Brussels-born Olivier Delaunoy had a major role in recruiting staff, plotting the interior designs and choosing the restaurant menus before the art deco hotel reopened its doors at the beginning of June.

Now Urban Splash says he needs to focus his attention on a project closer to home in Cheltenham.

Speaking to The Visitor in 2007, the former chef said he 'fell in love with the Midland at first sight'.

His career began in a two-star restaurant in Belgium, before he moved on to manage his own restaurant.

After moving to London, he worked for Raymond Blanc's restaurant chain, then again acquired his own restaurant in Oxford, before deciding to change tack and switch to the hotel industry. He gained his knowledge of hotel managing while working for the City Inn chain, then set up his own successful project called 'Night Night' with a business partner.

He was appointed to the post of Midland Hotel general manager on January 15.

An Urban Splash hotel spokesperson said: "After much consideration, Olivier has decided to leave his role as operations director within Urban Splash Hotels.

"He has been dedicated to getting The Midland Hotel up and running and now that it is open to the public, feels that he needs to focus his attentions on a project closer to home so that he can spend time with his family.

"He has been a popular and enthusiastic member of the team and we all wish him well."