Mr Des Pugson appointed as Senior Vice President of Operations Asia Pacific, Millennium & Copthorne International Limited

Mr Des Pugson - Senior Vice President of Operations, Asia Pacific (MCIL) / General Manager of Orchard Hotel and Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. A graduate of the Ecole Hoteliere in Lausanne, Mr Pugson began his career in the hospitality industry in London. Rising steadily through the ranks, he eventually went on to embark on successful careers with leading international hotel chains such as Sheraton, Shangri-La International and Ritz-Carlton holding positions at head office as well as running prestigious hotels such as Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort in Malaysia and the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. He brings with him extensive experience in managing hotels in the Asia Pacific region including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. His appointment further strengthens and develops the Group's position as a world player in the international hotel market.

Mr Franz Zeller, former Senior Vice President of Operations, Asia Pacific and former General Manager of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore is now the Senior Vice President of Operations, Middle East and General Manager of the new Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi which opened in March 2002.

Mr Heinrich Kapfenberger, former General Manager of Orchard Hotel Singapore, is now the General Manager of the Millennium Hotel and Resort Stuttgart.