Based in the heart of the Midlands, The Belfry Hotel & Resort is a multi-award-winning leisure and relaxation destination which was nominated in the World Travel Awards 2025. It welcomes countless guests year upon year, and guests are met with utmost respect, care, and luxury to make their stay more special than they could have imagined. With years of experience and dedication behind it, stemming from the guiding hands of the women who help lead it, The Belfry Hotel & Resort has become synonymous with sophistication and success.

We were pleased to learn more about some of the senior leadership team just in time for International Women’s Day, especially the three strong commercially minded women behind The Belfry Hotel & Resort continue to represent what is possible for women everywhere.

With a myriad of breathtaking suites and rooms, in addition to gold-standard spa amenities and diverse leisure activities, The Belfry Hotel & Resort has become incredibly popular with a range of individuals, families (including our four-legged friends), and couples. The hotel portion of The Belfry provides a lavish setting to escape the hustle and bustle of those daily demands. However, this sanctuary is more than a place to rest your head at the end of a long day. A break with The Belfry Hotel & Resort is the perfect chance to exercise, recharge, and explore luxury and cutting-edge fitness/sports technology at its finest.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the extraordinary ground team and the noteworthy executives who work tirelessly every single day to deliver more for their guests. We’re proud to present The Belfry Hotel & Resort’s devoted women behind its success as we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2026.

Introducing this magnificent trio, Commercial Director Katie Niland is a long-standing leader at The Belfry Hotel & Resort who was appointed to the role in 2024 after a decade as Sales Director. With over three decades of experience at Marriott, Hilton, Malmaison and Village Hotels, Katie has a wealth of knowledge and lived experience that guides her and her team to greater heights year upon year. Also named HOSPA Inspirational Commercial Leader of the Year 2025, and as a vocal advocate for female equality within her sector, Katie is an inspiration to women who wish to step into a senior hospitality role.

Since joining in 2023, Finance Director Emma Catterall has delivered innovative solutions for the growth of the business. She positioned herself as Inspirational Finance Leader of the Year at the HOSPA Awards in 2024 and has utilised her exceptional financial literacy across the entire resort. She’s firmly focused on improving the future of the resort’s operational performance, pioneering the IT infrastructure to positively impact every single individual associated with The Belfry Hotel & Resort. Last but not least, Marketing Director Gail Aldridge, named a Hidden Hero in the 2025 Boutique Hotelier Power List, continues to elevate the hotel and resort’s presence with her brand strategies. Gail was integral to the recent development and opening of The Masters Suite resort, securing more than £10m on the books before it opened. She has facilitated many developments and transformative moments since she joined in 2014. For example, the award-winning campaigns she has led have not only supported milestone revenues but have also inspired others to strive for more, especially as she mentors senior leaders at industry events such as the National Hotel Marketing Conference. Leaving no stone unturned, Gail is the third pillar to the trio that holds The Belfry Hotel & Resort strong.

Together with every member of staff at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Katie, Emma, and Gail are doing more than leading the destination to greater success. The trio demonstrate exactly what is possible for women in senior leadership, not simply in the hospitality industry but across the corporate landscape as a whole.

Behind the scenes, the female-led executives of this marvellous hotel and resort have cultivated an environment dedicated to equality, diversity, teamwork, and compassion on all levels. As a shining example of the atmosphere that The Belfry Hotel & Resort has built, Katie shared: “Within my commercial senior leadership team, which is 70% female, that diversity strengthens both performance and perspective. Decision-making is broader, challenge is constructive, and collaboration is strong. Part of our culture is actively advocating for each other and creating space for everyone to progress. It also provides visible proof that senior leadership is attainable.

“That representation creates an environment where life-stage realities – from childcare to menopause and caring responsibilities – are acknowledged and supported. At The Belfry, equality isn’t an initiative; it’s part of how we operate and how we perform. “Women carry a unique and ongoing set of life-stage pressures: pregnancy, raising children, navigating menopause, and later supporting ageing parents. These realities will not change, but policy can help women remain in and progress through the workforce. Incentivising flexible working, encouraging employer advocacy and leadership development, and reducing the long-term penalty often associated with career breaks would significantly improve retention and progression.”

“Women should be able to sustain a full and fulfilling career alongside life’s responsibilities.”

Katie Niland – Commercial Director interview

The future ahead is looking exciting for these inspirational women and the next generation of women stepping into the hospitality space. Under the trio’s impactful guidance, The Belfry Hotel & Resort recently underwent a transformation through its £85m+ expansion project, where it expanded its offerings to include its first two-bedroom suite in its very own state-of-the-art events venue, The Masters Suite. This is the ideal place for conferences, mini expos, banquets, and a plethora of activities.

If you’d like to experience first-class luxury and outstanding service, you can book to visit and stay with The Belfry Hotel & Resort via the website. You can also find The Belfry Hotel & Resort’s up-to-date, special offers online.

Company: The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Website: https://www.thebelfry.com/