated to delivering outstanding service, achieving exceptional results, and continuously improving. Our team thrives on challenges, embraces innovation, and is committed to staying ahead in a competitive industry.

  • Investment in Our People

    Our success is built on the strength of our people. We prioritise professional growth, ongoing training, and a supportive workplace culture that encourages development and career progression. By investing in our team, we create a motivated workforce that delivers outstanding hospitality experiences.

Leadership Team

Our team is composed of accomplished professionals with proven senior-level success across some of the country’s top hotel brands and independent properties. As a small, dynamic group of leaders, we pride ourselves on hands-on management and are deeply involved in each business we oversee.

  • Richard Ellison

    Founder & CEO

    Throughout the various roles Richard has held within 29 years of hospitality experience they include, Operations Manager at Gleneagles, where he was a senior manager responsible for the delivery of the G8 Summit in 2005, General Manager at various hotels throughout the UK for both globally branded hotels and unbranded properties and a director of one of Scotland’s largest event management companies.

    He has been recognised nationally at UK level at the Caterer & Hotelkeeper awards and at the Scottish Hotel awards for his management achievements
    Currently Managing Director of 7 Hospitality Management (UK), he has supported investors in the brokerage, feasibility, acquisition, completion and management of the multiple hotels. He has provided both public and private sector with hospitality feasibility studies for hotel developments and lectured on tourism and hospitality at Queen Margaret’s University, Edinburgh.

    He is the company’s link with financial intuitions, legal representatives, leading the investment due diligence team and offers a UK directorship service.

    Graduating from Strathclyde University (UK), Cornell (USA) and Lausanne (Switzerland) with a MBA in Hospitality & Tourism leadership, he also holds a Higher Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management from Cornell University (USA)

    Specialises in: Hotel Operations, hotel commercial improvement, Hospitality Real Estate acquisitions, feasibilities

  • Martin MacPhail

    Managing Director

    With a distinguished career in hospitality leadership, Martin brings a wealth of expertise in people management, operational excellence, and strategic growth to his role as Managing Director at 7H. A graduate in Human Resources Management (CIPD), Martin is deeply passionate about developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of excellence within the industry.

    Throughout his career, Martin has held senior leadership roles across globally branded hotels and independent properties, driving commercial success, enhancing guest experiences, and implementing effective people strategies. His dedication to talent development and organisational culture has earned him industry recognition, including the prestigious People Manager of the Year accolade.

    As Managing Director, Martin leads the company’s strategic direction, supporting hotel owners and investors with operational management, business transformation, and commercial improvement. His expertise spans workforce development, leadership coaching, and optimising hospitality operations to deliver sustainable growth. He also plays a key role in guiding investment decisions, working closely with financial institutions and stakeholders to ensure long-term profitability.

    With a strong belief in the power of people, Martin is committed to shaping the future of hospitality by building dynamic teams, delivering exceptional service, and driving continuous improvement across the sector.

  • Gary Hume

    Head of Property

    Gary Hume is the Head of Property at 7H, where he leads all aspects of property strategy, development, and asset management across the company’s expanding portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in property and facilities management within the hospitality and commercial real estate sectors, Gary brings a wealth of expertise in delivering high-quality, operationally efficient spaces that support exceptional guest experiences.

    He is responsible for overseeing refurbishment projects, maintaining asset value, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving forward sustainable property practices. Gary works closely with hotel owners, contractors, and internal teams to align property initiatives with the company’s broader strategic goals.

    Gary’s hands-on approach, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence have earned him a reputation for successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget. His leadership ensures that every property under 7 Hospitality Management is optimised not only for performance, but also for long-term growth and guest satisfaction.

    IOSH qualification

  • James Salmond

    Head of Finance

    James Salmond serves as Head of Finance at 7H, where he oversees the financial strategy, planning, and performance across the company’s diverse portfolio of hospitality assets. With over a decade of experience in financial leadership roles within the hospitality and property sectors, James brings a strong commercial focus and analytical rigor to the business.

    He plays a critical role in guiding investment decisions, driving operational efficiencies, and ensuring robust financial governance. Known for his strategic insight and collaborative leadership style, James works closely with stakeholders across the organization to support sustainable growth and long-term value creation.

