Human Resources

📈 BWH Hotels GB in 2025: Room revenue topped £140m, a 7% rise, with meetings income reaching £4.5m, up 27%. The newly launched website increased conversion rates by 20%. A Black Friday offer grossed over £1m. Email marketing grew by 13%, driving £2m revenue. BW Rewards membership hit 63.4 million globally with GB revenue at £58.6m, up 16%. The group added 18 hotels to its portfolio, marking a transformative year.

🚌 Paul Stoneham will become CEO of Big Bus Tours in January, succeeding Pat Waterman, who becomes non-executive chairman. Vagn Soerensen steps down as chairman but remains an advisor. Stoneham, previously with Life Fitness and other companies, aims to expand Big Bus Tours' services and destinations. The company has recently acquired Touristation (Rome), West Coast Sightseeing (Vancouver), and Tour Dubai, and introduced amphibious 'Duck' tours.

🏠 Cain appoints Bob Graziano as chief strategy advisor in December 2025. Graziano brings over 40 years of experience, including roles with J.P. Morgan Chase and the Los Angeles Dodgers. His focus is on One Beverly Hills, featuring Aman Residences. One Beverly Hills will introduce two Aman-branded residential towers, a 78-suite hotel, and club. Cain's portfolio spans Miami, New York, London, and more, partnering with brands like Aman and Raffles. Graziano is involved with the 2028 Olympics and 2027 Super Bowl.

🏝️ Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau has appointed Shyam Lalu as the new general manager. Lalu, with over 15 years of experience, has worked with Hyatt, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hilton. His previous roles included director of food and beverage at Amara Resort and Spa, and general manager positions in Dallas and Los Angeles. Lalu aims to enhance guest experiences and team development at the Nassau resort.

🏖 Christian Maeder, with over 25 years in luxury hospitality, is appointed general manager at Montage Big Sky, Montana, succeeding his role as hotel manager since 2023. Previously, he held leadership roles at Montage Laguna Beach, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, and others. Montage Big Sky, located in a 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks enclave, features 100 guestrooms and suites, plus 39 residences. Jason Herthel of Montage International praises Maeder’s leadership and service dedication.

🏨 William Fisher, with 30+ years in hospitality, is now the general manager at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, after managing Hilton London Metropole. Fisher's career includes leadership roles at InterContinental, The Ritz-Carlton, and Orient Express across Europe and Asia. He managed Hilton Chengdu's opening in 2015 and oversaw operations in Szechuan and Shanghai. Rome Cavalieri, a 60-year testament to Rome's culture, welcomes Fisher to guide its future.

🏨 Kerry Allen and Katie Herbert have been appointed as general managers at Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa and Park Royal Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, respectively. Allen returns to Crewe Hall following a £1m refurbishment, which included opening the Sheridan Bar. Herbert will focus on corporate and leisure business development at Park Royal. These appointments highlight QHotels Collection's commitment to internal career growth and investment in property enhancements. The announcement was made in December 2025.

🏨 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.