Wharton Faculty & Staff >> Biography

Edouard Ettedgui joined Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group as Chief Executive in 1998. Under his leadership, the Group’s portfolio has increased from 11 to 44 hotels worldwide currently, and is on track to being widely recognised as the best luxury hotel group in the world, operating almost 11,000 rooms in key city and resort destinations.

The Group is represented in some of the world’s most desirable and strategic locations, and has dynamic developments in key business and resort destinations in Asia, Europe the Middle East and the Americas.

Under his tenure, other milestones include the development of Mandarin Oriental spas and the launch of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental. Ettedgui also supports expertise in restaurant design, award winning cuisine and state-of-the art technology.

Mr Ettedgui has extensive business development and financial experience. A French national, he obtained his degree from ESSEC in Paris before joining Philips International in the Netherlands. He spent six years with BAT Industries PLC in London from 1990 to 1996, initially as Head of Finance and later as Group Finance Controller and Director for New Business Development. In January 1996, he joined the board of the newly-created British American Tobacco Holdings as Business Development Director.

In 1996, Ettedgui moved to Asia as Group Finance Director of Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, where he remained until his move to Mandarin Oriental.

He is a Vice Chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and has also been appointed Advisor of External Trade in Hong Kong by the French Government.