Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the champion of small, luxury, independent hotels, has announced Filip Boyen as its new chief executive effective immediately.

Boyen who was appointed as managing director of Hill, Goodridge & Associates, SLH’s management company, in July of this year will now also assume leadership for the management of the SLH brand, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Filip Boyen, who originates from Belgium, has a long history within the hotel sector, most recently as chief operating officer at Belmond, a position he held for over six years.

In this role he demonstrated his skills not only in operational excellence and core revenue management but was also instrumental in the implementation of guest satisfaction measurement and monitoring programmes, and overall performance management of the international team.

His 30 years in the hospitality industry have seen him rise through the ranks from the roots of the business.

He began his career as Commis & Chef de Partie in Belgium, progressing to hotel management in destinations from Moscow to Tahiti, where he first joined Orient-Express Hotels, now Belmond.

Anchalika Kijkanakorn, chairperson of the SLH board commented: “Filip’s depth of experience, not only of managing a large number of hotels over four continents but also of every aspect of the luxury hotel industry, means that he is well placed to guide SLH through the opportunities and challenges in this ever more competitive landscape.

“We look forward to the continued success and evolution of the SLH brand under his stewardship as we look to the next 25 years and beyond.”

SLH is a luxury brand with over 520 hotels in more than 80 countries around the world.

Boyen will be based at the company’s headquarters in London.