John Philipson - BA BSc FIH MI

Chief Operating Officer

Cheval Collection Ltd

John has been active in the hospitality industry since finishing his higher education where he obtained an OND and HND at Newcastle University, a BA from New Hampshire College, USA and a BSc in Hospitality Management. He started his career with the Hyatt International Group at the Hyatt Regency in Grand Cayman, BWI and the Grand Hyatt in Chicago, before moving to London, firstly at The Lowndes and then The Carlton Tower. After that he joined The Grosvenor House, before moving to The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh to work for Rocco Forte Hotels in 1997. Within two years he had risen to the position of GM at The St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff and then transferred to The Lowry Hotel in Manchester in 2001 its opening year. After this he worked for Six Senses Resorts and Spas as Area Director in the Maldives, overseeing Soneva Fushi, Soneva Gili and Six Senses Laamu. Following this he took on a role as VP of Operations in Bangkok for the group, On his return to the UK he took on a role of Managing Director for Macdonald Hotels and resorts in London. He is currently working with Cheval Collection developing its 3 brands Cheval Residences, Cheval Maison and My Locanda. In addition to encouraging his team to develop their skills he also continues to develop in his career. In 1998 he was the winner of the Young Acorn Awards and in 2002 John won one of the Master Inn holders scholarships to assist in his development as a General Manager at Cranfield University also in that year he received his MSc in Hospitality Management.