Former cruise sector chief Stuart Leven has been hired to lead a major hotels business.
Leven left Royal Caribbean Group in 2021 having occupied roles including vice-president EMEA and managing director of RCL Cruises.
He has now been appointed as chief executive of Orascom Hotels Management, a subsidiary of Swiss-based Orascom Development, which has properties in three continents.
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Leven said: “Our portfolio of 33 hotels, with more than 7,000 rooms, serves as a cornerstone in welcoming guests to these extraordinary destinations.”
Orascom Development said Leven’s role would see him leading the transformation and expansion of the company’s hotels business.
The focus would be on “meeting the future needs of guests, trade partners, employees and the company’s integrated towns in Egypt, the UAE, Oman, Montenegro and Switzerland”, Orascom Development added.
Leven, who will be based in London, will also be a member of Orascom Development’s global executive committee and report to group chief executive Omar El Hamamsy.
El Hamamsy said: “Welcoming Stuart to our leadership during this period of exceptional performance is a testament to our commitment to attracting top-tier talent.
“Stuart’s proven track record in commercial, sales and marketing aligns well with our strategic drive to further elevate our premium to luxury hospitality offerings.”
He added: “I’m confident that our hotels business is well positioned to continue building on the impressive growth achieved.”
Outgoing Orascom Hotels Management chief executive Joachim Schmitt will take up the newly created role of chief operating officer.
He will retain operational leadership of the existing hotels and have responsibility for new openings.
Leven’s CV includes time at airline KLM as head of international sales.