Human Resources

📈 Tom Bell joins Gekko, a subsidiary of the Accor group, in early 2025 as Market Director for Teldar Travel in Northern Europe, Spain, and Portugal. He now oversees the Leisure division, including Teldar Travel, Infinite, and Miles Attack brands. With 25+ years in the travel industry, Bell will work with the Gekko Executive Committee to expand internationally, focusing on digital transformation to enhance travel agency services.

📈 Indian travel technology firm RateGain appoints Parijat Tiwari as executive vice president and general manager of distribution, focusing on global strategy, innovation, and growth. With 17+ years of experience, including leadership roles at Paytm and BCG, Tiwari will leverage AI to enhance distribution. Bhanu Chopra emphasizes Tiwari’s strategic vision and operational expertise. Tiwari aims to drive RateGain’s mission of building an AI-powered travel platform, contributing to its global expansion and efficiency.

📈 Rachael Nicholson, former Group General Manager of Operations at Heritage Hotel Management, joins Accor's Pacific team under Anne Gill to focus on commercial outcomes in New Zealand and Fiji. With 18 years at Air New Zealand, she contributed to pandemic response and global sales strategies. Her appointment follows Accor's 2025 Pacific Leaders Conference, which hosted 350 senior leaders. Accor also appointed Emilie Couton as CEO of Accor Plus, continuing its strategic leadership restructuring.

📄 Stéphane Maquaire takes over as Chairman of Club Med following Henri Giscard d'Estaing's departure after 22 years. Fosun, Club Med's owner, confirmed Maquaire's appointment, indicating a strategic shift. Maquaire's career spans retail and real estate, including leading Carrefour in Brazil until July 2025. His appointment aims to enhance operational control and long-term strategy in the evolving hotel industry. The change comes amid tensions and a focus on adapting to post-pandemic challenges.

💻 Forge Holiday Group, parent to Sykes Holiday Cottages and Forest Holidays, appoints Jule Owen as Chief Product Officer to boost tech capabilities. With 20+ years in tech and finance, including roles at Rothschild, Unruly, and Microsoft, Owen will enhance AI use and drive innovation. Previously, she was Chief Product and Technology Officer at startups like KareHero. CEO Graham Donoghue emphasizes the significant impact expected from Owen’s leadership in the holiday letting sector.

🗺 Newly appointed General Managers at NUMA will oversee operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe. Julius Anders leads in the DACH region, Paul Álvarez Gentles in Spain, Antonio Fragateiro in Portugal, and Ladislav Szabo in Eastern Europe. NUMA, managing over €2.5 billion in assets, expanded into 36 cities across 15 countries. In 2024, revenue grew by over 100%, with continued growth anticipated in 2025.

📈 Henri Giscard d'Estaing's tenure as Club Med president ends unexpectedly amid growing tensions with Chinese shareholder Fosun due to governance and strategy disagreements. This includes Fosun's rejection of Giscard d'Estaing's plan for a 2026 Paris stock exchange re-listing. Despite a fourfold increase in operational margin over ten years, the appointment of a new president occurred without his input. Fosun insists on maintaining Club Med's French identity and promises long-term development.