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 F&B, retail, hotel strategy, and partnerships across its MOON Smart City developments worldwide. This 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, leveraging its advisory expertise, global network, and access to world-class executive talent.
For over a decade, James & Cranwell have been 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 brings a dedicated team of specialists offering expert advisory, representation, executive search, and network-driven matchmaking. Their exclusive client list includes some of the most celebrated names in five-star hospitality and dining, such as Casa Cipriani, Maybourne, Six Senses, The h.wood Group, One&Only, Starr Restaurants, and Rosewood.
This strategic partnership is designed for global scale. James & Cranwell will lead executive search for MOON's senior leadership and operational teams, advise on F&B strategy, concept development, and partner selection, leveraging its global network and long-standing relationships with internationally acclaimed ultra-luxury hotels, restaurant groups, operators, and chefs. Simultaneously, they will craft collaborations with lifestyle and entertainment leaders, high-end fashion houses, and exclusive members clubs across all worldwide MOON Regional Licenses.
MOON will rise in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Africa, redefining what hospitality and entertainment can achieve at the intersection of innovation and the human experience. As the most anticipated and iconic Smart City Masterplan development on Earth, MOON is positioned in a unique "Category of One." Each MOON development is conceived as a Building of Global Significance, anchored by the world's largest true sphere and situated within a 556-acre masterplan integrating hospitality, entertainment, longevity + wellbeing, education + environment, technology, attractions, luxury Residences, and AAA commercial real estate.
Positioning a project of this scale requires the same precision, discretion, and deep luxury sector expertise as defined by James & Cranwell's approach, creating a natural alignment with Moon World Resorts' vision. Sandra G. Matthews, Co-Founder and President of Moon World Resorts, stated, "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, conceived at an unprecedented scale."
The implications of this appointment are significant. As MOON aims to become a global icon, the partnership with James & Cranwell ensures that its luxury hospitality offerings will be guided by experts with deep industry connections and a track record of elevating luxury brands. This move underscores MOON's commitment to delivering an unparalleled experience that integrates cutting-edge innovation with the highest standards of service and sophistication. For more information on MOON, visit moonworldresorts.com and for James & Cranwell, visit jamesandcranwell.com.
