Managing Director - Red Carnation Hotels
Jonathan Raggett has worked in hotels since leaving Westminster College with a Higher National Diploma in Hotel Management. Jonathan joined RCH in 1998 as General Manager of The Rubens Hotel. In 2000 he was promoted to Managing Director, overseeing the rapid expansion to the 14 award-winning luxury boutique hotels and a country inn which RCH now operates. In November 2009, Jonathan Raggett was delighted to be named Hotelier of the Year at the world-renowned Hotel Catey Annual Industry Awards organised by the Caterer & Hotelkeeper.
"We are a family run small collection of five- and four-star hotels who fight the big chains for business. We will never have the same Sales and Marketing spend as these players, so it is my belief that we need to make an even better job of taking care of our guests."
jonathan@rchmail.com
Executive Director - Red Carnation Hotels
Internationally acclaimed hotelier Terry Holmes, winner of the 2006 Caterer Tourism Award, joined Red Carnation Hotels in February 2006, bringing with him his incredible passion for the hospitality industry. His tremendous career ranges from a chef to Vice President in the luxury hotel business.
A much loved character at each of the hotels in the Red Carnation collection, his presence together with his expertise further strengthens our guests' experience.
tholmes@rchmail.com
General Manager
My role at The Milestone is to lead our team of over 100 employees to ensure that the service and product we provide our valued guests is second to none and that, having once experienced The Milestone, our guests will not want to stay anywhere else. If you have not been one of our guests before it would be my pleasure to welcome you to our fine hotel. A few members of my team below would also like to introduce themselves.
apike@rchmail.com
Executive PA to the General Manager
I joined Red Carnation Hotels in 2007 and love the family atmosphere and company ethos. Although my role at The Milestone Hotel is more behind the scenes, my career started in front line operations over 20 years ago. I completed my National Diploma in Hotel Operations and then moved to Dublin, Ireland, working in various hotels starting as a Receptionist and moving up the career ladder to Front Office Manager. I then moved back to my home town of Manchester and worked at Manchester Utd for a number of years but I always wanted to live in the ‘big smoke’. London is such an amazing city as there are so many things to see and do. It’s a pleasure to come to work each day, knowing that I am working in the best hotel, in the best city in the world!
cchandler@rchmail.com
Deputy General Manager
My Red Carnation Hotels journey started years ago at the Chesterfield Mayfair, and after spending 7 years away I am delighted to return to the RCH family. My goal is to ensure that the Milestone continues to set the standard for service excellence, and that each and every one of our valued guests experiences the genuine care and comfort that the Milestone team is acclaimed for. We will do our utmost to ensure that we remain every guest’s favourite home away from home.
gwild@rchmail.com
Director of Sales
I joined The Milestone Hotel in February 2005 as Director of Sales and feel very proud to be part of such a great team. I have an in-depth knowledge of the London and US markets and my aim is to exceed my clients’ expectations.
spedreschi@rchmail.com
Executive Head Chef
Kim hails from a small city in Norway and enjoyed cooking from an early age but set his sights on this amazing industry at the tender age of 10. Kim moved to Oslo when he was 18 and completed his apprenticeship at The Plaza Hotel which is Northern Europe`s biggest hotel. In 2005 he moved to London where he worked in some of the top restaurants including Orrery, Gordon Ramsey`s MAZE and the Dorchester Grill. Kim joined the Milestone in 2011 because of the hotel's philosophy of ‘no request is too large, no detail to small’ and he and his Chefs strive to live up to the standard every day. His style of cooking is modern British with a focus on good quality seafood and local produce.
ksjobakk@rchmail.com
Front of House Manager
Neil has worked at The Milestone Hotel since July 2000 and during this time he has worked in many different departments in the hotel. ‘It is mine and my dedicated team's goal to ensure that all of our guests only receive the very warmest of welcomes to the hotel and that their stay is perfect.’ The team's motto is “No request is too large and no detail is too small.”
