Bartels to help Nomura’s Forte auction bid

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.