Hotel operator Legacy Hotels and Resorts has joined forces with Longrose Buccleuch Management to form a new hotel management company.

The new company, Branded Hotel Management (BHM) was formed in a bid to captalise on the UK growing branded hotel market.

Legacy, which operates 21 hotels under its own name in the UK, is looking to expand into the branded market, while Longrose Buccleuch - operator of hotels under the Doubletree by Hilton, Mercure and Best Western brands - is keen to grow its market share.

BHM is already in discussions with international hotel brands about new developments and taking over existing properties or conversions.

Andy Townsend, chief executive of Legacy, said: "Over the past seven years Legacy has built a very solid reputation for shrewd and effective management of three- and four-star unbranded hotels across the UK.

"We firmly believe that we can apply that same ethos successfully to the branded sector with the support and experience of Longrose Buccleuch."

The new company will have Townsend and Legacy managing director Jim Gordon on its board along with Longrose Buccleuch directors Garin Davis and Andrew Rouse.