Orient Express Hotels President and CEO Paul White, who was involved in a war of words with Tata-promoted Indian Hotels Company over the positioning and image of the respective brands, has stepped down from the company.

Mr White, a 20-year veteran of the company, has decided to quit the firm citing personal reasons, the US-based luxury hotel chain operator Orient Express Hotels (OEH) said in a statement.

Mr Bob Lovejoy, the Chairman of the board, has been named as interim CEO, while Orient Express Hotels looks for a permanent replacement. Mr Lovejoy, who has served as a director since 2000, was appointed Chairman of the board in March.

Besides, the board has named a search committee chaired by Director Mr Mitchell Hochberg, including Mr Lovejoy, Mr Prudence Leith and Mr Georg Rafael, for the purpose.

“He has managed the company through a difficult economic period and has positioned Orient Express for renewed growth.

We understand and agree with his decision to step down for personal reasons. We wish him well in his future endeavours,” Mr Lovejoy said.

In 2007, the two well-known hospitality chains — Indian Hotels Company Ltd and OEH — were involved in a war of words over their respective brand positioning and image, following the Indian chain’s acquisition of a 10 per cent of the NYSE-listed hotel group.

The two sides had engaged in a verbal spat, with Mr White saying that any association with a predominantly domestic Indian brand would diminish the value of Orient Express luxury brand and the latter asking for a public apology from him.

Orient Express owns and manages luxury hotels, restaurants, tourist trains and river cruise lines.

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