The appointment
Shangri-La Group named Hakan Ozel Vice President, Operations on 14 October 2026. The remit covers three of the group's flagship European properties: Shangri-La The Shard, London; Shangri-La Paris; and Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul.
Ozel said the opportunity to lead three of the group's flagship European properties was a privilege and an exciting new chapter. He described London, Paris and Istanbul as extraordinary destinations, each with its own character and opportunities.
The three hotels in the remit
Shangri-La The Shard, London starts on level 34 and spans 18 floors of The Shard. The group describes The Shard as Western Europe's tallest building. The hotel lists 202 rooms and suites, three signature dining venues, and what the group calls London's highest infinity pool.
Shangri-La Paris lists 100 rooms and suites, one bar and three restaurants. The group records Palace distinction, Monument Historique status and a Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide.
Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul occupies a historical building in the Beşiktaş district, with 186 rooms and suites. The group lists four restaurants and bars, and places the hotel a 15-minute walk from Dolmabahçe Palace.
Prior role
Ozel joins the European remit from Vice President, Operations for the Middle East and General Manager of Shangri-La Dubai. The group credits him with strengthening that hotel's market positioning, operational performance and reputation for service. His career with the group includes senior leadership positions across Asia and the Middle East.
The group states his hospitality career runs more than 28 years and his service with Shangri-La more than two decades. The announcement does not date the start of either.
The remit
Ozel will focus on operational performance and commercial development across the three hotels. He will work with the individual property teams on the guest experience in London, Paris and Istanbul.
The group frames the priorities as operational excellence, commercial performance and the hospitality experience across the three destinations.
Open terms
The notice gives no effective date for the transition and names no predecessor in the remit. It sets out no reporting line and states no size for the teams under the role. No commercial targets for the three hotels appear in the release.