Human Resources

🍳 Chef Lee Murdoch appointed executive chef at Seaton House, a five-star boutique hotel in St Andrews. Seaton House opened in March 2025 with 42 rooms overlooking the Old Course and West Sands Beach. Murdoch brings extensive experience across UK, Asia, and Middle East, recently opening The Coal Shed in Brighton. He will oversee food operations, focusing on seasonal Scottish produce. The hotel is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is now home to Ondine Oyster and Grill.

🏨 Countrywide Hotels will manage The Selwyn, a 50-bedroom townhouse hotel in Richmond-upon-Thames, as of October 2025. Richard Sidaway is appointed general manager. Public spaces, including The Paisley Room, will be developed into social hubs. Darren Patt, managing director, aims to enhance operational performance and guest experience, while maintaining its community connection. The focus is on character and authenticity, ensuring The Selwyn remains a standout destination in southwest London.

📖 Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin, is now venturing into hospitality with his new project, Desolation Hotel, described as an "immersive portal." His journey from entrepreneurship to corporate leadership highlights a significant career shift. The podcast episode explores the experiences that shaped his vision for the hospitality industry. This transition underscores the potential for innovative ideas to enhance business and service offerings in the hospitality sector.

🏨 Choice Hotels International appoints Kaaren Hamilton as head of global sales amidst its ongoing expansion and organizational changes.

🏢 Stay22, headquartered in Montreal, is enhancing its executive team as it targets growth. Fabien Loupy joins as CTO, while Louis-Charles Genest is appointed CFO. The company, co-founded by Hamad Al-Khabbaz in 2016, recently surpassed $1 billion in annual transactions and is expanding beyond the travel sector. With new offices, Stay22 plans to accommodate more than 100 employees by year-end 2025. The company aims to leverage operational excellence for further innovation and revenue opportunities.

🏨 Kristen Richter joins Peregrine Hospitality as Chief Commercial Officer in Denver, Colorado. With over 20 years of experience, she will manage commercial strategy, revenue, sales, and marketing. Previously at Accor, she led commercial strategy for Fairmont and Raffles. Her background includes roles at Sonder, Radisson Hotel Group, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Bucknell University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

📄 Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa appointed James Hiley-Jones as non-executive director. With over 30 years in hospitality and as managing director at Greenclose Hotels, Hiley-Jones enhances operations at the 70-acre Rutland Water resort. The hotel features rooms, lodges, Blossoms restaurant, a 22-meter indoor pool, gym, and spa. His Freedom of the City of London award highlights his sector contributions, supporting Rutland Hall's strategic expansion.

🍳 Phil Kearsey has been appointed executive chef at Morston Hall in Norfolk, succeeding Galton Blackiston, who led since 1992. Kearsey, with 18 years of fine dining experience, has worked at The Waterside Inn, The French Laundry, and Pied à Terre. Morston Hall has held a Michelin star for over 25 years. The hotel, a 17th-century property, was acquired by Henry Elworthy in April 2025, planning a refurbishment in early 2026. Kearsey aims to highlight Norfolk produce.

🌍 Kara Wallace, after 17 years at Royal Caribbean, was promoted to CMO, leading a brand evolution and gaining 7.5M+ followers. Caroline Clayton, CMO at American Airlines, is modernizing AA through initiatives like the “Going for Great” campaign. Raja Rajamannar at Mastercard is integrating payments with travel experiences, highlighted by a recent Formula One event in Singapore. Alex Schellenberger, at Mandarin Oriental, focuses on building emotional connections. Mark Weinstein at Hilton Worldwide is enhancing personalized experiences globally.