Human Resources

🏨 Whitbread, under a strategic agreement with Lambeth Council, aims to convert Phoenix House in Vauxhall, Central London, into a Premier Inn hotel, pending planning approval. Lambeth Council relocated in 2019, consolidating from 14 to 2 offices. Jonathan Langdon, Whitbread's Senior Acquisition Manager, highlights a decade-long search for a Vauxhall location and success in converting offices to hotels since the late 1990s. Whitbread plans to manage Phoenix House, with Lambeth Council retaining the head lease. An earlier attempt to lease the building failed due to the pandemic. The new hotel supports the Mayor of London's Night Time Enterprise Zones and aims for high environmental standards and job creation. Premier Inn manages over 85,500 rooms, targeting 125,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality from 2016, has expertise in food and beverage trends and French and Asian cuisines. He hosted "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast, wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and was part of Asia Times and Manager magazine in Thailand (1992-1997). With a BA in History from Tufts University, he also studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, was president of the IFEC in 2005, and inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014. He authored entries for the Oxford Encyclopedia (2012) and Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets (2015). Originally from Denver, he now resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on social media.

🏨 Cycas Hospitality appoints Naël El Assaad as Development Director to fuel growth across Europe. El Assaad brings experience from Knight Frank, Groupe Châteauform’, LWS Hospitality, and CAP’ETUDES, including securing the Voco by IHG hotel deal in Angers. Armed with an MBA from ESSEC Business School, his expertise in financial analysis and investment strategy will be key in expanding Cycas’ hotel management and investment presence in competitive markets, particularly in France. Craig Patterson, Chief Development Officer at Cycas, highlights El Assaad's role in navigating a competitive landscape at a dynamic growth phase, with El Assaad looking forward to MIPIM in Cannes.

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corporation restructures senior management for a brand-led approach. Marc Jacheet is appointed Group President for Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME), starting 1 July 2025. Javier Águila becomes Chief Growth Officer on the same date, following his leadership in the EAME region's expansion since 2022 and recent appointment as President of the Inclusive Collection from 1 March 2025. Jim Chu, Chief Growth Officer since 2022, will transition to Head of Owner Relations on 1 July 2025, focusing on strengthening growth through owner and investor relations. Hyatt aims to structure development around five brand categories and capitalize on experienced leadership for accelerated growth.

👤 Remington Hospitality welcomes Greg Nurse as EVP and David Hiatt as VP of Operations. Craig Lovett promoted to managing director of development at Trinity Investments, overseeing over $750 million in capital projects. Hilton Anatole appoints Josh Franklin as director of wellness and recreation. Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco promotes Nicola Migheli to managing director. Hotel Arts Barcelona names Renato De Oliveira as general manager. Robert Nokley becomes general manager at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.

🏨 B&B HOTELS, celebrating its 35th anniversary, appoints Céline Vercollier as Managing Director and Damien Martin as CFO. Fabrice Collet focuses on strategic diversification as Group Chairman. Jan Grossmann becomes COO for Central and Northern Europe, with Valerio Duchini heading Western Europe. This reorganization aims to support the group's international expansion and strengthen its budget hotel market position.

🏢 Karin Raguin appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Kempinski Hotels, brings over 20 years of HR experience primarily in the luxury goods sector. Formerly Senior Vice President of Human Resources for LVMH in China since 2022, she contributed to LVMH’s Global Tech Board. Raguin has held multiple leadership roles, including VP of Talent Management at LVMH North America and Global Head of Career Management in Paris. She holds a Master's in Human Resources from ISC Paris and serves on the ISC Paris International Strategic Committee. Kempinski's CEO Barbara Muckermann anticipates Raguin's role in talent development to be vital for sustainable growth, overseeing Kempinski's 19,000 employees globally. Raguin's appointment follows leadership additions like Gordon Drake (CFO) and Rasha Lababidi (CPO) as Kempinski enhances its executive team.

📈 Sunnyvale, CA, Pascal Schubert appointed VP Business Development Europe for LodgIQ on March 3rd, 2025. Former senior roles include SHR Group and D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions, focusing on revenue management and market expansion in hotel technology. Schubert’s 20+ years in the sector and his expertise in AI-driven solutions are expected to bolster LodgIQ's global expansion. The AI-powered platform of LodgIQ serves 550+ hotels, with offices in Silicon Valley, New York City, and Bangalore.

💵 Rome2Rio, under Omio Group, aims to triple ad revenue by 2026, focusing on integrated native and sponsored ads targeting diverse travelers and companies. CEO Wendy Olson Killion, appointed in 2024, is modernizing the travel platform, offering all mobility options like rail, bus, car, ferry, plane. Key hires include Stuart Thompson as director of commercial and Monya Mandich for marketing, previously with Expedia Group Media Solutions.

🏩 HR Group acquires ten hotels from H World International, including seven IntercityHotels and three Steigenberger hotels, adding over 1,600 rooms and 280 employees. The transaction sustains franchise agreements for Steigenberger Parkhotel Braunschweig and IntercityHotel Schwerin. HR Group's European portfolio now exceeds 200 hotels. Locations include Hannover, Bonn, Ingolstadt, Braunschweig, Mannheim, Hildesheim, Kassel, Kiel, Bremen, and Dortmund. CEOs Ruslan Husry and Oliver Bonke highlight the future-ready operational strategy and continued partnership.