Orient-Express Announces Board Nominees

HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (NYSE:OEH, http://www.orient-express.com), owners or part-owners and managers of 46 luxury hotel, restaurant, tourist train and river cruise properties operating in 23 countries, today announced that it has nominated nine directors for election to the Company's Board of Directors.  The slate includes two new independent director nominees, Ruth A. Kennedy and Jo Malone, as well as current directors, Chairman & Interim Chief Executive Officer J. Robert (Bob) Lovejoy, Harsha V. Agadi, John D. Campbell, Mitchell C. Hochberg, Prudence M. Leith, Philip R. Mengel, and Georg R. Rafael.  The nominees will stand for election at the 2012 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on June 7, 2012.

Commenting on the nomination of two new independent directors, Prudence M. Leith, Chairperson of the Board's Nominating and Governance Committee said, "The addition of Ruth Kennedy and Jo Malone to the Board of Directors will strengthen and enhance the Company's board and signal its commitment to remaining an unrivalled luxury business.  Jo's entrepreneurship, spirit, leadership skills and experience in creating an internationally recognized brand of luxury fragrances and beauty products will make her a strong addition to the Board of Directors.  Ruth's background in business development, finance and global luxury brands also makes her a great asset to the Company.  We look forward to their strategic input and contribution to the future growth of Orient-Express."

Ruth A. Kennedy, 47, founded Kennedy Dundas in 2009, a brand and business consultancy advising clients in the luxury goods and services sectors to meet their business development objectives.  In 2006-2009, she served as head of Quinlan Private UK, a Dublin-based real estate and private equity group managing commercial and residential properties in Europe including luxury hotels, where Ms. Kennedy was responsible for opening offices in the United Kingdom and establishing the firm's private client business in Europe.  Before that position, Ms. Kennedy was 16 years with David Linley and Co., the bespoke furniture and design business in the U.K. where she served as Managing Director responsible for business development as well as day to day operations.  She began her career at S. G. Warburg & Co as an investment banker.  Ms. Kennedy is a Patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and founder of the Louis Dundas Centre for Paediatric Palliative Care at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

Jo Malone MBE, 48, created of one of the world's most popular luxury fragrance and beauty product brands, "Jo Malone".  In 1999, she and her husband, Gary Willcox, sold Jo Malone Ltd. to Estee Lauder Companies and she remained as Creative Director until her departure in 2006.  Shortly afterwards, she was honored by the British government with an MBE for services to the beauty industry.  In 2010, she created and presented the BBC One television series "High Street Dreams" in the United Kingdom featuring the successful brand development of small retail businesses.  Most recently, in November 2011, capitalizing on her entrepreneurial and marketing skills in luxury products, Ms. Malone and Mr. Willcox launched a new brand of fragrance products called "JO LOVES".

About Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. is a luxury hotel company and sophisticated adventure travel operator which seeks to deliver memorable experiences that are the ultimate expression of each destination's authentic culture.   The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly thereafter recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities.   Today the Orient-Express brand embraces 46 hotel, cruise and luxury rail businesses in 23 countries, including distinctive properties such as Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, Hotel Ritz Madrid, Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro and Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico's Riviera Maya.  

Contact:

Martin O'Grady
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44-20-3117-1333
E: [email protected]

Vicky Legg
Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: +44-20-3117-1380
E: [email protected]

SOURCE Orient Express Hotels Ltd