Human Resources

💼 Julien Mattei appointed as Chief Investment Officer of a&o Hostels, bringing 15 years of European real estate investment experience including roles at The Social Hub and Norges Bank Investment Management. Chad Goodnough joins Stonebridge Companies as SVP of Sales Strategy & Innovation with 25 years of sales leadership background. Starwood Hotels appoints Isabella Gunnarsson and Asbjørn Rytter for commercial and sales roles at the 1 Hotel Copenhagen opening in Summer 2025. Hospitality industry sees shifts with new appointments at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, The Ritz-Carlton Denver, Bishop’s Lodge Auberge Resorts Collection, and Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

📦 James Walker appointed as CEO of Lunchbox, with Nabeel Alamgir as Executive Chairman to drive growth and innovation. Lunchbox saw a 340% increase in average deal size and 300% growth in product adoption since 2022. High-profile brands like Subway®, Nathan's Famous®, and Cinnabon® are part of Walker's 30+ years of executive experience. The new era includes a funding round led by a strategic investment from Shift4, aiming to integrate Lunchbox with Shift4's SkyTab POS system and prioritize profitability.

🍴 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.

👤 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.

📈 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.

🏡 Kempinski Hotels to manage the Nymphenburg Palace Royal Residence in Munich starting March 1. The historic 836-square-meter property includes four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a private garden for up to 100 guests. The deal with HRH Prince Luitpold von Bayern furthers Kempinski’s ties to Bavarian royalty. The residence showcases Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory pieces and modern art, offering amenities like a 24/7 butler and chauffeured limousine for events and retreats. Kempinski, founded in 1897, operates 78 hotels in 32 countries.

📌 Simon Casson, with no high school or college degree, became CEO of Corinthia Hotels in 2024. Corinthia opened its first U.S. hotel, The Surrey, in New York. Casson's background includes over 30 years at Four Seasons, reaching President of EMEA. Corinthia, founded over 60 years ago, has 10 hotels and will open new locations in Bucharest (March), the Maldives, Riyadh, Qatar, and Malta. The Corinthia Brussels, a $150 million rebuild, opened in December 2024. The upcoming Corinthia Rome is in partnership with the Reuben Brothers. The company has also launched the Verdi Hotels brand in 2024.