KALIBRI LABS NAMES PRESIDENT, COO
Kalibri Labs has welcomed Kristen Clark as its new president and chief operating officer. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in scaling tech companies and transforming big data into actionable growth strategies, Clark’s appointment marks a new chapter for Kalibri Labs as the company focuses on profitability optimization and delivering commercial strategies.
Kalibri Labs has also appointed Laura Thorpe as senior vice president of sales and customer success. With more than 30 years of experience in hospitality, Thorpe’s industry knowledge will help Kalibri Labs drive business growth.
“We are at an exciting inflection point,” said Cindy Estis Green, CEO and co-founder at Kalibri Labs. “On the heels of launching OTB Signals, we’re positioned to disrupt the hospitality industry with a dynamic team in place to drive sustained growth and scale. Kristen’s strategic vision and Laura’s industry’s insights will amplify our ability to deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
PAUL MULCAHY JOINS THE LUX COLLECTIVE
The Lux Collective has named Paul Mulcahy as chief commercial officer. He will be based in Mauritius. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in commercial strategy, business transformation and driving growth within world-leading organizations in both the hospitality and travel industries. Mulcahy will focus on awareness-driving strategies for Lux Collective’s portfolio of brands, while empowering people.
Prior to his new role, Mulcahy served as managing director North America at RCI — part of Travel + Leisure Co. A member of the executive committee, he oversaw the strategic and commercial leadership, led growth initiatives and spearheaded change management to streamline processes and optimize operational efficiency. He has also served as senior vice president – commercial at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
KOLPIN HOTELS NAMES CCO
Kolpin Hotels has appointed Bo Nylandsted Larsen in a newly created position of chief commercial officer. He joins the team with more than two decades of experience in commercial leadership across the world. He has primarily focused on strategic sales, marketing, partnerships, strategy and product development across several industries, ranging from airlines, cruise, healthcare and shipping.
“Bo Larsen is a well-known personality in the Danish hospitality sector. I have followed Bo for many years in his professional journey. As we are expanding Kolpin Hotels into new market segments and overall want to grow we needed to look outside our own company to find a profile with the appropriate leadership and commercial experience… I need a leader who can take our company into the next phase where we establish ourselves as a hotel company. Sales, marketing, PR and partnerships are an important part of that journey, and I think Bo and Kolpin Hotels are a perfect match,” said Kolpin Hotels CEO Karim Nielsen.
MORE MOVES
Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman has added two new members to its leadership team. Carol Peach has been named director of sales and marketing and Charles Daenen has been appointed as general manager.
Peach joined the team in October. Her experience includes holding executive level roles with Rosewood Hotels, Belmond and Westin. Most recently, she served as area director of sales and marketing for Bardessono Hotel & Spa and Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa in California.
Daenen has earlier served as director of operations at Crazy Mountain Ranch for 12 years; as resort manager at the Resort at Paws Up in Missoula; as director of food and beverage at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club; and at Under Canvas as regional director.
“The addition of Daenen and Peach to our executive team solidifies our standing as a top-tier, luxury property. Combined, their experience brings together decades of unwavering commitment to the hospitality industry,” said Cory Lawrence, principal owner of the Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman.
COMO Hotels and Resorts has named Peter Nilsson as managing director for the Maldives, where he will oversee COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi. With over three decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Nilsson has managed hotels and resorts in Asia, Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
Nilsson will be responsible for driving operational excellence, strategic growth, resource optimization and team management. He joins COMO from Banwa Private Island, an exclusive estate in the Philippines, where he served as CEO.
NEW GMs
The Sebastian-Vail, A Timbers Resort has welcomed Kate Grattan as its new general manager. Grattan will oversee daily operations of the hotel to ensure its commercial success.
Bringing more than 25 years of hospitality industry to her new role, Grattan has knowledge both in management as well as in the greater ski resort region. She has held various general manager positions both at The Lodge at Vail and Austria Haus Hotel and oversaw the opening of several new Vail Resorts development projects in Breckenridge. Most recently, she served as managing director of Colorado for CoralTree Hospitality, overseeing both the Vail and Snowmass markets.
Chris Suarez has joined Nobu Hotel Palo Alto as general manager. Bringing nearly 25 years of experience up the California coast, Suarez will oversee all aspects of the hotel’s operations, including daily functions, maintain guest experience and manage and lead a team to maintain the Nobu brand’s standard of hospitality.
Prior to his new role, Suarez served as director of sales and marketing at Nobu Hotel Palo Alto. In his new role, he will focus on the key pillars of the hotel, including an elevated meetings experience for groups, curating signature hotel programming in guest Ryokan suite experiences, ensuring the success of Nobu’s culinary programming at Nobu Palo Alto restaurant, activating the restaurant’s Japanese-inspired outdoor Nobu Garden and more.
Adam Dyke has been appointed as general manager of The Grand, York, succeeding Simon Mahon, who stepped down in September after five years.
With more than two decades of experience in hospitality, Dyke has held leadership roles at properties, including Artfarm, Chewton Glen, the Devonshire Arms on the Bolton Abbey Estate, Wynyard Hall Hotel and Yorebridge House.
Le Sereno, the luxury beachfront hotel in Saint Barthélemy, has named Tiphaine Lacombe as hotel manager. She will prioritize operational excellence, team development and strengthening the hotel’s positioning as an ultra-luxury property.
Lacombe’s career includes leadership roles at the Château de Berne, Relais & Châteaux and Château de Sacy in Champagne, where she served as director for over three years. More recently, she managed two luxury hotels for the Bombaron Group before serving in Maisons Perrier-Jouët and Mumm in 2023.
Jakob Kern has joined Nusfjord Village & Resort as hotel manager. Kern brings more than eight years of experience in the hospitality industry, having served at the luxury Britannia Hotel in Trondheim and Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich.
“Jakob will bring a dynamic energy and international background to his position as hotel manager along with his wealth of experience. We are thrilled to have him on board and believe that he will play a key role in shaping and elevating the guest experience at Nusfjord,” said Fred Anton F. Ravneberg, general manager.
