Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced that after 11 years’ loyal service general manager of Jumeirah Carlton Tower and regional vice president Europe Derek Picot has decided to leave the company.

He will remain in active service with Jumeirah Group until September 30th 2014 to ensure a smooth transition to the new regional vice president Europe Doris Greif, who also assumes the role of General Manager Jumeirah Frankfurt.

Picot, who has a 30-year track record in the international luxury hotel sector, joined Jumeirah Group in March 2003.

Since then he has led the successful launch of Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel under the Jumeirah brand, building a strong base for the company in the London market.

He went on to lead the expansion of the company’s European operations, with the successful openings of Jumeirah Frankfurt in 2011, followed by Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living in London, Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca and Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome during 2012.

Jumeirah Group president Gerald Lawless said: “Derek has been a great leader within Jumeirah, supporting the growth and development of our operations firstly in London and then throughout Europe.

“A consummate hotelier, he has leveraged his reputation in the luxury hospitality sector to support the Jumeirah brand and build loyalty among the many thousands of guests who have graced the lobbies of the hotels under his supervision.

“I would like to personally thank him for his many years’ service and for the inspiration he has provided to the many colleagues who have had and continue to have the privilege of working with him.”

Jumeirah manages seven luxury properties in Europe - in London, Frankfurt, Mallorca, Istanbul and Rome - as part of its international portfolio of 22 hotels, resorts and residences.