Human Resources

💻 David Angotti is the new Chief Digital Officer at Casago, a major vacation rental management company. Angotti, known for his work with SmokyMountains.com and StaySense, will lead Vacasa.com’s transformation into a top booking platform and oversee Casago's digital strategy. This appointment follows Casago's acquisition of Vacasa and its management of over 40,000 properties across North America, the Caribbean, Belize, and Costa Rica. Steve Schwab, CEO, highlights Angotti's expertise in technology and operations as crucial for future growth.

🍴 Bret Thorn, who hails from Denver and resides in Brooklyn, has been a food and beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. He holds a history degree from Tufts University and studied French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu. Thorn wrote for The New York Sun from 2005-2008 and contributed to the Oxford Encyclopedia in 2012 and 2015. He received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and led IFEC in 2005.

🏨 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.

🍲 Benjamin Ferra y Castell has been promoted to Executive Chef at Yannick Alléno London in 2023. He now oversees culinary operations at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, including Michelin-starred Pavyllon London and Bar Antoine. Benjamin joined Yannick Alléno Group in 2018 and played a key role in Pavyllon London earning a Michelin star six months after opening. His leadership has enhanced the restaurant's reputation with events like the Battuta summer pop-up and the Counter Culture chef series.

🚀 Travelier appoints Mario Gavira as chief marketing officer to drive global growth. Gavira, with 20+ years in travel-tech, joins from Kiwi.com, aiming to enhance Travelier's global marketing strategy and customer-centric innovation. Travelier, featuring seven travel-tech brands, facilitates intercity transport bookings in 124 countries. The appointment aligns with CEO Noam Toister's vision of strengthening Travelier’s market position. Gavira aims to standardize excellence in ground and sea transport and shape intercity travel's future.

📈 Apaleo bolsters leadership with Leonie Häsler as Director of People and Culture, and Andre Klan as CFO. In 2025, they launched the Agent Hub and MCP Server, with plans for DACH, UK, and France expansion in 2026. Raised €20 million in 2024, now headquartered in central Munich. CEO Uli Pillau emphasizes leveraging Häsler’s and Klan's SaaS and hospitality expertise for sustainable global growth.

📖 Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin, is now venturing into hospitality with his new project, Desolation Hotel, described as an "immersive portal." His journey from entrepreneurship to corporate leadership highlights a significant career shift. The podcast episode explores the experiences that shaped his vision for the hospitality industry. This transition underscores the potential for innovative ideas to enhance business and service offerings in the hospitality sector.

🏢 Stay22, headquartered in Montreal, is enhancing its executive team as it targets growth. Fabien Loupy joins as CTO, while Louis-Charles Genest is appointed CFO. The company, co-founded by Hamad Al-Khabbaz in 2016, recently surpassed $1 billion in annual transactions and is expanding beyond the travel sector. With new offices, Stay22 plans to accommodate more than 100 employees by year-end 2025. The company aims to leverage operational excellence for further innovation and revenue opportunities.

📈 Christine Sikes has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Direct Travel. With over 35 years in the travel industry and 11 years at Direct Travel, she will focus on service execution, efficiency, and profitable growth. Formerly the Executive VP of Customer Experience, Sikes aims to enhance client service and operational efficiency. Her previous roles include VP positions at CWT, managing U.S. Military and Government client relationships.