Belmond appoints Ons Gherib as Senior Vice President of Design & Construction
Belmond has recently appointed Ons Gherib as the Senior Vice President of Design & Construction as it continues its ambitious journey to elevate its portfolio to new heights of luxury and guest experience.
Ons’ leadership will be instrumental in delivering Belmond’s ambitious renovation plan which spans its global portfolio of hotels, trains, lodges, and boats. He will be responsible for refining Belmond’s design and construction processes, ensuring efficiency and excellence in project execution. Ons and his team play a key role in building the heritage of the future with a continued focus on exceptional craftsmanship, leading renovations which respect and celebrate buildings’ history and local environment.
Ons will also be responsible for identifying and collaborating with some of the world’s most talented designers and architects who will further enrich Belmond’s creative vision and commitment to crafting experiences that invite guests to discover a new pace of travel and to foster deeper connections with nature, local culture, and people.
Ons brings a wealth of global experience in luxury design and architecture, with extensive experience having worked in leadership positions for prestigious global brands including Chanel and Montblanc, and most recently at Saint Laurent, where he was Global Director of Architecture and Real Estate.
In his new position, which started on 6 January 2025, Ons reports to Dan Ruff, Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Executive Committee.
Dan Ruff said: “We are pleased to welcome Ons as we continue to elevate our leading position in design and architecture within the luxury travel space. Ons will play a key role in our design and construction story as we build a new legacy through the lens of Slow Luxury, with unique properties that celebrate contemporary heritage and are deeply rooted in their destinations, creating even more unparalleled experiences for our guests.”
Ons Gherib stated: “It is an honour to be trusted with a portfolio as iconic as Belmond’s. I look forward to working with the team on delivering an ambitious renovation plan, alongside collaborating with leading designers and architects, and taking the brand to new heights of luxury.”
About Belmond
Belmond was born from a passion for connecting discerning travellers with the world’s most remarkable properties, locations and journeys. From hotels and trains to river cruises and safaris, Belmond curates incomparable experiences and crafts unforgettable stories. With a legacy spanning over 45 years, since the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has grown into a global collection of 45 properties spread across 26 countries and territories. Exceptional destinations connected by legendary journeys are the very soul of Belmond, where the path that brings you to a place is as important as the destination itself. A pioneer of slow travel, Belmond has been operating the Venice Simplon-Orient- Express since 1982. The group later expanded to include pristine beach resorts, such as Maroma on the Riviera Maya, historic hideaways such as Villa San Michele in the Florentine foothills, urbane icons, such as Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, and gateways to UNESCO world heritage sites, such as Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. As proud custodians of storied properties, Belmond is committed to building on the past to create a new legacy: the heritage of the future. Working with communities and local talents, together with the world’s most respected chefs, designers and artists, Belmond continues its purpose of perpetuating the legendary art of travel. Since 2019, Belmond has been part of the world’s leading luxury group, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton).