Two big names in the hotel industry are in the news on Wednesday with Stephen Alden, formerly CEO at London’s Maybourne Hotel Group, taking over as CEO of luxury group, The Set, and Alan Leibman stepping down as CEO of Kerzner International, Dubai.
With ambitions to grow The Set portfolio in key international cultural and gateway cities, Alden, who most recently led the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Luxury Collection brands for Starwood, said, “It is an exciting challenge that gives me the opportunity to work with committed owners and a world-class management team to develop exceptional modern luxury hotels for now and the future. Creativity, discernment and operational excellence will be at the core of our campaigns.”
The Set owns and operates the Hotel Café Royal in London, the Conservatorium in Amsterdam and the soon-to-reopen Lutetia in Paris. Group Chairman Georgi Akirov added that The Set will also focus on developing its management company’s capability to further support growth.
In Dubai, Kerzner announced that it has finalized the appointment of a new CEO. Details of the appointment will be announced imminently and, in the interim, His Excellency Mohammed Al Shaibani, executive director and CEO of Investment Corp. of Dubai and chairman of Kerzner International Holdings, said he will work closely with the executive team until the new CEO is announced.
“After 23 years, I believe now is the ideal time to turn my attention to other challenges and fulfilling my personal passions,” Leibman said. “I am confident that the company will continue to flourish through creativity and innovation, delivering the best hospitality and entertainment experience and the highest levels of service in the industry.”