Latest news with #JulieHammond

South Wales Argus
18-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Celtic Manor Resort and ICC Wales up for M&IT Awards 2025
The flagship venues have been recognised in the best UK Hotel, and best UK Conference Centre categories, with The Celtic Collection in the Best Hotel Brand category at the awards, which are voted for by professionals across the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) industry. The Celtic Manor Resort, known for its luxury and top-tier event spaces, is in the running for the best UK hotel category, an accolade it has won 10 times before. ICC Wales is again recognised as one of the country's leading conference centres, having won silver in this category for the past two years. The Celtic Collection brand is also up for best hotel brand, competing against major international groups, despite its smaller size. Julie Hammond, group chief executive officer of the Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, said: "We're incredibly proud to see our venues and team recognised once again by our peers and clients in the industry. "These nominations reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for event organisers and guests alike." The M&IT Awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced, will take place in London on September 19.


Business News Wales
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales Celebrate Triple Shortlisting at Awards
The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales have been shortlisted in three prestigious categories at the 2025 M&IT Awards. Widely regarded as the Oscars of the business meetings and events industry, the group's flagship venues and brand have been selected as finalists in the following categories: Best Hotel Brand – The Celtic Collection Best UK Hotel – Celtic Manor Resort Best UK Conference Centre – ICC Wales The awards are voted for by professionals across the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry, making them a trusted indicator of quality and service excellence. The Celtic Manor Resort has been recognised in the Best UK Hotel category, an accolade it has secured 10 times previously. ICC Wales has once again earned a spot among the country's top conference centres, having secured the Silver Award in this category for the last two years. The wider Celtic Collection brand, which includes a portfolio of experience-led hotels and venues across Wales and beyond, is also in the spotlight, shortlisted for Best Hotel Brand against much larger international groups including Four Seasons, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Melia Hotels. Julie Hammond, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, said: 'We're incredibly proud to see our venues and team recognised once again by our peers and clients in the industry. These nominations reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for event organisers and guests alike. We're grateful to everyone who voted for us, and we're excited to celebrate with the best in the industry at the M&IT Awards later this year.' The winners will be announced at the M&IT Awards ceremony taking place in London on 19 September, where hundreds of professionals from across the UK and international events industry will come together to celebrate the sector's top achievers.

Western Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Celtic Collection in partnership with The Retreat Group
The Retreats Group, which operates three boutique hotels at Twr y Felin, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory on the St Davids peninsula, has appointed The Celtic Collection to provide consultancy and support services on sales, marketing, and operations. The partnership will see The Celtic Collection, Wales's largest independent hotel operator, expand its activity in Pembrokeshire, where it manages Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront and St Brides Spa Hotel. The Celtic Collection's chief executive, Julie Hammond, said: "We are delighted to increase our presence in Pembrokeshire with this exciting partnership with The Retreats Group. "The beautiful properties at Twr y Felin, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory align perfectly with our own brand and aspirations at The Celtic Collection. "We look forward to working with and supporting The Retreats Group to further enhance the profile and appeal of Pembrokeshire as a wonderful tourist destination, where breathtaking landscapes meet world-class hotels and exceptional restaurants." Retreats Group founder, Keith Griffiths, said: "I am enthused by our new partnership with the Celtic Collection. "Both Sir Terry Matthews, the founder of the Celtic Manor and Collection, and myself, as the founder of the Retreats Group, are Welshmen living abroad who share a deep passion for Wales. "Our three luxury and historic properties in St Davids will join the Celtic Collection venues at St Brides Spa Hotel and Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront to create a powerful tourism offer in Pembrokeshire." Twr y Felin is Wales's first contemporary art hotel, housing 39 bedrooms in a former windmill, including sea view rooms, unique suites, a fine dining restaurant, Blas, and more than 200 pieces of specially commissioned art. Dating from the 12th century, Roch Castle offers panoramic views over St Brides Bay and the Preseli Hills, and provides luxury accommodation steeped in history, combined with the highest level of modern comfort. Penrhiw Priory is nestled in acres of private gardens adjacent to St Davids Cathedral Close and has been restored with the utmost care and the finest furnishings. The Celtic Collection began its association with Pembrokeshire by opening the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront with 100 bedrooms, in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven in 2022. When the Port acquired the St Brides Spa Hotel last year, The Celtic Collection was appointed to manage and operate the destination in Saundersfoot where a refurbishment is taking place. The partnership with The Retreats Group takes effect immediately.


Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
The Celtic Collection and Retreats Group Announce New Pembrokeshire Partnership
Two of Wales's leading providers of luxury accommodation have joined forces to promote the very best of hospitality excellence in Pembrokeshire. The Retreats Group, which operates three prestigious boutique hotels at Twr y Felin, Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory on the St Davids peninsula, has appointed The Celtic Collection to provide consultancy and support services on sales, marketing and operations. The partnership will see The Celtic Collection, Wales's largest independent hotel operator born from the iconic Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, expand its own activity in Pembrokeshire where it manages Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront and St Brides Spa Hotel. Celtic Collection Chief Executive Julie Hammond said: 'We are delighted to increase our presence in Pembrokeshire with this exciting partnership with The Retreats Group. The beautiful properties at Twr y Felin, Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory align perfectly with our own brand and aspirations at The Celtic Collection. We look forward to working with and supporting The Retreats Group to further enhance the profile and appeal of Pembrokeshire as a wonderful tourist destination, where breathtaking landscapes meet world-class hotels and exceptional restaurants.' Retreats Group Founder Keith Griffiths said: 'I am enthused by our new partnership with the Celtic Collection. Both Sir Terry Matthews, the founder of the Celtic Manor and Collection, and myself, as the founder of the Retreats Group, are Welshmen living abroad who share a deep passion for Wales. Our three luxury and historic properties in St Davids will join the Celtic Collection venues at St Brides Spa Hotel and Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront to create a powerful tourism offer in Pembrokeshire.' Twr y Felin is a former windmill and Wales' first contemporary art hotel, housing 39 bedrooms including sea view rooms, unique suites, the fine dining restaurant Blas, and more than 200 pieces of specially commissioned art. Dating from the 12th century, Roch Castle offers panoramic views over St Brides Bay and the Preseli Hills. Penrhiw Priory is nestled in acres of private gardens adjacent to St Davids cathedral. The Celtic Collection began its association with Pembrokeshire by opening Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront with 100 bedrooms, in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven in 2022. When the Port acquired the prestigious St Brides Spa Hotel last year, The Celtic Collection was appointed to manage and operate the iconic destination in Saundersfoot where an exciting refurbishment is currently taking place. Extending this footprint in West Wales, the Collection's latest partnership with The Retreats Group takes effect immediately.