Cynera Rodricks

🏨 Iconic Luxury Hotels and L&R Hotels have merged to form Iconic Hotels and Resorts. The merger, crucial for L+R's transformation, integrates its real estate portfolio valued at over £10 billion. Shan Kanagasingham, with 30 years in hospitality, is appointed COO. The company opened a 7,000 sq ft headquarters in London, employing 100 specialists. Atlas Hotels, Europe's largest Holiday Inn Express franchisee, remains separate in Leicester. This strategic move aims to streamline operations and enhance global presence.

📑 Craig Patterson is appointed as the managing director of Castlebridge Hospitality, headquartered in Leamington Spa, to lead strategic development and operations. Previously, Patterson was the Chief Development Officer at Cycas Hospitality. Castlebridge manages several branded properties, including four Hotel Indigo sites in Coventry, Bath, Chester, and Stratford-upon-Avon. The senior team at Castlebridge has over 100 years of combined industry experience. The company is owned by Somerston Group.

📈 Accor appointed Leire Leoz as chief franchise officer for its Premium, Midscale, and Economy division, effective February 2, 2026. 🎉 She will report to deputy CEO Jean-Jacques Morin and join the executive committee to boost franchise operations. Leoz, with over 20 years in franchise management, previously worked at Marriott. Accor operates over 5,700 hotels globally and plans to expand through franchising, with a development pipeline exceeding 250,000 rooms.

🍴 Sean Cooper joins Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal as general manager in January 2026. He carries over a decade of experience, including roles at The Fat Duck and The Clove Club. Cooper will oversee operations and guest experience at the Two-Michelin-starred, 34-seat restaurant, ensuring service excellence in contemporary French cuisine. His previous accomplishments include the 2019 opening of Siren at The Goring with Nathan Outlaw and managing Muse by Tom Aikens.