The Lanesborough, London, has announced the appointment of Marco Novella as managing director.
In his new role, Novella will be overseeing operations of the Lanesborough while driving growth and ensuring service excellence in all departments.
Succeeding long-standing managing director Geoffrey Gelardi, he joins Oetker Collection after an impressive career working for prestigious hotel groups throughout Europe.
“Marco has such a wealth of experience and I am delighted that he is joining Oetker Collection and the role of managing director of the Lanesborough.
“I am convinced that he will maintain the level of excellence for which the property is recognised.
“His fine leadership and expertise will be a great asset in order to carry the Lanesborough successfully into this new chapter,” said says Frank Marrenbach, chief executive of Oetker Collection.
Novella’s first position as hotel manager at the St. Regis Grand in Rome in 1999 led him to become the general manager of another Starwood Hotels & Resorts property, the Gritti Palace in Venice.
In 2010, Novella became managing director of Villa San Michele in Florence, part of Belmond.
His most recent position was as managing director of Brown’s Hotel London from 2016.
Novella added: “I am delighted to be joining Oetker Collection at the helm of the Lanesborough, where my focus aside from the day-to-day operations will be ensuring the seamless guest experience.
“I take pride in personally getting to know guests and look forward to this role in such a prestigious property where expectations are high.”