Crieff Hydro duo share ‘Hot Scots’ position

April 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Stephen Leckie, Chief Executive of Crieff Hydro and John Jennett, the resort’s Managing Director have been awarded joint thirteenth position in the Scottish hospitality industry’s ‘Caterer and Hotelkeeper’s inaugural Hot Scots Power 40’.
The list highlights the 40 movers and shakers who are having the biggest impact on the industry in Scotland, as well as passionately flying the flag for their country further afield. Each nomination was judged on five criteria - scale and scope; power and influence; financial success; innovation; and longevity - by a panel of analysts, industry experts and former operators, all of whom are based in Scotland.
Crieff Hydro is Scotland’s leading leisure resort, with over 200 4* hotel bedrooms, and 54 3-5* self- catering units set on a 900 acre Perthshire estate. There are five food outlets and over 60 indoor and outdoor activities on site from high-ropes to horses; quads to laser quest and tennis to trekking. The business turns over £17m a year, welcomes up to 1000 customers a day and employs over 550 staff.
When John Jennett was appointed Managing Director in 2011, it was the first time that the hotel had appointed a senior manager from outside the family. Jennett, formerly Sales and Marketing Director of the hotel, took over the role from Leckie, who represented the fifth generation of his family to run the hotel.
Jennett oversees the development of the Crieff Hydro brand and maintaining its reputation while Leckie now focuses on opportunities for growth.
The company recently announced a proposal for their plans for the ‘Crieff Hydro East’ project, a development project which will place Crieff Hydro as a world-class destination amongst the leading leisure resorts within the UK. The project will see the construction of 200 lodges and a 100-bedroom care home on a nearby greenfield site, a swimming pool, spa, and cafe. It is set to boost the Scottish economy by around £50 million per annum.
Speaking about the duo’s place on the Hot 40 list, Stephen Leckie, commented; “I’m absolutely delighted that John and I have been recognised in this list, perhaps more so as we have been awarded our place as a duo, rather than individually as this is what I feel has enabled Crieff Hydro to grow and become the destination it is today.”
He added; “John and I are not only committed to the growth and development of Crieff Hydro, we are extremely passionate about using our partnership to drive the Scottish tourism and hospitality industries forward for the benefit of all, and I am delighted to see so many names of people on this list who I know are equally passionate and committed to being part of this new movement. Scotland has a wealth of talent in these industries and a glance over this list clearly demonstrates that the knowledge, support, passion and vision for putting Scotland on the map as a world destination is very much alive and I hope that a read through these names will be a source of inspiration to anyone thinking of joining our industry.”