Human Resources

📍 Hyatt Hotels Manchester appointed Harry Fitton as director of operations and Rachael Askem as director of sales for its Oxford Road location. Fitton previously worked on the pre-opening team in 2019 and manages operations for the 328-room complex. Askem, from Hilton Manchester Deansgate, will oversee commercial strategy. The dual-branded property, with 212 rooms at Hyatt Regency and 116 suites at Hyatt House, is in Manchester's innovation district, and won regional business awards in 2023 and 2024.

📍 Tim Lang appointed as The Mandrake Hotel's director of food and beverage in Fitzrovia, London. With over 15 years of hospitality experience, including Chiltern Firehouse and founding Caia in Notting Hill, he will manage venues like Yopo and Waeska Bar and lead CoOc's program. Tasked with blending South American and European culinary styles with art and music, Lang aims to enhance the guest experience and operational excellence at this unique cultural hub.

📈 Virgin Hotels Collection appoints Paloma Martinez as VP of Operations, Americas. With over 30 years in luxury hospitality, Martinez will oversee Virgin’s U.S. portfolio and key properties like Necker Island. Her experience spans 13 countries, including roles at InterContinental and Six Senses. Chris Stevens, COO, praises her transformative leadership to enhance operations and guest experiences. Martinez aims to elevate service standards, aligning with the brand’s growth and guest-focused strategy.

📈 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has appointed Amit Sripathi as CFO, effective immediately. Sripathi, previously Chief Development Officer – North America, succeeds Kurt Albert, interim CFO since November. David Wilner, with 30 years in franchise sales, is now Chief Development Officer – North America. Both report to CEO Geoff Ballotti. Sripathi joined Wyndham in 2021; Wilner previously spent 20 years at La Quinta. The appointments aim to boost FeePAR net room growth, aligning with Wyndham's 2026 financial outlook.

🏨 Lee Norris has been promoted to hotel director at Colessio in Stirling by Artemis Hotels Management. In 2025, the 39-bedroom hotel saw a profit increase due to strategic changes, including operational discipline and a refined commercial strategy. Norris, alongside founder Chris Charalambous, implemented cost controls, enhanced revenue management, and focused on guest experience. Norris will now oversee Colessio's strategic responsibilities, aiming for sustained profitability and brand evolution in Stirling.

🍴 Cumberland Hotel, part of the Clermont Hotel Group, will open Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen in London in April 2026, with bookings starting in March. Santino Cicciari, with 20 years of hospitality experience, becomes general manager, and Kyle Lewis, with 20 years in the culinary field, is head chef. The restaurant will occupy a 7,500 square-foot space with over 200 covers, featuring four chefs’ tables and a dedicated bar area.

🏨 Peel Hotels has put four hotels up for sale in Wallingford, Carlisle, Newcastle, and Peterborough. The decision follows founder Robert Peel's retirement, who started his career at 17 and founded Peel Hotels in 1998. The George Hotel, a 16th-century inn with 39 rooms, and the Edwardian Crown and Mitre Hotel in Carlisle offer significant guest capacity. The Caledonian Hotel in Newcastle features 89 rooms, and the 17th-century Bull Hotel in Peterborough has 118 rooms.