2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Peter French as President, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, with effect from 1 January 2013.
Mr French succeeds Mr John Johnston, who has held this role since 2009. Mr Johnston who has been with parent company Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) since 1998 will be retiring at the end of the year.
Peter French was most recently Regional Vice President – Europe, Middle East & Africa for Raffles Hotels & Resort and General Manager of Raffles Dubai, the group’s first hotel in the Middle East.
He takes on this role as Raffles prepares to open four new hotels and resorts over the course of the next two years, in Makati City in the Philippines, Hainan in China, Istanbul in Turkey and Jakarta in Indonesia.
Mr Michael Glennie, Chief Operating Officer, FRHI, commented, “Peter is a seasoned professional with proven expertise in managing luxury brands and I am confident that his wealth of experience will ensure the continued success of Raffles as it enters a new phase of expansion.”
Over the course of his career, Mr French, has been involved with luxury hotel operations around the globe. He was General Manager and Vice President of Operations & Development for Mandarin Oriental Hotels Group from 1975-1986. He returned to Hong Kong as General Manager to lead the complete renovation and repositioning of its flagship hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, from 2004-2009.
An accomplished hotelier, Mr French has also worked as General Manager in prestigious hotels including The Sukothai in Bangkok, The Carlyle in New York and Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
As President of Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Mr French will be located at the group’s brand office in Singapore.
ABOUT RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS: Raffles Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The portfolio currently comprises nine luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to chic hotels in key locations around the world: in Singapore, Cambodia, China, the Philippines, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles and Paris, each one is an oasis of calm and charm. The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in Indonesia, Istanbul and China scheduled over the next two years. With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on the timeless essence of Raffles – to deliver thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests.
Raffles Hotels & Resorts is owned by FRHI Holdings Ltd, a leading global hotel company with 100 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information, please visit www.raffles.com
Further information, please contact:
Vivian Koh
Senior Manager PR & Communications
Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Email : vivian.koh@raffles.com