The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - November 2025

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

Market update 

• 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 2025 America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms List

 
Recent Appointments
 
­­North America​​

• ​Joel Viehland has been appointed as Executive Chef at El Encanto. His philosophy emphasizes seasonality, preservation, and bold yet nourishing flavors, creating dishes that connect guests to the land and sea around them.
• Karen Kurosawa has been appointed as Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Outrigger Hospitality Group. She holds a Master of Arts in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
• Peter Lai has been appointed as Executive Chef at Surf & Sand Resort Laguna Beach. His career highlights include chef roles at well-known Southern California restaurants such as The Blind Rabbit, The Iron Press.
• Jessica Thornbrough has been promoted to Director of Sales at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe. She has played a key role in shaping the resort and its direction since its opening in 2020, when she assumed the role of sales manager.
• Maggee Byrd has been appointed as Director of Spa and Wellness at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. She brings to her first Four Seasons role more than 22 years of hospitality experience with premium and luxury hotels and resorts.
• Timothy Nelson has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. He brings 15 years of Hyatt and hospitality experience to the position, with a career distinguished by leadership roles across revenue management.
• Todd Gagnon has been appointed as General Manager at The Seaport Hotel. He brings a proven track record of operational excellence, strategic growth, and guest satisfaction to the iconic AAA Four Diamond property, which is managed by CoralTree Hospitality.
• Rachel O’Connell has been promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer at Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. She will oversee a 110-member HR team, and play a critical role in maximizing performance at all Great Wolf Lodge.
• Michael Medeiros named Managing Director at Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa. He will focus on building and empowering that team, fostering a workplace that inspires collaboration and innovation.
• Andrea Ferrandi has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel. He will lead all culinary operations at the downtown hotel.
• Andrew Healy has been appointed as Senior Vice President at Colliers. His brings more than a decade of real estate experience with a focus on hospitality investment strategy, capital markets, and financial structuring.
• Manfred Steuerwald has been appointed as General Manager at Populus. He will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, team leadership, and guest experience.
• Christina Richardson has been appointed as Director of Sales, Group & Catering at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay. Her new leadership underscores the resort's commitment to providing world-class guest experiences on O'ahu's iconic North Shore.
• Yvonne Biegel has been appointed as Director of Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay.  She has been recognized as a Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 recipient, and is an EMMY Award-winning television producer.
• Drew Adams has been appointed as Head Chef at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. He has contributed to establishments recognized with Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star designations, Michelin stars, and accolades from Bon Appétit, GQ, and Star Chefs.
• Amir Nematipour named Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. He also collaborated with local farmers and vendors to introduce a pop-up activation centered on sustainability as well as launched a new beach restaurant concept. 
• Akash Timilsina has been appointed as General Manager at AC Hotel Wichita Downtown. He has also held leadership positions with Four Points by Sheraton in Houston and Marriott International in Burlington.
• Anne Marie Doyle has been appointed as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton. She has joined Montage International and was instrumental in driving record-breaking revenues at Montage Laguna Beach in 2018.
• Erik Dandee has been appointed as Executive and Head Chef at The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection. He joins The Citizen Hotel from Palm Springs, where he most recently served as Area Executive Chef for Proper Hospitality.
• Irvin Dinkel has been appointed as General Manager at Surety Hotel, Autograph Collection. He led a full renovation and helped elevate the hotel's TripAdvisor ranking from No. 58 to No. 12 within two years.
• Patrick Short has been appointed as President & Chief Operating Officer at TPG Hotels & Resorts. His extensive operational background covers properties of all sizes, from boutique hotels to large convention properties and resorts, with experience from coast to coast.
• Jeff O’Neill has been appointed as Executive Chef at Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Collection. He will lead the culinary direction at Goldener Hirsch, bringing his vision and expertise to elevate the property's dining experiences across the resort.
• Shaun Acosta has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel. His philosophy focuses on finding the "balance between simplicity and innovation," believing that "less is more" when executed with passion and precision.
• Ryan Brough has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Revenue and Growth at HAPI (Data Travel, LLC). He will lead Hapi's global revenue strategy across sales, account management, marketing, partner, and channel initiatives.
• Jawad (JD) Al-Khatib has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Eliza Jane. His earlier career includes leadership positions at acclaimed restaurants and hotels in Connecticut and North Carolina.
• Cole Parsons has been appointed as Managing Director at The Eliza Jane. His career also includes leadership positions in Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
• Hani Kirollos has been appointed as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale. He served as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in San Diego, where he led the property through a period of exceptional growth and guest satisfaction.
• Dominique St. Pierre named Senior Sous Chef at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. She was recognized for her talent and dedication, winning the Masters of the Craft competition at both the district and regional levels for the state in her most recent role as Sous Chef.
• Phil Hugh has been appointed as Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Sonesta International Hotels Corporation. He successfully reengineered Sonesta's franchising platform, setting up internal systems and hiring the team to support rapid lodging development growth.
• Mazen Saleh has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Lanai. He served as General Manager in Palm Beach, a return after presiding over the opening of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.
