June 21, 2016 – Rocco Forte Hotels, the family of ten hotels and resorts in key destinations across Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maurizio Saccani as Global Director of Operations with immediate effect.
In his new role, Saccani will be responsible for Operations, Sales & Marketing and HR. He will be a member of Rocco Forte Hotels’ Executive Committee and will report to Karim Naffah, Managing Director.
Saccani most recently served as Chief of Product Development and Executive Vice President Italy and Spain at Belmond Hotels, formerly Orient Express Hotels, with whom he has worked for over 30 years. The hotels under his control included iconic names such as the Cipriani in Venice, the Splendido in Portofino, Villa San Michele in Fiesole and the Caruso on the Amalfi Coast.
Maurizio Saccani has previously served for 7 years as a member of the International Marketing Committee of Leading Hotels of the World and as a Director of the Florence Tourist Board. He was recently awarded a Master “Honoris Causa” in Economy and Tourism by the University of Venice. He is an Italian citizen and is married with 2 children.
Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, said:
“I am very pleased indeed that Maurizio is joining us. He is an experienced hotelier with great knowledge of the detail which drives high levels of customer service. He has a proven record in developing the hotels under his control and improving their levels of profitability. He will add considerable operational strength to our business as we pursue a new phase of expansion in a number of major markets with a particular focus on Italy. We are opening a new hotel in Jeddah in September of this year and in Shanghai in 2018.”
