La Grande Mare has appointed Ben Stimson as Managing Director.
Ben (pictured) will take up the role of Managing Director in April, ahead of the opening of the golf course this summer.
He is a senior golf and leisure leader with extensive international experience of working in premium golf environments across the UK, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Most recently, Ben was Director of Golf at The London Golf Club, where he held overall responsibility for golf operations, member engagement, events, and service delivery.
In his new role, Ben will be responsible for helping to shape La Grande Mare’s golf, dining, leisure and hospitality offering across the resort. Driving membership and brand awareness both locally and internationally will also be central to Ben’s remit.
In addition to having a degree in Professional Golf Studies, Ben is one of a select group of professionals to have completed the PGA Director of Golf qualification. He has also undertaken the Ohio State Agronomy Management qualification, enabling him to work closely with La Grande Mare’s Course Manager, Rick Hamilton, to deliver the highest possible standards of course conditioning. In recent years, Ben has furthered his professional development through the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE), which focuses on strategic management and leadership, and is working towards becoming 1 of just 100 Certified Club Managers in Europe in 2027.
Steve Lansdown, CBE, owner of La Grande Mare, said: “We have always been committed to developing a premium golf offering here in Guernsey by investing in excellence, and Ben’s appointment is a strong testament to that commitment.
“His global reputation for leading through trust and creating a culture of exceptional hospitality will be invaluable as we move through the next phases of La Grande Mare’s evolution – it’s great to have him on board.’
Ben said: “I am thrilled to be joining La Grande Mare at such a key stage of the project’s development. Guernsey is a beautiful island, and it’s exciting to be part of such a milestone moment for the island’s hospitality industry.
“I’m looking forward to joining the local community, nurturing homegrown talent and using my expertise to help shape La Grande Mare’s reputation for delivering ‘Always Extraordinary’ experiences for every visitor.”
