Ariane Steinbeck has joined London-based RPW Design as its new managing director, replacing Jan Wilson who founded the firm in 1988 and will now become president.
“The timing of the management transition to a new generation is a key decision for RPW, and I believe in Ariane we have been fortunate to find someone with the experience, international reputation, drive, and enthusiasm that will build on RPW’s considerable track record,” says Wilson. “I am delighted to welcome her and know that she will enhance our esprit de corps, add a new dimension to our skills, and contribute to the performance of our many successful projects.”
Steinbeck was a founding partner of the Chicago-based Gettys Group and worked with the firm for more than 26 years. For the past eight years, she was based in Hong Kong where she established the firm’s Asia Pacific operations.
“I am delighted and honored to join RPW in this leadership position,” says Steinbeck. “It is a most exciting challenge to take on. I truly believe that my early years in the hospitality design arena in the U.S. and Caribbean markets—weathering the many cycles of the hotel industry—and my most recent experience in the Asia Pacific and Middle East give me a unique insight and ability to add a global vision and strong leadership to RPW. I look forward to closely collaborating with Jan in the years ahead.”
With the Gettys Group, Steinbeck was primarily responsible for developing the firm’s interior design business. She focused on luxury and upscale hotels, restaurants, spas, and residential projects. She additionally established the firm’s Miami offices, where she served the Caribbean and South America market; and the Hong Kong headquarters in the Asia Pacific region, eventually expanding to include an office in Manila, Philippines. She was also responsible for business development in the Middle East and North Africa market.
Steinbeck attended Spain’s Deutsche Schule der Provinz Malaga and Cornell University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree from the School of Hotel Administration.
