Human Resources

🏨 IHG Hotels and Resorts has appointed Neetu Mistry as managing director for the UK and Ireland, overseeing 400+ hotels. Mistry, with 20 years of European hotel industry experience, will lead commercial growth and manage new developments. The UK and Ireland feature 11 IHG brands, including InterContinental and Holiday Inn. Mistry aims to enhance owner relations and expand the midscale and luxury segments, focusing on operational standards and asset performance amidst rising domestic travel demand and investment.

📈 TProfile appoints Derek Jones as a non-executive director on its Board. Jones, chairman of ABTA LifeLine, has over 30 years in the travel industry, with previous roles as Board Director at TUI and CEO of Der Touristik UK. Tony Evans, CEO of TProfile, highlights Jones’ strategic support and oversight as TProfile aims to expand. Jones is also an ambassador for the Family Holiday Charity.

🏆 Up Hotel Agency wins three awards at the 2025 Web Marketing Association WebAwards. Recognized in the "Hotel & Lodging Standard of Excellence" and "Outstanding Website" categories, they showcased their digital design expertise. Winning projects include Montcalm Collection and The Newman. The WebAwards, established in 1997, are a prestigious competition judged on design, innovation, and usability. Up Hotel Agency acknowledges their team and clients for contributing to their success. Awards details are available at the WebAwards website.

📈 Sarah Turner, appointed as Operations Director of Valor Hospitality Europe, now oversees 13 hotels in the Midlands and southern England. Valor's UK portfolio is set to grow from 17 hotels in 2021 to about 40 by 2026. Turner joined Valor in 2013, advancing from Operations Manager to Senior General Manager at Crowne Plaza Leeds. Valor operates nearly 100 hospitality developments globally. The company highlights team engagement and wellbeing as key to performance.

🏨 Amit Sripathi becomes CFO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, succeeding Kurt Albert, interim CFO since November. Sripathi, previously Chief Development Officer – North America, joined Wyndham in 2021. David Wilner, a 30-year veteran with Wyndham, now leads North American franchise development. Sripathi's background includes roles at Deutsche Bank and RLJ Lodging Trust. Both Sripathi and Wilner report to CEO Geoff Ballotti, supporting Wyndham’s asset-light franchise model and growth strategy.

📍 John Banizette will assume the role of General Manager at Gray d'Albion, Cannes, starting 1 March 2026. Located between the Croisette and Rue d’Antibes, the 4-star hotel has around 200 rooms, including 38 suites. Banizette, who joined Groupe Barrière in 2005, brings nearly two decades of experience. The hotel caters to leisure and MICE demands, benefiting from proximity to events like the Cannes Film Festival and MIPIM.