Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Andrew Hirst as Operations Director, effective 1 November 2006. Mr Hirst has over 26 years experience in hotel management of international luxury brand properties, and is well-known within the lodging industry through his roles in associations and societies.

Mr Hirst has held senior management positions in many Mandarin Oriental hotels throughout the Asia Pacific region in his 20 years with the Group. He has spent the past six years as General Manager of The Excelsior, Hong Kong, one of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s most significant assets.

In his new capacity Mr Hirst will oversee the Group’s current and future portfolio in Asia. He will also be responsible for driving the Group’s award-winning customer service initiatives as well as other global operational functions such as Spa and Food & Beverage.

“Andrew has exactly the right experience and the dedication required to take on this important corporate function for the Group. In his new role, Andrew will play an important part in ensuring the Group’s legendary service continues to be at the forefront of our development,” said Edouard Ettedgui, Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Andrew Hirst will be based at the Group’s corporate office in Hong Kong.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group | Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, currently operating 22 luxury hotels with a further 9 under development in Riviera Maya-Mexico, Hainan Island-China, Barcelona (2007), Boston and Grand Cayman (2008), Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas and Macau (2009). In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, almost 9,000 rooms in 16 countries with 14 hotels in Asia, 12 in the Americas and five in Europe.