Raffles Hotels & Resorts is promoting seasoned hotelier Peter French to the role of Regional Vice President - Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Mr French will continue his role as General Manager for Raffles Dubai.  In his new role he will take on operational oversight for Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris and Raffles Praslin Seychelles as well as new Raffles hotels under development in EMEA.

John Johnston, President of Raffles Hotels & Resorts said: “Peter‘s outstanding job in leading the team in Dubai is reflected in the hotel’s impressive performance. He brings a wealth of international luxury experience to Raffles with in-depth background in operations, sales and marketing, human resources, finance, redevelopment, repositioning and transition.  We are embarking on a new phase of expansion and Peter’s experience in project development will be invaluable.  I am delighted to make this appointment.”

Over the course of his career, Peter French has been involved with luxury hotel operations around the globe, building up a formidable reputation, at home in the UK, and throughout the industry. He was General Manager / VP 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.

A seasoned and accomplished hotelier, Peter 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.

Peter was nominated for “Hotel Manager of the Year” by the American Hotel and Catering Institute and Virtuoso, The Association of American Travel Agents.  He is a Fellow of Hotel Catering and Institutional Management Association.

Raffles Hotels has five new properties in the pipeline over the next 18 months.