Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that Michael Hobson will retire as chief marketing officer at the end of the year.

He will be succeeded by Jill Kluge.

Kluge is currently Mandarin Oriental group director of brand communications overseeing all aspects of the group’s corporate communications strategies including international advertising, digital marketing, global public relations, brand identity and corporate communications.

She joined Mandarin Oriental in 1991 in Hong Kong as group public relations manager and transferred to the group’s corporate office in London in 2001.

Prior to joining the group, she held sales and marketing positions in a variety of international hotel brands in the UK and Asia.

Commenting on the change, James Riley, group chief executive at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said: “Michael joined Mandarin Oriental in 1994 and has played a pivotal role in the global development of the business during the ensuing years.

“I would like to thank him for his enormous contribution to the brand.”

He added: “Jill has been instrumental in driving Mandarin Oriental’s strong brand recognition over the past 25 years.

“I congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion, and wish her every success.”

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences.

Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 31 hotels and seven residences in 21 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the group’s oriental heritage and unique sense of place.