Swallow chief flies the nest

The Herald – Aug 01 6:11 PM
PAUL ROGERSON
The man who presided over the breakneck expansion of Scotland’s biggest hotel group has left abruptly and without explanation.
Peter Gray, who was chief executive of Kent-based Swallow Hotels, led an acquisition spree which has seen the group take over nearly 40 hotels north of the border since the beginning of last year.
Alan Bowes, executive chairman of London and Edinburgh Swallow Group, insisted the company’s strategy to increase its Scottish portfolio from the current 70 hotels to 100 by 2014 is unaffected by Gray’s departure.
Gray, 46, was tightlipped when contacted at home, saying only: “There is no animosity. I left in very good circumstances. Everyone’s cool.”
In a statement, Bowes said last night: “I can confirm that Peter Gray has decided not to continue his role as Swallow Hotels’ chief executive.
“He has helped us build Swallow Hotels into the fastest-growing hotel chain in the UK and the largest in Scotland.
“After joining us three years ago, when we had just 13 hotels, he has successfully completed this role and has now decided to move on and pursue company paid more than £20m for six more Scottish hotels, including well-known golfing and conference venues the Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Resort and the Gleddoch House Hotel and Country Estate at Langbank in Renfrewshire.
Bowes also made the news for different reasons in the spring when Swallow went to court in a legal challenge to Scotland’s smoking ban.
He sought a judicial review of the law, claiming that it breached human rights. He later dropped the challenge.