• Jason Paradis has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Palace Hotel. He supported a full renovation of the hotel's food and beverage outlets and earned an Executive MBA from San Diego State University during his time in San Diego.
• Patricia Galas has been appointed as Vice President of Marketing at The Trump Organization. She joins Trump Hotels from Park Hyatt New York, where she served as Senior Director of Marketing Communications.
• Lindsay Monge named Executive Vice President, Asset Management at Peachtree Group. He served as president of Seaview Investors where he led asset management and daily operations for a portfolio of eight Marriott and Hilton-branded upscale hotels in California. 
• Mike Bolick joined Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa as General Manager. He most recently served as the opening General Manager of the Albert Hotel in Fredericksburg, Texas, where he oversaw the launch of the first full-service luxury hotel in the region
• Marlon Rojas has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.  He transitioned to Washington, DC, where he quickly made an impact on the Hotel's performance and culture in early 2024.
• Michael Garrow has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Aspen Meadows Resort. He joins Aspen Meadows from Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs in Colorado, where he served as vice president of sales and marketing for four years.
• Nils Bergmann has been appointed as General Manager at The Tess, Autograph Collection. He served as General Manager of The Charter Hotel Seattle, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, where he successfully elevated the property's performance and reputation.
• Grant Friedman has been appointed as General Manager at Palm House. His leadership philosophy emphasizes authenticity, empowerment and a keen eye for detail, principles that align seamlessly with the culture of Palm House.
• Erik Hansen named Senior Vice President, Head of Government Relations at U.S. Travel Association (USTA). He has led successful advocacy efforts to shape federal policies that improve the traveller experience and strengthen the global competitiveness.
• Rob Bevegni has been appointed as Vice President of Investor Relations at Expedia Group, Inc. He served as Portfolio Manager at TamRidge Capital, where he led a team focused on internet, payments, and software. 
• Bertrand Mangeot has been appointed as Managing Director at Salamander Washington DC. He also previously led the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel in Atlanta and the Kimpton Saint George in Toronto.
• Mustafa Suer named General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. He will oversee all aspects of hotel operations for the 127-room property, including the hotel's signature restaurant Brassica, 15,000-square-foot spa, intimate function spaces, and more.
• Konrad Gstrein has been appointed as Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Maui. He will focus on evolving every aspect of the guest experience while maintaining the warmth and authenticity that have made the resort a beloved destination. 
• Patrick J. Connors has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton North Scottsdale. He is a seasoned hospitality professional with a career built on delivering excellence in guest services, team culture and operational results.
• Chad Fletcher has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales at BWH Hotels. He has also held senior leadership roles with leading hospitality and travel brands, including Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Avis Budget Group, Inc.
• Brian Bradford has been appointed as SVP, Hospitality Finance at TPG Hotels & Resorts. He brings to TPG a proven track record of driving operational efficiencies and implementing robust financial systems for large, complex organizations.
• Dominic Gerardi has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.  He has overseen multi-unit operations and large-scale staff, with a focus on cost control, vendor management, and service-driven training.
• Oksana Gyulnazaryan has been appointed as Area General Manager at Viceroy Washington DC and Hotel Zena. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to elevating service standards, fostering inclusive workplace cultures, and driving financial success.
• Dave Heater named Vice President of Business Development at Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects, Inc. He is the first design professional at Ankrom Moisan dedicated solely to business development across all studios. 
• Emily Nichols has been appointed as General Manager at The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel. Her career then brought her to the Kimpton Alton Hotel in San Francisco's iconic Fisherman's Wharf, where she led the team for four years and fostered Kimpton's.
• Andrew Rogers has been appointed as General Market Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples. He has led the Forbes Five-Star property to achieve benchmark performance in the U.S. East region. 
• Keith Chouinard named Director of Sales & Marketing at Wayfinder Newport. He was Director of Sales & Marketing at The Chanler at Cliff Walk, where he helped position the iconic property for a Forbes Five-Star rating and led it to record performance.
• Brian Quinn has been appointed as Senior Advisor at Equinox Hotels. He is a recognized leader in the hospitality industry with a proven track record of exceptional results, including more than $6 billion in growth across various lodging, restaurant, and franchise operations.
• Rebecca Pang named Director of Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the resort's renovation narrative and enhancing legacy events such as the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival and Celebration of the Arts. 
• Brett Horton joined American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) as Chief Advocacy Officer. He will oversee AHLA's comprehensive advocacy, political engagement, and government affairs strategies to advance the hotel industry's priorities.
• Rakesh “Rocky” Gupta has been appointed as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Atrium Hospitality. He also serves on advisory boards for leading hospitality tech organizations.
• Sandi Snead has been as appointed as VP, operations at Atrium Hospitality. She has demonstrated a commitment to leading teams, driving performance, and embracing new challenges, according to the company over her 35-year career.
• Bryan Drackett has been appointed as VP, talent acquisition and HR technology at Atrium Hospitality. His leadership has been marked by his people-first approach and his dedication to creating better candidate and associate experiences through automation and analytics.
• Peter O’Neall has been appointed as SVP, finance at Atrium Hospitality. He has focused on strategic financial planning, asset performance, and commercial team collaboration.
• Ingrid Chavez named General Manager at Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.  She served as Hotel Manager at Orlando World Center Marriott, achieving record-breaking results in guest satisfaction and revenue growth while advancing community impact initiatives.

