Corinthia Hotels, the luxury hotel group settling in Brussels at the end of 2024, announces two top appointments

International Hotel Investments plc, a major player in the international luxury hotel industry, also known as Corinthia Hotels - which, among other things, is relaunching the Brussels Grand Hotel Astoria this summer - is proud to announce two key appointments. Simon Naudi, a veteran within the company, ascends to the position of Group CEO and Managing Director. In addition, Simon P. Casson, with an impressive track record at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, is welcomed as the new CEO of Corinthia Hotels Ltd (CHL), the operating arm of the group. These strategic appointments fit within the international expansion underway at Corinthia Hotels, with hotel openings in New York, Bucharest and Rome planned in addition to the opening of the first-ever 'palace' five-star hotel in Brussels at the end of this summer.

In his new role, Mr Naudi, also appointed board member of Corinthia's parent company IHI, will focus on corporate affairs, investments, properties, finance and developments, while continuing to oversee all Corinthia's businesses.

The arrival of Casson, who distinguished himself over three decades at Four Seasons, where he led unprecedented growth, and spent seven years as President for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), promises to usher in a new era for Corinthia, on the eve of the opening of several new prestigious landmark hotels.

Corinthia founder and chairman Alfred Pisani commented, "These appointments will further strengthen Corinthia's position in the luxury hotel sector. Simon Naudi embodies Corinthia's philosophy and possesses the right mix of talent, dedication, passion and values to continue driving our company forward. I am therefore extremely pleased to welcome Simon Casson to our family. He is known as an inspirational leader and inspirer of luxury hospitality experiences, and I look forward to seeing how he will bring these qualities to bear at Corinthia."

Mr Naudi adds: "I feel privileged to have been entrusted with this responsibility and look forward to working with Simon Casson and our very talented and dedicated colleagues towards our shared vision for an expanded and successful CHL."

Mr Casson added: "I am grateful to the Chairman and the Board for their vision, trust and confidence in me. I am honoured and delighted by my appointment as CEO at this important time for Corinthia Hotels as we move boldly into a new era."

"Building on the great success of the corporate leadership and dedicated teams in each hotel, I will work tirelessly to make the brand even bigger and more renowned, so that the experience and outcome for all our stakeholders - employees, guests, shareholders and business partners - underscore pure world-class and Corinthia's philosophy."

Mr Naudi joined Corinthia Group in 1997 in a senior executive role and most recently served 12 years as CEO of CHL. During that time, he was also responsible for hotel and property acquisitions and developments, as well as the expansion of CHL's hotel operations in major cities, including landmark hotel projects in cities such as London, Brussels, New York and Rome.

Mr Casson was previously a seasoned hotelier responsible for 42 hotels in 26 countries and oversaw the opening of new properties in London, Athens, Madrid, Casablanca, Taormina, Doha, Kuwait and Seychelles. He will take up his new role from 6 April 2024 from Corinthia's London office.

With these appointments, Corinthia proves once again that it not only offers luxury accommodations, but also executives with vision. The future looks bright for the hotel group, which is getting ready to spread its wings even further on the international stage. At the end of this summer, Corinthia Brussels Grand Hotel Astoria will open its doors on rue Royale. In addition, openings in New York, Bucharest and Rome are also on the agenda soon.