THE Royal York Hotel has started the new year with the appointment of two key senior leaders to the team as the business completes of major renovation and refurbishment of the main hotel building, and the launch of a new Garden Room.

Richard Mansell has joined as general manager of the hotel, bringing a CV that includes experience at 1 Hotels, the Capella Hotel Group and Ritz Carlton.

His most recent post was as the general manager of St John’s Hotel in Solihull, prior to that he held senior management roles in the UK and overseas, and in recent years oversaw the opening of Raithwaite Hall in Whitby, in 2012.

Will Harper, the new Food & Beverage manager has been appointed to look after the hotel’s restaurants and bars. Alongside executive chef Nick Evan, Mr Harper is tasked with nurturing relationships with local suppliers as well as managing The Refectory Kitchen and Terrace, Chapter House Bar and the new Garden Room.

Prior to joining The Royal York Hotel, Mr Harper was the deputy general manager at Hotel Du Vin in Bristol for three years.

Mr Mansell said: "It’s great to be joining the hotel at such an exciting time.

"With the renovation complete, The Royal York Hotel has an offering to guests and members of the public that is second to none.

"The investment programme has taken the hotel and its team on a tremendous journey, bringing to life the glory and history of the building. I’m privileged to take the role as general manager and proud to lead this iconic hotel."

OPITBIOTIX Health, the York-based life sciences business developing products to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, has announced that Professor Tim Spector has joined the company's Scientific Advisory Group.

The group was created in October 2014 to support the scientific and clinical development of the company's compounds and brings together world renowned scientists with expertise in satiation, the human microbiome, and novel food ingredients.

Tim Spector is a professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King's College London, Hon Consultant Physician at Guys and St Thomas's Hospital, London, and director of the crowd funded British Gut project.

Stephen O'Hara, OptiBiotix's chief executive Officer, said: "I am delighted that Tim has agreed to join our Scientific Advisory Group. His research interests in the microbiome open up the potential for new collaborations and development opportunities.

"Tim's ability to communicate complex scientific data to a wider public, as exemplified by his book 'The Diet Myth', will bring an increased consumer focus to our Scientific Advisory Group."