Human Resources

🏖 Christian Maeder, with over 25 years in luxury hospitality, is appointed general manager at Montage Big Sky, Montana, succeeding his role as hotel manager since 2023. Previously, he held leadership roles at Montage Laguna Beach, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, and others. Montage Big Sky, located in a 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks enclave, features 100 guestrooms and suites, plus 39 residences. Jason Herthel of Montage International praises Maeder’s leadership and service dedication.

🏨 William Fisher, with 30+ years in hospitality, is now the general manager at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, after managing Hilton London Metropole. Fisher's career includes leadership roles at InterContinental, The Ritz-Carlton, and Orient Express across Europe and Asia. He managed Hilton Chengdu's opening in 2015 and oversaw operations in Szechuan and Shanghai. Rome Cavalieri, a 60-year testament to Rome's culture, welcomes Fisher to guide its future.

🏨 Orkun Aydin joins Stonebridge as senior vice president of operations in Denver, Colorado. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Aydin will manage a portfolio of full-service hotels and resorts. Previously, he worked at Aimbridge Hospitality and held executive roles at Interstate Hotels & Resorts. Aydin aims to enhance operational performance and owner value, aligning with Stonebridge’s focus on excellence.

🏨 Kerry Allen and Katie Herbert have been appointed as general managers at Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa and Park Royal Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, respectively. Allen returns to Crewe Hall following a £1m refurbishment, which included opening the Sheridan Bar. Herbert will focus on corporate and leisure business development at Park Royal. These appointments highlight QHotels Collection's commitment to internal career growth and investment in property enhancements. The announcement was made in December 2025.

🏨 Stonebridge has appointed Orkun Aydin as senior vice president of operations, overseeing a range of full-service hotels and resorts. Aydin joins from Aimbridge Hospitality, where he was senior vice president of operations. His past roles include executive positions at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, managing major properties like Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa and The Westin Tampa Harbour Island. Stonebridge praises his expertise in high-volume environments and strong relationship-building with owners.

🏨 Accor has appointed Karelle Lamouche as CEO for Europe and North Africa, overseeing its Premium, Midscale, and Economy brands. With nearly 30 years at Accor, Lamouche's leadership spans 3,000 hotels across 40 countries, representing 40% of Accor’s global network. Her experience ranges from hotel operations to commercial strategy. Lamouche is set to enhance Accor’s presence in diverse markets, leveraging the company’s expertise and operational excellence to boost investment returns and customer loyalty.

📈 Karelle Lamouche becomes head of Accor's premium, mid-range, and economy brands division for Europe and North Africa after 27 years with the hotel group.

📅 Baron Hotels and Resorts appoints Mehdi Othmani as area general manager in Egypt. With 30+ years of global experience, including roles at Steigenberger, Hilton, and Mövenpick, Mehdi will lead key operations in Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, and Sahl Hasheesh. He will also support Baron Cascade's expansion and entry into Zanzibar. Previously, he was cluster general manager for DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts in the Red Sea Area.

📚 Karen Donaghy has been named publisher of *Hospitality Design* (HD) magazine, succeeding Paul Bienkowski, who retired in October after over 40 years. Donaghy, with 20+ years in publishing, will focus on print and digital growth. Previously at Condé Nast and *Contract* magazine, she brings extensive design industry experience. HD, a leading trade magazine, is published 10 times annually, offering insights on hospitality design trends and projects. Donaghy is based near Philadelphia.