A BOSS has been appointed for a major hotel that is nearing completion.

Samantha Strefford has been named as the general manager of the new Hampton by Hilton Blackburn, located just off the M65 at Whitebirk.

The 152-room hotel is set to open at the end of the year and will be the first Hilton brand to take a bow in the area. It will form the centrepiece of a £100million complex.

The hotel, owned by Monte Hospitality and managed by Leaf Hospitality, will also have conference facilities for 1,400 delegates.

Mrs Strefford will lead the team in all aspects of hotel operations, from marketing and hotel administration to guest services and satisfaction.

One of her roles in the new business venture will be to inspire hotel team members.

Mrs Strefford said: “I look forward to this new opportunity, and I am proud to build and lead a phenomenal team at Hampton by Hilton Blackburn.

“My ultimate goal is to ensure this hotel is a top choice for both leisure and business travellers visiting the Blackburn area by delivering outstanding customer service and facilities.”

Prior to joining Hampton by Hilton Blackburn, Mrs Strefford was part of the management team at DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool as operations manager.

Mrs Strefford has more than 15 years experience in the hospitality industry, including management positions at Aloft, Radisson Blu and Crown Plaza

Plans were announced for Hampton by Hilton in January last year with hopes to open this summer but plans were pushed back in July to a later opening date this year.

The company did not give a reason for the delay, but in July a spokesperson said that delays to construction projects are commonplace.

Michael Magrane, chief operating officer of Leaf Hospitality said: “We are privileged to have someone of Samantha’s calibre and industry experience leading the team, and we are confident that she will carry the Hampton by Hilton spirit through every facet of this position,”

The hotel is set to form the centrepiece of the £100million Euro Garages’ Frontier Park complex which includes a drive-thru KFC and Greggs, Spar, Starbucks and Totally Wicked outlet.

The retail park complex has created 135 jobs and is part of a major regeneration for the region.

A wider distribution, logistics and manufacturing hub will take up the remainder of the Frontier Park site.

The Hilton expansion will make it the 29th nationally, with a further 20 planned for both the UK and Ireland over the next few years.

The Hilton brands include Conrad, Canopy, Signia, Curio, Double Tree as well as the classic Hilton Hotels.