The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - October 2023

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

Market update​​​​

• Leisure and hospitality added 28,000 jobs last month with most of the additions coming in hotels and accommodations
• Food Services employment continued to trend up over the month (+11,000) while most other areas were flat
• 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​​

• Stefan Ritter has been appointed as Dual Director of Operations at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street.  He will lead and manage the day-to-day operational strategy and execution which serve as cornerstones of Tampa.
• Kunal Mody has been joined as Senior Vice President of Development at Premier in Dallas. He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to raise equity and debt, structure complex financial models, and oversee all facets of a project's development process.
• Brittany Drenth has been nominated as General Manager at The Belgrove Resort & Spa West Palm Beach. She will oversee all operations, ensuring the property continues to deliver world-class service.
• Daven Wardynski has been selected as Vice President of Food & Beverage at Omni Hotels & Resorts. His journey with the brand began in 1998, holding leadership roles at notable properties.
• Angeles Yugdar has been designated as General Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean at Virtuoso. She brings a unique dual perspective to the position, having held senior roles on both the supplier and agency sides of the business.
• Jason Doebrich has been promoted as Strategic Advisor, Technology at PROVision Partners. He brings more than 20 years of brand-side experience leading IT strategy and innovation for some of the most recognized names in hospitality.
• Aulani Kealoha has been appointed as Director of Leisure Sales at The Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua. She brings a unique blend of authenticity and business acumen to her role.
• Kevin Dingle has been joined as Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Stonebridge Companies. He will lead the firm's development team and strategy across all property types and geographies.
• Arnelda Broadaway has been nominated as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Goodtime Hotel, Miami Beach. She brings more than 20 years of experience in luxury catering sales, event strategy and brand activations across premier hotel properties nationwide. 
• Richard Romane has been selected as General Manager at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. He will lead day-to-day operations and guide strategic planning for the renowned property.
• Didi Shields has been designated as General Manager at Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel in Newport Beach. She brings a proven track record in launching independent hotels, building high-performing teams, and creating thoughtful guest experiences rooted in place.
• George Vanyi has been promoted as Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. He will oversee all culinary operations, including The Lounge; the Parallel 37 breakfast experience; in-room dining.
• Paul St. John has been appointed as Vice President of Sales at Aptech Computer Systems Inc. With over 25 years of experience, he brings wealth of industry knowledge and strategic insight to Aptech.
• Cullen Stackpole has been joined as General Manager at NOPSI Hotel in New Orleans. He will lead all hotel operations, including guest services, food and beverage, team development and strategic planning.
• Cory Chambers has been nominated as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Remington Hospitality. He will lead the company's commercial strategy, including revenue management, sales, marketing, distribution and customer experience.
• Nickolas Thomas has been selected as General Manager at The Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans. He oversees the day-to-day management and strategic direction of the historic 106-room property in New Orleans' Garden District.
• Hiren Prabhakar has been designated as General Manager at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. He will lead the continued evolution of the 400-room hotel, a landmark destination in Los Angeles known for its blend of historic significance and modern luxury.
• Jamie Pomeroy has been promoted as Senior Vice President of Development at Stonebridge Companies. He brings a diverse background in investments, development, feasibility, and owner retention, shaped by his earlier work on the brand side of the industry.
• Andrew Whiteside has been appointed as Executive Chef at Conrad Washington, DC in Washington, D.C. He will oversee all culinary operations at the hotel, including in-room dining, events and banquets, and seasonal programming at the hotel's rooftop.
• Sajish Kumar Das has been joined as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC in Washington, D.C. He will enrich the property's dining experience with his refined expertise and leadership.
• Iyad Mourad has been nominated as Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. He brings a deep passion for service excellence, a global perspective, and a thoughtful leadership style to the non-gaming, non-smoking oasis on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Paul Rogers has been selected as Director of Food & Beverage at Hotel Nia, an Autograph Collection Hotel in Menlo Park. He will shape a dynamic food and beverage program that appeals to both hotel guests and the local community.
• Dawn Aquila has been designated as Spa Director at Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection in Tampa. She will oversee all aspects of the spa's operations, including treatment development, promotional programming, staff training.
• Ruth Raposo has been named as Hotel Manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street. She will oversee all aspects of the hotel's operations, including guest services, staff management and strategic planning.
• Adam White has been promoted as General Manager at The Kimpton Brice in Savannah. He will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, guest services and team culture and driving continued success for the award-winning hotel.
• Jan Hajek has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Asset Management & Investments at First Investors in Chicago. He will be responsible for driving the implementation of investment plans across First and expand the firm's pipeline of high‑conviction acquisitions.
