Mr. Des Pugson assumed the role of Managing Director of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts in February 2016. A key member of the senior leadership team, he works closely with the management team to chart the direction and strategy of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.

In February 2014, Mr. Pugson joined the Banyan Tree Group as Vice-President, China Hotel Operations where he led the hotel General Managers of all Banyan Tree and Angsana brand properties in China and was instrumental in growing the company’s portfolio.

Prior to joining Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Mr. Pugson was Managing Director for China and Vice President – Operations for Asia Pacific and at the Wyndham Hotel Group International, where he was responsible for brand operations in the Asia Pacific region and specifically setting up and developing Wyndham’s various brands. Prior to Wyndham, he held senior leadership positions with Jin Jiang Hotel Group and Millennium & Copthorne International from 2001 to 2007. Throughout his extensive career in hospitality management, Mr. Pugson had been General Manager of Hotel Mulia Senaya in Jakarta, Ritz Carlton Hong Kong and Shangri-La Hotels in Penang. He also held corporate management positions in Sheraton Asia Pacific and Shangri-La in Hong Kong.

Armed with rich operational experience, Mr. Pugson is passionate about the hospitality industry and embraces technology.  Mr Pugson holds a diploma in Hotel Management from the prestigious Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland.

In his personal time, Mr. Pugson enjoys cooking and spending time with his family the most.