Raffles & Orient Express: new CEO

Accor appoints Stephen Alden as of May 3

Accor, the world's leading hotel group with more than 5,100 hotels and 10,000 restaurants and bars worldwide, is continuing to expand its brands. As of May 3, Stephen Alden, who is experienced in the international luxury hotel industry, will be in charge of the premium brand Raffles and the planned new hotel brand Orient Express.



Accelerated growth


"We are delighted to welcome Stephen, a highly respected and visionary leader in the international luxury hotel industry," said Sébastian Bazin, Accor Chairman & CEO. "His experience and expertise will be instrumental in further strengthening the momentum of our Raffles brand and making the highly anticipated launch of the Orient Express hotel brand a great success." Alden, who will report directly to Bazin and also become a member of the global Executive Committee, will be tasked with leading the brands to success through exceptional programs, engaging team cultures and accelerated growth. A task that seems to suit the charismatic manager.

Most recently, he was responsible for the launch of the Dedica Anthology brand, consisting of nine distinctive properties across Europe. He began his career with an apprenticeship in Switzerland. Early on, he focused on the luxury hotel industry. His professional milestones to date include opening the St. Regis in New York, managing the St. Regis and The Luxury Collection brands worldwide and serving as CEO of the Maybourne Hotel Group for nine years. Its flagships include Claridge's, The Connaught and The Berkeley. In 2016, he was appointed CEO of The SET, owner and operator of the London hotel Cafe Royal, The Conservatorium in Amsterdam and the Lutetia in Paris.

Alden has also served on the boards of Walpole British Luxury (London), London First and Ferragamo's Lungarno Collection (Florence). In 2002, he was awarded the honorary title of "Console di Roma" for the renovation of the César Ritz Grand Hotel. Despite everything, Alden remains modest: "It is a privilege to take over the management of these two great brands. I am very much looking forward to this next stage, working closely with all the functional and operational teams and exceptional talent, as well as having access to Accor's resources around the world. We have a unique opportunity to accelerate the growth of Raffles as well as reinvigorate the Orient Express brand and successfully bring its timeless qualities to a new generation of hotels, starting with our first property in Rome."

Further information: www.accor.com



Text: Claudia Hilmbauer