Human Resources

🛌 RBH Hospitality Management has appointed Lauren Sargent as group HR director. Sargent, with over 11 years in hospitality HR, joins from Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland. She will oversee talent strategy at RBH, which manages over 50 hotels. RBH, a leading UK independent hotel management firm with 25+ years of experience, partners with major brands like Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham. Her role aligns with RBH's values and culture.

🏡 Ron Hassani is appointed as general manager at Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound, bringing over 35 years of experience. John Taffin, now general manager at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, led a $40 million renovation at Grand Mound. Jordan Austin-Harris, with 25 years in hospitality, becomes general manager at Great Wolf Lodge Webster. Great Wolf Resorts opened new locations in Webster, Texas (August 2024), Naples, Florida (September 2024), and Mashantucket, Connecticut (May 2025).

🏠 Ivy Hospitality assumed management of The Tudor Arms Hotel Cleveland, a DoubleTree by Hilton, in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood. This 157-room hotel resides in a 12-story Gothic revival building, opened in 1933. It features European-style rooms, modern amenities, and The Tudor Bar & Grill. The building was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 and added to the Historic Hotels of America list in 2015. Ivy Hospitality aims to honor its legacy while enhancing guest experiences.

📋 Todd Gagnon, with over 20 years of leadership experience, is now the general manager of the Seaport Hotel in Boston, managed by CoralTree Hospitality. Previously, he was the resort manager at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster, Mass., leading a team of 600. The Seaport Hotel, opened in 1998, offers access to Logan Airport and cultural sites. Gagnon aims to enhance the hotel's legacy with locally inspired guest experiences.

💻 Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) promotes Steve Ayalo to VP of IT governance and Matthew Lloyd to VP of marketing technology. Ayalo, with GHA since 2015, will manage cybersecurity, compliance, and ISO certification. Lloyd, joining in 2018, will oversee CRM initiatives and digital marketing. Their promotions reflect GHA's focus on technology and customer engagement. CEO Chris Hartley emphasizes their vital roles in GHA’s growth and innovation.

🏨 Sanjay Arora becomes CEO of Arora Group, succeeding founder Surinder Arora. Having been with the group for over a decade, Sanjay has led major transactions, including acquiring two shopping centres and St John’s Wood Care Home. His new role focuses on expanding the group's presence in the UK hospitality and property sectors. Surinder praises Sanjay’s blend of innovation and respect for values, ensuring the group’s continued growth and success.

📛 Sept. 28, 2025: Claudio Meli, General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze, is named Virtuoso's "Hotelier of the Year" for 2025.

🏨 Five leaders join Hotel Phoenix's executive team in Centennial Yards, Atlanta. Cesar Brand is the hotel manager, Danielle Randall is director of sales & marketing, Tiffany Newsome leads HR, Samantha Fleisher is director of finance, and Pete Baum heads engineering. Hotel Phoenix, debuting in late 2025 near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, will feature Zephyr and Bar Z dining, a rooftop pool, event lawn, and over 15,000 square feet of event space.

🍷 Matthew O’Donnell, a seasoned sommelier from Airdrie, has been appointed head sommelier at The Balmoral's Number One restaurant in Edinburgh. With over ten years of experience, including positions at Ashford Castle, Grantley Hall, and Gleneagles, he is known for his expertise in world-class wines. O’Donnell, holding multiple WSET qualifications, aims to enhance sustainable wine offerings, especially from Austria. Number One, established in 1997, boasts four AA Rosettes and is Michelin Guide recommended.