Belmond names Dan Ruff as new chief executive officer

Dan Ruff is to take over as chief executive of luxury hospitality group Belmond, owner of two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, from 1 July.

He will replace Roeland Vos, who has been at the helm of the company for the past eight years and steered Belmond through its £2.5b acquisition by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton in 2019.

Vos will continue his role as chairman of the board of Belmond Ltd and offer advice to the business.

"I'm very pleased to hand over the reins of the company to Dan,” said Vos. “I have known him for a very long time. He will provide continuity in the journey for excellence that Belmond is on whilst pushing boundaries. I am convinced that he will succeed in taking the team and the brand to the next level."

Belmond’s luxury portfolio also includes the Cadogan hotel in London and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, which is cutting its UK leg in 2024 due to tougher border controls.

Ruff joined Belmond as chief operating officer in 2018 following three years with Wyndham Hotel Group.

He began his career in investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston and has 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including senior positions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and on the supervisory board of Design Hotels AG.

Ruff said under his leadership Belmond would “continue to strive to offer incomparable travel experiences to our guests and become the world's most desirable luxury travel brand”.

He will be based in London and report directly to Stéphane Rinderknech, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Hospitality Excellence.