Human Resources

📈 Lake District Hotels announced a leadership reshuffle, opening the GM position at Lodore Falls Hotel and Spa. Marcell Cilliers, previously GM since autumn 2020, is now group operations manager. Over 100 staff work at Lodore Falls. Applications for the GM role close on 29 October 2025. Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant, within Lodore Falls, recently won Best Restaurant in England at the Golden Chopsticks Awards. The group owns six properties in the Lake District National Park.

🏨 Norton Park Hotel, Spa, and Manor House, part of The QHotels Collection, has appointed Nathan Chart as the new general manager. Chart's career spans over 20 years in hospitality, including roles at Hilton and Marriott. His plans include enhancing commercial offerings in weddings and events and strengthening local partnerships. He previously managed The Solent Hotel and chaired the Southampton Hoteliers Association, launching regional hospitality awards now in their fifth year. Chart aims to position Norton Park as a premier leisure and event destination.

📅 TPG Hotels & Resorts appointed Patrick Short as president and COO. Great Wolf Resorts named Rachel O’Connell as chief human resources officer. Davidson Hospitality Group appointed Steve Contos as EVP, managing director for luxury and international. Highgate named Nikos Konstantinidis as SVP of acquisitions for Europe. Starwood Hotels appointed Stéphanie Segaux as VP of development for EMEA, based in Amsterdam. Ambar Chicago appointed Kevin Girshman as executive chef in August 2025.

🏨 Patrick Short has been appointed president & COO of TPG Hotels & Resorts in Providence, Rhode Island. Short, with 30 years of experience across 25+ brands, previously expanded Peachtree Hospitality from 27 to 100 hotels. He holds a Hospitality degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout and an MBA in Finance from Argosy University. Short will relocate from Minnesota to McKinney, Texas. TPG is poised for growth under his leadership, with a focus on operational excellence.

🐞 Damola Adamolekun, a 31-year-old executive with Ivy League credentials, recently became Red Lobster's CEO after transforming P.F. Chang's. Known for strategic innovation and operational discipline, Adamolekun has committed to improving Red Lobster's fortunes with $60+ million in upgrades and plans to eliminate underperforming promotions. Red Lobster aims for a 43% EBITDA boost by 2027 and positive net income by 2026. Adamolekun's leadership, focusing on quality and accessibility, could redefine the brand's future.

🏨 Patrick Short has been appointed as president & COO of TPG Hotels & Resorts. He will lead operations at the national headquarters in McKinney, TX. With 30+ years in hospitality, Short previously expanded Peachtree Hospitality from 27 to 100 hotels. He has experience with over 25 brands and held roles at Kinseth and CSM Corporation. Robert Leven of Procaccianti Companies praised Short's leadership as TPG plans further expansion.

📍 Olivier Thomas will join Raffles London at The OWO as managing director on November 3rd. Thomas, with over 30 years of luxury hotel experience across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and North Africa, previously led Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi. Located in Whitehall's historic Old War Office, Raffles London features 120 rooms, five restaurants, two bars, a 678 sqm ballroom, a 2,510 sqm spa, and 85 OWO Residences.

🏨 Rocco Forte Hotels has appointed five new leaders for its properties. Anna Gricini becomes General Manager of Hotel de la Ville, Rome, while Maximilian Von Reden takes over as General Manager of Hotel Amigo, Brussels. Matteo Gentile will lead Hotel Savoy, Florence starting November 3. Ulrich Schwer is now at The Charles Hotel, Munich. Francesco Roccato, Managing Director of Northern Italy, will also oversee The Carlton Milan, opening on November 6, 2025.

🌳 Populus Hotels appointed Manfred Steuerwald as general manager of Populus Denver, which opened in October 2024. Steuerwald, with 40 years in hospitality, will lead the 265-room, carbon-positive hotel focusing on sustainability. Populus Denver, created by Urban Villages with Aparium Hotel Group, implements zero-waste systems and the One Night, One Tree program, reflecting its commitment to nature. Steuerwald previously held roles at Hyatt properties and aims to enhance the hotel’s eco-friendly mission.

🏨 Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, debuting in 2026, announces four senior appointments: Mathilde Brallet as commercial director, Kane Savage as director of sales, Marie-Charlotte Gauter as director of operations, and Carly Gill as HR director. The hotel, in partnership with Reuben Brothers, is a restoration of Grade I-listed Admiralty Arch, featuring 100 rooms and 25 suites. Chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud will lead signature restaurants. The site offers views of Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.