LOCOG appoints Donna Taylor as Head of Accommodation

Donna will manage the accommodation function to ensure that suitable accommodation is provided for all the Olympic family.

This includes members of the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees, coaches, officials, and over 20,000 accredited media.

Donna's role includes the negotiation of additional room availability and rates and to ensure that contractual arrangements with providers are negotiated, understood and delivered. She will ensure that accommodation is fully integrated into the planning and provision of other operational functions such as security, transport, and accreditation.

She will establish systems for distributing, reserving, financing and tracking accommodation stock, and maintain relationships with the hospitality industry and all key accommodation providers. She will also handle sponsors' accommodation and hospitality needs.

Donna will also have responsibility with Visit Britain and Visit London for the development of the 'Homestay' programme, where local residents offer accommodation to athletes' families during the Games, as an alternative to hotel accommodation, to provide a warm and friendly welcome when visiting London and the UK.

In addition, Donna will also liaise closely with Visit Britain and Visit London about the accommodation requirements for spectators at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and visitors to the United Kingdom.

"I am thrilled to join London 2012," said Donna. "As I have worked and lived in London for all my life, I am proud to be part of such a fantastic event.

"London has an excellent network with many more rooms available than Sydney and Athens and I look forward to developing this network and providing first class accommodation standards."

Visit London Commercial Director David Hornby said: "The two key elements in delivering the accommodation project in 2012 will be communication and services delivery and Donna brings a wealth of knowledge to the role.

"Visit London has been involved from the very start in efforts to secure suitable accommodation and we are looking forward to working with Donna and partners in delivering an amazing experience for athletes, the Olympic family and visitors in London 2012."

Donna was previously Managing Director of Highlife Breaks - the short breaks tour operator owned by Thistle Hotels. Prior to that she worked as Director of Distribution at Thistle Hotels. She has also worked for Lastminute.com and for Gullivers Travel Associates.

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For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100.