Seasoned hotelier Thomas Kochs has been appointed as Managing Director of legendary Claridge’s in Mayfair, by Maybourne, operator of London’s most prestigious hotels also including The Connaught, The Berkeley and The Emory. This move marks a welcome return to the Maybourne family for Kochs, who was previously General Manager at Claridge’s from 2009 to 2015. He also held positions at The Berkeley and The Connaught earlier in his career.
Over the past ten years German-born Kochs has held positions at luxury hotel companies including The Set, followed by Corinthia Hotels where he has been Managing Director at Corinthia London, the company’s flagship property since 2017. Kochs is a passionate trustee of the Gold Service Scholarship, which nurtures the UK’s emerging front-of-house talent, has been voted Hotelier of the Year by the Brit list and one of the 50 Most Influential People in British Luxury by Walpole.
Commenting on his return to Claridge’s, Kochs said “I am so looking forward to being reunited with a hotel and colleagues very dear to my heart and steering Claridge’s, a much loved and revered hotel into the next chapter of its distinguished history. I am also particularly proud to be rejoining Maybourne as it enters a dynamic period of global growth and expansion and seeing this vision come to life”.
Roland Fasel, COO of Maybourne said “We are very proud to welcome Thomas back into our Maybourne family. We know with his reputation for innovation, creativity and the highest service standards he will ensure that Claridge’s reinforces its position as the leading hotel in the beating heart of Mayfair, as well as a legend on the world stage”.
Claridge’s has recently undertaken a seven-year programme of restoration and redevelopment in order to pave the way for the next 200 years of its life, and is setting the standard for the next generation of uber luxury hotels. Key additions include a new spa with swimming pool, a world class art gallery and café, as well as an additional three floors that house 72 new suites and rooms topped by the sky-skimming penthouse spanning the entire rooftop of the hotel complete with its own swimming pool and ornamental lake.
