The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - May 2026

The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm, a worldwide retained recruiting firm specializing in hospitality management.

Market update​​​

• The economy added 115,000 employees in the month of April including 14,000 in hospitality
  • Food services gained 17,000 and hotels lost 12,000 employees while the rest was made up of sports venues and performing arts.
• We are seeing many companies utilize this time of year to upgrade their talent and strengthen their teams.
• The Boutique Search Firm earned recognition from Business Insider as one of the best recruiting firms in the nation
  • America's Top Recruiting Firms - Business Insider
• The Boutique Search Firm earned recognition on Forbes’ 2025 list of Best Executive Search Firms, highlighting its excellence in talent acquisition and client service.​
  • Forbes 2026 America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms List
    

 
Recent Appointments
 
­­North America​​

• Vikas Chawla has been appointed as President – India & Southwest Asia at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. He will lead Hyatt's overall strategy, growth, and performance in India and Southwest Asia.
• Estephanie Pastor has been appointed as Director of Residences at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Residences. She brings over 16 years of experience across residential and guest services, with a strong track record in leadership and operational excellence. 
• Jay Heidenreich has been appointed as Vice President of Sales at Foley Entertainment Group. He will lead global sales strategy and revenue generation initiatives, with a focus on driving group production, strengthening key partnerships, and optimizing commercial performance.
• Foley Entertainment Group appoints Giovanni Salvino-Prada as Vice President of Marketing. He will oversee brand strategy, digital growth, and customer acquisition, focusing on building modern, data-driven marketing ecosystems that drive measurable revenue.
• Alexina Beauperthuy has been appointed as General Manager at UNFRAMED, Autograph Collection. She will oversee the launch and operations of the hotel as a new-build in the market, shaping the property’s vision and driving an immersive guest experience.
• Mark Dayanandan has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hilton Austin. He will lead the hotel’s banquet and culinary operations – including events of up to 1,760 seated guests – alongside the property’s Cannon + Belle and Austin Taco Project restaurants.
• Drew Anderson has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at L'Auberge de Sedona. He leads all culinary operations for L’Auberge de Sedona, including the signature dining experience Cress on Oak Creek, plus a new in-room dining program, and banqueting.
• Nathan Byers has been appointed as Sommelier at Enchantment Resort. He will oversee the wine program across both properties, shaping thoughtful pairings and advancing a beverage philosophy designed to complement the region’s high-desert terroir.
• Enchantment Resort appoints Alexander Weinman as Chef de Cuisine.He brings nearly two decades of experience in luxury hospitality and fine dining, including time in Michelin-starred kitchens and partnerships with Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Belgique.
• Jim Ganotis has been appointed as Vice President of Information Technology at Destinations International. He will oversee DI’s technology strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data governance initiatives.
• John Barrar has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Technology Strategy and Innovation at Sandpiper Hospitality. He will focus on artificial intelligence, business intelligence, data governance, analytics enablement, innovation, and strategic partner accountability. 
• Rúben Paula has been appointed as Director of Asset Management & Investment for Southern Europe at HVS. He brings over 25 years of international experience in hotel operations, asset repositioning, and business transformation across Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa.
• Giovanni Fiorin has been appointed as Director of F&B Services at HVS Italy & Southern Europe at HVS. He will work in close cooperation with Managing Director Demetris Spanos and Senior Director Ezio Poinelli across the firm's Southern European offices.
• David Gross has been appointed as Executive Chef at Kimpton Claret Hotel. He will oversee the entire culinary operation at Kimpton Claret Hotel including menu development for Saverina and Halo Rooftop Bar as well as banquets and catering for the hotel.
• Outrigger Hospitality Group appoints Daniel Lofton as Vice President of Hawai'i Revenue Strategy. He will lead the strategic direction and execution of all revenue-related initiatives across OUTRIGGER's Hawai'i hotel and condominium portfolio.
