Being one of Britain’s leading hoteliers, with over 20 years’ experience, Stuart Procter has a wealth of experience of the international hospitality market and an abiding love of service and hospitality that began at a very young age.
Originating from Blackburn, Lancashire, (UK) Stuart began his career at the tender age of 16 as an Apprentice Trainee Manager at Northcote Manor situated on the edge of the Ribble Valley, in the heart of Lancashire. Following the successful completion of a rigorous three-year apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Managing Director, Craig Bancroft and Chef Patron, Nigel Haworth, he went to work for Shire Hotels as a Deputy General Manager.
Stuart then became General Manager of The Vineyard, a luxury 5-star hotel and spa in Berkshire before heading North again to become General Manager of The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa in North Yorkshire, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. During the four years he was there, the hotel gained 4-AA-Red-Stars along with several accolades including 1 Michelin Star and 3 Rosettes.
In 2006, Stuart took over the helm at The Stafford, London at the age of 29, taking on the responsibility of overseeing the £26 million pound development of The Stafford Mews, comprising 26 suites and an extension of the famous American Bar. During his five-year tenure the hotel’s annual revenue grew from £8 million to £12.5 million and profitability from £2.2 million to £5 million in addition to collecting many international accolades, including 5-AA-Red-Stars and The Catey Hotel of the Year Award to name but a few.
In 2011 Stuart left The Stafford to become Managing Director of GG Hospitality, the company he co-founded with Manchester United football legends, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, spending five years creating and developing two global brand concepts, Café Football and Hotel Football.
In November 2015 he made a much-welcomed return to The Stafford, London as General Manager, to oversee the multi-million-pound renovation of the hotel’s historic Carriage House Suites and to launch The Game Bird restaurant, which opened to critical acclaim. In 2018 Stuart oversaw the renovation of The American Bar, followed by a multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Main House Bedrooms of the hotel, as part of their on-going refurbishment programme.
As The Stafford grew from strength to strength, Stuart’s thoughts turned to the expansion of the business and in 2019 he announced the creation of the Stafford Collection and two new businesses joining the group – Norma, a Sicilian-inspired stand-alone restaurant in Fitzrovia and Northcote a 26 bedroom hotel with Michelin Star restaurant, very well known to Stuart from him time as Apprentice Trainee Manager there. Since joining the Stafford Collection, Northcote has achieved record levels of revenue and profitability, which Stuart has been instrumental in driving.
Awards have been aplenty since Stuart’s return to The Stafford in 2015, with the hotel being listed as #3 London City Hotels and #10 European City Hotels in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and #8 London Hotels in Conde Nast Traveller. In July 2022, Stuart was recognised by Luxury Travel Advisor as Top General Manager/Managing Director Worldwide in their prestigious annual Awards of Excellence.
Stuart left the Stafford Collection in March 2024 and is currently considering his next move.