Human Resources

📍 William Hunter has been appointed as general manager of The Derby London City, Curio Collection by Hilton. Opening in February 2026, this hotel marks the next evolution of Curio Collection’s lifestyle offering in London. Hunter’s 15-year career with Hilton included senior roles at The Westminster and The Trafalgar St. James London. He has appointed Edward Field as cluster director of sales and marketing and is recruiting an operations manager and head chef.

💻 David Angotti is the new Chief Digital Officer at Casago, a major vacation rental management company. Angotti, known for his work with SmokyMountains.com and StaySense, will lead Vacasa.com’s transformation into a top booking platform and oversee Casago's digital strategy. This appointment follows Casago's acquisition of Vacasa and its management of over 40,000 properties across North America, the Caribbean, Belize, and Costa Rica. Steve Schwab, CEO, highlights Angotti's expertise in technology and operations as crucial for future growth.

🍴 Bret Thorn, who hails from Denver and resides in Brooklyn, has been a food and beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. He holds a history degree from Tufts University and studied French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu. Thorn wrote for The New York Sun from 2005-2008 and contributed to the Oxford Encyclopedia in 2012 and 2015. He received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and led IFEC in 2005.

📖 JP Roberts has been appointed general manager of The Statler, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, located in downtown Dallas. Roberts brings extensive experience in managing U.S. hotels and resorts, including 21c Museum Hotels in St. Louis, Dream Hotels in Nashville, and Hotel Vandivort in Missouri. Built in 1956, The Statler is part of the Historic Hotels of America and famous for iconic performances by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and The Jackson 5. Managed by Stonebridge, it remains a significant landmark.

📈 Kartik Yellepeddi was appointed as the chief product officer at Duetto in San Diego, California. Yellepeddi will lead the evolution of Duetto’s platform into a Revenue and Profit Operating System (RP-OS). Previously, he held positions at FLYR, Deepair Solutions, Cirravia, and Sabre Airline Solutions. Duetto aims to connect revenue and operations through pricing, forecasting, and profit insights, leveraging advanced AI to optimize hotel profitability worldwide.

📈 Graham Dodd appointed as VP of development for Accor in the UK and Ireland, focusing on premium, midscale, and economy brands. With a background at Hilton and firms like Christie and Co, he will enhance brands such as Pullman, Novotel, and Ibis. Accor operates in over 110 countries with 5,700+ hotels and resorts. His appointment on 11 November 2025 aims to accelerate Accor's UK and Ireland growth.

📅 Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Celine Du as chief commercial and marketing officer in November 2025. With over 30 years of experience in luxury hotel brands like Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La, Du will lead PPHG’s commercial strategy during its global expansion. Her focus includes corporate strategy, channel management, loyalty, and global partnerships across Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, and PARKROYAL brands, following their rebranding. Her leadership will be crucial for talent management and enhancing customer engagement worldwide.

💸 Craig Jones, with 25 years of hospitality finance experience, joins Focus Hotels Management as finance director in 2025. Based in the UK, Focus Hotels faces challenges like rising national living wages and increased utility costs. Jones will prioritize expense control and operational efficiencies. CEO Devin Grosse emphasizes Jones’s role in strengthening financial foundations amidst the company’s growth phase. Recent developments include opening a Polo Club Hotel in Warwickshire on 9 May 2025.

🏨 Andy Goss joins Clermont Hotel Group (CHG) as head of food and beverage. With over 25 years in hospitality and 16 in senior roles, he will oversee F&B across 14 London hotels. CHG's partnership with Gordon Ramsay Restaurants supports their investment in diverse dining options, enhancing the guest experience. Goss previously managed 20+ brands at UK travel hubs for HMSHost International. His appointment aligns with CHG's strategy to innovate F&B spaces for business and leisure travelers.

🏖️ PM Hotel Group, as of 2025, manages the 48-room Avila Village Inn in Avila Beach, California. This boutique inn, now part of the Modus Hotels collection, recently refreshed its rooms and suites, offering options like fireplaces, balconies, and private hot tubs. Guests can enjoy pet-friendly rooms and access to the Bob Jones Trail. Located near San Luis Obispo County's vineyards and beaches, the inn enhances the Central Coast experience.