Leeu Collection appoints Christophe Mercier as GM for UK and Europe

South Africa-based hotel group, Leeu Collection, has appointed Christophe Mercier as its first UK and Europe area general manager.

The appointment comes after the resignation of Carrie Wicks, who stepped down as chief executive of the company last year.

Mercier will be based in London and will be responsible for all Leeu Collection related activities. His first focus will be the re-opening of Linthwaite House in the Lake District in March 2018 following an extensive refurbishment and extension.

This will be followed by the launch of a London property on Newman Street in 2020 and the opening of Leeu’s Villa Querce in Florence in 2021.

Mercier has previously held positions at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, including resident manager at the Hotel Danieli in Venice and general manager of the W Paris Opera. Most recently he was general manager of the San Clemente Palace Kempinski in Venice.

Mercier said: “Joining the Leeu Collection provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with a visionary and passionate owner, as well as expert team members, in the future development of this young brand’s journey, which, for me as an hotelier, is a lifetime dream.

“We already have solid foundations in South Africa’s Franschhoek on which we can build, creating more Leeu properties with exceptional selling points in the United Kingdom and Italy, while seeking other opportunities to grow our portfolio.”