PR98874

PARIS, Nov. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/

-- It's official: Laurent Gardinier has been named successor to current

president Philippe Gombert. He will take over the role on January 1, 2023

following a six-week handover.

-- The new President: reaffirming our commitments

Laurent Gardinier, a co-owner, along with his brothers, of Relais & Châteaux

Domaine Les Crayères in Champagne, and of Parisian restaurant Le Taillevent,

currently represents the association as National Delegate for France and has

served as a member of the board of directors for 17 years. As President, as

well as honoring the commitments of his predecessor, he will be dedicated to

serving our member properties and enhancing the solidarity of the Relais &

Châteaux association and the fundamental values it embodies. Assisted by an

experienced, complementary management team that shares his ambitions, he will

ensure the democratic vitality of the Association while giving teams clear,

balanced and ambitious development and performance objectives.

Photo -

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"I am focused on three main areas: reducing our environmental footprint with

economically realistic solutions; preserving biodiversity, working in

particular with our chefs; and enhancing respect for each of our employees and

increased social responsibility; all while maintaining the financial health of

our association," said Laurent Gardinier.

The outgoing President: tireless dedication

Philippe Gombert, who was elected as President in November 2013 and has served

two successive terms. He will remain active within the association, as Honorary

President, a member of the Commission Network, and as co-owner, with his wife

Stéphanie, of the Château de la Treyne in the Dordogne – a member of Relais &

Châteaux since 1992. During his governance, on November 18, 2014, he presented

an ambitious vision for the association to UNESCO, pledging to 'make a better

world through food and hospitality' and to 'elevate the fine art of living'.

This vision, drawn up with Olivier Roellinger, Vice-President of Relais &

Châteaux, and in collaboration with our chefs, defines the arts of hospitality

and cooking with respect for the future of the land and its people, taking into

account the uniqueness of its 580 independent properties spread across 65

countries.

"I am very optimistic for the future of Relais & Châteaux. Between the

Executive Committee, the Management Committee and their teams, the association

is in good hands. Our civilization, our world, is at a fundamental turning

point, but Relais & Châteaux has the right people and the right tools to adapt,

evolve and advance with it," said Philippe Gombert.

The 2023 Executive Committee: skills, continuity and renewal

Laurent Gardinier has formed an Executive Committee to ensure the governance of

the Association. It has eight members, including four new ones, and is

comprised of five men and three women:

First Vice-President: George Goeggel of Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford,

California – member of the committee since 2009

Vice-President, Chefs: Mauro Colagreco, Restaurant Mirazur, Menton, France –

new committee member.

Vice-President, Africa: Shan Varty, Londolozi, South Africa – new committee

member.

Vice-President, Asia-Oceania: Kana Otowa, Restaurant Otowa, Tochigi, Japan –

new committee member.

Vice-President, Europe: Vito Cinque, Il San Pietro, Positano, Italy – member of

the committee since 2017.

General Secretary: Susanne Gräfin von Moltke, Gut Steinbach Hotel Chalets SPA,

Germany – member of the committee since 2020.

Treasurer: Matías de Cristóbal, Awasi, Iguaçu, Argentina, Patagonia, Chile –

member of the committee since 2017.

Member: Justin Zammit Tabona, The Xara Palace, Malta – new committee member.

In addition, the existing management team in Paris will further support Laurent

Gardinier. The team consists of:

    - Anthony Torkington, General Manager

    - Benoît Juillet, General Delegate

    - Lars Seifert, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer

    - Arnaud Wielgus, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer

ABOUT RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX

Relais & Châteaux, established in 1954, is an association of 580 unique hotels

and restaurants throughout the world, owned and operated by independent

entrepreneurs – most often families – who are passionate about their craft and

deeply committed to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests.

Established on five continents, from the Napa Valley vineyards to Provence to

the beaches of the Indian Ocean, Relais & Châteaux invites people across the

globe to savour delicious journeys, to discover the inimitable art de vivre

engrained in each local culture and to share an incomparable, unforgettable

experience. Relais & Châteaux members protect and promote the wealth and

diversity of the world's culinary and hospitality traditions, to ensure they

continue to thrive. They are equally dedicated to preserving local heritage and

the environment, as articulated in the association's Vision presented to UNESCO

in November 2014.

www.relaischateaux.com @relaischateaux #relaischateaux #deliciousjourneys

SOURCE Relais & Châteaux

CONTACT: Lars Seifert, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer,

lars.seifert@relaischateaux.com; Isabelle Guéguen, Head of PR & Influence,

isabelle.gueguen@relaischateaux.com