• Marissa Beauregard has been appointed as Social Media Director at Outrigger Hospitality Group. She will translate business and brand objectives into a scalable, data-driven roadmap, overseeing content planning, distribution, social care and external partners.
• Julia Harripaul has been appointed as General Manager at Sapphire Sands Villas by Bay Gardens Resorts. She will oversee operations for Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa as well as the newly opened Sapphire Sands Villas on Reduit Beach, Gros Islet.
• Brian McNeil has been appointed as Complex Director of Operations at Margaritaville Resort Orlando. He will oversee operations across guest services, food and beverage, and facilities management, supporting the property’s continued growth and performance.
• Tauseen Malik has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Operations at Charlestowne Hotels. He will oversee operational strategy, performance optimization, and the evolution of Charlestowne’s food and beverage platforms across its expanding national portfolio.
• Basil Dean has been appointed as Executive Chef at Margaritaville Beach Resort – Nassau. He will lead culinary operations across the property’s nine dining venues, including its signature restaurant, JWB Steak & Seafood.
• Alfonso Perez-Vega has been appointed as Cluster GM at The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver. He will oversee operations across both properties, bringing extensive expertise in hotel operations, guest experience and team leadership.
• Brad Bourland has been named as President at Virtuoso. He will advance the company’s long-term vision by aligning teams and resources to create and capitalise on opportunities, while also charting a course for the network’s sustained growth.
• Tristan Dowell has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at Virtuoso. He brings a longstanding relationship with Virtuoso to the role, along with a distinct perspective informed by his firsthand experience as a preferred partner within the network.
• Jimmy Malone has been appointed as Director of Sales and Events at Marriott San Antonio Airport. He will oversee all sales and events operations, focusing on driving revenue growth, strengthening client partnerships, and elevating the hotel’s meetings and events offerings.
• Scott Berger has been appointed as General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. He oversees all aspects of the hotel, further elevating the property’s reputation as one of the city’s premier luxury destinations.
• Preston Paine has been appointed as Food & Beverage Director and Executive Chef at Keswick Hall. He will oversee all culinary and food and beverage operations, including Marigold by Jean-Georges, the resort’s celebrated dining outlets, in-room dining, and programming.
• Ntina Cooper has joined U.S. Travel Association (USTA) as Senior Vice President of Operations. She will serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team and oversee Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Legal.
• Julie Audette has joined Marriott International, Inc. as Cluster Director of Marketing. She was responsible for driving innovative marketing strategies, forming strategic partnership alliances, and overseeing the execution of global campaigns that drive awareness and visitation.
• Rahul Patel has been named Chair at Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). He prioritizes protecting members’ profitability, advocating for solutions to rising insurance costs, growing AAHOA’s education offerings to support better financial and operational decisions.
• Mike Morey has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Capital Markets at Peachtree Group. He will lead the firm’s insurance capital markets strategy, focusing on expanding lender relationships, optimizing capital sourcing and enhancing execution.
• Armella Stepan has been appointed as Managing Director at AKA Beverly Hills. She will lead the property’s vision for long-stay luxury, emphasizing privacy, flexibility, and highly personalized service.
• Scott Berger has been appointed as General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. He will oversee all aspects of the hotel, further elevating the property’s reputation as one of the city’s premier luxury destinations.
• Autumn Griffith has been appointed as General Manager at Royal Park Hotel. She will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, with a focus on delivering elevated guest experiences, driving profitability, and fostering a strong, engaged team culture.
• Salvador Casasola Cruz has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef at Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort and Spa. He will oversee the daily management and operations of the resort’s four dining outlets.
• Anna Contreras has been appointed as General Manager at The Kimpton Pittman Hotel. She will focus on strengthening local partnerships and delivering guest experiences that feel distinctly Deep Ellum.
• Roland Micu has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Bernardus Lodge & Spa. He will oversee food and beverage direction across the property, collaborating closely with Executive Chef Gus Trejo to deliver trend-forward, high-touch dining experiences.
