Human Resources

🏨 Christian Masters has been promoted to general manager of the 357-room Art’otel London Hoxton. Previously the hotel manager since 2023, Masters played a key role in the hotel's pre-opening and launch. Art’otel Hoxton, a 26-story hotel, opened in 2024 and features art by D*Face and two Banksy pieces. Masters, with nearly 20 years in hospitality, was recognized for his leadership and operational excellence by Daniel Pedreschi, VP of operations UK at PPHE Hotel Group.

📈 Arturo Moreno was promoted to chief supply and data officer at Civitatis, a Spanish-language tours and activities platform. Moreno, who has been chief data officer for six years, will lead a new executive division focused on supply. The strategy emphasizes data-driven approaches to improve supply curation and expand offerings, particularly in ticketing and private tours. Chief Operating Officer Enrique Espinel will shift focus to international expansion. Inma López remains in charge of commercial operations with 7,000 global operators.

💸 Story Hospitality has appointed Ameer Rehman as vice president of finance amid expansion in the UAE, Seychelles, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. Rehman, a PwC-trained chartered accountant, brings over 20 years of financial leadership in hospitality across the UK, Saudi Arabia, and the EMEA region. Previously, he was senior VP at Cool Inc and spent a decade with Hilton. His appointment is part of Story Hospitality’s focus on financial discipline, innovation, and sustainability.

📈 Net Affinity, a hotel tech company operating in the UK and Ireland, will undergo a leadership change as Lauri Koop, CEO of Dutch-backed Hotel Tech Group (HTG), takes over in 2024. William Cotter, founder in 2000, steps down after 25 years. HTG's acquisition of Net Affinity earlier in 2023 aims for growth and innovation. Serving 400+ hotels, Koop, with 20+ years in SaaS, will enhance integration and expand by 2026, focusing on client hotel performance.

🚢 AmaWaterways has enhanced its Travel Agent Portal, offering 24/7 booking access for agents. Agents can instantly secure bookings by paying deposits via credit card. A fixed £75 regional airport supplement now applies to all UK airports, except the Channel Islands. Agents can also opt for cruise-only bookings by omitting flights. Confirmations and flight arrangements are communicated within 48 hours post-booking. Andrea Stafford, Sales Director UK & Europe, highlights the simplified booking process and increased flexibility.

📖 Aethos appoints Katherine Godsmark as group director of people and culture with over 15 years of experience in hospitality and operations. She previously led global people strategy at the Gap Partnership. Her role comes as Aethos expands internationally, including a new site in Shoreditch, London. CEO Lily Wecker supports Godsmark’s strategic vision, emphasizing global growth and team development. The company is strengthening its leadership for further expansion.

🍽 Bret Thorn, a senior food & beverage editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. In 2006, he won the Jesse H. Neal Award. Thorn, a Tufts University alumnus, studied at Le Cordon Bleu and worked in Beijing during the 1989 Tiananmen protests. He was president of IFEC in 2005 and inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014. Thorn authored entries for the Oxford Encyclopedia in 2012 and 2015.