The Arora Group, the UK’s largest privately owned hotel business and owners of The Buckinghamshire and Ryder Cup candidate venue Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, has appointed Gerry Ivers as managing director of golf.

With a distinguished career that includes two decades as general manager of Queenwood Golf Club, Ivers has a plan to deliver world-class golf and hospitality experiences, as well as grow the Group’s portfolio of resorts in the UK and Europe.

Ivers’ journey to the Arora Group has been defined by a commitment to excellence. Overseeing the opening and then managing Queenwood Golf Club for 20 years, Ivers gained invaluable experience in creating a seamless, personalised golf experience for an elite clientele. Queenwood, renowned for its exclusivity and discretion, helped shape his understanding of how to build and sustain a premier golf offering.

“The attention to detail and the importance of cultivating an exceptional service culture at Queenwood were invaluable lessons,” says Ivers.

“Those principles will be fundamental as we continue to grow membership at The Buckinghamshire and develop Luton Hoo into a world-class destination.”

When the Arora Group relaunched The Buckinghamshire as a private members’ club in April 2024 following a more than £10 million clubhouse renovation, it set the tone for the Group’s aspirations in golf.

Just 15 miles from West London and ten miles from Heathrow, the club combines a championship golf course with a 350-year-old country house that has been exquisitely transformed into a contemporary clubhouse. The new interiors were created by Kim Partridge, the designer behind Adare Manor’s new look.

The upgraded clubhouse now benefits from seven luxury bedroom suites, a fine dining restaurant, a private wine lounge, whisky room, golf lounge and simulator, sumptuous changing rooms and multiple comfy corners where members can work, enabling them to mix business and pleasure.

The club is successfully attracting a new cosmopolitan membership that appreciates the relaxed, informal feel of the club with high levels of service. For Ivers, the goal is clear: “The Buckinghamshire already has a remarkable foundation. My role is to refine and elevate the member experience, ensuring it remains one of the most desirable private golf clubs in the UK.

“Of course, the golf course itself is central to the value proposition and we’re fortunate to have a course that is in outstanding condition. But continuous improvement is a priority and while we are exploring some subtle enhancements to the course design, our goal is to maintain world-class playing standards and continue to challenge and delight members.”

While The Buckinghamshire’s exclusivity is a draw for discerning golfers, Ivers is keen to ensure it remains a welcoming space for families. “We want the club to feel like a home away from home for all our members,” he says. “Golf may be the heart of the club, but creating an environment where families can relax and connect is just as important.

“In today’s world, the whole family wants to spend more time together. What The Buckinghamshire offers is a retreat and an escape from the city. It’s a safe space and we want our members to feel it is the place they can all spend time at weekends.

“Our proprietors Surinder and Sanjay Arora used to cycle through the grounds of The Buckinghamshire when Sanjay was a child, so they have fond memories of father-and-son and family time here.

“Sanjay recalls being overwhelmed by the beauty of the estate and the sound of the River Colne, which flows by on both sides of the clubhouse. So, the family experience is at the heart of The Buckinghamshire.”

Building on the success of The Buckinghamshire, Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa emerges as another landmark golf project for the Arora Group.

Located just 50 minutes from central London, the historic estate is set to undergo a major transformation with the development of a new championship golf course designed to host major tournaments. The venue is also a future Ryder Cup candidate venue.

“This is an incredibly exciting project,” says Ivers. “We have plans approved, and the new course will be a game-changer for Luton Hoo. It’s not just about creating a course capable of hosting The Ryder Cup, it’s about designing a venue that offers a truly exceptional experience for golfers and spectators alike.”

The development at Luton Hoo sits well with the Arora Group’s status as the UK’s largest privately owned hotel business with more than 7,000 rooms under management.

“With the Group’s experience in luxury hospitality, we can create an offering that extends far beyond the course itself. From five-star dining to world-class accommodation, the vision for Luton Hoo is to provide an unparalleled golf and lifestyle destination,” Ivers explains.

The Arora Group’s expansion into golf is underpinned by its successful track record in the hospitality industry. With flagship properties such as Fairmont Windsor Park and Sofitel London Heathrow, the Group has established itself as a leader in delivering high-end experiences.

Now, it is leveraging this expertise and looking to create a network of premier golf destinations. The Group is actively targeting golf resort acquisitions in the UK and Europe, aiming to establish itself as a leading owner-operator.

“The strategy is clear,” Ivers states. “We’re identifying opportunities where we can enhance existing properties and deliver a unified standard of excellence across our portfolio. I’m not at liberty to say where we are targeting, but there are active discussions taking place and it is very much baked into our plans to grow the group both here and in continental Europe.”

As with any ambitious project, the Arora Group’s expansion into golf comes with challenges. The golf industry is highly competitive, and attracting and retaining members requires constant innovation.

Ivers acknowledges this but sees it as an opportunity. “The key is adapting to evolving expectations,” he says. “Our focus is on balancing tradition with modernity and offering value that resonates with today’s members.”

At The Buckinghamshire, this means continuing to enhance the membership offering, while at Luton Hoo, it involves creating a destination that sets new standards for excellence in the industry.

One of the cornerstones of Ivers’ approach is the focus on service excellence. Drawing on his experience at Queenwood, he understands the importance of creating a culture where every team member takes pride in their role.

“At The Buckinghamshire, we operate as a family,” he says. “That ethos extends to our members and guests. It’s about fostering a culture of collaboration and attention to detail, ensuring that every interaction leaves a lasting impression.”

For Ivers, the future is full of promise. The Buckinghamshire is thriving, attracting a new wave of London-centred and international members, while the plans for Luton Hoo are well underway.

“There’s an incredible sense of momentum across the Group,” he says. “We’re not just developing golf properties; we’re creating destinations where people can come together to enjoy exceptional golf, hospitality and service.”