Paul Hawkins Named Access Champion at Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club
Paul Hawkins is appointed Access Champion at Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, joining the aha Access Champions Collective as accessibility lead.
Punita Thakur 
FOREST ROW, East Sussex — Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club has appointed Paul Hawkins, Head Concierge, as its Access Champion. The appointment places accessibility at the front of house, with Hawkins becoming the hotel's internal advocate for inclusive guest experience across the 106-room property set within 186 acres of the Ashdown Forest.
Paul Hawkins Named Access Champion at Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club
As Access Champion, Hawkins takes on a defined internal role within Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club's operations. His responsibilities include ensuring accessibility remains an active consideration across the hotel, leading internal awareness and supporting practical improvements to the guest experience for people with access needs.
The appointment follows the hotel's membership of the Accessible Hospitality Alliance, a UK hospitality sector body dedicated to building accessibility knowledge, awareness and practical action across the industry.
Hawkins Joins the Access Champions Collective
Through his appointment, Hawkins joins the Access Champions Collective, the peer group formed through aha membership that brings together hospitality operators to share operational experience and practical learning on accessibility.
The collective was formed following the first gathering of Access Champions at Kimpton Fitzroy London. It is guided by three stewards selected by fellow members: Ian Bartlett, Head of Built Environment at Swinton Estate; James Dixon-Box, Operations Director at Marsham Court Hotel; and Hannah Myles, Group Health and Safety Manager at Clermont Hotel Group.
Access Champions from the Collective will contribute to The aha Forum, in Partnership with Thomas Franks, taking place at Barings, 20 Old Bailey, City of London on 9 June 2026.
Paul Hawkins Statement on the appointment
"It was a privilege to be asked to represent Elite Hotels and the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club as the nominated Access Champion. With my Front of House role, I am looking forward to meeting others working in the sector and combining the ideas and knowledge the aha Forum will bring to evolve and improve facilities for our customers in and around the hotel."
— Paul Hawkins, Head Concierge and Access Champion, Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club
Charlotte Evans on the Appointment
"Paul's appointment reflects the leadership we are proud to champion, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Access Champions Collective. As Elite Hotels and Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club begin their accessibility journey, their thoughtful, progressive approach ensures inclusivity is not just planned but genuinely felt throughout the guest experience. By sharing insight with peers, Paul will help shape meaningful progress across hospitality."
— Charlotte Evans, Group Partnerships Director, Accessible Hospitality Alliance
Accessibility as Part of Elite Hotels' Wider Commitment
Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is part of Elite Hotels, a group that includes The Grand Eastbourne and Tylney Hall Hotel and Gardens in Hampshire. The group has been building its accessibility approach across the portfolio, including a partnership with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and British Sign Language training for hotel teams.
The group also supports the Rotherwick Foundation as part of its broader community commitments. Accessibility at Ashdown Park, from Hawkins' role as a front-of-house concierge to the hotel's aha membership, sits within that wider picture of what Elite Hotels is working to build across its properties.
About Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club
Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is a 106-room hotel set within 186 acres of ancient parkland in the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Originally built in 1867 as a Gothic mansion for Lord Bradford, the property later served as a First World War convalescent home and a convent before becoming a hotel. It is part of Elite Hotels and offers two restaurants, a country club and spa, golf course, tennis courts and indoor pool.
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