leave his post as boss of a South Shore hotel.

Esan Frederick will resign his post as general manager of the Stonington Beach hotel on December 9.

The reason for his decision was not given in a statement from Randy Horton MP, chairman of the Stonington board of directors. Mr. Frederick did not return calls to the Royal Gazette but Mr. Horton indicated that the general manager was looking for a lateral move to "broaden his experience''.

He said: "I didn't know it was going to happen but he did discuss with me some time ago that he was considering it.

"He is young and enthusiastic, and has a lot to offer the industry. We wish him well where he is going.'' Mr. Frederick has secured another position within the hotel industry but last night it was not clear what that was.

A new general manager will be advertised for but, in the meantime, management consultant Leon O'Brien will take the reins.

Esan Frederick was 27 when he was appointed at Stonington last year, after a stint as assistant manager.

At the time he was hailed as the first local graduate and second black Bermudian male to be selected for such a post.

But the Stonington faced difficult times, losing $275,000 last year and eventually resulting in Leon O'Brien being brought in to help turn the place around.

His goal was to come up with a five year plan to transform the hotel, whilst it was returned to its role as a premier location for hospitality training for young Bermudians.

But remarks from PLP MP Ottiwell Simmons that the Stonington had lost its way as a training base upset Mr. Frederick and his staff. An apology from the MP calmed the waters.