Simon Hirst has been appointed General Manager at Raffles Singapore
Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Simon Hirst as General Manager of Raffles Singapore. One of the UK’s best-known hoteliers, Simon moves from sister property Raffles Praslin, Seychelles to take up the position in Singapore on August 1, 2013. Simon’s role in the Seychelles will be filled by Christoph Ganster who succeeds him as General Manager, Raffles Praslin, Seychelles, from July 15, 2013. Simon established his reputation in the hotel industry with over 15 years of working with hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray. In 1997, Simon was appointed opening General Manager of One Aldwych, London. In 2008, he moved on to be Operations Director of Campbell Gray Hotels, overseeing the whole hotel collection. Simon’s career began with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he held management positions in Hong Kong and San Francisco over 11 years. He then joined Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in 1988, as Resident Manager of the Four Seasons, Park Lane, London. He returned to Asia in 1991 as Hotel Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and then re-joined Four Seasons in 1994 as opening General Manager of The Regent Chiang Mai (a Four Seasons hotel). Ever since it opened in 1887, Raffles Hotel has epitomized the romance of the Far East – an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and colonial ambiance that no other hotel can match. It is still home to the legendary Raffles Butlers and the Singapore Sling. The story begins at the door: Raffles’ fabulous doormen, Narajan, Swaran and Sarjit, greet their guests in true Raffles style. Their splendid uniforms are from Gieves and Hawkes – and their smiles are wide and genuine. Simon’s role as General Manager of Raffles Praslin Seychelles will be filled by Christoph Ganster, effective from July 15, 2013.
