Human Resources

🎭 Ewan Venters, former CEO of Fortnum & Mason, left Artfarm amid concerns the Groucho Club is 'going corporate'. The Soho-based club, acquired by Artfarm in 2022, sparked member concerns over cultural 'destruction'. Artfarm, run by Swiss investors Iwan and Manuela Wirth since Venters joined in 2021, expanded with a Yorkshire sister site and several other hospitality ventures. Venters will exit by January next year, pending a replacement. Recent expansions include Da Costa in Bruton, following the Audley Public House and Fish Shop in Ballater.

🍝 Otto & Pepe, Miami’s first pasta bar by Gabriela Chiriboga and Samuel Ghouzi, opened on September 12 in Wynwood Art District. The 147-seat venue was designed by Saladino Design Studio, featuring house-made pastas and natural wines. Menu by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese, with wine expert Karina Iglesias and mixologist Matias Iriarte. The menu offers four categories: red sauce pasta, white sauce pasta, more pasta, and not pasta, plus desserts like tiramisu and brioche with gelato.

📈 Mike Metcalf named President of HQ Hotels & Residences as the brand prepares for its first hotel openings in Montreux, Switzerland, and Detroit, Michigan. Metcalf, with 40+ years in hospitality, joins from Crescent Hotels & Resorts. BWH Hotels appoints Harry Dong as President and CEO for China (Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), Mongolia, and Nepal, succeeding his father, William Dong. Cody Bradshaw is L+R Hotels' new Group CEO, overseeing global strategy, growth and performance. SH Hotels & Resorts promotes Shadi Omeish to VP of Operations, North America, and Milton Sgarbi to Regional VP of Operations. Omni Hotels & Resorts names Annette Bales VP of Sales. Christian Pertl is Shangri-La Group's new VP of Commercial. Kevin Kelly joins The Resort at Pelican Hill as General Manager, while Parag Athavale takes the helm at Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. Simon Beaumont appointed General Manager of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. Francisco García becomes General Manager of The Maybourne Riviera. Holger Flory to manage Europäischer Hof Baden-Baden, opening summer 2025. Great Oak Manor in Maryland welcomes Calin Taralunga as General Manager.

🥘 Chris Eden, the former executive head chef at Gidleigh Park, is set to oversee food operations at Watergate Bay Hotel's venues starting 1 October. Eden, who helped Gidleigh Park reclaim a Michelin star in 2023, will work with head chefs Ben Ambridge, Dani Bolton, Nick Giles, and Anthony Quinn. He won a Michelin star for Cornwall's Driftwood Hotel in 2012 and attended St Austell College. Eden's aim is to create dishes with a neighbourhood restaurant feel, ensuring guests leave happy.

📍 SH Hotels & Resorts announced leadership promotions: Shadi Omeish as VP of Operations in North America, and Milton Sgarbi as Regional VP of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish has over 20 years of experience and has been with the company since 2016, managing West Coast properties including 1 Hotel South Beach and 1 Hotel West Hollywood. Sgarbi, also with the company since 2016, will oversee operations at 1 Hotel South Beach, which features 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, and more. SH Hotels & Resorts is expanding globally, with new projects in Seattle, Austin, San Miguel de Allende, Rome, Florence, Dubai, and more. Treehouse Hotels is set to open in Silicon Valley and Manchester this year.

📌 SH Hotels & Resorts announced promotions of Shadi Omeish as Vice President of Operations in North America and Milton Sgarbi as Regional Vice President of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish, who joined in 2016, has managed properties including 1 Hotel South Beach and 1 Hotel West Hollywood. The company's portfolio comprises eight 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, and the upcoming Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, among others. Sgarbi, also with the company since 2016, will oversee 1 Hotel South Beach's 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, and other amenities. SH Hotels & Resorts is expanding globally, with new projects in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Seattle, Austin, and more. Baccarat Hotels & Residences and Treehouse Hotels are also set to open in several locations worldwide including Rome, Florence, Dubai, and Manchester.

👨️ SH Hotels & Resorts promoted Shadi Omeish to Vice President of Operations in North America and Milton Sgarbi to Regional Vice President of Operations at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish, with over 20 years of experience, joined the company in 2016, and has managed West Coast properties. Sgarbi, also with vast industry experience, oversees the 1 Hotel South Beach with 425 rooms and various amenities. The brand is expanding with upcoming projects in North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, including new Baccarat Hotels in Rome, Florence, Dubai, and more.

🏨 SH Hotels & Resorts promoted two executives: Shadi Omeish as Vice President of Operations in North America, and Milton Sgarbi as Regional Vice President of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish, with over 20 years in the industry, oversees the company's properties in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including eight 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, the upcoming Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, and future projects like 1 Hotel Austin and Seattle. Sgarbi, a veteran in hotel operations, manages 1 Hotel South Beach's 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, and other amenities. SH Hotels & Resorts is expanding globally with new projects in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Paris, and more.

💲 Mo Chaar, after joining Givex in 2007, advanced from Business Development Manager to Vice President of Sales for North America, and now serves as Chief Commercial Officer. In his current role, he guides global commercial strategy and oversees North American sales teams, instrumental in the growth of Givex partnerships. His expertise spans gift cards, loyalty, and POS systems, aligning teams on pricing, products, and sales approaches, while also supporting Global Managing Directors to fulfill strategic commercial objectives.