From 2 November 2026, three colleagues will move into new roles at Christian Conference Trust’s centres. Ewen Thomas, currently General Manager at High Leigh, will become Centre Director at The Hayes. Claire Graves, currently Rooms Division Manager at High Leigh, will become General Manager at Highgate House. Stuart Saunders, currently General Manager at Highgate House, will take on the General Manager role at High Leigh.
Handovers are already underway. Operations Director Heather says the moves put the Trust’s succession planning into practice, creating opportunities for colleagues to progress.
Ewen Thomas at The Hayes
Ewen hopes to bring the same people-focused approach from High Leigh to The Hayes.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the people, the personality of the centre and how everything works day to day.”
“One thing that has always mattered to me is having a team who understand where we’re going and feel part of it. I’ve always tried to be visible, approachable and involved, and I want to bring that same style of leadership with me to The Hayes.”
Away from work, Ewen is a keen golfer and has played rugby for a number of years.
“I’m a keen golfer, although my scorecard might suggest otherwise! I’ve also played rugby for a number of years, so I’m hoping to find a new club after the move.”
Claire Graves at Highgate House
Claire’s experience has shaped how she thinks about the guest experience, from the welcome people receive to the details that help their stay run smoothly.
“A guest’s experience is about so much more than just the room they stay in. It’s about how they are welcomed, the little details that make their stay easier, and how everything comes together behind the scenes.”
“I think a warm, genuine welcome can make such a difference. Remembering someone’s name, knowing a little bit about their visit, or simply taking the time to make sure they have everything they need can really change how someone feels.”
Outside work, Claire enjoys walking and hiking. She has completed Snowdon and Scafell Pike, and is planning to hike Ben Nevis.
“I love having a goal to work towards and pushing myself to achieve something new!”
Stuart Saunders at High Leigh
Stuart brings more than 35 years of hospitality experience to High Leigh. He says the work to reopen Highgate House after four years of closure is what he’ll remember most.
“The sheer effort, determination and teamwork that went into bringing Highgate House back to life after being closed for four years… was both a huge challenge and an incredibly rewarding experience.”
He is looking forward to building on the work already happening at High Leigh.
“High Leigh already has a strong reputation and high standards, so I’m particularly excited about working with the team to build on those foundations, challenge ourselves and see how we can raise the bar even further.”
“I’ll also be taking with me the importance of supporting, developing and bringing out the best in the people around me.”
We look forward to seeing Ewen, Claire, and Stuart bring their experience to their new roles across our centres.
If you’re interested in hosting your next Christian event at The Hayes in Derbyshire, Highgate House in Northamptonshire, or High Leigh in Hertfordshire, contact our friendly sales team on 0300 111 4444 or click the button below.
