Accor today announced important appointments at Raffles and Orient Express, part of the company's Luxury & Lifestyle division. These professionals, based in Paris and New York, join the management committees of these two hotel brands.

The new appointments are :

Claudia Kozma Kaplan - International Director of Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Based in New York, Claudia will report directly to Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles & Orient Express, starting from July 31st. She will lead Raffles' international network of 18 establishments, including upcoming openings such as Raffles London at The OWO and Raffles Boston, both scheduled to debut in the summer. Claudia will also represent Orient Express in the Americas, leveraging her stellar reputation and expertise in luxury product sales and high-end hospitality to enhance the positioning of both brands in the ultra-luxury segment. With 30 years of experience in executive roles at renowned brands like The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Rafael Hotel Group, Société des Bains de Mer (Monaco), The Leading Hotels of the World, Gucci, Christian Dior, and Loro Piana, Claudia brings a wealth of knowledge to Accor. She holds a degree from Georgetown University and is fluent in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Edouard Schwob - Director of Development, Luxury Offer Americas and International, Raffles & Orient Express

Based in New York, Edouard reports to both Omer Acar and Agnès Roquefort, General Manager of Luxury & Lifestyle Development at Accor, since July 17th. His extensive experience in acquiring prestigious hotels and expertise in asset management will fuel the targeted growth of Accor's ultra-luxury brands. Edouard joins Raffles & Orient Express after serving as Executive Vice President of Strategic Advisory and Asset Management at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels & Hospitality. He holds a master's degree in management from City University (London) and a master's degree in business from ESCP Europe (Paris). Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Edouard is also a certified LEED Green Associate since 2012 and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Guy Heywood - Director of Operations, Raffles & Orient Express

Based in New York, Guy reports directly to Omer Acar since July 10th. With over three decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Guy has a rich background at renowned brands like Four Seasons, Aman, and Six Senses. As Director of Operations, he will bring his ability to elevate the guest experience to Raffles and Orient Express, working to enhance the positioning of both brands. Known for his innovation and capacity to create exceptional experiences that inspire loyalty, Guy will contribute to improving services and culture at these iconic brands through his charisma and leadership. Guy holds an Associate Degree in Hotel Management from Cornell University.

Kristen Richter - Commercial Director, Raffles & Orient Express

Based in New York, Kristen will report directly to Omer Acar starting from August 14th. Kristen joins the team after 20 years leading revenue management, sales, distribution, analysis, and reservation teams in the hospitality industry. She began her career in revenue management at the iconic Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York and spent 11 years at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Senior Vice President of Global Revenue Management. Kristen also served as Commercial Director for Radisson Hotel Group Americas before joining the innovative hotel group, Sonder, as International Director of Sales. She holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from Bucknell University and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Anne Bénichou - Worldwide Communication, Partnerships, and Sales Director, Raffles & Orient Express

Starting from August 28th, Anne will report directly to Omer Acar. Based in Paris, she will drive impactful initiatives in communication, partnerships, and sales for these two luxury brands while ensuring the coherence of Raffles and Orient Express across the globe. Anne began her career in the high-end fashion industry, spending eight years at Vogue USA and Vogue Italia. Later, she served as Director of Communication at the Ritz Paris for nearly nine years before becoming the Global Communication Director for Oetker's luxury boutique-hotel collection. Anne joins Raffles & Orient Express from Maisons Pariente, where she held the position of Director of Marketing and Communication.

Nathalie Delclos - International Director of Spa & Wellness, Raffles & Orient Express

Starting from August 31st, Nathalie will report to Guy Heywood, Director of Operations at Raffles & Orient Express. Based in Paris, she will oversee the spa strategy and wellness initiatives for these two brands while maintaining consistent standards for offerings worldwide. Nathalie joins Raffles & Orient Express after serving as Spa Director at the Ritz Paris. She began her career at Gordon Ramsay's renowned restaurant, Aubergine, in London. Nathalie has since worked with numerous luxury hotel brands, including Relais & Châteaux, Four Seasons, Spa Thémaé, and the Four Seasons George V Palace in Paris, where she led the spa for seven years.