Human Resources

🏖 In January 2026, Geoff Cowley becomes CEO of Evergreen Escapes Group to lead its expansion. With over 30 years in the holiday sector, Cowley previously led Awaze UK, serving over three million customers annually. The group is renovating The Manor and Ashbury and plans to add several lodge parks to its portfolio in the coming weeks. Cowley’s leadership aims to build a high-performing holiday destination portfolio.

🏨 Bill Fortier, with Hilton for nearly 30 years, led 400-500 hotel additions annually and launched 14 brands since 2009. He retires in 2026, focusing on family and casual industry involvement. Fortier tackled major crises like 9/11 and COVID-19 by fostering unity and seizing opportunities. He supported diversity in ownership through initiatives like Hilton’s Unlocking Doors. Fortier aims to expand hotel ownership among Hispanic and African American communities, leveraging partnerships like Bridge by Foro for financing.

📍 Kensington Hideaway, previously Seraphine Kensington, reopens at the end of January after a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Rohit Bisht, formerly of The Dixon, joins as general manager, overseeing the 59-room hotel’s operations. Part of the JMK Group, the redesigned hotel features a literary theme. Bisht focuses on creating guest experiences and team support. Kenny Russell from JMK Group welcomes him onboard. The soft launch marks the hotel's new chapter.

📈 Pascal Visintainer is now the Global Chief Sales Officer for Accor's Luxury & Lifestyle brands. Previously, he led leadership and marketing efforts at Accor. His career includes roles as Head of Sales & Marketing at Barrière Group and Head of Marketing at Maison de la France (now Atout France).

📈 Jim Plohg was appointed as executive vice president at Ashford Inc. and Braemar Hotels, effective immediately. Amy Epperson was promoted to EVP of Human Resources at Remington Hospitality. Claudia Martinez became senior catering sales manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. By January 1, 2026, Deidre Schwartz will serve as international president of NEWH, Inc. Dillon Weaver and Gustavo Machado were promoted to operations managers at Sprague Pest Solutions. Randy Rockbrand now manages Rio Perdido.

🥃 Daniel Szor, founder of Cotswolds Distillery, was installed as the 378th Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers on January 2026. The London-based Livery Company, established in 1638, promotes spirits trade excellence. Daniel joined as a Freeman in 2015, a Liveryman in 2016, and the Court in 2022. He founded the Cotswolds Distillery in 2014, and co-founded the English Whisky Guild. Daniel, passionate about sustainability, lives in the Cotswolds with his wife, Dr. Katia Cikurel, and their three children.

💻 David Wiley joins Agentic Hospitality as VP of Sales in Louisville, KY, to drive AI-native hotel distribution. Wiley brings 25 years of sales experience, including roles at Disney and Microsoft. AI is crucial for hotel visibility during travel discovery. Wiley aims to educate hoteliers on AI's importance, particularly for the upcoming 2026 shift. Agentic Hospitality offers infrastructure to connect hotels with AI platforms, ensuring direct bookings and profitability without intermediaries. The company collaborates with Google Cloud and other tech leaders.