Europe​

• Nat Thaipun named Food & Beverage Ambassador at Pullman Asia Pacific. She will bring her creative flair and cultural influences to an exciting series of dining experiences throughout the region.
• Andrea Coro has been appointed as Executive Chef at Rosewood London. He has progressed from Senior Sous Chef in Mirror Room to Head Chef and most recently, Executive Sous Chef, where he has led daily kitchen operations managing a brigade of 80 chefs London.
• Nikos Konstantinidis has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions for Europe at Highgate London. He will focus on hospitality investment opportunities and drive strategic growth across the region.
• Louis Starck has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo. He officially took office on September 29, succeeding Olivier Thomas, who has moved on to new international opportunities.
• Mathilde Brallet named Commercial Director at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch.  She began her career through Hilton's graduate management programme in Paris and Glasgow and later held senior roles at Hilton Strasbourg and Hilton London Metropole.
• Kane Savage has been appointed as Director of Sales at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch. His appointment supports the hotel's strategy to position Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch as a leading choice for both leisure and business guests in the capital.
• Marie-Charlotte Gauter joined Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch as Director of Operations. She brings more than a decade of experience in luxury hospitality, most recently serving as Director of Operations at Hotel Café Royal.
• Carly Gill has been appointed as HR Director at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch. Her appointment highlights the brand's commitment to building an inspired and inclusive culture at the heart of its newest flagship in London.
• Marwan Hemchaoui has been appointed as Managing Director at The Lakes by YOO. His distinguished career also includes senior leadership roles at some of London's most prestigious hotels, including The Dorchester and Grosvenor House, as well as The Vineyard.
• Anna Gricini has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel de la Ville. She now embraces her new leadership position at the helm of one of Rome's most iconic properties.
• Maximilian Von Reden has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Amigo. He served as General Manager of Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa in Switzerland, a role he has held since 2019.
• Matteo Gentile has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Savoy. He also founded a Los Angeles-based consultancy, where he advised restaurants and hotels on developing both operational frameworks and creative strategies.
• Ulrich Schwer named General Manager at The Charles Hotel. His career has taken him to Fairmont and Belmond properties around the world, including The Savoy London, The Plaza New York, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Arizona, and Belmond La Samanna St. Martin.
• Francesco Roccato has been appointed as Managing Director of Northern Italy and General Manager of the Carlton, Milan at The Carlton Milan. He has over seven years of experience working with the group.
• Marc Lemarchand has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Adagio. He also held operational responsibilities there, including opening new sites, deploying new IT systems and ordering kiosks, and improving operational processes.
• Ryan Brough has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Revenue and Growth at HAPI (Data Travel, LLC). He will lead Hapi's global revenue strategy across sales, account management, marketing, partner, and channel initiatives.
• Stéphanie Segaux named VP of Development for EMEA at Starwood Hotels. She will be based in Amsterdam, is set to report into chief development officer Abhay Bakaya, and collaborate closely with regional teams to identify, shape, and execute new opportunities.
• Barbara Biffi has been appointed as Chief Brand Officer (CBO) at Kempinski Hotels. She will work closely with the Product & Experience and Commercial teams to ensure the brand evolution supports commercial growth while elevating the guest experience.
• Leila Preyer has been appointed as Vice President of Sales Americas at dailypoint. She brings a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, including leadership roles at Planet and iVvy.
• Jennifer Edwards has been appointed as Operations Excellence Director at Premier Inn Middle East. She will play a key role in supporting the brand's ambitious growth journey in the Middle East.
• Bartolomeo Fusco has been appointed as General Manager at Orient Express Venice. His operational expertise is grounded in years of experience as Director of Food & Beverage at Aman Venice, a role he began in 2013.
• Paul Lonergan named Chief Operating and Asset Management Officer at Kempinski Hotels. He brings more than three decades of global hospitality experience, combining 20 years in senior operational leadership with 15 years in commercial hotel asset management.

