Ian James has been appointed as General Manager at Cheval Gloucester Park and Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison.

The move came as the company continues to target growth in the capital, in addition to dynamic locations around the world as it moves closer to 1,000 units.

Ian joins the group from The Fellows House, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the University Arms Hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection in Cambridge, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing both the guest journey and team dynamics.

He also worked across a number of properties in the Hilton portfolio in the UK over the course of a decade, building a skillset across management, analysis and pre-opening.

The group is continuing to pursue a strategy of expansion through management contracts, with further properties due to be announced this year.

Cheval Collection currently operates nine locations in London, with Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison the most recent to open, in 2021.

The opening of Cheval Maison - Expo City Dubai in March this year will take Cheval Collection to over 950 units, joining Cheval Maison - The Palm Dubai in the emirate.

The company is also due to make its debut in Saudi Arabia in 2027, with Cheval Ladun Living in Riyadh.