• Jasmine Wehbe has been appointed as Sommelier at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. She oversees curation, guest experience, and pairing development, further enhancing the restaurant’s elevated approach to modern steakhouse dining.
• Don Stephens Jr. has been promoted to Managing Director of Shared Ownership Services at HVS. He is expanding his leadership responsibilities to include the Shared Ownership division while also continuing his complex advisory work.
• Pipere Sailer has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Mill Falls Resort Collection at the Lake. She will focus on elevating the guest experience, expanding market reach, and strengthening community and industry partnerships.
• Daisy Williams has been appointed as Executive Chef at Kimpton Shane Hotel. She joins the Midtown property with a refined, ingredient-forward approach, blending classical technique with a deep appreciation for Southern heritage.
• Devon Pritchard has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef at Silverado Resort. He will now oversee a broader scope of the resort’s culinary offerings, including the highly anticipated spring opening of Matchplay Kitchen + Bar.
• Greg Williams has been promoted to President at Revival Hotels. He will now lead all hospitality operations across the company’s portfolio, with a focus on scaling systems, enhancing guest experience, and driving efficiency through technology enabled service models.
• Henning Matthiesen has joined RLA Global as Non-Executive Director. His appointment strengthens the firm's Resort and Hotel Consulting practice with the addition of one of Europe's most experienced luxury hoteliers.
• Monika Henry has been appointed as General Manager at The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue. She brings a strong track record of operational excellence, service innovation, and people-first leadership to one of Kaua’i’s premier beachfront destinations.
• Robert R. Smith has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection. He oversees all food and beverage operations for ADERO Scottsdale Resort, while enhancing the guest journey through inspired culinary programming.
• Eric Freitas Orford has joined Collared Martin Hospitality as Managing Director. He will lead operations across all three of the brand’s forthcoming New York properties.
• Jarad McCarroll has joined Faraway Sag Harbor as Executive Chef and Culinary Director. He will lead the culinary vision for Zagara, an Amalfi Coast–inspired restaurant designed as a destination for both guests and the local community.
• Stacy Manzo has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Hale Hōkūala Kaua'i, Curio Collection by Hilton. She oversees all sales, marketing, and commercial initiatives, with a focus on strengthening market presence, driving demand across key segments.
• Ashli Musyt has been promoted to Vice President of Portfolio Marketing at PM Hotel Group. She will lead marketing strategy and execution across PM Hotel Group’s lifestyle and Hawaii properties, with a focus on driving revenue growth and strengthening commercial performance.
• Kevin Johnson has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at PM Hotel Group. He will provide expanded leadership across a group of properties, focusing on strategic demand generation, strengthening key account relationships, and delivering sustained revenue growth.
• PM Hotel Group promotes Josh Reichert as Vice President of New Builds & Transitions. He will oversee new builds and transition efforts, ensuring seamless openings and conversions while positioning each property for long-term commercial success.
• Clark Hanrattie has been promoted to CEO and Managing Partner at HEI Hotels & Resorts. He has been instrumental in the acquisition, revenue management and expense management of more than 175 hotels, with transaction value exceeding $9 billion.
• Stephen Miller has been appointed as Senior Advisor at Oxford Capital Group, LLC. He will focus on supporting Oxford’s third-party management growth by leveraging his industry relationships, expanding the firm’s capital partnerships and applying his transaction expertise.
• David Kuperberg has joined Oxford Capital Group, LLC as Senior Advisor. He will focus on expanding Oxford Hotels & Resorts’ third-party management business and supporting brand and licensing opportunities across key markets.
• Karen Codilla has been appointed as Vice President of Optimization & Commercial Strategy at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). She has more than 20 years of hospitality experience  spanning resorts, condo-hotels and global distribution.
• Mark Kochhar has been appointed as Director, Franchise Development, Canada at Hilton. He has more than 13 years of experience with Hilton and three decades in the hospitality industry.
