Arora Group has appointed experienced golf industry leader Gerry Ivers as its new Managing Director of Golf to spearhead ambitious plans to grow its portfolio of golf properties in the UK and Europe.
Ivers, who spent 20 years as General Manager of Queenwood Golf Club, will oversee day-to-day operations at The Buckinghamshire, recently repositioned as a private members’ club following a more than £10 million clubhouse renovation, as well as the development of a new course at Ryder Cup candidate venue Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.
Sanjay Arora, President of The Buckinghamshire and Chief Operating Officer of the Arora Group, said, “Gerry brings exceptional golf industry experience and expertise and we are delighted he is joining us at this exciting time.
“In addition to the significant investments we are making at The Buckinghamshire and Luton Hoo, we are actively targeting resort acquisitions in the UK and Europe to grow our portfolio of golf properties. Gerry will play an important role helping us grow our golf business and deliver world-class customer experiences across our venues.”
The Arora Group is an established hotel owner and operator and one of the largest privately owned family businesses in the UK. Its portfolio of landmark properties includes Fairmont Windsor Park and Sofitel London Heathrow. Now, it is aiming to grow its golf division and become a leading owner-operator of golf venues in the UK and Europe.
In April 2024, Arora Group reopened The Buckinghamshire as a contemporary private members’ club following a more than £10 million renovation, including the addition of seven luxury bedroom suites within the 350-year-old country house clubhouse.
The club, just 15 miles from West London and 10 miles from Heathrow Airport, is successfully attracting a new London-centred and international membership.
Ivers’ international experience and on-the-ground technical expertise, including overseeing the opening of Queenwood, proved an important factor in the appointment as Arora Group embarks on a major project to develop a new golf course at Luton Hoo. Plans for the new course, just 50-minutes’ north of Central London, have already been approved as part of an official bid to host a future Ryder Cup.
Commenting on his appointment, Gerry Ivers said, “The Arora Group is an established leader in hospitality and its remarkable transformation of The Buckinghamshire is an indicator of what the organisation promises to bring to golf.
“My role is to deliver Sanjay’s and the Group’s vision, creating world-class golf course and playing experiences, five-star hospitality and inspiring our family of employees to deliver the very best customer service across all our venues.”