Launched in 1994, Malmaison is regarded as one of the UK�s leading boutique �lifestyle� hotel groups and has built an enviable reputation as an exclusive hotel brand. The group currently consists of five properties in the United Kingdom, located in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, representing some 460 bedrooms. Properties in Birmingham and London are currently under development which, together with substantial extensions to both the Manchester and Edinburgh hotels, will virtually double the number of rooms in the chain to 800.  
Expansion is set to continue for the Malmaison brand in the UK and throughout Continental Europe. SIH�s other hotel brand, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts already includes over 130 hotels in 38 countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, with its first hotel in South Africa opening in November.

Karl F. Foerster, 57, heads up operations in the UK as President & COO, effective from early November.

Educated in Germany and Switzerland, Foerster began his career in hospitality in 1964 on a Management Training Programme with ITT Sheraton and was consistently promoted to ultimately take up the position of Senior Vice President ITT Sheraton, Europe in 1982. In 1988, he was appointed Managing Director of Lufthansa�s Hotel Management GmbH and, as a result, was both a member of the Supervisory Board of Kempinski and Chairman of Penta. Foerster joined SIH in Dusseldorf in 1992 and was appointed Regional Director Germany in 1996, a position he has held until this time.
On his appointment, Karl Foerster comments: �Malmaison has an exceptional reputation in the UK, amongst business and leisure travellers alike and offers a style that has captured a wide range of different audiences. In my role, I will be responsible for overseeing the ongoing success of existing properties, the development of the group�s new properties in London and Birmingham, and expansion into Continental Europe for the first time. I am delighted to be appointed to this role and look forward to ensuring that Malmaison not only continues its current wave of popularity, but goes from strength to strength.�

Kurt Ritter, newly appointed Chairman of Malmaison and existing President & CEO of Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts comments: �I am very excited by our decision to extend the SIH portfolio into other brand outlets. The history, reputation and strength of the Radisson SAS brand will compliment Malmaison�s own expansion plans and will be a strong ally for future growth.�

�It certainly feels good and is a lot of fun to stay at a Malmaison. The highly motivated and competent management team and its work force impress me; they represent an incredible asset to the brand. The brands and organisations will be kept completely independent from each other, in order to maintain distinct and separate identities.�
 
Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts currently includes 104 hotels in operation and 30 hotels under development in 38 countries and is the sole franchisor in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for Radisson Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.