Meeting… Victor Clavell As The PuLi Group makes its debut, the newly appointed CEO sets out a refined vision for ambitious growth rooted in design, culture and a distinctly Asian perspective on luxury. Words: Naomi Chadderton
Victor Clavell CEO – The PuLi Group As CEO of The PuLi Group, Victor Clavell is responsible for managing properties within the portfolio, enhancing operational excellence and leading its growth across Asia and beyond. With a career spanning 30 years, he has held leadership roles at Marriott International, Amaala and Rosewood, and is well positioned to showcase The PuLi Group’s understated elegance, thoughtful design and deep cultural connection.
W
ith its meticulous balance of modernist
New York, Central Park, to playing a founding
simplicity, natural materials and
role in the creation and global roll-out of
serene proportions, The PuLi has set
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. “What attracted me to
a lasting benchmark for understated luxury
take on this new role was the chance to lead a
and contemporary living since its opening as
brand that truly values individuality, destination
Shanghai’s first urban resort.
authenticity and intimate luxury,” Clavell tells
Now, as the brand looks beyond a single
Sleeper. “The PuLi Group isn’t just another hotel
address, the 2026 launch of The PuLi Group
operator – it’s a collection of stories waiting to
will see the hotel transform into the flagship
be expanded with care.”
of a growing global portfolio across some of the world’s most dynamic destinations.
MEASURED GROWTH
Spearheading the group’s strategic vision and
Having initially been established as Urban
development is newly appointed CEO Victor
Resort Concepts in 2009, the newly formed
Clavell, who will continue to embody the brand’s
group comprises three existing properties – the
philosophy of understated elegance, thoughtful
Shanghai flagship, The PuXuan in Beijing and The
design and deep cultural connection, drawing on
RuMa in Kuala Lumpur. Poised for ambitious yet
PuLi’s Chinese meaning of ‘uncarved jade’. Here,
considered growth, The PuLi Group will initially
he explains how.
focus on key Asian cities including Seoul, Hong
A LEADER SHAPED BY GLOBAL LUXURY
048
Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and Bangkok, before venturing further afield. By 2035, the goal is to
It’s safe to say The PuLi Group is in good hands
operate 20 hotels and branded residences as well
with Clavell – a globally recognised luxury
as an expanding retail presence, maintaining 80%
hospitality executive with a distinguished track
of its footprint in Asia and 20% internationally.
record of leading and growing iconic brands
Clavell calls this not a business strategy, but
including The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari, W Hotels,
a promise to remain authentic to the brand’s
Edition and Rosewood.
origins while offering the world a uniquely
With over three decades’ experience working
Asian perspective on luxury. “The demand for
across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East,
refined, culturally rooted hospitality has never
Africa and Asia Pacific, his achievements range
been stronger,” he explains. “The PuLi Group
from leading the opening of The Ritz-Carlton
was born in Asia, and that is where its identity