Massimiliano Binda appointed GM at the Connaught

Three days after the departure of Thomas Kochs as general manager at Claridge's hotel, sister property the Connaught has announced the appointment of a new general manager.

Massimiliano Binda took over the reins of the five-red-AA star, 121-bedroom hotel in Mayfair two weeks ago, replacing Natalie Seiler-Heyez, who left the property in July.

He joins the hotel, owned by the Maybourne Hotel Group, from the Mandarin Oriental Pudong in Shanghai, where he has been hotel manager since 2012.

Italian-born Binda has worked in the luxury hospitality sector for 24 years, spending the majority of his career with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He previously worked in London at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in reservations roles from 1998 to 2002 before going on to work in Munich, Geneva, Marrakech, Hanoi (at the Sofitel Legend Metropole), Hong Kong and most recently, Shanghai.

Binda, who is fluent in Italian, English, French and German and has learnt some Mandarin, said: "I am truly honoured to be appointed general manager of such a world-renowned hotel, one that plays such an important role in the capital's vibrant landscape. I look forward to building on the hotel's rich history of bringing the very best in service and luxury to our illustrious guests."

In his new role, Binda will be responsible for 121 rooms and suites, the two-Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze restaurant, the Connaught Bar and the Aman spa.

Thomas Kochs steps down as GM of Claridge's >>Qataris buy majority stake in Maybourne Hotel Group >>Nathalie Seiler-Hayez appointed general manager at the Connaught >>