Human Resources

📓 BWH Hotels elected Steve Wahrlich as board chairperson for 2025, with 40+ years in hospitality. Pendry West Hollywood hired Mgeni Mpolo, with 20+ years of experience, as director of sales and marketing. Vakkaru Maldives welcomed Janice Tan as VP of commercial for Europe and Scandinavia, after her 2020-2023 stint as director. Stonebridge Companies appointed Marco Selva as SVP in Miami for luxury expansion. Ritz-Carlton Maldives added Sandrine Boutin as director of sales and marketing, with 24 years of experience. Pandox (AB) announced Mikael Hultqvist as SVP property management starting June 2025. Steigenberger Hotels made multiple appointments: Friedrich von Schönfeldt (Frankfurter Hof), Florian Woithe (Hamburg), Charlotte Holtmann (Leipzig). Capella Hotel Group's global expansion included Anthony Gill (Patina Maldives), Dennis Laubenstein (Capella Taipei), Antonio Saponara (Capella Bangkok), and Hildegard Anzenberger (Capella Hanoi). Hotel Drover named Aaron Ide as GM and promoted Kristin Assad to COO at Exchange Hotels Management.

📍 Hostaway's 2024 STR Market Report shows property managers' top challenge is growth and scaling, overtaking technology concerns. Climate-related issues emerged significantly, being mentioned 24 times more than the previous year, accounting for 8% of surveyed managers' concerns. Economic volatility dropped out of the top eight concerns. Over half of the managers now employ AI in daily operations, with dynamic pricing increasing by nearly 45%. The report surveyed over 300 managers from 51 countries, indicating a shift towards operational resilience and adaptability.

🏁 Victoria Self joins On the Beach Group board as an independent non-executive director on February 3, replacing David Kelly who departs January 10 after a nine-year tenure. Self brings over 25 years of experience from senior roles at leading digital and consumer companies, including Entain, comparethemarket.com, and major retailers. The change comes as the company aims to expand its market presence and offerings.

🏨 D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions appoints Damini Lykidi Diehl as Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA. With 20+ years in sales and business development, including at Google, Damini joins the Executive Committee to drive growth and expand hotel tech solutions in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

🏨 Beaumier, European hotel group, names Billy Skelli-Cohen as CEO starting January 1, 2025. Skelli-Cohen, former CEO of Zien Group and founder of Lore Group, to focus on growth and sustainability. Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group appoints Lisa Carlson as COO, bringing 30+ years’ experience. Proper Hospitality announces three appointments for The Shelborne in Miami Beach: Guy Chetwynd as managing director, Mariannie Santiago as GM, and Oliver Morgan as director of sales and marketing. Viceroy Hotels & Resorts hires Nicholas Marino as director of F&B at Viceroy Chicago. Walker & Dunlop adds Carter Gradwell as senior director. Davidson Hospitality Group promotes Brad Barnett to SVP of sales and Michael Yousif to SVP of acquisitions & business development. TFE Hotels announces Gabriel Polias, Brett Skinner, and Aalap Rammurthy for leadership roles at three properties. David J. Cronin returns as GM at W Scottsdale. Karolina Lasinska becomes GM at Hotel Sanders. Hotel Effie Sandestin names Jennifer Lombard Knight as GM.

🏠 The Ascott Limited, with over 950 properties, manages Millennium and Copthorne hotels at Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge since 26 November. Stamford Bridge Hotel, next to the stadium, will become lyf Chelsea London after 2025 renovations. Ascott's lyf brand emphasizes social living for modern travelers. The partnership also made Ascott the 'official global hotels partner' for Chelsea FC, offering Ascott Star Rewards members unique experiences and enhancing Ascott's presence in London. Ascott operates in over 230 cities across more than 40 countries.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, covers food and beverage trends and oversees F&B coverage. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008). In Thailand (1992-1997), he wrote business and food articles for Manager magazine and Asia Times. Thorn holds a BA in history from Tufts University (1990), studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris (1986), and Chinese language and culture at Peking University (spring 1989) and Nanjing University (fall 1988). He reported for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests (1989). His work won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and he was inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier (2014). Contact: [email protected]

📃 Reed & Mackay appointed Kieran Hartwell as the global Chief Revenue Officer, bringing 25 years of expertise to the company. Hartwell will oversee worldwide revenue-generating departments and align Sales and Marketing teams. Reporting to Group CEO Fred Stratford, he aims to develop strategies for new market segments and optimize go-to-market models. Hartwell has a history of C-suite roles in the travel industry. Reed & Mackay is expanding in Europe, APAC, Middle East, and North America.

📢 Marielle joined Choice Hotels EMEA in 2023 and will become Head of Operations from December 1, 2024. Her role includes leading strategic development for franchisees, optimizing workflows, and implementing technologies. CEO David Beers highlighted her contributions since 2023 and anticipates further franchise success under her leadership. Choice Hotels EMEA has nearly 400 hotels in 17 countries. Contact Katie Kershaw for more information at 07539 437 238 or katie@kershawandcompany.com.