Human Resources

📈 Nils-Arne Schroeder joins Langham Hospitality Group as COO effective 22 June 2026, headquartered in Hong Kong. He will manage operations across 30+ hotels, supporting the development of 20+ projects. Upcoming openings include Thailand, China (2026), Italy, Malaysia (2027), and Saudi Arabia (2028). Schroeder brings over 30 years of hospitality experience, with leadership roles at Raffles, Fairmont, and Hilton. He will report to CEO Bob van den Oord, focusing also on sustainability and quality.

📈 Whitbread has appointed Mark Allan, CEO of Land Securities, as an independent non-executive director effective 1 October 2026. Allan will join the Audit and Nomination Committees. Previously, he led Land Securities since April 2020, and was CEO of St Modwen Properties and Unite Group. Kal Atwal joins Whitbread’s board from 1 September 2026. Horst Baier steps down from the board on 1 October after serving since November 2019. Christine Hodgson, Whitbread chair, praised Allan's strategic insight.

🏨 Morris Tiedemann, General Manager at AYANA Midplaza Jakarta, discussed hotel competition in luxury markets with Glenn Haussman and Suzanne Bagnera. He began his career in 2003 in Urumqi, needing a book to locate it. With 22 years of industry experience, Morris highlights Jakarta's competitive hospitality landscape and the strategies for success. His insights offer a unique perspective on navigating luxury hotel management challenges across diverse global markets.

📑 Matt Sommers is the new general manager at Le Méridien Washington, D.C., The Madison. With 20 years of experience, Sommers previously managed YOTEL Washington D.C., Westin D.C. City Center, and Capitol Hill Hotel. The hotel, managed by HEI Hotels & Resorts, features 356 guestrooms, including 27 suites. Located downtown, it offers views of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. Sommers aims to blend legacy with innovation, enhancing its status as a premier hospitality destination.

🏨 John Sutherland was appointed as general manager of NoMad London in Covent Garden in July 2025, succeeding Serena Lightner. He returns from Park Hyatt London River Thames, where he was director of sales and marketing since May 2024. NoMad, founded by Sydell Group in 2012, joined Hilton's portfolio in 2024. The brand expanded to Europe with the opening of NoMad London in 2021.

📁 Elike Clausen has been appointed general manager of Park Hyatt London River Thames, succeeding Rike Erdbrink. Clausen, a graduate of École hôtelière de Lausanne, brings extensive experience from Kempinski, having held senior leadership roles globally. He aims to enhance the hotel's luxury standing and operational performance in London. Clausen's background includes cluster manager roles at Kempinski Palace Portorož and Kempinski Hotel Adriatic, and his first GM position at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba, Jordan.

📈 GOCO Hospitality, since 2008, is entering a new phase with its consumer brand, Fivelements, launching globally this year. Founders Ingo Schweder and Josephine Leung, both cancer survivors, drive this mission with lived experience, promoting healthspan over mere lifespan. Key partnerships include Indigo8 for UK communications and Horwath HTL for global wellness projects. GOCO focuses on regenerative hospitality, with developments in Koh Samui and Montenegro, blending commercial sustainability and community well-being.

📑 Kirupa Pushparaj, appointed Chief Legal Officer at Mews, reports to founder Richard Valtr. With over two decades of experience, he previously served at Square (Block) and Step, guiding legal and compliance efforts. Pushparaj holds degrees from the University of the Pacific, UC Santa Barbara, and PSG College of Technology. Mews, an award-winning hospitality operating system, serves 15,000 customers across 85 countries. It has received accolades for Best PMS and POS, and is noted among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech.