Human Resources

🏨 Vibe, a travel technology provider, appoints Danny Girling as the new business development & head of partnerships for EMEA, signaling a new phase of expansion in EMEA and APAC. Girling, with 14+ years of experience from Travel Counsellors and Inspiretec, joins other 2023 hires like CEO Steve Barrass and non-executive Director Stephane Durand. Vibe has recently invested in customer service, software development, marketing, and design to set the stage for growth.

🏨 Torsten Gros appointed as Managing Director of Pax2pay UAB by Pay2pay, coinciding with new office opening in Vilnius, Lithuania. Pax2pay, known for Virtual Card, Bank Transfer, Account Creation, and Invoice Payments technology, supports major OTAs like Loveholidays, TUI, and Tryp. Gros, with nearly 30 years of experience, has previously worked with eNett, Travelport, and Apiso. The Vilnius-based office will be a strategic hub for Pax2pay's expansion in the European Economic Area (EEA). CEO Paivo Eerola highlights Gros' experience as key to the company's growth in the EEA.

🏠 John Davies named CEO of Open Destinations, effective immediately. Founder Kevin O’Sullivan transitions to executive chair. Davies, with previous roles at TUI, the AA, and 3M, rejoined Open Destinations as CTO in 2023 after a stint from 2013-2016. Focuses include releasing a new reservation platform version and developing an app with AI integration for tour managers. Open Destinations experiences high demand for products amid a positive outlook in the travel industry.

🏢 Matthias Rotter, previously managing director of DER Touristik, has been appointed as senior consultant to key accounts at ISO Travel Solutions, a German-based travel technology provider. Rotter is tasked with analyzing IT project requirements, evaluating customer needs, and conceptualizing individual IT solutions. ISO-Gruppe and Rotter have a history of collaboration, with Markus Kretschmer, managing director of ISO Travel Solutions, highlighting the move as an intensification of their long-standing partnership. Rotter's role includes contributing expertise in IT change management and supporting ISO customers in other business areas.

🏠 Nezasa names Lisa Katsouraki to its Board of Directors, enhancing strategic vision for the future. Katsouraki, senior vice-president of corporate development at Etraveli Group, brings expertise from her roles since 2011, including advisory board member at Ennea Capital Partners. Nezasa CEO Manuel Hilty regards her tourism industry understanding as invaluable for the company's innovative travel industry solutions and growth objectives.

🍴 Sam Lomas, former River Cottage 'Rising Star' and Roux Scholarship finalist, is set to open Briar restaurant in early September at Number One Bruton in Somerset, a venue previously housing Osip. Briar will offer a daily changing menu focused on hyper-local produce, seasonal ingredients, and foraged offerings, including dishes like Westcombe gougeres and Berkshire pork chop with cider sauce. Osip, founded by Merlin Labron-Johnson, plans to relocate to Hardway in a renovated 16th-century inn.

🍴 Kyle Lynch named head chef at Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, located within Flemings Mayfair, in 2021. Previously at Adare Manor’s Michelin-starred Oak Room and Michelin-starred Ichigo Ichie, he now oversees the British five- and seven-course tasting menus at the newly-starred restaurant. Ormer Mayfair by Sofian earned its first Michelin star earlier this year.

💸 Anny Zhang appointed CEO of JLL China, effective September, based in Shanghai. Joined JLL in 2007, promoted to managing director for East China in 2021 and China Leasing business head in 2023. Roger Baker transitions from CFO to Chief Investment Officer and Advisor at First Hospitality after 40 years in real estate, 16 with the company. Matt Schuster new CFO, previously with Club Quarters Hotels for over 5 years. Paul Sacco joins PM Hotel Group as Chief Growth and Development Officer, bringing 30+ years of hospitality experience; previously with Mint House and Driftwood Capital. Phil Cordell of Hilton to retire as Global Category Head of Lifestyle and New Brands after 40 years, transitioning to advisor role in July; Kevin Osterhaus to succeed him. Marci Jacobs becomes VP of Sales and Revenue Generation at McNeil Hotel Company, with 25+ years in the industry. Stacy Royalty promoted to Regional VP of Operations at McKibbon Hospitality. Walter Peseski named Senior VP, Asset Management at Garfield Public/Private LLC. The St. Regis Chicago hires Erik Grazetti as Director of Sales and Marketing. Hotel Equities promotes Jack Meakin to VP of Business Development, Alexis Stevens to Director of Talent Development, and Brody Aarhaus to Regional Director of Business Development. Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. appoints Tiffany Rioux as Director of Sales and Marketing, Nisha Patel

🍳 Chef Chloe Coscarelli, formerly of By Chloe, is opening a new vegan restaurant, CHLOE, in New York City at 185 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village. By Chloe began in 2014, but after a 2017 legal dispute with ESquared Hospitality and CEO James Haber, Coscarelli was forced out. By Chloe filed for bankruptcy in December 2020, was acquired and renamed Beatnic in 2021, and sold again to Inday in December 2023. CHLOE offers vegan classics and operates Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.