Report by Lee winter
FAILED Dome buyer Nomura has hired former Starwood
Hotels and Resorts chief executive Juergen Bartels to lead its bid in Granada
Compass’s £3 billion Forte hotels auction.
Bartels is understood to be overseeing the bid by
Nomura as it battles against the likes of Bass Hotels and Resorts, Orient
Express Hotels and a number of investors.
The Japanese company is thought to be among the front
runners having submitted a bid for the Le Meridien and Posthouse chains plus
some of the London Signature hotels.
A final shortlist is expected by the end
of February ahead of a final decision on the sale by the end of the first
quarter 2001.