New General Manager at Doubletree by Hilton, Coventry Building Society Arena

A Coventry hotel has welcomed a new general manager to drive its growth and improve customer experience.

Raj Balsaraf has been appointed at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry – a 121-bedroom hotel on-site at Coventry Building Society Arena.

Raj has more than 16 years’ experience working in the hotel and leisure industry and has worked for some of the biggest brands in the UK.

It is his first appointment in the position of General Manager and sees him return to Hilton after starting his career at the Hilton London Croydon Hotel in 2006.

Raj spent the first seven years of his career working for Hilton across three different sites in London -- Croydon, Bracknell, Kensington.

Since first leaving Hilton, he has worked with major brands including InterContinental Hotels Group, Jurys Inn Hotel Group, Accor Hotels and Millenium Hotels and Resorts.

While at Jurys Inn Hotel Group, Raj was part of the management team that oversaw an £11 million refurbishment of their Oxford hotel in December 2016. This added 72 bedrooms to the existing 168, launched a new bar and new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill with 180 covers, and renovated the Juvenate Health & Leisure Club.

He has four years’ experience as a hotel Operations Manager from his time at Millennium Hotels and Resorts in Birmingham.

In the new role at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Coventry, he will lead a team of 40 staff and be responsible for driving standards throughout the property.

Raj says he is committed to improving the premium, luxury experience for customers at the hotel.

“I’m excited to be taking on this new role and to work with the established team here to drive improvement across the hotel,” he said.

“It’s a great time to be joining the hotel, particularly with the eyes of the world set to turn on the venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in a few months’ time.

“The hotel already has a strong reputation and I’m committed to improving it further, and in particular ensuring that all hotel guests are treated to the premier Doubletree by Hilton standard experience.

“We are keen to grow corporate business within the hotel ensuring it is able to operate as a stand-alone business, whilst also providing important accommodation for visitors to Coventry Building Society Arena.”

Paul Michael, Commercial Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, spent more than two years as General Manager at the Doubletree by Hilton Coventry.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have Raj on board as part of the senior leadership team here at the Coventry Building Society Arena and we are excited to see what Raj can do to grow the business.

“Raj comes at a very exciting time for the venue with exhibitions, music and leading world-class events like Commonwealth Games and Rugby League World Cup all happening in this year.  I know when we appointed Raj, he demonstrated the right values which reflect Hilton brand and venue long term vision.”