Longtime hotel executive Michael Wale has been named CEO of
Abercrombie & Kent Group, effective Oct. 1.
Wale previously was CEO of Kerzner International for two
years. Before that, he spent almost 40 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, most recently as president for its Europe, Africa & Middle East
properties.
Michael Wale
Currently based in Dubai, Wale will relocate to Monaco.
Wale succeeds Amerigo Perasso, who replaced A&K founder
Geoffrey Kent as CEO in August of 2019 after Kent and Silversea executive chairman
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio became co-chairmen of the luxury adventure travel
company.
That moved followed an 85% investment in A&K by Lefebvre
d’Ovidio’s Heritage Group, which helped Kent buy A&K back from troubled
Chinese real estate company Zhonghong Holdings Group.
Perasso left A&K in December to return to his role as an
advisor for Heritage, A&K said.
Lefebvre
d’Ovidio said Wale’s appointment will
open a new chapter for the luxury adventure travel company.
“When guests book a holiday with us, they know we will guide
them to amazing places, but the destination is a given. What they expect from us -- and what keeps
them coming back-- is how we go the extra mile. Michael’s extensive experience
in guest services and operations will take what A&K is known for to the
next level,” Lefebvre
d’Ovidio said.
Geoffrey Kent said Wale “has a remarkable track record of steering
leading luxury brands towards unequaled heights.”