Singapore – Far East Hospitality has announced the retirement of its Managing Director, Mr. Arthur Kiong for 31 December 2025. Mr. Kiong, previously Chief Executive Officer, will hand over the role of Managing Director to its Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Mark Rohner and assume the role of Consultant from 1 January to 30 April 2026. These changes are part of Far East Orchard’s strategic succession planning for sustainable long-term growth.

As part of an alignment of titles across Far East Orchard on 1st September 2025, Mr. Kiong and Mr. Rohner were redesignated from Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer to Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director respectively, with the same roles and responsibilities.

A veteran in the hospitality industry who spent almost 14 years leading Far East Hospitality, Mr. Kiong has been instrumental in driving the brand’s growth and success. This growth has earned Far East Hospitality numerous accolades, including seven hotels named Best of the Best in Singapore at the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, with The Barracks Hotel Sentosa taking top honors in both the overall and luxury categories in 2024.

Mr. Kiong also introduced the company’s motto to provide “Singapore-Inspired Hospitality”, which quickly became the cornerstone of the brand’s identity, shaping every aspect of its service culture. Blending warmth and attentiveness with Singapore’s trademark efficiency and professionalism, this philosophy continues to guide the brand’s growth. This was exemplified by its strategic expansion into Japan, with the opening of Far East Village Hotel Ariake in July 2020 and four more hotels since then making it five hotels in as many years.

Beyond the company’s achievements under his leadership, Mr. Kiong placed strong emphasis on cultivating a value-driven culture, particularly through ACTS OF GRACE, a set of guiding principles he introduced to shape the attitudes and behaviours of team members. These values have contributed to a positive, healthy, and fulfilling workplace environment. In recognition of these efforts, Far East Hospitality was named Employer of Choice by Aon Hewitt in 2016.

Mr. Kiong shared, After being in the hospitality industry for over three decades, I am deeply grateful to have contributed to the various hotel companies where I have been a part of, as well as the hospitality industry in Singapore. My tenure at Far East Hospitality has been especially meaningful and together with the dedicated team, we’ve redefined our brands, expanded into new markets such as Malaysia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and championed sustainability along with local talent development. As I step down, I leave behind a truly home grown hospitality company that is primed for a greater regional expansion. I have full confidence in Mark to lead Far East Hospitality to new heights from hereon.

Mr. Rohner, who joined Far East Hospitality as Chief Operating Officer on 1 July 2024, has been driving operational excellence and enhancing standards across the portfolio. He has also been instrumental in the Group’s growth in Japan, with the opening of two hotels in Osaka this year, bringing Far East Hospitality’s key count in the country to nearly 1,000 rooms. Prior to joining Far East Hospitality, Mr. Rohner spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry, holding senior positions in real estate investment, asset management, and hotel operations.

I am honored to succeed Arthur at Far East Hospitality and deeply grateful for the trust placed in me. Arthur has established a strong foundation in service excellence and branding, and I look forward to building on these strengths. As we enter the next chapter, our focus will be on further strengthening our operating capabilities and driving innovation, while expanding our presence beyond Singapore to transform Far East Hospitality from a homegrown hotel company into a leading regional hospitality player, said Mr. Rohner.

This transition signals not only continuity but a renewed commitment to Far East Hospitality’s brand values and ambitions. Under Mr. Rohner’s leadership, the organisation is poised to strengthen its portfolio and continue delivering exceptional experiences to guests and partners in Singapore and around the region.

About Far East Hospitality

Far East Hospitality Holdings Pte Ltd (Far East Hospitality) is an international hospitality owner and operator with a diverse portfolio of 12 unique and complementary brands of hotels, serviced residences and apartment hotels, including Oasia, Quincy, Rendezvous, Village, Far East Collection, A by Adina, Adina Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels, Collection by TFE Hotels, The Interlude and MM:NT.

Far East Hospitality owns more than 10 hospitality assets and operates a combined portfolio of more than 16,500 rooms under its management across over 100 hotels and serviced residences in 10 countries – Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland, with more in its development pipeline. In 2022, the group ranked amongst the top 100 hotel companies by HotelsMag.

Far East Hospitality is a 70-30 joint venture formed in 2013 between Far East Orchard Limited (a listed company under Far East Organization) and The Straits Trading Company Limited. In the same year, Far East Hospitality, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Far East Hospitality Investments (Australia) Pte Ltd, completed a 50-50 joint venture with Australia’s Toga Group to form Toga Far East Hotels (TFE Hotels).

For more information, visit www.FarEastHospitality.com

Ernawati Setijo
Far East Hospitality