Human Resources

🏨 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.

📅 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.

🏠 MGM Resorts International will transition NoMad Las Vegas to The Reserve at Park MGM on December 17. The rebranded hotel will feature 293 rooms and continue operations during the transition. Venues like NoMad Pool and NoMad Bar will be renamed. Hilton acquired a majority interest in Sydell Group last April but excluded NoMad Las Vegas. By early 2026, The Reserve will join Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, allowing guests to earn and redeem points.

🏨 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.

🚢 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.

📈 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.