• Tom Kelley has been named CEO and President at Digney Holding, Inc. Under his leadership, Digney York Associates has evolved beyond rooms-only renovations to execute complex, full-service hospitality projects, including major hotel repositionings, public spaces, and exteriors.
• Jahnae Erpenbach has been appointed as Executive Vice President and General Manager at Wind Creek Hospitality. She brings more than 35 years of experience driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and team-centered cultures.
• Derek Andersen has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Expedia Group, Inc. He will lead Expedia Group’s global finance organization and report to Chief Executive Officer Ariane Gorin.
• Ivette Davalos has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Kimpton EPIC Hotel. She leads the hotel’s overall commercial strategy, overseeing sales, marketing, and revenue initiatives.
• Kimpton Virgilio appoints Alejandro Gallegos as General Manager. He will oversee all aspects of Kimpton Virgilio’s operations, with a focus on strengthening the hotel’s positioning within Mexico City’s competitive luxury lifestyle segment.
• Kyung Lee has been appointed as General Manager at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. He will oversee all resort operations, lead department heads, and work to grow revenue while improving the experience for guests and members alike.
• Chris Feaster has been appointed as General Manager at Moxy Boulder University. He is known for his hands-on leadership style and focus on creating engaging guest experiences.
• Andrew Burditt has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at Moxy Boulder University. He brings more than 24 years of experience across culinary operations, catering, and event production.
• Courtney Conching has been appointed as Director of Group Sales at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. She will oversee the resort’s comprehensive group sales strategy, focusing on the competitive luxury travel and incentive market.
• Sean Hadley has been promoted to Area General Manager at Quorum Hospitality. He has built a reputation for disciplined financial management, strong team engagement and hands-on leadership.
• Christel Jose has been promoted to General Manager at Residence Inn by Marriott Walnut Creek. She has demonstrated steady leadership, adaptability and an ownership mindset across multiple operational initiatives.
• Javier Sanchez has been appointed as Vice President of Business Development - Caribbean and All‑Inclusive at Aimbridge Hospitality. He will work with hotel owners, developers and investors to evaluate development and conversion opportunities in the Caribbean.
• John Shaw has been appointed as Executive Chef at Omni PGA Frisco Resort. He brings a wealth of culinary expertise and a passion for crafting memorable dining experiences.
• Brent Devlin has been named as Executive Chef at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Residences. He will oversee all culinary operations, including the resort's signature restaurant, BH Prime.
• Seamus Dooley has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Residences. He will oversee all dining operations, shaping experiences that feel both thoughtful and seamless for guests.
• Stacie Harper has been appointed as Vice President of Sales at Resolute Road Hospitality. She oversees topline performance across the company’s assets, optimizing sales structure and tools, and aligning property-level teams with ownership objectives.
• John Mootz has been appointed as VP Restaurant & Beverage Operations at Hotel Equities Group, LLC. He has led large-scale operational initiatives and concept development across a range of properties and ownership groups.
• Hotel Equities Group, LLC appoints Nolan Wrentmore as VO of Revenue, Lifestyle Division. He will focus on advancing revenue optimization, scaling systems, and supporting continued growth across the lifestyle portfolio. 
• Kenneth Zahn has joined Hotel Equities Group, LLC as Vice President of Sales, Focused Service. He oversees sales strategy and revenue performance across the division.
• Craig Haas has been promoted to Regional Vice President of Lifestyle and Luxury Hotels at Concord Hospitality. He will oversee Concord Hospitality’s growing portfolio of more than 30 lifestyle and boutique hotels.
• Morgan Lexis has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Hard Rock International, Inc. She will manage global sales for 35 Hard Rock properties, lead global marketing efforts for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
• Evan Neumann has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. He will focus on Napa Valley terroir, precision-driven execution, and a kitchen culture built on mentorship, discipline, and collaboration.
• Noah Brodsky has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Under Canvas. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience across hospitality, travel, and consumer lifestyle brands, along with deep expertise in scaling premium, experience‑led businesses.