nanderson@rchmail.com
Food and Beverage Manager
I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years and the reason why I joined the Milestone is due to the importance of teamwork and the family atmosphere - being Italian, family is what matters to me most. I love the Red Carnation Hotel statement of ‘no request is too large, no detail too small’. I am extremely passionate about food and beverage and I am looking forward to meeting all of our guests and working with my team to serve their every need.
frusso@rchmail.com
Head Concierge
My love affair started at The Milestone Hotel in 1999 when I joined the concierge team. I now find myself as the Head Concierge at one of the most prestigious hotels in London. Our motto being “No request is too large, no detail too small” which has earned us great recognition and many coveted hospitality awards. I was born in London and have great passion and knowledge about this special city. London has a great heritage, from its history to its culture, so I guarantee there is something for everyone to experience! My team and I are here at your disposal! We look forward to welcoming you! Read my latest newsletter with tips on the best sightseeing, theatre and dining in the area.
conciergems@rchmail.com
Front Office Manager
I have been working at The Milestone Hotel since 2010. I have studied and worked in hospitality for over 10 years and feel very lucky to work for Red Carnation Hotels. They pride themselves on delivering exceptional hospitality and memorable luxury to each and every guest. I have worked in the US and several other hotels in the UK but London is by far my favourite city in the world and The Milestone Hotel is definitely one of its greatest assets. We have a fantastic Front of House team ready to handle any request you may have and we will ensure your stay is unforgettable. The team and I look forward to welcoming you soon!
avines@rchmail.com
Reservations Manager
I have been working at The Milestone for the past six years. I take pride in knowing every one of our bedrooms and apartments inside out and I am especially familiar with this area of London. Whatever special requirements our guests have, we ensure that every little detail and personal preference is handed onto the operations team - No request is too large or detail too small.
bookms@rchmail.com
Head Bar Tender
Markus was born in a beautiful place called Suedtirol in Northern Italy. His relationship with hotels and especially the bar started at a very young age as he grew up in a little “Gasthof” (small hotel). His uncle gave him the responsibility of stocking the bar and recycling the used bottles and paid Markus for his hard work in ‘fizzy drinks’! Markus joined the Milestone in 2008 and within two years was promoted to Head Bartender. He is very excited and proud to welcome you to Stables Bar and hopes to make you feel truly at home in your very own little private bar. Among his favourite drinks is a Hendricks Martini, a simple but delicious and very easy drink to prepare at home, after a hard day at work.
barms@rchmail.com
Executive Head Housekeeper
Tzveta Ivanova joined The Milestone Hotel as Executive Housekeeper in 2008. Tzveta studied music at university in her home country of Bulgaria and decided to move to London in 1999. She has a great passion for cleanliness and the exceptional importance of every single small detail. As an Executive Housekeeper she makes sure every guest has a memorable and pleasant stay, and that expectations are exceeded ensuring that our guests keep returning to the lovely Milestone Hotel making it their home from home.
tivanova@rchmail.com
Spa Manager
It didn’t take long for our founder, Mrs Bea Tollman, to persuade Fiona Keane to 'come in from the cold' and bring her highly successful business to the Health Club Spa at The Milestone Hotel. Fiona has spent the last 30 years working round the world, from The Royal Palaces in Kathmandu to Kensington Palace and Downing Street to The White House. Fiona's client list is a closely guarded secret, although she does come highly regarded by British actress Joan Collins. Fiona's list of treatments at The Milestone is highly varied - from massage to make-up and eyelash extensions to pedicures. She offers a range of treatments for the ‘weary traveller’ and guarantees you will leave feeling revived and revitalised.
conciergems@rchmail.com (reservations) | fkeane@hotmail.co.uk (contact Fiona directly)
Chief Engineer
Having served my electrical apprenticeship in hotels as a teenager I now have over 15 years of hotel experience. In only my second position as Chief Engineer I find myself at the Milestone. My aim is to ensure all maintenance is carried out to the standard that this building deserves.