Swallow Hotels is expanding its marketing team, which is based at the Plough and Harrow operation in Birmingham.

Mark Taylor, who is from the city, recently joined from Hilton to take up the position of marketing director for the London and Edinburgh Swallow Group.

His team now includes national promotions manager Seema Sharma and local marketing manager Penny Clapp, who is also from the Midlands.

Swallow Hotels has over 140 hotels across the UK and plans to open a further 100 hotels in 2006.

The chain has twelve properties in the Midlands.

Mr Taylor said Birmingham the response in Birmingham to the company's recruitment drive was extremely strong.

He said: "I hope to expand the team even further with the appointment of another marketing manager for our pubs business."

Swallow Hotels employs Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster as its retained PR agency and Birmingham-based WAA as its marketing agency.