Human Resources

🏨 The Kessler Collection partners with Highgate to form a management platform, Kessler Hospitality. Highgate will manage Kessler properties such as Casa Monica Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, and Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville. Kessler staff will join Highgate’s new division, blending Kessler’s creativity with Highgate’s operational expertise to enhance luxury hospitality standards.

💻 Charlie Ayers, Rosa Dinnissen, and Shirley Kind are now part of the Amsterdam-based Social Hub's newly organized marketing team to enhance visibility. This B Corp-certified company has 21 hubs in 18 European cities, boasting over 10,000 rooms and 1,000 employees. With plans to expand in Turin and Lisbon, the Social Hub, founded by Charlie MacGregor, combines hotel, student, and coworking spaces, aiming for consistent brand recognition across Europe.

🛫 João Moura, appointed director of market expansion at CMAC Group, will lead new office locations across Europe. With CMAC's operations in 121 countries, they have moved over five million passengers and supported 100,000 cruise travelers in Portugal this year. Lillian Moura, now general manager of Portugal, and Patricia Nova, head of DMC cruise, join him to support CMAC’s growth strategy. The company’s expansion is fueled by strong client demand and advanced technology.

🍾 Cardrona Distillery turned 10 on 5 November, marking a decade of crafting single malt spirits in Cardrona Valley. 🎉 Desiree Reid, founder, transitions to Global Sales Director at International Beverage, relocating to Scotland. 🚀 Henry Caulton, CFO since 2022, steps up as Acting Managing Director. Sarah Elsom leads production. Exciting plans include a 10-year-old whisky release in 2026 and new expansions. 🎯 Cardrona hosts a private celebration for cask owners, recognizing early supporters of Reid’s vision. 🍾

📈 Aimbridge EMEA expands leadership with six new General Managers: Sujith Kattezhath Gopinathan (Mercure York Fairfield Manor), Michelle Hickey (Mercure Brighton Seafront), Saira Cieloszyk (Holiday Inn Southend), Nora Urbancova (Hotel Indigo Manchester), Jacqueline Turpin (The Harlow Hotel by Accor), and Frederik Deman (Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ghent). The appointments support Aimbridge's strategic growth, following the addition of nine properties in Q1 2025, enhancing operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

🏨 Jannes Sörensen, a hospitality expert with 20 years of experience at luxury hotels like Georges V and Bristol in Paris, now leads Kepler Hotel Group and Kepler International Hospitality Academy. He emphasizes shifting focus from physical assets to emotional guest experiences, citing a study of 2,500 guest comments where only 4% mentioned physical features, while many highlighted personalized service. Sörensen advocates educating hospitality leaders on enhancing emotional intelligence for competitive advantage.

📈 Philippe Bijaoui, Accor's chief development officer for Europe and North Africa, discusses Handwritten hotels' investment strategies. Filmed at Hotel Maison Hamelin Paris, the interview highlights opportunities for the brand amid rising costs and competition.

🌍 Carolyn Turnbull's career spans roles at Aman (2005-2015), CEO of Tourism Western Australia, and now CEO of Nammos Hotels and Resorts. In 2015, Aman had 26 properties globally, up from 18. Nammos, with a $71 million turnover in Dubai, plans to open 10-12 luxury hotels in a decade. The first hotel in Mykonos has 26 keys, and Amaala will feature 110 keys by December 2023. The Maldives site, with 48 keys, opens in 2027. Carolyn aims for a $1 billion market value for Nammos.

📅 Dolphin Dynamics has expanded its booking capture tool for independent travel agents to include easyJet holidays packages. The tool enhances efficiency and data accuracy, reducing manual entry errors. It automatically integrates supplier details and captures deposit and balance due dates. Scott McCabe from Oasis Travel finds it enhances workflow, while Natasha Marson from easyJet holidays highlights time savings and error reduction. Chuck Richardson of Dolphin Dynamics mentions previous integrations with Jet2holidays, Expedia TAAP, and TUI.

💸 Sharla Singh was appointed CFO of Awaze in 2025 after serving as Interim CFO since May 2025. Singh joined Awaze in December 2023. Awaze, which includes Hoseasons, cottages.com, and Novasol, hosted over one million guests in August 2025 across 20 countries. The company reports increased repeat bookings and guest satisfaction in 2025 due to tech, service, and marketing investments. CEO Matthew Price emphasizes Singh’s strong platform experience to support Awaze’s growth and owner engagement.