Marcliffe Hotel snaps up rival Meldrum House's managing director

Former Acorn Award winner Jordan Charles has been appointed managing director at Marcliffe Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen.

 

He joins from Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course in Aberdeenshire, where he was based for the past seven years as general manager and later managing director.

 

While at Meldrum House, he nearly doubled turnover from £3.8m in 2019 to £6.6m by April 2025, and also oversaw the property during its sale to Apex Hotels in 2024.

 

Charles, a recipient of The Caterer’s Acorn Award in 2021, has also held roles at Telford Hotel and Golf Resort in Shropshire, the Cambridge Belfry in Cambridgeshire, and the Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort in Glasgow.

 

As managing director of Marcliffe, Aberdeen’s only five-AA-star hotel, he will be responsible for the integration and development of the neighbouring Woodbank site, which the hotel acquired in November 2025, as well as overseeing further investment across the Marcliffe estate.

 

The hotel recently completed a £5.5m launch of its glass-dome brasserie, Skylark, in a bid to enhance its leisure offering.

 

Sir Jim Milne, chairman of strategic investment firm Balmoral Group and Marcliffe, said: “Jordan has a strong track record and delivered exceptional results at Meldrum House. He brings a deep understanding of the local market and shares our vision for the future. At a pivotal time for Marcliffe, it was essential to appoint the right person to lead the next stage of development. Jordan has the experience and judgement needed to lead our next chapter with confidence.” 

 

Charles added: “Marcliffe is hugely important locally and there’s a clear expectation in the North East for the hotel to be the best it can be. What attracted me to the role is the opportunity to build on what is already a very strong foundation, including the opening of Skylark, and to help shape the next phase of development. My focus is on ensuring Marcliffe continues to deliver exceptional experiences, while evolving in a way that feels right for the hotel, the team and the region.” 

 

Marcliffe Hotel and Spa was built in 1852 and features 40 bedrooms and suites and an AA-rosette restaurant. It relocated to its current site in 1993, when the opening was attended by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

 

The property was sold to the Balmoral Group after 45 years of family ownership in 2024.