Russell Platt to return to the Savoy as hotel manager

Russell Platt is to return to London’s Savoy hotel to take up the position of hotel manager later this year.

He will re-join the team in September from a role at the Dorchester, where he is currently executive assistant manager in charge of the rooms division.

It comes after the Savoy’s former executive assistant manager, including food and beverage, Jan-Peer Lehfeldt, moved to take up a hotel manager role at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles in May, although Platt’s role is not a direct replacement.

Platt was part of the team which reopened the Savoy in 2010 after a three-year renovation programme when he worked as breakfast manager of the River restaurant and Thames Foyer.

He has since held roles at several top London hotels, including director of events and groups at Claridge’s, and director of food and beverage at the Dorchester.

Platt said: “There is something really rather special about the Savoy that draws you back. Having been a part of the reopening team in 2010 I feel so proud and honoured to be returning as hotel manager. Leading the operations team of this unique property is such an exciting opportunity.”

Platt was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, and his family moved to Victoria in British Columbia, Canada when he was a teenager.

He has long-standing ties to Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, which manages the Savoy, and worked at three different North American Fairmont properties while studying hospitality management.

Franck Arnold, managing director and regional vice president of the Savoy, said: “The breadth and depth of Russell’s experience are going to add huge value to our operations at the Savoy. He’s really colleague-focused, with a truly impressive track record of building engaged and high-performing teams. We are delighted to be welcoming him back.”