Asia

• Rajnish Sharma has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. He brings more than ten years of experience in the food and beverage industry.
• Cecilia Lo has been appointed as Area General Manager at Lanson Place Causeway Bay and Lanson Place Waterfront Suites. She joins Lanson Place from K11 ARTUS, where she has served as General Manager since 2019.
• Niall Cowan has been appointed as General Manager at Carlton Hotel. He will oversee 940 guestrooms, acclaimed dining destinations including Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant and Café Mosaic.
• Jason Kruse has been appointed as Complex General Manager at Anantara Maldives. He brings a wealth of expertise in luxury resort operations, pre-opening leadership, and turnaround strategy across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Fergus Mac Devitt has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Raffles and Fairmont Makati. His career began in Dublin and Berlin, progressing through key roles in Swissôtel and Fairmont properties across Germany, China, Japan, and Singapore. 
• Shreyash Dwivedi has been appointed as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Conrad Pune. He brings with him a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality, having worked with some of the most renowned hotel brands across the country.
• Melissa Ong named Director, Travel Partnerships - Asia at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. She will develop a travel agency portfolio and manage relationships with agency and trade partners across Asia to support The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's expansion.
• Gautam Bhandari joined Marriott International APEC as Chief Development Officer for Asia Pacific excluding China.  He will be responsible for advancing Marriott's strategic growth plans in a region that spans more than 650 open hotels across 25 brands in 22 countrie.
• Abhilash SC has been appointed as Wellness Practitioner at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. He brings a deeply intuitive, nature-led approach to personal wellbeing, one that aligns perfectly with the resort's brand narrative.
• Stuti Kumar has been appointed as Director of People & Capability at TFE Hotels New Zealand. She will oversee the New Zealand portfolio in people.
• Lindsay David has been appointed as Director of Sales at TFE Hotels New Zealand. She is passionate about creating meaningful connections - both with clients and within her team - and identifying new opportunities for business success.
• Joseph Stipo has been appointed as General Manager at Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown. His extensive experience in both operations and TFE systems and his inherent understanding for the Rendezvous brand were instrumental in a successful transition.
• Thiva Kesavan has been appointed as General Manager at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough. He served as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Perth, where he drove strong results across commercial and operational performance.
• Lucy Ockleston has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough. She will support the delivery of the hotel's refurbishment program and its refreshed service strategy.
• Abhilash Matam has been appointed as Multi-Property Hotel Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport and Port Muziris, Kochi, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. He has successfully led international hotel management teams.
• Sue Rowe has been appointed as General Manager at Adina Chermside Brisbane. Her deep understanding of both the brand and the Brisbane market will be instrumental in bringing Adina Chermside to life.
• Bri Hill named Cluster General Manager at Adina Brisbane and Adina Anzac Square. She was awarded the 2024 Stronger Together Award for Apartment Style Hotel of the Year, while Bri herself earned regional recognition as both Outstanding & Inspiring Leader.
• Douglas Glen has been appointed as General Manager at Carlton City Hotel. His return signifies an exciting new chapter for the hotel as it continues to uphold its reputation for service excellence and innovation.
• Veerababu Kamisetti has been appointed as Director of Finance at Grand Mercure Bengaluru. He brings over a decade of experience in hospitality finance.
• Manish Nambiar has been promoted to Senior Vice President Operations, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific at Kempinski Hotels. will drive operational performance and business growth across the group's largest area, supported by corporate and regional teams.

