Lionel LORANS
Chef Concierge
Hôtel Raphael
15 avenue Kléber
75116 Paris

Phone : 33 1 53 64 32 00
email : lionel.lorans@gmail.com

Lionel Lorans est membre des Clefs d’Or France depuis 1988. Il occupe le poste de Chef-Concierge à l’Hôtel Raphael à Paris.

Il entre dès 1994 dans le Comité Directeur National sous la présidence de Pierre Porte. À cette époque, il participe à différentes réunions de travail avec Jean Gillet. Ensuite, il sera membre de tous les Comités Directeurs successifs en y occupant d’abord le poste de Conseiller National, de Secrétaire National puis de Vice-Président.

Actuellement Président National des Clefs d’Or France pour un mandat de 3 ans, il oeuvre également en tant que représentant du Président International à Paris.

Il est un fervent défenseur de l’esprit premier qui mena Pierre Quentin à la création de l’association des «Clefs d’Or» en 1929.

Il aime à rappeler que si l’association existe toujours aujourd’hui depuis plus de 80 ans, et si elle a su résister dans le temps, c’est parce qu’elle a veillé à rester fidèle à ses fondements: une amicale associative regroupant des concierges d’hôtels exclusivement.

Conscient du développement important de l’hôtellerie de luxe en France et des besoins croissant en concierges d’hôtels qualifiés, il a participé en 2007, avec Roger Bastoni et Stéphane Duval-Gounari, à la mise en place d’une nouvelle formation de «Concierge d’Hôtel». Cette formation gratuite, la FPE Concierge d’Hôtel, mise en place avec le ministère de l’Education Nationale, forme aujourd’hui chaque année une quinzaine de futurs concierges d’hôtels.

En septembre 2011 sera lancée la 5ème promotion.

En qualité de représentant du Président International à Paris, siège de l’U.I.C.H, il est en charge du suivi des différentes formalités administratives et de la centralisation des documents officiels. 

Depuis 5 ans, il a lancé, avec l’aide de Pierre Pinchemel, un vaste travail d’étude sur l’histoire des Clefs d’Or qui a conduit à la publication d’un ouvrage historique et à un classement méticuleux de toutes les archives disponibles.

archives.

Lionel LORANS

Shujaat KHAN

Lionel LORANS
Chef Concierge
Hôtel Raphael
15 avenue Kléber
75116 Paris

Phone : 33 1 53 64 32 00
email : lionel.lorans@gmail.com

Lionel Lorans is a Clefs d’Or member since 1988. He is the Chef Concierge at the Raphael Hotel, Paris.

In 1994 he joined the National Steering Committee under Pierre Porte’s presidency. During that period of time he attended working sessions with Jean Gillet. He will be a member of all the steering committees where he became National advisor, National secretary then Vice President.

He is currently the French National Clefs d’or President for a 3 year period. He also is the International President’s representative in Paris.

He is an ardent defender of the initial spirit which led Pierre Quentin to creative the Clefs d’or association in 1929.

He likes to recall that if the association still exists today after 80 years, and if it resisted to time it is thanks to the fact that it always remained faithful to its fundamentals, a friendly association gathering exclusively hotel concierges.

Mindful of the important development of Luxury Hotels in France and the increasing needs of qualified hotel concierges, he participated in 2007 with Roger Bastoni and Stéphane Duval-Gounari, to the establishment of a new hotel concierge education program. This class is free of charge, the “FPE Concierge d’hôtel”; was put in place with the French Education Department where 15 Future Hotel Concierges are trained.

In September 2011 will start the 5^th promotion.

As Representative of the International President in Paris (head office of the U.I.C.H) he is in charge of the follow up of the various administrative tasks and centralizes all the official documents.

He launched 5 years ago with Pierre Pinchemel a huge study on the Clefs d’Or history which led to the publication of a historical booklet and a meticulous filling of all the archives.

Lionel LORANS

Robert WATSON
Chef Concierge
The Willard Inter-Continental
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
WASHINGTON D.C. 20004 - United States

Phone : 1 202 628 9100
email : robert_watson@interconti.com

Joining the Willard InterContinental Washington in February of 2006, Chef Concierge Robert Watson brings to the DC landmark hotel over 30 years of concierge service experience accrued from working in properties all over the world.  Most recently, Watson served as Chef Concierge at the five star deluxe Landmark London Hotel overseeing a staff of 35 employees.
Prior to this, he has held Chef Concierge positions at the Grosvenor House Hotel, the Park Hyatt Carlton Tower, and the MayFair InterContinental Hotel in the United Kingdom.

