Marco Novella has been appointed the position of managing director of Brown’s Hotel, the renowned London property for Rocco Forte Hotels.

While being based primarily at Brown’s Hotel, Novella will also oversee two other hotels within the group; The Balmoral in Edinburgh and Hotel Amigo in Brussels.

Stuart Johnson, Novella’s predecessor, is to take up the position of general manager of the Rocco Forte Hotel in Shanghai which will open in 2018 as Rocco Forte’s first venture in the Far East.

Johnson opened Brown’s Hotel in 2005 and, as general manager for eleven years since, has firmly established Brown’s Hotel as one of London’s leading luxury hotels.

He now hands over to Novella who brings with him a wealth of experience gained through managing some of the world’s finest hotels.

Responsible for the day to day operations and strategic direction of Brown’s Hotel, Novella will oversee 115 rooms, of which 31 are suites; the seasonal British restaurant, HIX Mayfair; and The English Tea Room, the hotel’s iconic afternoon tea lounge.

Novella joins Brown’s Hotel from his position as chief operating officer for Grace Hotels where he managed a portfolio of seven hotels worldwide and planned the opening of seven additional properties.

Prior to this he spent four years in Florence as general manager of Villa San Michele for Belmond after nine years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts as general manager of St Regis Grand and later Hotel Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

Novella said: “I am delighted to take up this position within Rocco Forte Hotels at the flagship Brown’s Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, the ultimate location for an increasingly discerning generation of luxury travellers.

“We have great plans for the future of Brown’s Hotel with my own primary focus being on elevating the experience of our guests through outstanding service, increased suite offering and exceptional food and beverage.”