Rocco Forte Makes Key Executive Appointments

Including Martin Elsner to Operations Director

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. October 07, 2009

OCTOBER 7, 2009 - The Rocco Forte Collection has made a number of key personnel appointments at the company's head office in London and at a number of its hotels.

Martin Elsner has been appointed Operations Director for The Rocco Forte Collection based at the company's headquarters on Jermyn Street in London. Martin will sit on the company's management board and will oversee operations for the group with management responsibility for all hotel General Managers and their teams.

German-born Elsner has an impressive 26 years of experience in the hotel industry. He has been with the Rocco Forte Collection for more than six years in total, holding a number of positions including most recently General Manager Operations and New Openings where he oversaw the opening of The Augustine in Prague, The Charles in Munich, Hotel De Rome in Berlin, Villa Kennedy in Frankfurt and Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily. In addition he has recently been interim General Manager at the Hotel De Russie in Rome.

Prior to joining the Collection he held roles including General Manager of the four luxury Lungarno Hotels in Florence; Hotel and Marketing Director for the Marriott Hotel Treudelberg, Hamburg and General Manager of the renowned Hotel Tresanton in St. Mawes Cornwall owned by Sir Rocco Forte's sister Olga Polizzi.

Martin Elsner says: "I have been with the company from the early days and am very much looking forward to coming to London to begin my next chapter with The Rocco Forte Collection. This is a very exciting time for us as we move into new territories, with two openings in the Middle East next year and North Africa in 2011."

Hagop Doghramadjian has been appointed as General Manager of The Rocco Forte Collection's new 281-bedroom hotel in Abu Dhabi, opening in 2010. Hagop has extensive knowledge of the hotel market in the Middle East, most recently holding the position of General Manager of the 248-bedroom Raffles, Dubai. Prior to Raffles, he held a number of roles at Hilton International, beginning his career at the Hilton Abu Dhabi and following several other roles was promoted to manage the opening of the Hilton Jeddah.

Hagop Doghramadjian comments, "Introducing the well-respected Rocco Forte Collection brand to the Middle East is a great honor and privilege. The Abu Dhabi property promises to be a landmark in its own right and I am pleased that I can bring all my experience to the fore to enable a successful launch and positive long-term position in the marketplace."

Stefano Gegnacorsi has been appointed as General Manager of the Hotel de Russie. Stefano Gegnacorsi has extensive experience in the hotel sector having previously worked with the most exclusive hotels in Italy and abroad. Most recently he was General Manager of Hotel Savoy in Florence, during which he received numerous accolades, including the highest quality rating ever recorded by Leading Hotels of the World.

Prior to joining The Rocco Forte Collection he was General Manager of the renowned Palazzo Sasso in Ravello and previously was Director of Sales & Marketing at Hotel Eden in Rome.

Stefano Gegnacorsi, says: "Coming back to Rome, my native city, and becoming General Manager for the most exclusive hotel in the capital gives me great satisfaction. I look forward to working with the very experienced Hotel De Russie team and further fortifying and growing their positive reputation both in Italy and abroad."

Alberto Pirozzini has been appointed as General Manager of the Hotel Savoy in Florence. Alberto Pirozzini has a wealth of experience in the luxury hotel sector. Most recently he was General Manager for the Lungarno Hotel in Florence and previously spent six years with the Ritz Carlton group in California, Bahamas, Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. He started his career with Four Seasons in the USA.

Alberto Pirozzini comments, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to join The Rocco Forte Collection and the illustrious Hotel Savoy. I am very much looking forward to working with the hotel's award-winning team and to greeting its customers."

Anna Gricini has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for both the Hotel De Russie and the Hotel Savoy. Anna has extensive experience in sales and marketing having held senior positions at the Dorchester Collection, Starwood Hotels & Resorts as well as Hilton International.

Most recently Anna was Director of Sales & Marketing for the prestigious Principe di Savoia Hotel in Milan, successfully managing the repositioning of the hotel.