Belmond has announced the appointment of Arnaud Champenois to the role of senior vice president, marketing and brand, effective immediately.

Champenois has over 20-years of experience in leading brands, marketing and communication in the luxury goods and services sector.

He joins Belmond from Starwood Hotels & Resorts where he has held the position of vice president, brand director for Asia Pacific since 2011.

Prior to that, Champenois was regional ASEAN brand director for various brands such as Biotherm, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent at L’Oreal Luxury Products Division.

Roeland Vos, president, Belmond noted: “Arnaud’s experience in building high-performance teams to drive fast growth and brand awareness in developed and emerging markets means he will be a fantastic asset to Belmond and help us to be better, special and different.”

Champenois is a French national and graduate from Ecole Des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, with a degree in fast moving Cconsumer goods, luxury marketing and communication.

Coming back to Europe after eight years in Asia, Champenois commented: “It is a great honour to pursue my career in a global role and join Belmond and its iconic portfolio of hotels, trains, cruises and safaris, based out of London, one of my favourite cities in the world.

“I am excited to become part of Belmond at this exciting juncture in the company’s history and to help accelerate its growth and strengthen the brand equity and global awareness.”