Central & South America​

• Ruthline Theysen has been appointed as Complex Director of Food & Beverage at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. She brings an impressive blend of operational and human resources experience.
• Rafael Romero named Director of Sales and Marketing at Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort. He will drive the resort's commercial strategy, further positioning Hilton Vallarta Riviera as a benchmark of innovation and excellence along the Bay of Banderas.
• Juan Gonzalez Izquierdo named General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. He successfully oversaw the comprehensive renovation of public and private spaces and was instrumental in elevating the property's market positioning. 
• Marie-Brengere Chapoton named Managing Director at Rosewood São Paulo. She transformed Raffles Al Areen Palace & Spa Bahrain into a model property, elevating service culture and brand standards while strengthening stakeholder relations.
• Cristian Albacar Fumado named General Manager at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo. He led the strategic rollout of operational standards across the brand's worldwide portfolio and spearheaded the landmark opening of One&Only One Za'abeel.
• Steve Contos has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Managing Director at Davidson Hospitality Group. He will lead efforts to sharpen strategies in these areas, drawing upon deep experience with global brands and distinctive ability to guide complex properties.

­­Caribbean

• Gabe Solano has been appointed as General Manager at Grand Cayman Villas & Condos. He began his career at Mandarin Oriental New York and has hands-on experience with luxury short-term rentals at Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.
• Juan A. Peña has been appointed as Executive Chef at Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. He has appointed to lead its acclaimed culinary program.
• Pablo Molinari has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico in Rio Grande. He brings almost 30 years of international hospitality expertise across operational and leadership positions.
• Jonathan Lithgow has been appointed as Managing Director at Grace Bay Club. He brings a proven track record of operational excellence and people-first leadership to his new role.
• Enrique Glückmann has been appointed as General Manager at Le Carl Gustaf St. Barth. He brings more than 20 years of international hospitality experience and a distinguished background in luxury property management.
• George Vlachopoulos has been appointed as General Manager for Six Senses La Sagesse. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Six Senses’ first North American property, as part of IHG’s luxury & lifestyle portfolio.

