Milsom Hotels and Restaurants has appointed Jess Counsell as general manager for Dedham, a new role overseeing Talbooth Restaurant, Talbooth House and Spa, and milsoms in Dedham.
The appointment follows the promotion of Geoff Hare to general manager at Milsom’s Kesgrave Hall and marks a restructuring of the group’s senior leadership.
It is the first time all Dedham-based businesses will operate under a single management structure.
Counsell will be responsible for 27 bedrooms, the Idle Waters cottage, Talbooth Restaurant – which holds three AA Rosettes, Milsoms Brasserie, Talbooth Spa, three private dining rooms, summer banqueting and Milsom Catering, including operations at Hengrave Hall.
She will also work with the wider leadership team to ensure a smooth transition into the new management structure.
The combined scale of these venues brings the Dedham portfolio closer in scope to a resort hotel.
Counsell previously served as general manager of Talbooth Restaurant and Talbooth House and Spa. She completed the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma in 2023, a hospitality training programme aimed at developing future senior leaders.
Paul Milsom, managing director of Milsom Hotels and Restaurants, said: “Jess’s career trajectory with us has been outstanding. She has demonstrated maturity, commercial understanding and leadership throughout her time with us. Uniting our Dedham businesses under one general manager has long been an ambition, and Jess is absolutely the right person to take this forward.”
Counsell added: “I am incredibly proud to be taking on the role of general manager for Dedham. Having worked with the teams at Talbooth Restaurant, Talbooth House and Spa and milsoms, it is a privilege to bring these businesses together as one. Dedham is where the Milsom story began, and I’m excited to lead this next chapter.”
