Human Resources

📈 Graham Dodd appointed as VP of development for Accor in the UK and Ireland, focusing on premium, midscale, and economy brands. With a background at Hilton and firms like Christie and Co, he will enhance brands such as Pullman, Novotel, and Ibis. Accor operates in over 110 countries with 5,700+ hotels and resorts. His appointment on 11 November 2025 aims to accelerate Accor's UK and Ireland growth.

📅 Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Celine Du as chief commercial and marketing officer in November 2025. With over 30 years of experience in luxury hotel brands like Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La, Du will lead PPHG’s commercial strategy during its global expansion. Her focus includes corporate strategy, channel management, loyalty, and global partnerships across Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, and PARKROYAL brands, following their rebranding. Her leadership will be crucial for talent management and enhancing customer engagement worldwide.

💸 Craig Jones, with 25 years of hospitality finance experience, joins Focus Hotels Management as finance director in 2025. Based in the UK, Focus Hotels faces challenges like rising national living wages and increased utility costs. Jones will prioritize expense control and operational efficiencies. CEO Devin Grosse emphasizes Jones’s role in strengthening financial foundations amidst the company’s growth phase. Recent developments include opening a Polo Club Hotel in Warwickshire on 9 May 2025.

🏨 Andy Goss joins Clermont Hotel Group (CHG) as head of food and beverage. With over 25 years in hospitality and 16 in senior roles, he will oversee F&B across 14 London hotels. CHG's partnership with Gordon Ramsay Restaurants supports their investment in diverse dining options, enhancing the guest experience. Goss previously managed 20+ brands at UK travel hubs for HMSHost International. His appointment aligns with CHG's strategy to innovate F&B spaces for business and leisure travelers.

🏖️ PM Hotel Group, as of 2025, manages the 48-room Avila Village Inn in Avila Beach, California. This boutique inn, now part of the Modus Hotels collection, recently refreshed its rooms and suites, offering options like fireplaces, balconies, and private hot tubs. Guests can enjoy pet-friendly rooms and access to the Bob Jones Trail. Located near San Luis Obispo County's vineyards and beaches, the inn enhances the Central Coast experience.

🏨 UK: Mark Clinton will manage Mollie’s Manchester, opening on 8th December. Located in the Old Granada TV Studios, it offers 128 rooms, with 23 exclusive for Soho House members. Amenities include a gym, a 110-seat diner, coworking spaces, and Mollie’s Studio IV featuring live music and a VIP bar. It’s the brand's first city-centre hotel, expanding from previous locations in Oxfordshire and Bristol. Clinton brings 20 years of hospitality experience.

📄 Audley Travel announces a leadership change for 2026. Camille Beaufils will become the new Chief Customer Officer on January 19, 2026, replacing outgoing Chief Marketing Officer Daniel Robb, who will leave on January 30 after six years. Beaufils is joining from Fever-Tree, where she was global marketing director, bringing over 20 years of experience in brand strategy. CEO Nick Longman emphasizes Beaufils's role in enhancing Audley Travel's global marketing and growth.

🏨 Barry Sternlicht, co-founder of Starwood Capital Group, created Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 1995, known for W Hotels and the Heavenly Bed. He later sold the company to Marriott and is now with Starwood Hotels 2.0. Luca Virgilio, GM of The Dorchester in London, led a major renovation while keeping the hotel operational. Both are recognized by HOTELS Magazine's 2025 "Hoteliers of the World" for their leadership and innovation in hospitality.

📈 Peregrine Hospitality has appointed David Morneau as area general manager and Luis Mendoza as general manager of Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, California. Morneau, with over 20 years of luxury hotel experience, will oversee Paso Robles Inn, The Piccolo, Avila Lighthouse Suites, and Vespera Resort. In 2026, Paso Robles Inn and The Piccolo will debut three new culinary concepts, while Avila Lighthouse Suites will undergo a complete refresh and rebrand. Mendoza brings over a decade of experience to his new role.

🍹 Ardbeg House, a boutique hotel near Ardbeg Distillery on Islay, has appointed Richard Needham as general manager to enhance its whisky-focused offerings. Located near Port Ellen, the venue, designed by Russell Sage Studio, features work from over 20 Scottish artisans. Needham, with experience at Fife Arms and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, will manage operations and guest services. The hotel aims to blend Islay's culinary delights with local narratives for a unique visitor experience.