The Alan Manchester Appoints GM and Sales Manager Following 70-Room Refurbishment
Claire McGinnis and Elizabeth Morris join the independent Manchester property in April 2026 as it completes room upgrades and launches a new website.
The short answer
The Alan in Manchester has appointed Claire McGinnis as General Manager and Elizabeth Morris as Sales Manager, effective April 2026. The hires follow the refurbishment of 70 bedrooms and a new partnership with the Manchester Art Gallery.
The short version
- Claire McGinnis will assume the General Manager role at The Alan in April 2026.
- Elizabeth Morris joins as Sales Manager following 10 years at Sykes Cottages.
- The Alan recently completed refurbishments on 70 of its 137 bedrooms.
The Alan in Manchester is rebuilding its property-level leadership following the refurbishment of 70 bedrooms by appointing Claire McGinnis as General Manager and Elizabeth Morris as Sales Manager in April 2026 [1] [2]. These appointments align with a new website launch and a formal partnership with the Manchester Art Gallery [1].
What operational background does the incoming General Manager possess?
Claire McGinnis brings over a decade of hotel management experience to her new role leading operations, guest experience, and commercial performance at The Alan [1]. According to eHotelier, her previous positions include General Manager at the Residence Inn by Marriott Manchester Piccadilly and Hotel Manager at INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool [1]. She also served as Operations Manager at both the DoubleTree Chester and the Crowne Plaza Chester [1]. Her team previously nominated her for Mentor of the Year at the Manchester Hoteliers Association Awards, reflecting her focus on supporting staff growth and development [1].
How is the property restructuring its commercial and sales outreach?
Elizabeth Morris joins a newly expanded sales team to drive new business opportunities across multiple industries [2]. eHotelier reported that Morris will focus on strengthening relationships throughout Manchester and raising awareness of the hotel's offerings [2]. She brings extensive travel and hospitality experience, having spent 10 years in the UK travel market at Sykes Cottages [2]. Most recently, she worked for two years as Head of Events at Hotal, where she managed high-profile client accounts in the law, beauty, fashion, finance, and tech industries [2].
What physical and digital upgrades frame these leadership changes?
The leadership appointments coincide with the completion of a refurbishment covering 70 of the hotel's bedrooms [1]. In addition to the physical updates, the independent hotel is currently developing a new website that is scheduled to launch later this year [2]. The property has also recently become a partner to the Manchester Art Gallery, which sits directly opposite the hotel [1].
What is the physical layout and history of the asset?
The Alan operates within a repurposed Victorian warehouse located on Princess Street in Manchester [1]. The design-led property opened its doors in 2022 [2]. The ground floor features an open-plan kitchen, a bar, and a coworking space [1]. Above the ground level, the hotel houses a total of 137 bedrooms distributed across six upper floors [2].
How does event management experience feature in the new team?
Both new leaders possess specific backgrounds in high-volume event execution. During her tenure at the Great John Street Hotel, McGinnis oversaw 137 weddings within a single year [1]. Morris directly managed corporate events for high-profile clients across various corporate sectors during her two years as Head of Events at Hotal [2].
| Appointee | New Role at The Alan | Previous Employers | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claire McGinnis | General Manager | Residence Inn by Marriott, INNSiDE by Melia, DoubleTree, Crowne Plaza, Great John Street Hotel | April 2026 |
| Elizabeth Morris | Sales Manager | Sykes Cottages, Hotal | April 2026 |
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This article was written from the following reporting. Follow the links for the original coverage.
- [1]The Alan Manchester Names Claire McGinnis as GM— eHotelier
- [2]The Alan Manchester Appoints Elizabeth Morris as Sales Manager— eHotelier
Frequently asked
+When do the new leaders join The Alan Manchester?
Claire McGinnis and Elizabeth Morris will both join the team at The Alan in April 2026 [[1]] [[2]].
+How many rooms were recently refurbished at The Alan?
The hotel recently completed a refurbishment of 70 of its bedrooms [[1]].
+What is the total room count at The Alan?
The property features 137 bedrooms spread across its six upper floors [[2]].
+What previous experience does Claire McGinnis have?
McGinnis has over a decade of experience, including roles as General Manager at Residence Inn by Marriott Manchester Piccadilly and Hotel Manager at INNSiDE by Melia Liverpool [[1]].
+Where did Elizabeth Morris work before joining The Alan?
Morris spent 10 years at Sykes Cottages and two years as Head of Events at Hotal [[2]].
+What cultural institution is The Alan partnered with?
The Alan has recently become a partner to the Manchester Art Gallery, which is located directly opposite the hotel [[1]].
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