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New operations director for Rocco Forte Hotels
Rocco Forte Hotels, which has 10 properties across Europe, has appointed a new global director of operations.
Maurizio Saccani has joined with immediate effect with responsibility for operations, sales and marketing and human resources. He will be a member of Rocco Forte Hotels’ Executive Committee and will report to managing director Karim Naffah.
Saccani most recently served as chief of product development and executive vice president Italy and Spain at Belmond Hotels, formerly Orient Express Hotels, with whom he has worked for over 30 years.
The hotels under his control included iconic names such as the Cipriani in Venice, the Splendido in Portofino, Villa San Michele in Fiesole and the Caruso on the Amalfi Coast.
Saccani has previously served for seven years as a member of the International Marketing Committee of Leading Hotels of the World and as a Director of the Florence Tourist Board. He was recently awarded a Master "Honoris Causa" in economy and tourism by the University of Venice.
Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, said: "I am very pleased indeed that Maurizio is joining us. He is an experienced hotelier with great knowledge of the detail which drives high levels of customer service.
"He has a proven record in developing the hotels under his control and improving their levels of profitability. He will add considerable operational strength to our business as we pursue a new phase of expansion in a number of major markets with a particular focus on Italy."
Rocco Forte Hotels will open a new property in Jeddah in September and in Shanghai in 2018."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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