Langham Hospitality Group appoints global head of residential

Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has appointed Rico Picenoni as its global head of residential. 

The newly created leadership post will aim to advance the company’s design, branding and operation of private homes amid a surge in property developments comprising both hotels and permanent dwellings.

Picenoni recently helmed the branded residential consultancy team at Savills from the company’s London headquarters. The global practice group has managed advisory mandates across more than 50 countries with a combined development value exceeding $45bn (£33.3bn). 

Prior to that, he oversaw residential and extended-stay development across the Middle East and Africa for Accor, where he also held senior feasibility and project assessment roles. Previously he was also an asset manager for Seven Tides Hospitality, where he oversaw residential properties operated by Minor Hotels Group and Mövenpick, among other international hospitality firms.

Picenoni’s experience also includes operations roles with Rosewood Hotels and Resorts in the United States and Starwood Hotels and Resorts in the United Arab Emirates.

Picenoni is a graduate of Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and additionally holds qualifications in real estate investments, asset management, and negotiations, and will be permanently based in Dubai in his new role.

Langham Hospitality Group CEO, Bob van den Oord, said: “The rise in mixed-use developments where we can offer hotel management and branded residence services in conjunction allows us to serve our clients more holistically. It also enables consumers to not just experience our hospitality during their travels, but in the places they choose to call home.

“Rico’s rare blend of branded residence and hotel operations experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead this key area of growth for the group.”