Posted: 7 April 2022

Leading Midlands dedicated training and meeting venue Ashorne Hill has appointed James Lee to the position of Learning Solutions Manager and Sarah Ellis to Business Development Director to support ambitious growth plans for both learning and the venue.

James Lee joined Ashorne Hill last year as Programmes Director and has been instrumental in developing new digital training content to respond to the changing needs of businesses and managers following the pandemic. In his new role as Learning Solutions Manager he will lead the learning team, work with sales and marketing to attract new businesses and make content and training more accessible to everyone.

James is transitioning into this role to replace Terry Gordon who is retiring from his role as Learning Solutions Manager in May. Terry has worked at Ashorne for over 20 years and has made an enormous contribution to Ashorne’s success over that period.

On his appointment, James commented, “In my new role I want to maintain our reputation at the forefront of management and leadership development. We have ambitious plans, and I am currently growing my team with people who share my passion for learning and development.”

Sarah, who has been at Ashorne Hill for five years as National Sales & Marketing Manager, takes on the new role of Business Development Director, bringing together marketing and business development activity across both learning and venue products, integrating the unique proposition that Ashorne Hill has to offer.

On her appointment Sarah said, “Ashorne Hill is a truly unique place, and few other venues can offer the breadth of space and services that we can. Our reputation is built upon design, development and delivery of management and leadership programmes, whether that be digitally, blended or in one of our 43 meeting spaces. My newly created role will support all the services we offer and help businesses to find whatever learning or meeting solution they need.”

Jon West, Managing Director at Ashorne Hill, commented, “Sarah and James are very welcome additions to the Ashorne Hill leadership team in a period where we are experiencing rapid growth. Sarah’s promotion is richly deserved, and James has proved over the past year that he is the right person to take Learning forward. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Terry Gordon for his contribution to Ashorne and to wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.”

He continued, “Enquiries for meetings, training events and development programmes have already exceeded 2019 levels, we have recently opened two new meetings spaces – the Carson Centre and the Jubilee Lounge, launched the Cellar for celebrations and are upgrading our bedrooms. It is an exciting time to join our team as Sarah and James help to drive us even further forward.”

Ashorne Hill is based in Leamington Spa and has 43 meeting and training spaces, 110 bedrooms and 35 acres of grounds.  As well as recruiting programme developer and managers in the Learning space, there are also opportunities for hospitality staff to support its venue activities.