MARK Jones took over on Monday as managing director of Wyboston Lakes Venues, which claims to be the UK’s largest privately-owned single-site specialist conference and training centre.

For the last six years he has been group general manager of Whittlebury Hall management training centre, hotel and spa and Scalford Hall Hotel in Melton Mowbray.

During that time, Whittlebury Hall was twice awarded Best Large Hotel in the East Midlands and has won two Conde Nast Johansens Most Excellent Awards in the last two years.

He takes over from Nigel Hollis, who has become non-executive deputy chairman with the company’s venues business and will lead its property division as managing director.