    Prior to joining 7H, James held senior finance roles at several prominent hotel groups, where he led budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting functions, as well as major capital projects. He is a qualified accountant with a passion for hospitality and a keen eye for turning financial data into actionable insight.

    James’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement makes him a key driver of 7H’s financial success and resilience.

  • Arun Manoharan

    Head of Operations

    With over 20 years of industry experience, Arun has had the opportunity to work with the leading hospitality chains in the world Hilton Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Accor Hotels. He has managed the operations for Independent hotel groups like Comcrest Hotels, London Hotel group and recently MGM Muthu Hotels where he was responsible for 13 hotels in the UK.

    Arun was involved in the opening of Best Western Plus hotels in Croydon and Wembley and was involved in the rebranding process of the Crystal Palace Hotel into Best Western London Crystal Palace hotel and Regency Hotel into the Doubletree by Hilton London Kensington.

    Arun was successfully part of acquisitions and mergers within London Hotel Group and MGM Muthu hotels.

    He graduated from Bangalore University with a Bachelor’s in Hotel Management and hasa post graduate degree in hotel and business management from IHMES International Hotel school, Isle of Man.

  • Conner Hutchison

    Head of Brand and Communications

    Conner brings over 15 years of experience in the communications and brand space, beginning her career in radio promotions and evolving into a dynamic, multi-disciplinary leader. Known for her innate creativity and strategic insight, she plays a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the brand vision and communications strategy at 7H

    As Head of Brand and Communications, Conner leads both central and property-level teams to ensure cohesive storytelling and audience engagement across all channels. From content creation and copywriting to campaign oversight and brand messaging, she ensures that every output aligns with the company’s identity, values, and goals.

    Her versatile skill set also includes in-house graphic design capabilities, allowing her to guide brand development from concept through to execution. Conner is deeply involved in building and maintaining brand consistency across touchpoints — from digital assets to printed collateral — ensuring a polished and professional presence across the portfolio.

    Outside of her corporate experience, Conner previously ran her own events venue, further refining her skills in branding, communications, and customer engagement. She also holds a degree in teaching from the British Ballet Organisation, showcasing her lifelong commitment to creativity, discipline, and growth.

  • Lynnel Farrow

    Head of Sales

    Lynnel Farrow is a seasoned sales leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and building high-performing teams in the hospitality industry. As the Head of Sales at 7H, Lynnel leverages over 15 years of experience to develop and execute strategic sales initiatives that elevate brand presence and foster long-term partnerships.

    Before joining 7H, Lynnel held senior sales positions at various renowned hospitality groups, where she excelled in driving business development, optimising customer relationships, and leading large-scale sales teams. Her expertise lies in identifying emerging market trends, creating compelling sales strategies, and building strong client loyalty.

    Passionate about fostering collaborative environments, Lynnel leads her team with a hands-on approach that inspires innovation, creativity, and exceptional results. She is dedicated to delivering outstanding service and exceeding client expectations, always staying ahead of the curve in a competitive market.

    Her leadership is characterised by a commitment to excellence, a deep understanding of market dynamics, and an unwavering focus on driving measurable outcomes that contribute to the growth and success of 7H.

  • Sarah George

    Head of Human Resources

    Sarah is responsible for driving the overall HR function and delivering a successful people strategy across all areas of the business in line with achieving strategic business goals.

    CIPD accredited via MOL and graduating with a MA in International Business with Spanish from the University of Dundee. Sarah specialises in TUPE, Change Management, Employment Law and Employment Relations.

    Sarah is dedicated to ensuring the company’s HR Strategy is focussed towards the success of 7 Hospitality Management’s mission of delivering a return on investment for our owners through people

  • Nicola Lewis

    Head of Hotel Marketing

    Nicola leads the hotel marketing strategy across 7H’s diverse portfolio. She is responsible for driving direct bookings, elevating brand presence, and aligning each property’s unique identity with commercial goals.

    At 7H, Nicola works closely with hotel teams, revenue managers, and digital partners to ensure every property under management is positioned for long-term growth and guest engagement.

A Portfolio of Distinction

Our portfolio

Weetwood Hall, Leeds
The Lansbury Heritage, London
Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeenshire
Glasgow Grosvenor, Glasgow
Ravensby Hall, Angus
Thornbury Castle, Bristol
Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeenshire
Judges Court, York
Killochan Castle, Ayrshire