Human Resources

🏨 Lee Goodman has been appointed as the general manager of the Clarion Charlecote Pheasant Hotel in Warwickshire. With 20 years in hospitality, he previously managed locations in Kenilworth, Knowle, and Birmingham. The hotel, dating back to the 16th century, recently refurbished 40 guest rooms with a Shakespeare theme, enhancing its 70-room offering. Now under the Choice Hotels EMEA brand, it aims to attract both UK and international guests with its historic charm and modern amenities.

📈 Lily Wecker became CEO of Aethos on October 1, 2025. She will lead Aethos's international expansion in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Aethos's new flagship, Aethos London Shoreditch, follows the launch of Aethos Mallorca. The group operates in London, Lisbon, Ericeira, Mallorca, Milan, Monterosa, Saragano, Sardinia, and Corsica. Previously, Wecker held roles at Zetland Capital and Mandarin Oriental, and she has an MBA from Harvard. Founded in 2018, Aethos blends hotels and private member clubs.

🏨 Cedar Court Hotels, Yorkshire’s largest independent hotel group, appoints Colin Charles as director of people and culture, enhancing workforce development. Over the past year, increased investment in people initiatives aids recruitment, retention, and career progression. Charles introduces a “culture summit” and recruits culture ambassadors. Cedar Court, with properties in Bradford, Harrogate, Huddersfield, and Wakefield, emphasizes “Proper Yorkshire Hospitality” and fostering a supportive workplace in the hospitality sector.

🛌 RBH Hospitality Management has appointed Lauren Sargent as group HR director. Sargent, with over 11 years in hospitality HR, joins from Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland. She will oversee talent strategy at RBH, which manages over 50 hotels. RBH, a leading UK independent hotel management firm with 25+ years of experience, partners with major brands like Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham. Her role aligns with RBH's values and culture.

💻 Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) promotes Steve Ayalo to VP of IT governance and Matthew Lloyd to VP of marketing technology. Ayalo, with GHA since 2015, will manage cybersecurity, compliance, and ISO certification. Lloyd, joining in 2018, will oversee CRM initiatives and digital marketing. Their promotions reflect GHA's focus on technology and customer engagement. CEO Chris Hartley emphasizes their vital roles in GHA’s growth and innovation.

🏨 Sanjay Arora becomes CEO of Arora Group, succeeding founder Surinder Arora. Having been with the group for over a decade, Sanjay has led major transactions, including acquiring two shopping centres and St John’s Wood Care Home. His new role focuses on expanding the group's presence in the UK hospitality and property sectors. Surinder praises Sanjay’s blend of innovation and respect for values, ensuring the group’s continued growth and success.

📛 Sept. 28, 2025: Claudio Meli, General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze, is named Virtuoso's "Hotelier of the Year" for 2025.

🍴 Jimmy Garcia Catering appoints Alana Buckley as Managing Director from 6th October 2025. Former KERB MD, Alana brings expertise in strategic growth and partnerships. Richard Groves transitions to Chairman, focusing on business development. The leadership team, including Founder Jimmy Garcia, gears up for growth, targeting B Corp certification. The company adds venues like V&A South Kensington, The Science Museum, and Two Temple Place to its portfolio.

📈 Noida, 25th September 2025: RateGain Travel Technologies Limited appoints Amarpreet Singh as Chief Customer Officer to enhance global customer experience using AI. Singh, with over 20 years of experience, will focus on seamless implementation and customer loyalty. RateGain, founded in 2004 and based in India, supports 3,200+ customers in 100+ countries, working with top hotel chains and travel agents to optimize revenue. Singh will be based in India, collaborating globally to improve customer engagement.