Watson has also held this prestigious position at the Hotel InterContinental in Luxembourg, the Cape Sun Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa and the InterContinental Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg where he aided in the hotel’s opening.  His duties during this time included creating hotel policy and procedure as well as the development of their training manual for all concierges, porters, doormen and drivers.

Currently the International Past President of UICH Les Clefs d’Or, Robert has also held the positions of International Delegate for the Golden Keys of Great Britain and Treasurer of the Golden Keys of Great Britain in addition to being a member for over 25 years.  He is currently an active member of the Les Clefs d’Or, USA.

Fluent in five languages, including Spanish, French and Italian, Robert’s international perspective began during his childhood where he was raised in both Uruguay and Costa Rica, where he attended a French school before settling in the United Kingdom to begin his illustrious career.  Now based in Washington DC with his wife and three children, Robert Watson offers each guest an in-depth knowledge of Washington DC with a professional and pleasant demeanor.

Past President's mission :

- Support the newly elected president during his mandate
- Remains at UICH disposal for information relating to his mandate

Jean-Roland BOUTILLE
Chef Concierge
Hôtel Bel Ami
7-11 rue Saint-Benoît
75006 PARIS - France

Phone : 33 1 4261 8708
email : concierge@hotel-bel-ami.com
or treasurer@uichlesclefsdor.org

Newly re-elected to the position of General Treasurer, I have been the Assistant Treasurer of Gérard Poirier during Roger Bastoni's mandate and then General Treasurer under Robert Watson's mandate.

I started my life with Les Clefs d’Or by joined the French section in 1999.

I took my first Head Concierge role at the opening of the first Design Hotel in Paris, the Generous "Bel Ami" in the heart of Saint-Germain des Près. At the time I was the youngest head concierge in Paris at 27 years old.

After helping the French section for the organization of the International Congress in Biarritz 2003, I was fascinated by the power of the French team spirit. Since 2003, I joined the French board to be the Assistant Treasurer and then the General Treasurer of the Fench section. I've learnt a lot next to Roger Bastoni (my Gold Father) & also with my Gold Brothers Lionel Lorans, Roderick Levejac, Christian Lapebie & all the French section... My Big Family...

Today, I am working for the UICH Excecutive Committee to transmit my passion & to serve my profession with honesty &generosity.

I would like also to thank Madame Anne Jousse (Bessé Signature Group), my General Manager & of course my TEAM for their full support.

One last word to say that I am really proud to serve you.

Jean-Roland BOUTILLE

Treasurer's mission

- Keeps accounts in good running order
- Elaborates budgets for Y and Y+1
- Prepares invoices for all member sections to be given out at international meetings

Michael ROMEI
Chef Concierge
Waldorf Towers
100 E. 50th Street
NEW YORK NY  10022 - United States

Phone : 1 212 872 4718
email : mromei@earthlink.net

Les Clefs d'Or Blog
http://lesclefsdor.wordpress.com

 
Since 1993 I have been a LCD member and have had the opportunity to attend most congresses and travel the world visiting concierge friends and colleagues.  Currently I am Chef Concierge of The Waldorf Astoria/Waldorf Towers in New York, NY, faculty member of the New York University Continuing Education Program and frequent lecturer in universities and travel related industries.  It is always a pleasure to serve you and help with any assistance!

General Secretary's mission

- Responsible for the international communication
- Provides agendas for official meetings
- Elaborates an agenda for all functions
- Gathers and transmits elements for international review 

Emmanuel VRETTOS
Chef Concierge
Hotel Mistral
105 A. Papanastasiou Ave.
185 33 CASTELLA-PIRAEUS - Greece

Phone : 30 210 4117150
email : e.vrettos@hotmail.com

 
Born the 6th of October 1957, I have started my carrier in April 1984 as a bellboy in “King Minos”, a 5 star hotel in Athens.
1985, I moved to the Concierge Desk.
1988, I have joined the “Clefs d’ Or” Hellas and had the honor to have significant colleagues as mentors, who convey me the spirit and the values of U.I.C.H.
1989, moved to “Mistral Hotel”, a 4 star private property in Piraeus, as Head Concierge, position which I keep until today.
1991, board member (Treasurer) and since 1993 I have been continuously electing as a General Secretary.
Attending to all Congresses and International Meetings (with few exceptions) representing the Hellenic Section I have done my best to its interest.
2002, Chairman of the organizing committee for the 49th International Congress in Athens.
2003, President of the Hellenic Section for a 3 years term.
2004, at the 52nd International Congress in Manila I was elected as Mediterranean Zone Director. During my mandate a new section (Egypt Clefs d’ Or) was established and developed and I have made contacts with colleagues within the Zone, such as in Lebanon, Malta, Jordan and Gibraltar.
2006, re-elected as President of the Hellenic Section.
2007, at the 54th International Congress in Vienna I was unopposed elected as 3rd International Vice President. 

