Human Resources

💵 Puma Property Finance appointed Louise Gillon as director, head of hotels. Who? Louise Gillon. When? Recent. Where? UK. What? Expansion of hospitality lending platform. How? Partnered with Madison International Realty; aims to raise £350 million with a £150 million seed loan portfolio. Increased maximum development loan size from £50 million to £100 million. Gillon previously led hotel finance at Leumi UK for 16 years.

📅 Orient Express appointed Simone Giorgi as general manager of Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, effective October 1, 2025. With over 20 years in luxury hospitality, Giorgi's career began in 2000. His previous roles include general manager at Park Hyatt Milano, Il Salviatino, JK Place Capri, and Villa Cora. Orient Express La Minerva, set in a 17th-century palazzo near the Pantheon, opened in April 2025. CEO Gilda Perez-Alvarado emphasized Giorgi's role in reinforcing Orient Express's commitment to Italy.

🏝️ George Vlachopoulos has been appointed as general manager of Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada, the first North American Six Senses location. With a track record in hospitality across the Caribbean, Europe, and Southeast Asia, Vlachopoulos previously managed Park Hyatt St. Kitts. Six Senses La Sagesse is located on Grenada’s southeastern coast, spanning 38 acres, and boasts 56 pool suites and 15 private villas emphasizing sustainability and wellness.

💰 Nikita Miller joins TravelPerk as Chief Product Officer to drive product innovation and support North American expansion, leveraging her 10+ years of product leadership experience. TravelPerk, the fastest-growing travel platform with a 72% gross margin and 50% year-to-date revenue growth, also promoted Robin Smith to Chief Technology Officer. The company enhances its AI-driven travel and spend platform, aiming to set a new industry standard.

🗺 The UK's largest travel agent, Hays Travel, will welcome Dr. Mohsen Ghasempour, chief AI officer at Kingfisher Group, to its board as a non-executive director in October. His expertise in AI will guide the agency's future use of data and technology. Dr. Ghasempour's role follows his success in leading AI and ML at Kingfisher. Hays Travel's Dame Irene Hays emphasized the importance of his contribution as the third non-executive director.

📅 YOTEL appointed Phil Andreopoulos as CEO. Resorts World Las Vegas named Lou Dorn and Elizabeth Tranchina to key legal roles. Marriott promoted Kiran Andicot to senior VP, South Asia. PM Hotel Group's new senior VP of development is Evan Morick. OTO Development's Kelly Haager is now VP of sales. Remington Hospitality expanded its CALA division leadership. HIA's Kimberly Vassell-Jacob is now VP of operations. Various hospitality companies announced leadership changes, highlighting a dynamic period of promotions and appointments in the industry.

🏨 Remington Hospitality has appointed Matthew Grauso as VP of Operations – Caribbean and promoted Benito Benitez to VP of Operations – Latin America to bolster its Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) division. Grauso, with nearly 30 years of resort experience, notably in Hawaii, joins from 'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Benitez, with Remington since 2019, has grown the company in Mexico and Latin America. This leadership aims to meet and exceed owner expectations amid rising demand in these regions.

🏠 Maybourne appoints Charlie Walsh as global head of residential sales, collaborating with Angelo Maccaferri and led by COO Roland Fasel. Walsh, formerly at Westminster Development Services and Lodha Group UK, will enhance Maybourne’s luxury residential expansion. Key projects include launching 16 residences on Rue de l’Université, Paris, opening in 2027. Maybourne plans over a dozen new hotels and residences in the next decade, capitalizing on the branded residences trend alongside Langham and Rosewood.

📄 Phil Andreopoulos was appointed CEO of YOTEL in London, as announced following the Al-Bahar Group increasing its stake to over 95%. The group had acquired an additional 30% earlier this year. Andreopoulos, with decades of experience and previous roles at Marriott International, aims to scale YOTEL's business. Talal Al Bahar praised Hubert Viriot for his contribution and welcomed him as vice chairman. Andreopoulos highlights YOTEL’s unique growth opportunities in the hospitality sector.

📈 Phil Andreopoulos is the new CEO of Yotel, announced after Al-Bahar Group increased its stake in Yotel to over 95%. Andreopoulos, with a career at Marriott across Europe, Middle East, and Africa, aims to expand Yotel's global presence. Earlier, Yvonne Thomsen was appointed CFO. The Al-Bahar Group, led by chairman Talal Al Bahar, plans to enhance Yotel’s distribution and growth in both managed and franchise sectors.