Moon World Resorts has announced the appointment of James & Cranwell, a London and Dubai based luxury hospitality advisory and executive search firm, as its strategic advisor for food and beverage, retail, hotel strategy, and partnerships across MOON Smart City developments worldwide. The long-term engagement will see James & Cranwell provide specialist strategic and commercial guidance, supporting the evolution of MOON's luxury hospitality offering, F&B and retail strategy, hotel partnerships, and wider collaborations. Additionally, James & Cranwell will serve as MOON's exclusive executive search partner for senior leadership appointments, bringing together its advisory expertise, global network, and access to world-class executive talent.
James & Cranwell bring over a decade of experience in elevating luxury through exceptional talent and timeless connections, working exclusively within the highest tiers of hospitality, lifestyle, fashion, and leisure. With a reach spanning the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the firm offers expert advisory, representation, executive search, and network-driven matchmaking. Their exclusive client list includes celebrated names such as Casa Cipriani, Maybourne, Six Senses, The h.wood Group, One&Only, Starr Restaurants, and Rosewood.
The partnership is strategically aligned with MOON's global scale. James & Cranwell will lead executive search for senior leadership and operational teams, advise on F&B strategy, concept development, and partner selection, leveraging their global network and relationships with ultra-luxury hotels, restaurant groups, operators, and chefs. They will also craft collaborations with lifestyle and entertainment leaders, high-end fashion houses, and exclusive members clubs across all worldwide MOON Regional Licenses.
MOON is planned to rise in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Each MOON development is conceived as a Building of Global Significance, anchored by the world's largest true sphere within a 556-acre masterplan integrating hospitality, entertainment, longevity and wellbeing, education and environment, technology, attractions, luxury residences, and AAA commercial real estate. The project aims to redefine hospitality and entertainment at the intersection of innovation and human experience.
Sandra G. Matthews, Co-Founder and President of Moon World Resorts, commented, "James & Cranwell offer MOON access to a network built over a decade at the highest tiers of luxury hospitality, food & beverage, and lifestyle. From identifying leadership talent to defining MOON's culture, to shaping the complex F&B program and partnerships, their discretion, precision, and deep global relationships will position MOON as the definitive integrated leader it will become." Daniel Follett, Partner at James & Cranwell, added, "MOON represents an extraordinary world-first vision, pushing the boundaries of imagination and what's possible within global hospitality. Our role is to bring specialist market insight, operational perspective, and access to world-class partnerships and leadership talent to help translate such vision into an exceptional luxury destination."
The collaboration underscores the importance of expert guidance in executing large-scale, innovative projects. By leveraging James & Cranwell's deep luxury sector expertise, Moon World Resorts aims to ensure that its MOON developments meet the highest standards of hospitality and commercial success. This partnership is expected to influence the luxury hospitality industry by setting new benchmarks for integrated smart city developments and could attract similar strategic collaborations in the sector.
