Raffles International appoints new General Managers in Bangkok and Osaka

Raffles International have appointed two new General Managers at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka and Nai Lert Park Bangkok.

Francois Cnockaert, General Manager, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

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Mr. Francois Cnockaert has been appointed as General Manager of Swissôtel Nankai Osaka in Osaka, Japan. The 548-room deluxe hotel, which is located in the heart of "Minami", one of the two commercial centres in Osaka, is currently operating as Nankai South Tower Hotel. It will be re-flagged as Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, A Raffles International Hotel on 1st September 2003.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cnockaert was the General Manager of Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Korea. He has more than 18 years of 5-star hotel experience in three different continents, beginning as a Food & Beverage Manager Trainee at Le Meridien Hotel in Kuwait after graduating with a degree in Hotel Management from Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland.

Since then, Mr. Cnockaert has worked in senior operational and management positions in the United States, Japan and Korea with hotel chains such as Le Meridien and Ritz Carlton. He was hotel manager with an international luxury hotel chain in Osaka, Japan for three years from 1996.

Blaise Montandon, General Manager, Nai Lert Park Bangkok

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Mr. Blaise Montandon will be at the helm of Nai Lert Park Bangkok when it opens in January 2004. Nai Lert Park Bangkok, a Raffles International Hotel, will be managed under Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. It will offer service in the tradition of the Swissôtel brand, which is well recognised by discerning world traveller. The 338-room hotel, presently operating as the Hilton International  Bangkok at Nai Lert Park, is centrally located in the heart of Bangkok's diplomatic, business, and shopping areas.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Montandon was working at Le Montreux Palace in Montreux, Switzerland as Deputy General Manager since 2000. He has more than 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Mr. Montandon, who holds a higher diploma for Hotel Management from Hotel Management School in Lausanne, Switzerland, has held senior management positions, having  been Assistant Financial Controller, Director of Sales and Marketing and Executive Assistant Manager for hotels in Switzerland, Taiwan and Singapore from 1987 to 1999. He was General Manager of The Beaufort Hotel and Conference Centre, Sentosa Singapore before joining Le Montreux Palace.