Hamilton,Bermuda,10th August 1998 - Mandarin Oriental International Limited today announced the appointment of Edouard Ettedgui as the Group's new Chief Executive Officer, effective 21st September 1998, replacing Robert E Riley, who is taking up a position outside the Group in Australia.
Mr Ettedgui is currently Group Finance Director of Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, a position he has held since August 1996. Prior to that, he gained extensive international management experience initially with Philips International in seven different countries over thirteen years. This was followed by six years at BAT Industries Plc in London where he became Business Development Director of their worldwide tobacco operations.
"We welcome Edouard to Mandarin Oriental", said Alasdair Morrison, Managing Director. "His strategic thinking and financial background ideally position him to build on the strengths of the Group as an industry leader".
"I am delighted to be joining this internationally renowned group of award-winning hotels", said Mr Ettedgui. "I am excited at the prospect of working with the team at Mandarin Oriental and contributing to the ongoing success of the Group in providing outstanding service and quality management".
Mr Ettedgui who is 46, is a French national and is married with 2 children.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is an international hotel investment and management group operating 12 deluxe and first class hotels worldwide, with two hotels under development in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Miami, Florida. The group has equity interest in all but one of its properties and net assets of approximately US$1 billion. In total Mandarin Oriental employs 6,100 staff in 12 countries. The growth strategy of the Group is to expand its base of deluxe hotels in Asia and to seek selective opportunities in other international locations.