Human Resources

📛 Sept. 28, 2025: Claudio Meli, General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze, is named Virtuoso's "Hotelier of the Year" for 2025.

🍴 Jimmy Garcia Catering appoints Alana Buckley as Managing Director from 6th October 2025. Former KERB MD, Alana brings expertise in strategic growth and partnerships. Richard Groves transitions to Chairman, focusing on business development. The leadership team, including Founder Jimmy Garcia, gears up for growth, targeting B Corp certification. The company adds venues like V&A South Kensington, The Science Museum, and Two Temple Place to its portfolio.

📈 Noida, 25th September 2025: RateGain Travel Technologies Limited appoints Amarpreet Singh as Chief Customer Officer to enhance global customer experience using AI. Singh, with over 20 years of experience, will focus on seamless implementation and customer loyalty. RateGain, founded in 2004 and based in India, supports 3,200+ customers in 100+ countries, working with top hotel chains and travel agents to optimize revenue. Singh will be based in India, collaborating globally to improve customer engagement.

📰 Shenzhen, 23rd September 2025, Dida Holdings appointed Daryl Lee, former WebBeds CEO, as Group CEO effective 5 October 2025. Dida, established in 2012 by Rikin Wu, is a leading B2B travel distribution platform in Asia-Pacific. Lee's appointment aims to strengthen Dida's position as a premier global travel tech gateway. Dida's portfolio includes Dida Hotels, Flights, Go, and Experiences, enhancing travel globally with AI, automation, and digital connectivity. Lee aims to expand Dida's AI-driven solutions and global distribution network.

🚀 Paul Wardle appointed as Director of Group Operations at CMAC Group. With nearly a decade of experience managing teams and projects in the North West, he will lead UK and EU operations centers, ensuring 24/7 service delivery. CMAC, a tech-driven transportation and disruption management company, partners with leading airlines and travel firms. Wardle aims to enhance operational resilience and service quality as CMAC expands domestically and internationally.

🏨 Lewis Lewis becomes Hotel Manager at Hotel Indigo Coventry on 1 September, succeeding Michael Lyons. Hotel Indigo, located in Friargate, Coventry, opened in January 2024 after a multi-million-pound renovation. The hotel features 101 rooms and 'Cogs Bar and Kitchen.' Lewis, with over 20 years of experience, previously managed a major hotel conversion in Valencia. His appointment is praised by Scott Rankin of Castlebridge Hospitality.

📰 Alissa Ponchione was promoted to editor in chief of *Hospitality Design* magazine in September 2025. Caitlin St John, Stephanie Chen, and Jonathan Marsland joined her as managing editor, senior editor, and creative director. The magazine plans to launch a comprehensive *State of the Industry Report* in 2026. The HD Expo + Conference will grow its Hosted Buyers program by 150% in Q1 2026. Paul Bienkowski, having served HD for 40 years, is retiring.

🚉 Siebe Gerbranda becomes Rail Europe's Vice President of Product on October 1, 2025. Gerbranda brings over 15 years of global experience, having previously worked at Taxfix, AliExpress, and Google. At Rail Europe, he will simplify the travel experience, enhance delivery speed, and develop team talent. Rail Europe has transformed into a global booking platform, focusing on non-domestic travelers. CEO Björn Bender highlights Gerbranda’s role in advancing product scaling and customer satisfaction.

✈️ Navan has appointed Kim Harmer as Chief Travel Advisory Officer. She brings over 20 years of experience in the global travel industry, having previously worked at Visa and consulted at Results Plus and Garner. Harmer has expertise in travel management, procurement, and operations. She has held advisory roles with IATA and GBTA. Navan emphasizes her experience in optimizing complex global travel programs as a key asset for driving client success.

📄 Barbara Muckermann, the first female CEO of Kempinski Hotels, a 162-year-old luxury hotel group, shares her journey from the cruise industry to hospitality leadership. In a conversation with Emily Goldfischer for *Hospitality Daily*, she discusses leading through crises and balancing heritage with innovation. For more insights, visit [hertelier](https://www.hertelier.com/post/barbara-muckermann-kempinski-1). Follow *Hospitality Daily* on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@hospitalitydaily), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitalitydaily/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hospitality_daily/).