Langham Hospitality’s New CEO Says Company Is ‘Ripe for Expansion’

Hong Kong-based Langham Hospitality Group announced, last week, the appointment of Stefan Leser as its new chief executive.

The former group CEO at Jumeirah International succeeds Robert Warman, who held the role since 2014 and recently decided to retire.

Prior to joining Jumeirah, Leser held senior roles for more than a decade at Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd., a Swiss travel services provider. He has also worked in the IT sector with Swissair and EDS Corporation.

Based in Hong Kong, Leser will lead the planned global expansion drive for Langham Hospitality Group.

“The company is definitely ripe for expansion into new markets, and I look forward to leading the team to deliver highly personalized service and support the future growth of the group’s outstanding portfolio of hotels and residences,” Leser said in a statement.

The company has a portfolio of more than 20 hotels across the globe, with a strong presence in Greater China and other markets in Asia, between its luxury Langham Hotels and Resorts and upper-upscale Cordis brands. It operates hotels in major cities, including The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue in New York; The Langham, London, its flagship property which opened in 1865; and The Langham, Hong Kong.

Its current expansion pipeline includes more than 30 projects confirmed or in a developed stage of negotiation in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.