1st Vice President's mission :

- Acts as representative of International President when absent
- Maintains relationship with partners
- Creation of new partners contacts

Colin TOOMEY
Chief Concierge
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
176 Cumberland Street
The Rocks NSW 2000
Australia

Phone : +0061 2 9250 6018

email : colin.toomey@shangri-la.com

 
Recently promoted to the role of 2nd Vice President UICH Colin Toomey is currently the sole representative of the International Executive based outside of Europe/North America. A career Concierge with 25 years experience, Colin has spent the last 15 years as Chief Concierge at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel Sydney. Prior to that Colin spent some time working with both Nikko Hotels and InterContinental in Sydney after having commenced his career at the Sheraton Hotel Brisbane in 1986.

Having served in all senior executive roles on the Australian Board including five years as President, Colin subsequently filled the role of Oceania Zone Director for two terms before his election to 3rd Vice President UICH during the China Congress in 2009.

With the generous support of UICH, the Shangri-La Hotel group and the Australian national section of Les Clefs d'Or Colin has travelled extensively in fulfilling his duties. More recently his duties as 3rd Vice President have taken him to Malaysia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Dubai and Japan where he has represented the International Executive at a number of important events.

As with most Concierge Colin enjoys the excitement of travel and exploring interesting and diverse cultures. He looks forward to indulging this passion in his new role as 2nd Vice President UICH where the development and promotion of Les Clefs d'Or activities worldwide will be a particular focus.

2nd Vice President's mission :

- Supervision of future congresses and presence of youngsters
- Responsible for edition of book of members & international review
- Helps in the follow-up with the treasury

Simon THOMAS
Chef Concierge
Browns Hotel
A Rocco Forte Hotel
Albermarle Street, Mayfair
London W15 4BP, England 

Phone : +44 20 7518 4035
Fax : +44 20 7493 9381
email : sthomas@roccofortecollection.com

Newly elected to the position of 3rd International Vice President, Simon Thomas is the first member of the British section to be elected to the Executive Board for 35 years.

Simon started his life with Les Clefs d’Or by joined the Great British section in 1992.

Simon took this first Head Concierge role at the opening of the then newly refurbished, five star, Royal Garden Hotel in 1995. At the time he was the youngest head concierge of a five star hotel in London at 25 years old.

Simon went on to join the executive board of the British section in 1996 and held the position of Executive committee member after his first International Congress to Rome.

Simon’s passion for the society both locally and internationally flourished, with him holding, at one time or another, the majority of positions on the UK sections committee and attending nearly all the international congress to date.

Simon currently works at the historic Brown’s Hotel in London’s Mayfair. The flagship hotel of Rocco Forte Hotels.

Simon is very proud to the full support of Sir Rocco Forte and his General Manager, Stuart Johnson, which will be invaluable in fulfilling his role as 3rd International Vice President..

3rd Vice President's mission

- Coordinates actions of Zone Directors with national Presidents
- Responsible for each countries documents in Paris head office
- Motivates national Presidents in their youth programs
 

Virginia CASALE
Chef Concierge
Hôtel Sofitel Montréal
1155 Sherbourne West
MONTREAL, P. Québec - Canada

Phone : 1 514 788 3046
email : virgicasale@gmail.com

Hers is the first smile you see when you step into the lobby at Sofitel Montréal. Virginia has close to 25 years of experience in concierge and guest service, working in many of Montreal’s premier hotels. She counts three openings of desks during these years: at the first boutique hotel in the city, the Loews Hotel Vogue, where she was Chef Concierge for 9 years before moving to the Delta Centre-Ville where she set up a lobby and an executive floor desk and finally the opening of the latest five star property, Sofitel Montreal. She made her debut in the business as concierge at the Hyatt Regency coming from four years at the RIO (Regie des Installations Olympiques).

Ms. Casale currently serves as General Secretary for a second mandate of the UICH, the first woman to do so since 1952 and the first Canadian ever to have a position on the executive board. She was also President of “Les Clefs d’Or Canada” for six years and again the first woman to do so as well as the first person outside Toronto- and thus the first Quebecer. She had reached the Zone Director of the Americas for UICH, on her last two years of presidency, whose responsibilities were to oversee the development of the association in Central and South America. As Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Ms. Casale and her team successfully orchestrated “Les Clefs d’Or 4th Congress of the Americas” in Quebec in 2001 among all the other national congresses which were organized during her presidency.

Ms. Casale is a graduate of McGill University in Languages and Literature, with honours in Italian and is fluent in four languages.