The privately-owned Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa in Cumbria, UK, has announced the appointment of Colin Farndon as its new spa director.

Farndon joins Armathwaite Hall with more than 20 years of experience in the industry both in the UK and abroad, and takes over responsibility for the spa from Jenni Paling.

Designed by Douglas Wallace Designers with consultancy Gill Haines Spa Operations, the £5m (EUR5.9m, US$7.8m) spa opened its doors in February 2009.

Facilities include nine first-floor treatment rooms; a tranquillity room; a 50ft (16m) infinity-edged swimming pool; a floor-to-ceiling waterfall; and a heat experience, as well as a gym.

Farndon said: "I intend to build on the solid foundations laid by my predecessor Jenni Paling and the team to take the business and most importantly the guest experience forward in 2012."