Virgin Hotels has announced that CEO Raul Leal has stepped down after leading the company for ten years.

Having joined Virgin Hotels as the first employee in 2010, when the operator was building its initial pipeline and developing its lifestyle offering, Leal has played a significant role in creating the brand’s character and infrastructure, inspiring its distinctive design and instilling its service ethos.

With the company now firmly established and set to open properties in New York, Las Vegas and New Orleans this year, Leal has decided to step back from day-to-day management and focus on new personal projects. He will continue consulting for Virgin Group as an Advisor on brand and design-related matters.

“Raul has been instrumental in helping to establish the Virgin Hotels brand and culture over the last decade,” says Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “His eye for design, his devotion to his team and focus on our guests has created a unique proposition and we are thankful for his leadership.”

Peter Norris, Chairman of Virgin Hotels, comments: “Raul has built a tremendous platform for Virgin Hotels to expand from over the last ten years. We have won several distinguished hotel awards and have shaken up the lifestyle hotel sector with our distinctive proposition and innovative designs. His passion for service and his commitment to his people mark him out as a hotelier of distinction and leave the brand in excellent shape to thrive in the coming years.”

Leal adds: “It has been a joy to work with one of the world’s great brands and launch a disruptive business. I am extremely proud of the unique concept proposition we have built at Virgin Hotels. From the distinctive ‘Chamber’ room design to the vibrant food and beverage operations, we have created a product and service focused on our customers and always strived to exceed expectations.

“With Virgin Hotels poised for sustained success and the current business climate ripe for disruption, now is the right time for me to follow my passion of building new organisations and helping others re-energise existing cultures with purpose.”

A new CEO for Virgin Hotels will be announced in the coming weeks.