Human Resources

📚 Richard Smith has been appointed as the new general manager of Aldwark Manor Estate. With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality leadership, Smith brings a wealth of knowledge in operations, sales, marketing, digital strategy, and customer experience. The announcement was made on August 6, 2025.

📈 Kevin Dingle joined Stonebridge as Chief Development Officer in Denver, Colorado. With over 20 years of hotel real estate experience, Dingle previously worked at Aimbridge and co-founded Compass Lodging Advisors. He managed over $750 million in acquisitions at Crow Holdings. Stonebridge CEO Rob Smith praised Dingle's market knowledge and investor relationships. Dingle holds an MBA in Finance from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a BS in Hotel Management from the University of Houston.

📝 James Dixon-Box, the operations director at Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth, has been appointed as the UK government's new Disability and Access ambassador for the hospitality sector.

🌎 Xeinadin appoints Zoe Powell as Director of Travel, Hospitality, and Leisure. Powell, with over a decade of banking and finance experience, joins from the Civil Aviation Authority, where she assessed UK ATOL holders for 2.5 years. She will lead Xeinadin's regulatory advisory services for travel firms, supporting ATOL renewals and Package Travel Regulations compliance. Her appointment aligns with Xeinadin's investment in digital infrastructure and regional expertise.

✈️ Corporate Travel Management (CTM) appoints Rebecca Welsch as Global Head of Growth Marketing to boost its five-year growth plan by increasing customer engagement globally. Welsch has 16 years of experience in B2B marketing, previously enhancing product marketing at Phocas Software. CTM aims to deepen customer connections and expand its market presence, with marketing playing a crucial role. Darren Toohey emphasizes the importance of aligning marketing with customer needs to drive strategic growth.

🍴 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, has over seven years of experience in restaurant and hospitality journalism. She has held editorial roles at Informa since October 2018 and previously worked with Insider and The Daily Meal. With degrees from The College of New Jersey and CUNY, Joanna covers topics from industry insights to cultural issues. Her work is featured in top publications like The New York Times and Forbes.

🏨 Rebel Hotel Company recently transitioned the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, a 267-room hotel, into its portfolio. This is Rebel's first venture into Washington, D.C., situated near the U.S. Capitol and Union Station. The company, led by CEO Brian Sparacino, now includes four Hilton-branded hotels and several independent properties. Rebel aims to expand its creative and collaborative approach in one of the U.S.'s most competitive hospitality markets.