Lewis Catchpole

📈 Laurent Choain will become Accor's global chief people and culture officer on April 1, 2026. Choain brings over 30 years of HR leadership experience, having worked with Forvis Mazars, Groupe Caisse d’Epargne (now BPCE), and Kempinski Hotels and Resorts. He will join the Premium, Midscale, and Economy Executive Committee, focusing on talent development and organizational culture. Sébastien Bazin, Accor's CEO, emphasized Choain's alignment with Accor’s vision for cultivating an innovative and excellent workforce.

🏨 Lee Norris has been promoted to hotel director at Colessio in Stirling by Artemis Hotels Management. In 2025, the 39-bedroom hotel saw a profit increase due to strategic changes, including operational discipline and a refined commercial strategy. Norris, alongside founder Chris Charalambous, implemented cost controls, enhanced revenue management, and focused on guest experience. Norris will now oversee Colessio's strategic responsibilities, aiming for sustained profitability and brand evolution in Stirling.

🏨 Sarah Turner has been promoted to operations director at Valor Hospitality in the UK, responsible for 13 hotels across the Midlands and South. Valor's UK portfolio grew from 17 hotels in 2021 to 40 in 2026, adding sites in Aberdeen, Trafford City, and Liverpool. Turner joined Valor in May 2013 and advanced through roles at Crowne Plaza Harrogate and Leeds. She emphasizes team support and well-being in her leadership approach.

📁 Hospitality firm Numa Group appoints Philip Lassman as managing director for the UK and Ireland. Lassman, with nearly 25 years of experience at Accor and IHG, succeeds Olivia Immesi. He will oversee Native by Numa and Numa brands. Numa opened its Chelsea Green in London in December 2025 and plans expansions in Fulham Broadway, Fitzrovia, and Edinburgh in 2026, alongside a refurbishment of Native by Numa Hyde Park.

🏨 Elite Hotels appoints Dominic Osborne as general manager of The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. Osborne, with nearly 30 years of hospitality experience, previously worked at Ashdown Park Hotel from 2002 to 2008 and recently at Farnborough Airport. The Grand Hotel, a five-star property with 152 bedrooms, is key to Elite Hotels' luxury focus. Recruitment of experienced leaders is crucial for managing seasonal demand and heritage properties. Graeme Bateman, Executive Chairman, praises Osborne's leadership credentials.