Europe​

• Eleni Koussoroplis has been appointed as Group Director of Membership at Aethos Hotels. She will lead the development and scaling of the brand's membership platform, shaping how spaces, programming and technology come together to create meaningful, lasting communities.
• Andrew Insch has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Aethos Hotels. He will lead Aethos financial strategy, planning, governance and performance management, with a particular focus on building the infrastructure to support the next phase of growth.
• Damien Boyer has been appointed as Global Director of Golf Strategy and Performance at Accor. He will focus on strengthening Fairmont Golf as a distinctive global pillar, elevating the guest experience while driving commercial performance.
• Olivier Eynard has been appointed as Global Vice President, Food & Beverage at Accor. He will focus on further establishing the food and beverage as a defining pillar at the heart of the Fairmont and Raffles brands.
• Mandarin Oriental appoints Vincent Poulingue as General Manager. He brings a truly international perspective aligned with Mandarin Oriental's global brand and local soul.
• Erika Steward has been appointed as Director of Hospitality Sales at Wilderness Reserve. She brings a distinguished career across some of the UK's most celebrated luxury properties.
• Ricardo Morillo has been appointed as Corporate Beverage Director at Wilderness Reserve. He will refine and elevate the estate's food and beverage offering across all settings.
• Matthaios Tsistrakis has been appointed as Executive Chef at Wilderness Reserve. His appointment marks a significant development for Wilderness Reserve's celebrated culinary programme, renowned for its Fire Feasts and deeply bespoke guest-led dining experiences.
• Ultima Collection appoints Noelia Magnusson as Chief Commercial Officer. She will focus on strengthening commercial performance while further advancing Ultima Collection’s position as a benchmark in ultra-luxury hospitality.
• Nicolas Schell has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Savoy. He will continue to develop new concepts while nurturing the hotel’s world-class team to ensure The Savoy remains at the forefront of London’s dining scene.
• Alexandro Della Croce has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at Starhotels Group. He will oversee the Group's cross-functional commercial team across all 34 Starhotels properties.
• Noelia Magnusson has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at Ultima Collection. She will focus on strengthening commercial performance while further advancing Ultima Collection’s position as a benchmark in ultra-luxury hospitality.
• Matthew Tomkinson has been appointed as Executive Head Chef at Harbour Hotel Southampton. He will lead the culinary direction of The Jetty Ocean Village, bringing a renewed focus on elevated, ingredient-led dining rooted in seasonality and coastal provenance.
• Marc Lauret has been appointed as Sales Director for Singapore & Malaysia at Club Med. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Club Med continues to strengthen its premium positioning while expanding its footprint across both sun and ski resort offerings.
• Emily Simmons-Wright has been appointed as Director of Sales at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms. She will focus on driving new opportunities for the venue while strengthening relationships with existing clients and partners.
• Edouard Lapasset has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. He embraced this new challenge with enthusiasm, eager to join one of the world’s most iconic hotels, to bring his energy to the property, and to share his passion with its 650 employees.
• Frank Fuentes has been appointed as Senior Vice President, The Americas at HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts. The appointment brings immediate regional depth and reinforces HotelREZ’s strategic focus on expansion across the Americas.
• Klaus Kabelitz has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo. He brings extensive experience in hotel leadership to one of the Principality of Monaco’s most established addresses.
• Matt Lederer named as Director of Acquisitions at The Sirius Hotel Group (former Resident Hotels). He spent nearly six years as Hotel Acquisitions Director at private equity firm Castleforge.
• Craig Jeffs has been appointed as Head of Sales, UK & IRELAND at Domes. He will lead the existing UK and Ireland team, focusing on scaling trade partnerships further, elevating the brand's luxury positioning, and driving revenue growth.
• Jamie Cole has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at Ireckonu. He will lead Ireckonu’s global commercial strategy and play a central role in shaping the company’s next phase of growth.
• Luca De Giorgi has been appointed as Regional Director, Italy at Leonardo Hotels. He will be responsible for coordinating and supervising the Group’s Italian properties, with the objective of strengthening their positioning, optimizing performance and ensuring high quality standards.
