Accor has appointed Stephen Alden as CEO for its Raffles and Orient Express brands. Reporting directly to Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin, he will become a member of the Group Executive Committee.

Having most recently created and launched the Dedica Anthology brand in 2017, encompassing a portfolio of nine properties across Europe, Alden will now be responsible for developing both the Raffles and Orient Express brands through innovative programming, dedicated team cultures and accelerated growth.

“We are pleased to welcome Stephen, a highly respected and visionary leader within the international hotel space,” says Bazin. “His experience and expertise will strongly contribute to further building momentum of our Raffles brand and making the highly anticipated launch of Orient Express a tremendous success.”

Alden comments: “It is a privilege to be taking on the stewardship of these two magnificent brands. I am greatly looking forward to this next episode, working closely with all functional & operational teams and leveraging Accor’s exceptional talent and resources globally. We have a unique opportunity to accelerate Raffles’ forward momentum, as well as to reignite the Orient Express brand, successfully bringing its glamour and timeless qualities to a new generation of hotels starting with our first property in Rome.”

Having opened The St. Regis New York with Starwood and led St. Regis Hotels and Luxury Collection brands globally, Alden was also CEO for nine years at Maybourne Hotel Group, whose flagship properties include Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley. In 2016, he was appointed as CEO of The Set, owner and operator of London’s Hotel Cafe Royal, The Conservatorium in Amsterdam and Hôtel Lutetia in Paris.