The Rocco Forte Collections appoints General Manager for historic Florence hotel

London, 1 February, 2011: The Rocco Forte Collection has announced the appointment of Edward Leenders as General Manager for Hotel Savoy in Florence.  With 14 years in the hospitality industry, Dutch-born Leenders brings a wealth of management experience to the new role and joins the hotel from The Rocco Forte Collection’s head office, where as Brand Support Director he oversaw the brand quality and quality measurement, corporate human resources and served as Secretary to the Executive Committee.

Commenting on the appointment, Martin Elsner, The Rocco Forte Collection’s Director of Operations, said: “We are delighted that Edward is taking the helm at the Hotel Savoy.  He brings with him a great blend of hospitality expertise and industry knowledge, which made him the natural choice in leading this hotel. We are particularly pleased to have filled this position internally, underlining our continued commitment to the development of our team.” 

In his new role, Leenders will oversee all aspects of the iconic Florence hotel and will be responsible for its day to day operation and strategic direction, L’Incontro Restaurant and Bar, and its meetings & events’ facilities.

Located in the heart of Florence, on the Piazza della Repubblica and close to the city’s renowned Duomo, the hotel has 102 rooms and suites, and is just a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio. The hotel’s elegant décor is contemporary Italian in style with subdued neutral tones, tasteful fabrics and subtle tributes to the designer fashion houses of Florence throughout.

Fluent in several languages, Leenders joined The Rocco Forte Collection as Deputy General Manager of London’s Brown’s Hotel in 2005 and went on to build up considerable experience across several of its properties in Acting General Manager roles at Hotel Amigo in Brussels and Brown’s Hotel and provided pre-and post-opening support for Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily. 

A graduate from the renowned Hotel School The Hague, Leenders started his career as a fast track corporate management trainee with Hyatt International in the US and the Middle East. Prior to joining The Rocco Forte Collection, he spent time as Food & Beverage Director at the Park Hyatt in Hamburg before taking up the General Manager position for two privately owned five star resorts in the Seychelles.

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Notes to Editors
The Rocco Forte Collection
The Rocco Forte Collection is a family of 13 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share The Rocco Forte Collection’s trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.

Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, The Rocco Forte Collection comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; The Augustine, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily. Future openings: Abu Dhabi 2011; Marrakech 2012; Jeddah 2012; Cairo 2013.
www.roccofortecollection.com

Media Enquiries:
Ilse van Steen
The Rocco Forte Collection
Tel:  +44 (0)20 766 3107/3137
Email:  pressinformation@roccofortecollection.com