• Oscar Ganuza has been appointed as Senior Vice President – Revenue at RateGain Technologies Limited. He will be responsible for driving disciplined execution, expanding market presence, and enhancing customer engagement.

Asia

• Marc Handl has been appointed as Managing Director at Dusit Thani Bangkok. He brings more than three decades of international experience across luxury hotels, resorts, and mixed-use developments.
•  David Stanley de Brito has been appointed as General Manager at Pullman Ninh Binh. He will be responsible for leading the overall operations and strategic direction of Pullman Ninh Binh, with a focus on establishing the hotel as a leading address for business and leisure travellers.
•  Sachin Malhotra has been appointed as Multi-Property General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport and Port Muziris, Kochi, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. He brings with him a strong and intuitive understanding of revenue and sales management.
• Vincenzo Falcone has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at ORA Hospitality. He brings over 30 years of global leadership experience in ultra-luxe hospitality to his new role.
• Nisha Sharma has been appointed as Executive Assistant Manager at Rosetta Sakleshpur. She will oversee rooms division operations and guest-facing functions at Rosetta Sakleshpur, with a focus on strengthening processes, enhancing engagement, and ensuring a seamless experience.
• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts appoints Tarun Ratra as Director, Franchise Operations, Eurasia. He will oversee franchise operations across Eurasia, bringing extensive experience across multi-property hotel environments and franchise-led ecosystems.
• Veenu Rastogi has been appointed as Head of Sales & Marketing, Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. She will lead sales and marketing for Eurasia, leveraging her strong background in national sales strategy and integrated commercial functions.
• Jyotika Sahani has been appointed as Director of Sales at Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel. She brings deep expertise in luxury sales, business development, and client relationship management.
• Hamid Raddawi has been appointed as Executive Chef at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, Dubai. He will lead the hotel’s culinary teams across restaurants, in-room dining and events, with a focus on consistency, well-balanced flavours and a considered approach to menu development.
• Mark Wouters has been appointed as General Manager at The Chedi Hegra. He will oversee all aspects of operations at The Chedi Hegra, with a focus on delivering an experience that is intuitive, refined and respectful of its setting.
• Lianne Kelly-Maartens has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing – Africa at ENVI Lodges. She will lead ENVI Lodges’ sales and marketing strategy across Africa, leveraging her extensive market knowledge and industry network to elevate the brand’s global recognition.
• Shanawaz Basheer has joined ENVI Lodges as Director of Operations. He will oversee the brand’s operations across its growing portfolio, applying his expertise in luxury lodge management and passion for sustainable tourism.
• Aline Barhouche has been appointed as Chief HR Officer at Aleph Hospitality. She oversees leadership development, talent management, culture, and governance while working closely with the executive team and hotel leadership to build strong leadership pipelines.
• Estelle Chambost has been appointed as Vice President, Learning & Development at Aleph Hospitality. She leads the strategy to build a strong learning culture across the organisation, focusing on developing future leaders and leveraging technology and partnerships.
• Marc Matar has been appointed as Vice President, Food & Beverage at Aleph Hospitality. His focus includes innovation, operational excellence, and owner-focused profitability across Africa and the Middle East.
• Abdellah Essonni has been appointed as Regional Vice President for North Africa at Aleph Hospitality. He oversees the strategic, operational, and financial performance of the region’s portfolio, while driving market expansion, partnerships, and new management.
• Marlene Fang has been appointed as Area Director of Sales & Marketing at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. She oversees sales and marketing functions across Singapore, Bali and the Maldives, with a focus on strengthening cross-market synergies.
• Duygu Tatar has been appointed as Group Tourism Director of Brand and Marketing Communications at JOALI. She oversees the brand and marketing communications strategies for JOALI, Ali Bey Hotels & Resorts, as well as BIJAL — the Mediterranean’s first villa hotel concept.