• Aly El-Bassuni named as SVP, managed hotels division at Choice Hotels International, Inc. He brings more than three decades of hospitality leadership to Choice Hotels, with a career spanning operations, franchising and brand management.
• Alexis Bravo has been nominated as Director of Sales and Marketing at Aloft Santa Clara. She previously held the role of Group Sales & Catering Manager in 2023, with nearly a decade of experience in hotel and hospitality management.
• Anthony Benge has been selected as General Manager at Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman. He brings a wealth of experience, a deep passion for service, and a commitment to fostering community to Bozeman's premier luxury hotel.
• George Gomes Jr. has been designated as Executive Chef at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort. He brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge, leadership and island-rooted perspective to the culturally rich, beachfront resort.
• Drew Slayton has been appointed as VP of Business Development at Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG). He will be responsible for identifying and solidifying new growth opportunities for HVMG's national portfolio.
• Miranda Hutchison has been joined as Director of Sales at The Westin Nashville. She brings a comprehensive, operations-informed approach to the role.
• Rob Stirling has been selected as Director of Commercial at Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. He brings over 25 years of luxury hospitality leadership, sales and marketing expertise to one of California's most acclaimed resorts.
• Lisa Marchese has been named as President at Northview Hotels and Resorts. She will lead operations across the portfolio while continuing to oversee the group's revenue optimization, marketing, sales, and technology divisions.
• Joseph “Joe” Jennings has been nominated as General Manager at Crowne Plaza® Dallas Downtown. He will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day hotel operations, customer experience, and financial performance.
• Duncan Holroyd has been appointed as Captain at Four Seasons Yachts. He appointment further underscores an unwavering commitment to excellence across every facet of the Four Seasons Yachts guest and maritime experience.
• Joy Barlow has been selected as General Manager at The Colony House Motor Lodge in Roanoke. She will oversee all operations at the 67-room boutique property, which officially reopened in August 2025 following a multi-million-dollar restoration.
• Rory Emslie has been joined as General Manager at Lido House in Newport Beach. She will oversee all aspects of the hotel's operations while continuing to guide the property through its current expansion.
• Dana Wendell has been named as Vice President of Marketing, Strategic Accounts at Hotel Equities Group, LLC. She brings more than 20 years of experience shaping integrated marketing strategies for hospitality, wellness, residential, publishing, and retail brands.
• Mike Sutter has been promoted as Vice President of Operations at Hotel Equities Group, LLC.  He has held leadership roles with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Marriott International, and Solis Hotels & Resorts. 
• Mike Hrusovsky has been designated as Vice President of Operations at Hotel Equities Group, LLC. He has directed operations for high-profile resorts and hotels in markets including Marco Island, San Antonio, and throughout Michigan.
• Taylor Hall has been nominated as Vice President of Operations at Hotel Equities Group, LLC. She consistently drove RevPAR growth, improved GOP margins, optimized labor efficiency, and elevated guest and associate satisfaction across her portfolio.
• Jason Baer has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. He played a vital role in the resort's recovery helping to preserve brand stability and sustain revenue during a challenging period.
• David Morris joined as HKS as Denver Studio Director. He is widely recognized for shaping some of Denver's most iconic and forward-thinking buildings and interiors.
• Chris O’Donnell has been named as President of Select Service Division at Aimbridge Hospitality. He will lead Aimbridge's expansive Select Service division with an emphasis on operational performance and delivering exceptional results. 
• Rosa Tamajón has been selected as Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove. She has steadfast dedication to service and an inspiring track record of leadership across some of the brand's most celebrated properties.
• Christina Fry has been appointed as General Manager at Thompson Austin and tommie Austin. She will oversee the day-to-day functions of the dynamic Downtown Austin hotel duo.
• Madeline Wolfe has been joined as Marketing & Partnership Manager at The Jay, Autograph Collection in San Francisco. she led marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and media relations for a wide portfolio of hospitality clients.
• Michael Rodriguez has been nominated as Food & Beverage Director at Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort. He brings exceptional talent and global perspective to the property.
• Fabio Quarta has been selected as Executive Chef at Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort. He brings exceptional talent and global perspective to the property.
• Eddy Dhenin has been designated as Executive Pastry Chef at Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort. Joining the resort's pre-opening team, he brings exceptional talent and global perspective to the property.
• Laura Trussel McKoy has been named as Chief Creative Officer at Omni Hotels & Resorts. She will lead the interior design for both renovations and new developments while overseeing the brand's overall creative vision. 
• Kenneth Miller has been promoted as Revenue Strategy Manager at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection. He joins with a strong analytical background and extensive revenue management expertise at luxury destination resorts in the Florida Keys.
• Rachel Theron has been appointed as Marketing Manager at ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection. she oversaw marketing efforts for three distinct hotels in California and Arizona.
• Gina Genna has been joined as Senior Area Director of Marketing at IHG Luxury & Lifestyle Americas. she has been a driving force as the Director of Marketing for the iconic downtown Miami hotel.
• Mark Weatherill has been named as General Manager at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. He brings over four decades of hospitality leadership experience across managed and franchise hotel operations.

