Hotelier Giles Shepard, CBE, died on Friday (21 April) aged 69, after a short illness.
Shepard was a director of London's Dorchester hotel from 1972 to 1976, before joining the Savoy Group as a director later that year. From 1979 to 1994 he held the post of managing director at the landmark hotel.
He was named managing director of the Ritz in 1996, becoming deputy chairman in 2001 until his retirement two years later.
Stephen Boxall, general manager of the Ritz, said: "The owners and staff of the Ritz London are deeply saddened by the news of Giles Shepard's sudden passing. Immaculately dressed, Shepard was highly respected and regarded by both guests and colleagues alike."
Shepard was High Sheriff of Greater London in 1986-87 and was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers.
Julian Payne, former general manager of the Ritz who had known Shepard since the 1970s, said: "He was a man who set exemplary standards of hotelkeeping. The hotel industry will be a poorer place without him."
He leaves his wife, Peter, and a son and daughter.