Nobu Hotel site makes three senior hires

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square has announced the appointment of three senior hires across its sales and marketing and food and drink teams. Sam Riches will join the upcoming site as director of sales and marketing. Prior to his role, Riches worked in senior management roles for luxury hotel groups such as Edition Hotels, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts and The Curtain Hotel and Members Club. In his new role, he will use his “extensive” knowledge of London’s luxury hotel market to strategically develop the site’s brand. He will also lead the development of its commercial strategy. Riches said: “I am really excited to lead the team opening Nobu Hotel London Portman Square. Our brand vision is to be one of London’s leading independent hotels, and I can’t wait to bring that to life.” Tom Bates will also join the team as director of marketing and communications, joining from The Lanesborough hotel, where he also led the marketing and communications team. In his new role, he will lead the strategic local and global brand marketing and PR of the hotel. In addition, Benjamin Hofer has been appointed director of food and drink. Prior to his appointment, Hofer was director of food and beverage at Corinthia London. He previously worked with a range of sLondon’s top chefs, including Simon Rogan at Fera at Claridge’s, Nuno Mendes at Town Hall Hotel and Tom Kerridge at Corinthia London. He will now lead the “extensive” food and drink offering at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, which will include a new signature Nobu Restaurant, bar, outdoor terrace and lobby lounge. Hofer said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the team to launch this exciting hotel. I particularly look forward to working closely with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and his team to deliver their signature handcrafted approach to cuisine and service in our new spaces. “With the move of the iconic Nobu Berkeley Street restaurant into its new home here at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, I also look forward to continuing the iconic restaurant’s 15-year legacy of delivering exceptional culinary experiences.” These three new senior appointments will further strengthen the opening team for the hotel, which will be led by Grant Campbell, the recently-appointed general manager. The site is set to open in November 2020. As well as the signature Nobu Restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace, the site will feature 249 rooms, a 600-person ballroom, gym, wellness facilities and meeting spaces.