• Shirley Liao has been appointed as Commercial Director at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen. She brings her trademark blend of strategic acumen and genuine warmth to the leadership team.
• Aleksandr Nakonechnyi has joined Niyama Private Islands Maldives as Sommelier. He reintroduces dinners with refined wine and champagne pairings that mirror the horizon – crisp and luminous.
• Morris Tiedemann has been appointed as General Manager at AYANA Midplaza Jakarta. He steps into the role with a clear vision to further elevate the hotel as one of Jakarta’s most distinguished urban destinations.
• Felix Otto has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. He will oversee the resort’s seven dining venues and bars, in-room dining, beach and pool operations, and events catering.
• Vincenzo Falcone has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at ORA Hospitality. He will be responsible for defining and executing the company’s strategic vision; driving financial performance and sustainable growth while ensuring operational excellence across all properties.
• Colin Tait has been named Director of Beverage at The Ritz-Carlton. He will lead beverage strategy and operations, refining the hotel’s bar identity and crafting elevated guest experiences in line with global standards.
• Trina Mukherjee has been appointed as Multi Property Director of Marketing at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center. She will focus on strengthening brand positioning, driving digital growth initiatives, and building integrated marketing campaigns.
• Samata Danday Chand has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Courtyard By Marriott Tirupati. She will oversee all hotel operations, shape the guest experience from the ground up, and drive the property's growth strategy in its critical opening phase and beyond.
• Pierre G. Chidiac named as General Manager at Capella Nanjing. Capella Nanjing marks the brand's third chapter in China, following Capella Shanghai and Capella Tufu Bay.
• Mikhail Kolesnik has been appointed as Regional Director of Development for the Inland Balkans and the CIS at Minor Hotels. He will lead the identification and origination of new business opportunities in markets.
• Adrian Stoppe has been appointed as General Manager at Conrad Dubai. He will oversee the hotel’s overall operations and strategic direction, focusing on strengthening its market presence, enhancing guest engagement and driving innovation.
• Mahmoud Abouelela has been appointed as Head of Sales at Jannah Hotels and Resorts. He brings over 15 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, having excelled in key commercial roles at prestigious brands.
• Subhadeep Saha has been appointed as Rooms Division Manager at Conrad Pune. He will oversee Room Divisions as well as well as Wellness and Leisure operations, focusing on strengthening day-to-day operations.
• Radhika Mathur has been appointed as Director Of Marketing & Communications at The St. Regis Mumbai. She will lead the hotel’s brand strategy, public relations, digital presence, and integrated communications.
• Aubrey Wang has been appointed as General Manager at Lux Chongzuo, Guangxi Resort & Villas. As The Lux Collective expands its global footprint, the Group remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering leadership and unlocking the full potential of its people.
• Aidan Dempsey has been appointed as General Manager at The St. Regis Red Sea Resort. His vision is focused on elevating both people and product, with a clear emphasis on service, detail, and consistency across every touchpoint of the guest experience.
• Nicolas Laufrais has been appointed as Senior Director of Commercial at Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay. He will oversee commercial strategy across both resorts, integrating sales, marketing and revenue initiatives while maintaining a strong connection to place.
• James Hu has been appointed as Executive Chinese Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen. He presents an elevated Cantonese dining experience that reflects both his heritage and his long-standing dedication to Chinese cuisine.
• Simon Gomes has been appointed as General Manager at Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala. He brings extensive experience from leading global hospitality brands, including 10 years with Hyatt, 8 years with Accor, and the last 5 years with Radisson Hotel Group.​​

Africa​​

• Pierre Barusta has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca. He will focus on elevating dining experiences through innovation, cultural storytelling, and strong team leadership, while upholding the brand’s commitment to five-star service.
• NJ & Mettie van der Merwe has been appointed as Managing Director & General Manager at Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve. He oversees the lodge’s day-to-day operations whilst simultaneously playing a pivotal role in shaping and positioning the lodge as a luxury brand.