Catherine Austen was particularly proud to have joined the team at the Queens as the new General Manager owing to a close family association with Southsea’s most stylish hotel.
Back in the sixties, her grandfather Ron Bennett led the in-house band and Catherine admitted her appointment felt even more special due to the close family tie.
Catherine’s aunt Cheryl Hamilton has researched Ron’s musical past and the talented jazz saxophonist played regularly at the hotel during the 1960s.
“He would be so proud of Catherine joining the hotel as General Manager,” said Cheryl.
Catherine has an impressive background in retail management and explained the move to the hospitality sector was to satisfy her need for a new challenge.
“I’ve worked in retail management for 37 years. I really enjoyed my time with Next but I was keen to take on a new challenge.
“My management experience has given me many transferable skills and I am looking forward to taking the Queens Hotel to the next stage in its journey.”
Catherine took up her post in May 2021 and she said she is looking forward to welcoming guests old and new to the Queens Hotel.
“I’ve always known the Queens Hotel because I was born in Portsmouth.
“My priorities are the staff and customers – and I want to make the Queens Hotel the most talked about place in Portsmouth once again,” she said.
23rd July 2021