Europe​

• Serena Lightner has been appointed as General Manager at NoMad London. She has unique talents combine intellect, warmth, and intuition to elevate guest service while driving operational excellence with precision and care.
• David Ciccarelli has been joined as Chief Executive Officer at Lake.com. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company while building and nurturing relationships.
• Anne Legrand has been nominated as General Manager at London Marriott Hotel County Hall. She brings a wealth of leadership, innovation, and operational excellence to one of London's most iconic hotels.
• Anke Maas has been selected as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Leonardo Hotels Central Europe. She will focus on progressing employer brand whilst placing a particular emphasis on staff loyalty, organisational development and digitalisation.
• Saakshee Gahlawat has been designated as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel. She led a team of more than 400 colleagues and played a key role in driving guest satisfaction and colleague engagement while delivering financial results. 
• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Hon. I. Chester Cooper named Vice President at UN World Tourism Organization General Assembly. He will play a key role in facilitating international cooperation and supporting the implementation of sustainable tourism initiatives.
• Matthias Kindl has been promoted as General Manager at Mandarin Oriental Palace. He was General Manager at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul from February 2024 to July 2025.
• Aurelia van Lynden has been appointed as Vice President at Kempinski Hotels. She will lead property and destination guest experiences as part of the broader transformation strategy.
• Kristian Toivanen has been selected as Vice President, Wellness & Spa at Kempinski Hotels. He will lead wellness and spa as part of the broader transformation strategy of Europe's oldest luxury hospitality group.
• Dan Clayton has been designated as Vice President, Food and Beverage & Hospitality at Kempinski Hotels. He will lead gastronomy and concepts as part of the broader transformation strategy of Europe's oldest luxury hospitality group.
• Claudio Meli named as Virtuoso’s 2025 Hotelier of the Year at THE PLACE Firenze. He has made waves by taking home the victory for his success at the helm of the beloved 20-room property with care and personality.
• Ranju Alex has been nominated as Chief Executive Officer at Accor South Asia. She is a highly accomplished hospitality professional who has until recently been the Regional Vice President for South Asia for Marriott International.
• Timur Sentuerk has been selected as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Doyle Collection. He joins The Doyle Collection as a passionate hotelier with a wealth of experience and knowledge, marking an exciting new chapter for the group.
• Jamie Harrison has been appointed Global Head of Digital Product Development at RX (former Reed Exhibitions). He will lead digital innovation, customer insights, and commercial product opportunities across the business.

