Since 2003, Michael has been General Manager of Hotel Astoria's sister hotel and next door neighbour, the four-star Angleterre Hotel, which is branded as a Forte property. Michael will retain this role while also taking over the reins at Hotel Astoria.

Michael graduated with a degree in Hotel Management in 1981 and has enjoyed a varied hospitality career that has taken him all over the world, including Jordan, China, Hawaii, South Africa and Jamaica. He is a member of the Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA), of which he launched the first Russian branch in February 2005 with a view to raising the standards of Russian hospitality and service.

Commenting on Michael's new role, Sir Rocco said, "I am delighted to appoint Michael to the role of General Manager of Hotel Astoria. It is always satisfying to be able to promote internal moves and opportunities within the company, and I know that Michael will do an excellent job of retaining Hotel Astoria's position as the No.1 property in St Petersburg."

Michael added, "I am very much looking forward to helping St Petersburg realise its full potential as one of the great tourist destinations in Europe. The local hospitality industry is currently experiencing dynamic growth and I look forward to being a part of that development. For example, we already have a number of ideas in the pipeline that will restore St Isaac's Square (on which Hotel Astoria and Angleterre Hotel stand) to its former glory as the glamorous centre of the city."

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 to create a collection of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The collection is linked together under the Rocco Forte Hotels brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

Current hotels within the Rocco Forte Hotels collection are:
-Hotel de Russie, Rome
-Hotel Savoy, Florence
-The Balmoral, Edinburgh
-The St David's Hotel & Spa, Cardiff
-The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
-Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg
-Hotel Amigo, Brussels
-Le Richemond, Geneva
-Browns Hotel, London (closed for refurbishment, will re-open September 2005)
-Château de Bagnols, en Beaujolais (managed on behalf of Lady Hamlyn)

Future openings:

Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt - 2006
Hotel de Rome, Berlin - 2006
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily - 2007
Munich - 2007

ROCCO FORTE HOTELS
Savannah House, 11 Charles II Street, 
London SW1Y 4QU
Tel: +44 (0)20 7321 2626
www.roccofortehotels.com