Human Resources

📆 Philippe Leboeuf appointed as CEO of Dorchester Collection, effective June 2025, succeeding former CEO Eugenio Pirri. Leboeuf previously managed Raffles London and held senior roles at Concorde Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood, and Claridge’s. Christopher Cowdray, Dorchester Collection's president, values Leboeuf's global respect and alignment with the company's culture. Leboeuf aims to enhance the legacy of Dorchester Collection's 10 luxury hotels, including locations in London, Rome, Los Angeles, and upcoming properties in Dubai and Tokyo. He is a Cornell and HEC Management School graduate and recipient of France's Knight of the Legion of Honour.

🏨 Philippe Leboeuf appointed CEO of Dorchester Collection, starting June 2025. Previously, Leboeuf managed Raffles London's opening and served 11 years with Mandarin Oriental. Dorchester Collection's portfolio includes properties in London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Dubai, Beverly Hills, and an upcoming hotel in Tokyo. Residences are located in London and Dubai, with The Alba Residences set to open in 2028.

🍴 Matthew Aldred, with 15 years of experience including a Michelin-starred restaurant, is appointed as the new executive chef at The Naunton Downs Estate, a luxury golf club in Cheltenham. A new menu focusing on seasonal local produce will debut during Cheltenham Festival Week, from 11-14 March, featuring dishes like treacle bread with miso butter and tomahawk steak. Additionally, a new Sunday lunch and regular lunch menu have been introduced. The estate will extend its food service hours from 8.00am until late during Cheltenham Week.

📢 Kathleen Merrill, with over 20 years of experience in airline technology and operations, was appointed as a non-executive director to the board of Accelya, a company specializing in airline retailing and technology solutions. Merrill previously held roles at Southwest Airlines, including CIO and vice president positions in various departments. Accelya is focusing on investments in its FLX ONE platform to advance airline commerce technology. Merrill's appointment is facilitated by Vista Equity Partners through its external board program. CEO Sam Gilliland highlights her expertise as pivotal for the company's growth and strategic direction.

✈ Karen Slinger was appointed the new chair of ATPCO's Board of Directors, succeeding Maarten van der Lei. Slinger, with over 25 years in aviation, serves as the director of global revenue at British Airways. ATPCO, transforming since Alex Zoghlin's CEO appointment in January 2021, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023. The company aims for 80% of airline offers to be dynamically created by end of 2026. Slinger's appointment is aimed to enhance airline retailing and distribution.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, has been reporting on food trends since 1999. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast, he also wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and spent five years in Thailand writing for Manager magazine and Asia Times. A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate and Le Cordon Bleu-trained, Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014. He's based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Email: [email protected]

📍 Tripadvisor announced new leadership for Viator: Pepijn Rijvers became president and Kristin Dorsett COO, effective April 1, 2025. Rijvers brought over 12 years of experience from Booking.com, including roles as CMO and SVP. Under the new leadership, Viator aims to focus on experiences, building on its $840 million revenue and $4.2 billion gross bookings value. CEO Matt Goldberg emphasized the importance of experiences in Tripadvisor's strategy, with Viator leading the category's growth. Rijvers is set to leverage Viator's position and the Tripadvisor Group's strengths to dominate the online experiences marketplace.

👨 Davidson Hospitality Group announces executive appointments: Harris White (formerly of Virgin Hotels Collection) as CFO; Nick Gregory (formerly of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants) as SVP, strategic operations; Robert Morse (formerly of Marriott International) as VP of revenue management; Kyle McCoy as VP learning & organizational development; Michele Smith promoted to chief accounting officer; Jason Rabidoux as chief investment officer. Vision Hospitality Group names Mary Beth Cutshall as chief growth officer after 35 years in hospitality, including experience with Marriott International and founding Amara Capital Group. Nikki Beach Hospitality Group appoints Richard Johnson, with 30 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, as CFO. The Alida in Savannah, Georgia, promotes Ryan Cornelius to director of sales and marketing. Rosewood Little Dix Bay hires Katya Herting as managing director. Metaxa Hospitality Group appoints Serafim Karouzakis as general manager of Santo Collection in Santorini. Main Street Hospitality names Suzi Darre, with experience at Morgan’s Hotel Group and Auberge Resorts, as chief people officer in 2023.

💼 Mary Beth Cutshall was appointed as chief growth officer by Vision Hospitality Group in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With 35 years of industry experience, Cutshall is tasked with expanding the company’s portfolio across the U.S. She was previously a managing partner at Amara Capital Group and held executive roles at HVMG, Hotel Equities, Inc., Hotel Investors Trust, and Marriott International. Cutshall is a founding member of the Castell Project and serves on councils for Marriott and AHLA. She holds a Bachelor of Science from UNLV.