Asia

• Ken Orr has been appointed as General Manager at Millennium Hotel Queenstown. He has over 20 years of experience in various managerial and operational positions in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. 
• Suresh Reddy has been joined as Revenue Manager at Grand Mercure. He brings a keen, data-driven mindset to revenue strategy, pricing intelligence, and optimizing business performance.
• K. Orathai Thong-ngam has been selected as Area General Manager – Chiang Mai at U Nimman Chiang Mai Eastin Tan Hotel. Her leadership will be instrumental in driving operational excellence, enhancing guest satisfaction.
• Darunee Sarimarun has been designated as General Manager at Travelodge Sukhumvit 11. She brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to her new role, with a strong background in hotel operations, financial performance, and team leadership.
• Nick Flynn has been promoted as General Manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. He brings a dynamic blend of vision, expertise, and passion to the resort at a pivotal moment in its storied timeline.
• Thomas Vidal has been appointed as General Manager at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. He brings over 16 years of experience including more than a decade in Japan, where he has developed a deep understanding of the local market and culture.
• Sam Fakih has been named as General Manager at Novotel Sydney Cabramatta. His impressive career includes leadership positions at IHG-branded hotels.
• Anthony Hoang has been joined as Director of Sales at Novotel Sydney Cabramatta. He has over 25 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing. 
• Anand Prayaga has been selected as Spa Director at Four Seasons Resort Maldives. He draws on an inspiring career underpinned by a passion for holistic healing, serving others, and making a difference.
• Sooraj Thomas Rajan has been designated as Senior Marketing & Communications Manager at Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield. He brings a well-rounded perspective to brand building and strategic communications.
• Varun Mehrotra has been promoted as Multi-Property Director of Sales & Marketing at Sheraton Grand Whitefield. He will oversee the strategic sales and marketing efforts across all three prestigious Marriott properties.
• John Oh has been named as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. His diverse background and innovative mindset make him a natural fit for Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
• Arnaud Violtat has been nominated as Executive Chef at The Pavilions Phuket. He presents continuously evolving seasonal menus that reflect his passion for innovation and showcase the finest locally sourced ingredients. 
• Mia Jaafar has been joined as Hotel Manager at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in hotel operations and commercial success.
• Christian Jaquier has been appointed as General Manager at Capella Ubud. He brings a unique blend of expertise, warmth, and a deep passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences.
• Stephen Day has been selected as Music Director at Mondrian Singapore Duxton. She will lead musical programming across the property, with a focus on Jungle Ballroom - Mondrian's subterranean cocktail.
• Richard Deutl has been promoted as General Manager at The Sukhothai Bangkok. He brings with him over 25 years of leadership experience in the global hospitality industry.
• Yusuf Yaran has been designated as Resident Manager at Shangri-La Singapore. He brings a wealth of international experience, deep operational expertise, and a proven track record of excellence in food and beverage management to the brand's iconic flagship property.
• Abhay Neve has been named as F&B Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Nashik. He brings a dynamic blend of operational expertise and creative vision.
• Numrata Rai Kumar has been nominated as Front Office Manager at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. She brings a wealth of expertise, dynamic leadership, and fresh perspectives to her new role.
• Beñat Alonso has been selected as Director of Culinary at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands in North Male Atoll. He will oversee the resort's vibrant dining programme, comprising 13 distinct culinary concepts, as well as in-villa dining.
• Jenni Benzaquen has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Residential, Global at Rosewood Hotel Group. She will reinforce quality growth, operational excellence, and community connections for the Group's residential business.
• Pradeep Sharma has been joined as General Manager at Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue. He brings with him extensive experience from his time across several prestigious IHG properties.
• Christian Wildhaber has been selected as General Manager at Mandarin Oriental. He brings extensive operational expertise and a global perspective to Jakarta.
• Kristina Snaith-Lense has been designated as General Manager at The House Collective Shenzhen. She will oversee wellness projects for Swire Hotels, drawing on her deep expertise and personal passion for bringing wellbeing into every aspect of the guest experience.
• Simon McHendry has been named as General Manager at The Upper House. He will oversee Swire Hotels' sales and revenue team, aligning group performance with long-term strategic growth.
• Mark Passmore has been promoted as Head of Operations at Swire Hotels. He will oversee operations and design across all the Asia properties.
• Rajan Malhotra has been nominated as Director of Sales & Marketing at Fairmont Udaipur Palace. He brings a refined commercial acumen and destination-first mindset to his role as Director of Sales & Marketing at Fairmont Udaipur Palace.
• Anuradha Konar has been joined as Assistant Manager – Marketing & Communications at Grand Mercure Bengaluru at Gopalan Mall. She brings a fresh outlook to brand development, public relations, and engaging with consumers.
• Stuart De San Nicolas has been appointed as General Manager at Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas in Phang Nga. He brings not only deep operational expertise and transformative sales strategies.
• Li Qiang has been selected as as Master Chef – Chinese at The St. Regis Mumbai. He has worked across some of the most dynamic culinary landscapes, from Singapore and Dubai to Doha and Qatar.
• Rico Picenoni has been named as Global Head of Residential at Langham Hospitality Group (LHG). He recently helmed the branded residential consultancy team at Savills from the company's London headquarters. 
• Naveen Pandey has been nominated as General Manager at Ramada by Wyndham Varanasi Katesar. He will lead overall hotel operations, manage staff performance, and spearhead initiatives in sales, marketing.
• Amitesh Virdi has been designated as Director of Culinary at Fairmont Udaipur Palace. He brings a rare blend of global exposure, deep-rooted culinary knowledge, and a passion for authentic, culturally immersive dining experiences.
• Gurnoor Bindra has been appointed as General Manager at St. Regis Goa Resort. She has 14 years of experience across Asia and the Middle East; Gurnoor most recently served as General Manager.
• Hardik Goyal has been joined as Founding Partner at Treebo Hotels. His new role reflects both his enduring commitment to THV's mission and the organisation's confidence.
• Rodrigo Buanafina has been named as General Manager at Gili Lankanfushi. He brings 15 years of luxury hospitality experience to his new role.
• Nilanjan Chakraborty has been nominated as Chef at Hyatt Regency. He brings over a decade of experience from some of India's most celebrated luxury hotels.
• Raphael Bick has been promoted as Chief Information Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.  He has built and scaled technology delivery capabilities across Asia.
• Siddharth Joshi has been appointed Hotel Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Nashik. He will lead all aspects of hotel operations, guest experience, and team development helping him to enhance the brand's presence in Nashik.

