Human Resources

🍴 Bret Thorn, a senior food & beverage editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. He held a column at The New York Sun from 2005-2008. Thorn also joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. A Tufts University alumnus, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu and Nanjing and Beijing Universities. In 1989, he worked for ABC News in Beijing. Thorn's accolades include a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. He resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🏨 Rosewood Hotel Group announces key leadership appointments effective September 1, 2025, and June 1, 2025. Anthony Ingham, former leader at Marriott, joins as COO to oversee global operations, reporting to CEO Sonia Cheng, enhancing guest experiences. Luca Finardi, with over 20 years in luxury hospitality, becomes VP of Operations for EMEAC, leveraging experience from Mandarin Oriental. These changes aim to bolster Rosewood’s expansion and operational excellence in the luxury market.

📅 Federico González Tejera will speak at the Hospitality Operator Forum on June 12 at the InterContinental Paris le Grand. With a background in economics and a Master's in finance, he worked for Procter & Gamble and Disneyland Paris before transforming NH Hotel Group and Radisson Hospitality. Under Jin Jiang International, Radisson doubled its size, and in 2023, he leads the Louvre Hotels Group. His leadership is about people, innovation, and cultural adaptability.

📈 Cheval Collection appoints Nick Pilbeam as Chief Commercial Officer. With over 20 years of industry experience, Pilbeam supports Cheval's expansion strategy, nearing 1,000 serviced apartment units. Recent openings include Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai, lifting total units to over 950, with projects in Riyadh and Glasgow planned for 2027. Pilbeam's expertise will benefit Cheval's growth, emphasizing serviced apartments' appeal due to flexibility and efficiency.

💻 Intuitive has appointed Vicki Goodin as Senior Business Development Manager. With over 20 years' experience in travel technology and operations, Vicki has worked with Amadeus, Comtec, Tigerbay, and HF Holidays. Her expertise includes supplier selection, system implementation, and integration. Vicki aims to help travel companies transform and grow using Intuitive’s solutions. Andy Keeley, Intuitive's commercial director, highlights Vicki’s ability to navigate system changes and drive new growth opportunities.

📌 Cisalpina Tours International appoints Virginia Vinuesa Carbonero as CTI Spain's Country Manager to boost international expansion. With 20+ years in corporate travel, Virginia has led global programs, including at CWT and Oversee. Her education spans from Universidad Carlos III to Yale. Virginia aims to enhance CTI's high-quality travel services. Giorgio Garcea highlights this as a milestone for their nine international offices, marking the end of their expansion's first phase.

📈 Melinda Burch and Michael Finn join Custom Travel Solutions (CTS) as vice presidents, aiming for global expansion and increased precision. Burch, an expert in transformation, has driven $60M in revenue, while Finn, with over 25 years in hospitality, enhances sales strategies. CEO Mike Putman emphasizes their role in CTS's growth. Together, they aim to unlock new revenue streams and deepen market penetration for member-based organizations.

🏠 Paul Roberts, previously CFO, now COO; Matthew Ward appointed as CFO; Jon Davis as CTO at Village Hotel Club. These leadership changes support a growth strategy involving a £82 million refurbishment programme to upgrade existing UK assets. CEO Gary Davis aims to enhance guest experiences and expand the brand by acquiring and transforming new sites. The focus is on operational excellence and evolving the customer proposition.

🏨 Macdonald Pittodrie House, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, is a historic luxury hotel set in 300 acres, popular for weddings. Recent months show increased wedding bookings. Julie Hutchison, with over a decade's experience, became manager in April 2025. The hotel hosts weddings for up to 100 guests in its ballroom, offering bespoke options. The venue is renowned for its award-winning service and picturesque setting, enhancing its reputation as a prime leisure destination.

🏖️ METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella appoints Ignacio Gomez-Escolar as General Manager. With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Ignacio has previously served as General Manager at Hard Rock Hotel Marbella and held leadership roles at St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, InterContinental Bahrain, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, and Rio Perdido. He aims to position METT Hotel as a leading resort on Costa Del Sol, which boasts 249 rooms and suites, Azure Beach Club, MOI spa, RAISE fitness gym, and four restaurants.