Human Resources

🐞 Damola Adamolekun, a 31-year-old executive with Ivy League credentials, recently became Red Lobster's CEO after transforming P.F. Chang's. Known for strategic innovation and operational discipline, Adamolekun has committed to improving Red Lobster's fortunes with $60+ million in upgrades and plans to eliminate underperforming promotions. Red Lobster aims for a 43% EBITDA boost by 2027 and positive net income by 2026. Adamolekun's leadership, focusing on quality and accessibility, could redefine the brand's future.

🏨 Patrick Short has been appointed as president & COO of TPG Hotels & Resorts. He will lead operations at the national headquarters in McKinney, TX. With 30+ years in hospitality, Short previously expanded Peachtree Hospitality from 27 to 100 hotels. He has experience with over 25 brands and held roles at Kinseth and CSM Corporation. Robert Leven of Procaccianti Companies praised Short's leadership as TPG plans further expansion.

📍 Olivier Thomas will join Raffles London at The OWO as managing director on November 3rd. Thomas, with over 30 years of luxury hotel experience across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and North Africa, previously led Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi. Located in Whitehall's historic Old War Office, Raffles London features 120 rooms, five restaurants, two bars, a 678 sqm ballroom, a 2,510 sqm spa, and 85 OWO Residences.

🏨 Rocco Forte Hotels has appointed five new leaders for its properties. Anna Gricini becomes General Manager of Hotel de la Ville, Rome, while Maximilian Von Reden takes over as General Manager of Hotel Amigo, Brussels. Matteo Gentile will lead Hotel Savoy, Florence starting November 3. Ulrich Schwer is now at The Charles Hotel, Munich. Francesco Roccato, Managing Director of Northern Italy, will also oversee The Carlton Milan, opening on November 6, 2025.

🌳 Populus Hotels appointed Manfred Steuerwald as general manager of Populus Denver, which opened in October 2024. Steuerwald, with 40 years in hospitality, will lead the 265-room, carbon-positive hotel focusing on sustainability. Populus Denver, created by Urban Villages with Aparium Hotel Group, implements zero-waste systems and the One Night, One Tree program, reflecting its commitment to nature. Steuerwald previously held roles at Hyatt properties and aims to enhance the hotel’s eco-friendly mission.

🏨 Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, debuting in 2026, announces four senior appointments: Mathilde Brallet as commercial director, Kane Savage as director of sales, Marie-Charlotte Gauter as director of operations, and Carly Gill as HR director. The hotel, in partnership with Reuben Brothers, is a restoration of Grade I-listed Admiralty Arch, featuring 100 rooms and 25 suites. Chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud will lead signature restaurants. The site offers views of Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.

🍳 Grady Atkins, with over 30 years of culinary experience, joined The Priory in Caerleon, South Wales, as head chef on 1 September. The venue, a family-run hotel and restaurant since 1996, is part of the Fire and Wine group. Located in a Grade II-listed 12th-century monastery, it underwent refurbishment in 2024-2025. The Priory plans a new kitchen garden for sustainability. Atkins will relaunch the menu on 1 December, emphasizing local sourcing.

📈 Intercontinental New York Barclay has appointed Matthew Davis as the new Director of Sales & Marketing. Davis, with a career in hospitality since 1991, joined the hotel in 2017 and held the role of director of sales since 2020. Owned by 111 East 48th Street Holdings, LLC and managed by IHG, the hotel aims to drive revenue, enhance guest engagement, and maintain key client relationships under his leadership. Davis previously held leadership roles at Millennium Hotels and Resorts, and Jumeirah Essex House.

🏨 Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Paris, appointed Philippe Clarinval as general manager. With 20+ years in luxury hospitality, Clarinval has experience with Shangri-La properties in Southeast Asia, The Omnia and Carlton Hotel in Switzerland, and Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel. He also teaches at École Hôtelière de Lausanne and consults for Oxford Leadership and Forbes Business Council. Prince de Galles, opened in 1929, offers 116 rooms and 43 suites.

🏨 Shawn Pisani, VP at HelmsBriscoe, joined Accessible Hospitality Alliance's advisory board. AHA's expansion follows its first major event in partnership with Thomas Franks. Pisani, contributing to DEIA initiatives, supports the AHA Forum on 5 November at Scale Space White City, London. He emphasizes inclusion's impact in hospitality. Denis Sheehan, AHA's co-founder, praises Pisani's commitment to creating an inclusive hospitality world. HelmsBriscoe operates in over 60 countries.