­­
South America​

• Sumanth Das has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. He brings extensive leadership experience, deep culinary passion, and a full-circle connection to the Punta Mita property.
• Alfredo Aguilar has been joined as Executive Chef at Villa Santa Cruz. He combines his passion for serving locally-sourced ingredients and his dedication to spotlight the 23-room property's sprawling 1-kilometer farm.
• Martin Larralde has been named as Vice President of Finance, Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) at Hotel Equities. He spent nine years with Hilton Worldwide, holding senior finance roles.
• Guillermo Varela has been selected as General Manager at Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. He is recognized for fostering teams that deliver exceptional service while honoring local culture.
• Jorge Alejandro González Hurtado has been nominated as Executive Chef at Numu Boutique Hotel. He brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective.

­­Carribean​

• Daniel Hurtado has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Resort Nevis. He brings a refined expertise in luxury resort operations, menu innovation, and team leadership to his new role in Nevis.
• Adam Marcy has been named as Director of Sales at SLS Baha Mar. He brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to one of the Caribbean's most celebrated luxury destinations.
• John Stanford Hazard has been joined as Managing Director at Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. He brings more than two decades of expertise in luxury hotel operations, brand strategy and experiential guest service.
• Lucy Taylor has been designated as Director of Sales and Marketing at ONE | GT. Her passion for brand storytelling and strategic growth has earned her industry-wide recognition.
• Andrew Barlow has been named as General Manager at ONE | GT. He has built a career rooted in operational excellence and authentic guest connections. 
•  Jeremy Metz has been nominated as Executive Chef at Rosewood Baha Mar. He is exceptionally well-suited to helm Chef Daniel Boulud's celebrated French-American restaurant.

