Simon Thomas of the Lanesborough to head Les Clefs d'Or

The head concierge of the Lanesborough hotel in London has become the first British person in 25 years to be appointed international president of the global professional concierge organisation, Les Clefs d'Or.

Simon Thomas will take over the role on 27 March in Berlin at the society's international meeting, the Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels Les Clefs d'Or.

In his new role, he will head a body of nearly 4,000 members based in more than 50 countries.

Thomas has been a member since 1992 of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, which became a founder member of Les Clefs d'Or in 1952. The Golden Keys prides itself on quality service, knowledge, attention to detail and the best contacts.

He joined the five-AA-red-star, 93-bedroom Lanesborough hotel in 2014, ahead of its £60m reopening the following year.

Earlier roles included the head chef position at several London hotels such as Brown's, Renaissance Chancery Court (now the Rosewood London), and the Royal Garden.

In his position at the Lanesborough, which is part of the Oetker Collection, Thomas manages a team of 32 including concierges, chauffeurs, porters and doormen.

Geoffrey Gelardi, managing director of the Lanesboroughsaid: "We are immensely proud that Simon has been chosen to assume this prestigious position. It is a fine recognition of his talents and we are delighted to have him at the Lanesborough offering our guests one of the most responsive and knowledgeable concierge desks available today."

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