Starwood Hotels, the brand management company behind 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, has appointed Tom Chalmers as its new Senior Vice President of Design & Architecture as the company continues to expand its international portfolio.

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Bringing more than 20 years of international experience in hospitality design, development and brand strategy, Chalmers will play a key role in shaping the continued development of Starwood Hotels’ global design direction. His responsibilities will span both new developments and existing properties, working alongside owners, developers, architects and creative teams to bring the individual identities of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels to life across different destinations.

Chalmers has held senior positions across the hospitality, architecture and real estate development sectors in Europe, the United States and the Middle East. Before joining Starwood Hotels, he served as Head of Design at Mohari Hospitality, where he oversaw design across a global portfolio of luxury properties. His work involved collaborating with operators, developers and creative teams throughout the process, from initial concepts through to project delivery.

Previously, Chalmers was a Principal at AvroKO, where he led the company’s international studios while working across interior design, brand development and hospitality. During his time with the firm, his projects included The Whiteley London, which features a Six Senses hotel and branded residences, as well as The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Nujuma, and Four Seasons dining venues at The Pearl in Qatar.

His experience with AvroKO also included 1 Hotel Copenhagen, giving him direct experience with the 1 Hotels brand and its nature-inspired design approach.

Earlier in his career, Chalmers held leadership positions at Edyn Development Studio, Gensler and The Standard Hotel Group. He began his architectural career with Grimshaw Architects and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Across these roles, he developed experience spanning design, development and operations across a diverse range of hospitality projects.

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Commenting on the appointment, Raul Leal, CEO of Starwood Hotels, highlighted Chalmers’ combination of creative vision, development knowledge and international experience. He noted that Chalmers’ ability to bring design, brand identity and operational priorities together would support the company’s continued global growth and its focus on creating distinctive hotels connected to the guest experience.

Chalmers said he was pleased to join Starwood Hotels during an important period of growth for the company. He also highlighted the distinct identities and strong sense of place associated with each of the company’s brands, expressing his intention to work with teams and creative partners worldwide to build on these foundations as the brands enter new destinations.

The appointment comes as Starwood Hotels continues to expand into key international markets, including the Middle East. Among the upcoming developments is Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai, alongside projects under the 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels brands in Riyadh.

The appointment is also relevant to the Maldives, where Starwood Hotels’ pipeline includes Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives, a planned resort and residential development spanning five interconnected islands in South Malé Atoll. With Chalmers taking responsibility for design across the group’s new developments, his role could have a bearing on how the Baccarat brand identity is translated into the Maldivian setting. Starwood Hotels, however, has not announced any project-specific changes in connection with his appointment.

Chalmers’ new role will support Starwood Hotels’ continued international expansion, with a focus on ensuring that each property reflects its respective brand identity while also responding to the character and context of its destination.

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