Simon Hirst appointed general manager of Raffles Singapore

Leading British hotelier Simon Hirst has been appointed general manager of Raffles Singapore, one of the world's most iconic hotels.

Hirst will move to the property from sister hotel, Raffles Praslin in the Seychelles, on 1 August.

He has been in the Seychelles since February 2012 after leaving London where he established his reputation in the hotel industry more than 15 years working with fellow hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray. Hirst was appointed general manager of One Aldwych, London in 1997 and when on, 11 years later, to become operations director of CambellGray Hotels, overseeing the company's collection of properties, including hotels in Beirut and Antigua.

Peter French, president of Raffles Hotels & Resorts, said that Hirst's extensive experience and his 18 months in the Seychelles, during which he solidified the reputation of Raffles Praslin as one of the leading resorts in the Indian Ocean, speak for itself.

"I am more than confident that Simon will be an exceptional custodian of Raffles Singapore and do justice to the legacy of such an iconic property, especially in this, its 125th anniversary year," he said.

Hirst's career began with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he held management positions in Hong Kong and San Francisco more than 11 years. He then joined Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in 1988 as resident manager of the Four Seasons, Park Lane, London. He returned to Asia in 1991 as hotel manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, rejoining Four Seasons in 1994 as opening general manager of the Regent Chiang Mai (a Four Seasons hotel).

Since opening in 1887, Raffles in Singapore had been synonymous with luxury travel and today continues to be home to the legendary Raffles butlers and the Singapore Sling.

Simon Hirst named general manager of Raffles Praslin Seychelles >>