Human Resources

✈️ Delta Air Lines is undergoing significant C-suite changes in 2023. Peter Carter, current Chief External Affairs Officer, will become President, succeeding Glen Hauenstein, who retired in February. Dan Janki transitions from CFO to COO, while Erik Snell moves into the CFO role. These changes align with a generational shift as CEO Ed Bastian enters his second decade of leadership, indicating a strategic realignment for the airline.

🏆 Up Hotel Agency wins three awards at the 2025 Web Marketing Association WebAwards. Recognized in the "Hotel & Lodging Standard of Excellence" and "Outstanding Website" categories, they showcased their digital design expertise. Winning projects include Montcalm Collection and The Newman. The WebAwards, established in 1997, are a prestigious competition judged on design, innovation, and usability. Up Hotel Agency acknowledges their team and clients for contributing to their success. Awards details are available at the WebAwards website.

📈 Sarah Turner, appointed as Operations Director of Valor Hospitality Europe, now oversees 13 hotels in the Midlands and southern England. Valor's UK portfolio is set to grow from 17 hotels in 2021 to about 40 by 2026. Turner joined Valor in 2013, advancing from Operations Manager to Senior General Manager at Crowne Plaza Leeds. Valor operates nearly 100 hospitality developments globally. The company highlights team engagement and wellbeing as key to performance.

🏠 Airbnb's Global Head of Real Estate, Jesse Stein, revealed on Wednesday at ITB in Berlin the company's vision to encompass the entire trip experience, including airport rides. The plan integrates vacation rentals, hotels for business trips, and transport from airports. Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Blecharczyk also spoke at ITB, reinforcing the strategy. Airbnb aims to centralize travel planning by offering various services in one platform.

🏨 Amit Sripathi becomes CFO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, succeeding Kurt Albert, interim CFO since November. Sripathi, previously Chief Development Officer – North America, joined Wyndham in 2021. David Wilner, a 30-year veteran with Wyndham, now leads North American franchise development. Sripathi's background includes roles at Deutsche Bank and RLJ Lodging Trust. Both Sripathi and Wilner report to CEO Geoff Ballotti, supporting Wyndham’s asset-light franchise model and growth strategy.

📍 John Banizette will assume the role of General Manager at Gray d'Albion, Cannes, starting 1 March 2026. Located between the Croisette and Rue d’Antibes, the 4-star hotel has around 200 rooms, including 38 suites. Banizette, who joined Groupe Barrière in 2005, brings nearly two decades of experience. The hotel caters to leisure and MICE demands, benefiting from proximity to events like the Cannes Film Festival and MIPIM.