Christopher Cowdray is promoted to President, and Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri are jointly appointed CEO.
Christopher Cowdray, current CEO of Dorchester Collection since 2007, will become Chairman from July 1, 2023. He will continue to work closely with the company's Board of Directors to oversee the Group's performance and new development and renovation projects.
Prior to this, he was General Manager of the Dorchester in London. He brought about major changes and modernizations in both the hotel and Claridge's. Christopher Cowdray has 40 years' international experience, having managed and developed hotels in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe, the UK and the USA. He trained at Colombia University.
Helen Smith and Eugenio Pirri have worked together for the past 12 years, and the duo will now be promoted to joint general manager of Dorchester Collection.
Helen Smith currently holds the position of Head of Customer Experience at Dorchester, which she joined in 2005. Previously, she was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Dorchester Collection for ten years and Director of Sales and Marketing for The Dorchester for three years.
A graduate of Cornell University, she has held several key management positions at Sheraton, The Lanesborough, Four Seasons and Skibo Castle.
Eugenio Pirri joined Dorchester Collection in 2011 as Vice President of People and Organization Development. He has since been promoted to Director of Human Resources and Culture in 2017, and Director of Culture and Operations in 2021.
Prior to that, he was Regional Human Resources Director for Fairmont Hotels and Resort. He studied tourism and hospitality, as well as labor law and human rights in Vancouver, Canada, before holding several management positions in the hotel industry.
"This decision ensures the continuity of our legendary culture deeply rooted in the community, and allows two of Dorchester Collection's longest-serving executives, leaders in their fields, to step up. The company will benefit from their distinct and ideal combined skills in strategic vision, customer and employee focus, and analytical decision-making." - Christopher Cowdray
