Rocco Forte Hotels has appointed Maurizio Saccani as global director of operations.

In his new role, Saccani will be responsible for operations, sales, marketing and human resources.

He will be a member of Rocco Forte Hotels’ executive committee and will report to Karim Naffah, managing director.

Rocco Forte Hotels consists of ten hotels and resorts in key destinations across Europe.

Saccani most recently served as chief of product development and executive vice president Italy and Spain at Belmond Hotels, formerly Orient Express Hotels, with whom he has worked for over 30 years.

The hotels under his control included iconic names such as the Cipriani in Venice, the Splendido in Portofino, Villa San Michele in Fiesole and the Caruso on the Amalfi Coast.

Saccani has previously served for seven years as a member of the international marketing committee of Leading Hotels of the World and as a director of the Florence Tourist Board.

Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, said: “I am very pleased indeed that Maurizio is joining us. 

“He is an experienced hotelier with great knowledge of the detail which drives high levels of customer service.

“He has a proven record in developing the hotels under his control and improving their levels of profitability. 

“He will add considerable operational strength to our business as we pursue a new phase of expansion in a number of major markets with a particular focus on Italy. 

“We are opening a new hotel in Jeddah in September of this year and in Shanghai in 2018.”