Robert E Riley - Chief Executive Officer

Robert Riley

Robert E Riley was appointed CEO of Emaar Hotels & Resorts in February 2006. He will drive the ambitious development of Armani branded hotels and resorts that will open around the world. The first hotel is expected to be opened in 2008 in Milan. The second hotel is already under construction being part of Emaar Properties’ Burj Dubai development, which when completed will be the world’s tallest residential and commercial building.

Riley was appointed Chief Executive of Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts in December 2003 and for the past two years until November 2005, Robert was at the helm of Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts and has successfully completed the task of restructuring the organization. 

Riley has spent much of his career in the hospitality industry, including 10 years as CEO of Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. During his tenure the company doubled in size and tripled its profits, growing from its traditional Asian base into a successful global luxury hotel group.

Riley also has been CEO of ResidenSea, Ltd., the owning company of the world’s first luxury condominium passenger ship and CEO of Crown Limited in Melbourne, Australia, the owner of one of the largest mixed-use casino, retail, restaurant, hotel and entertainment complexes in the world.

From 1988 to 1998 Riley was CEO of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Riley also held senior management positions for US-based VMS Realty Partners, Kimball Small Properties and Gerald D. Hines Interests.  An attorney, Riley served as Resident Counsel for the Ford Foundation and practiced with the New York law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell.

Riley was awarded his Juris Doctorate Degree from University of Virginia School of Law and Bachelor of Arts Degree from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. 

Riley has served in a leadership capacity on a number of international industry and environmental organisations and as trustee of several charitable and educational organisations.

Riley lives in London, is divorced with three children, Mathis (22), Mitchell (20) and Meredith (18), all at university.