Middle East​

• Heinz F. Grub has been appointed as General Manager at Le Royal Méridien. He brings over four decades of unparalleled experience and a highly regarded background in successful hotel operations.
• Rogelio de Castro has been joined as Assistant Marketing Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC. He brings more than eight years of hospitality experience, with a proven track record in communications, brand strategy and digital storytelling.  
• Ramkrishna Mahabirsingh has been named as Food & Beverage Manager at Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai. He brings a wealth of knowledge, operational excellence and innovative leadership to the hotel's award-winning F&B division.  
• Simone De Vivo has been nominated as Executive Chef at the WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton. He brings a bold vision shaped by his roots in Napoli and refined through years of experience across top-tier hospitality brands.  
• Izzatbek Mambetov has been Front Office Manager at 25hours Hotel One Central. He steps into his new role ready to elevate the guest arrival experience.  
• Deepika Biju has been designated as General Manager at ibis Styles Dragon Mart. She brings a transformative leadership style that puts people at the heart of performance and growth.  
• Fredrik Blomqvist has been nominated as General Manager at Raffles Jeddah. He has held leadership roles across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the United States.  
• Alessandra Banfi has been selected as Executive Pastry Chef at Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay. Her passion for pastry began at just 12 years old and has shaped an impressive career across prestigious kitchens in Greece, the UAE, and beyond.  
• Indri Halina has been promoted as Director of Marketing at Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort. She has previously led marketing efforts for global names including Raffles, Sofitel, The St. Regis, Address Hotels, and Armani Hotel Dubai.  
• Nizar Weshah has been Area Vice President at Hyatt Saudi Arabia. He will oversee Hyatt's operational strategy, performance and expansion plans across the Kingdom.  
• Edward Mair has been appointed as Executive Chef at Sofitel Dubai Downtown. He is recognised for his classical training, inventive spirit, and ability to lead large teams while maintaining a deep respect for regional tastes.  
• Mariam Aziz has been joined as Complex Director of Events at Le Méridien Dubai. She brings deep operational expertise and a proven track record in delivering seamless event experiences.  
• Ahmed Gaafar has been named as Hotel Manager at Fairmont Ajman. He combines strategic vision, people-focused leadership, and hands-on operational management with a deep understanding of personalised service.  
• Glenn Waidande has been nominated as Director of Revenue Management at SLS The Red Sea. He will be part of their pre-opening executive committee, bringing over 16 years of hospitality experience to the role.  
• Arun Narayanan has been selected as Multi-Property General Manager at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. He brings fresh perspectives, a passion for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to enriching guest experiences.  
• Tamer Khedr has been promoted as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at DO Hospitality. He is a globally experienced hospitality leader with over 20 years of shaping guest experiences across the US, GCC, and Egypt.  
• Trishna Hundal has been designated as Executive Housekeeper at Swissotel Living Al Ghurair. She will lead the hotel's largest team, responsible for 620 guestrooms, serviced apartments, two restaurants.  
• Abid Nasir has been appointed as Chief Engineer at Grand Millennium Hotel. He joins from voco Bonnington Dubai, where he served as head of engineering, overseeing preventive maintenance programmes.  
• Dean Walsh has been joined as Executive Director of Sales at Atlantis The Palm. His role is to lead global leisure market growth for both Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal.  
• Crisdean Porciani has been selected as Director of Quality at The Ritz-Carlton. He has built a career in quality assurance, guest engagement and operational efficiency.  
• Dimitrios Kotsifakos has been named as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton. He will lead the team in building upon its distinguished reputation for luxury and unparalleled guest experiences.  
• Abbas Al Souki has been nominated as Hotel Manager at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha in Doha - The Pearl. He brings a wealth of expertise in operational excellence, food and beverage innovation, and large-scale pre-openings.  
• Drishti Mistry named Cluster Digital Marketing Manager at Novotel Dubai Al Barsha and Aparthotel Adagio Premium Dubai Al Barsha. She becomes the youngest member of the hotels' management team, charged with driving visibility, digital performance. 
• Stéphane Buchholzer has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre. He has previously led teams across Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Central Asia.  
• Nizar Weshah has been joined as Area Vice President at Hyatt Saudi Arabia. He has held senior leadership roles across Jordan, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.   
• Dean Walsh has been selected as Executive Director of Sales at Atlantis Dubai. He will lead the global leisure market growth for both Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal.  
• Yousuf Al Rahbi has been named as General Manager at Crowne Plaza Duqm. He is the first Omani national to step into a GM role for IHG in the Sultanate  
• Shadi Attar has been appointed Director of Sales & Distribution at The Ritz-Carlton. His initiatives have boosted corporate and MICE bookings, while reinforcing partnerships across the hotel's top feeder markets.
•  

Africa​​

• Linda Stigter has just been appointed Director of People and Culture, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius. She most recently held the same title at Four Seasons Tower Bridge, London, England, and prior to this Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles.