Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Peter French as President, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, with effect from 1 January 2013.

　　Raffles Hotels & Resorts appoints Peter French as President

　　Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Peter French as President, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, with effect from 1 January 2013.

　　Peter French succeeds John Johnston, who has held the role since 2009. Mr Johnston has been with Raffles’ parent company, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI), since 1998. He will retire at the end of the year.

　　Peter French brings a wealth of international luxury hospitality experience to his new position. Most recently, he held the dual role of Regional Vice President - Europe, Middle East & Africa for Raffles Hotels & Resorts and General Manager of Raffles Dubai, the group’s first hotel in the Middle East.

　　He takes on the role of President as Raffles prepares to open four new hotels and resorts over the next two years: in Makati City in the Philippines, Hainan in China, Istanbul in Turkey and Jakarta in Indonesia.

　　Michael Glennie, Chief Operating Officer, FRHI, commented, “Peter is a seasoned professional with proven expertise in managing luxury brands. I am confident that his wealth of experience will ensure the continued success of Raffles Hotels & Resorts as the company enters an exciting new phase of expansion.”

　　An accomplished and consummate hotelier, British-born Peter French has held key roles for luxury hotel operations around the world, throughout his career. 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. He has also served as Managing Director with prestigious hotels, including The Sukothai in Bangkok, The Carlyle in New York and as General Manager of Grosvenor House Hotel in London.