Middle East​

• Hanno Barkhoff has been appointed as General Manager at InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa. His appointment reinforces the hotel's dedication to upholding the highest standards of service and aligns seamlessly with IHG Hotels & Resorts' vision of True Hospitality for Good.
• Till Klauss has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Amman. He is celebrating more than 20 years with Four Seasons. His journey began at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, where he completed a food and beverage internship.
• Kevin Rowe has been appointed as Director of Food and Drinks at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island. He served as Director of Food & Drinks at Hilton Bahrain, where he oversaw six dining venues alongside in-room dining and outdoor catering.
• Carmine di Luggo has been appointed as Executive Chef at Raffles Jeddah. He has built his career in Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels, mastering classic European techniques infused with global influences.
• Rebecca Hall has been appointed as Executive Director of PR at Wynn Al Marjan Island. She spearheaded high-impact campaigns, international media partnerships, and activations that elevated the group's global visibility.
• Erica Costa has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. She held a senior position at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.
• Heinrich Morio has been appointed as Managing Director at Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection. He served as General Manager of Amanpulo, a private island resort in the Philippines.
• Nithin Aravind has been appointed as Assistant Director of HR at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre. He will now oversee recruitment, talent development, and associate engagement.
• Said El Moudni has been appointed as Director of Finance at Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah. He has over 14 years of financial leadership across prestigious hospitality brands, including JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, St. Regis, Sheraton, and Renaissance.
• Nardine Emil has been appointed as Director of Sales at Swissotel Al Ghurair. She will focus on strengthening market positioning, expanding distribution channels, and forging key partnerships to maximise revenue growth and elevate the guest experience.
• Mayda Solatre named Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and Coral Beach Resort Sharjah. She brings a wealth of expertise in sales, marketing and operations with over two decades of distinguished experience in the hospitality industry.
• Saba Khalid has been appointed as Security Manager at Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis. Her skills in the role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when security professionals were still on the frontline.
• Giovanni Papi has been appointed as Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah. He says he aims to position Beluga among Dubai's "most coveted dining destinations.
• Amine Bouhalba has been appointed as General Manager at Fairmont Ramla Riyadh. His proven track record includes guiding teams, strengthening brand positioning, and delivering guest experiences of the highest caliber.
• Federico Giovine named Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre. He steps into his new role as Hotel Manager with a perspective shaped by experience and fuelled by passion.
• Georges Al Asmar named General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre. He was shortlisted for the Hotelier Middle East General Manager Awards 2024 in the Future Leader - Non-GM category.
• Bianca Bara has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Aloft Abu Dhabi. Her achievements include being honoured as Leader of the Quarter and Golden Circle Platinum Achiever, reflecting her consistent dedication to excellence. 
• Zeina Abbas has been appointed as Director of Operations at Amwaj Rotana - Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. She is highly respected having served in senior positions across the Middle East, most recently at Media Rotana in Dubai, where she worked as director of rooms.
• Massimiliano Ascione has been appointed as Executive Chef at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. He has held senior positions at iconic venues including W Verbier and The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, where he led teams of up to 90 culinary professionals.
• Hassan El Wahidi named General Manager at Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences. He is a seasoned hospitality leader with a wealth of expertise in pre-openings, luxury resorts, and complex mixed-use developments across Europe, Africa, the Middle East.
• Karl Kutzelnig has been appointed as General Manager at SLS The Red Sea. His remit includes establishing the property's positioning, building a skilled team and driving partnerships that strengthen both guest experience and market presence.
• Husam Saeed has been appointed as Director of Revenue & E-commerce at Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa. He has held leadership roles with leading hospitality groups such as IHG Hotels & Resorts throughout his distinguished career.
• Khaled El Sharbatly has been appointed as Director of Guest Engagement at The First Group. He led the company's Dubai Customer Engagement Centre (CEC), overseeing central reservations operations for nearly 70 hotels in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Joanna Flint named Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Soneva Group Dubai. Her expertise in global commercial strategy will enhance Soneva's presence in existing and new markets by accelerating its sales, data, digital and go-to- market capabilities.
• Chris Whitehouse has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Soneva Group Dubai. He will be pivotal in strengthening Soneva's financial foundations and supporting its sustainable expansion.
• Abhishek Sharma has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Soneva Group Dubai. He brings a wealth of global expertise to the position.
• Ahmed Kamha has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah. He will oversee the resort's commercial strategy, driving key initiatives to elevate The Chedi Al Bait's presence as Sharjah's most exceptional cultural retreat.
• Evan Harrington has been promoted to Cluster General Manager at Mövenpick Resort & Pullman Al Marjan Island. He will oversee all aspects of performance across the two resorts - from commercial strategy and operations to F&B, wellness, brand, and sustainability.
• Jean-Marc Boutilly has been appointed as General Manager at Kempinski Hotel & Resort Sariya Yanbu. He brings over three decades of international experience in hospitality, including 20 years in general manager positions across Switzerland. 
• Natalia Zubareva has been appointed as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing at Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai and Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Al Mamzar Dubai. She brings with her a wealth of expertise in strategic sales, marketing, and brand development.
• Marc Razurel has been appointed as Executive Pastry Chef at The Ned Doha. He brings more than 15 years of experience in pastry and dessert creation, with a career shaped in some of the most prestigious culinary establishments worldwide.
• Bob Busman has been appointed as Director of Revenue & Reservations at Media One Hotel. He boasts a proven track record when it comes to delivering excellence in guest experience, brand compliance, operational efficiency and profitability.
• Sushma Shetty named Cluster Director of Talent & Culture at Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate and Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate. She boasts over 17 years of experience in Dubai having previously led human resources functions.

Africa​​

• Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard named Advisor at Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa). He will play an instrumental role in shaping the strategic direction of FHS Africa by sharing valuable insights on the key themes and topics that will define the event's agenda.