Human Resources

🏨 Stig Castoe manages the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort in Saint-Denis, Paris, an area undergoing significant development. The hotel, previously an office building, was transformed with millions in investment and opened during the Olympic Games, hosting important guests like the Chinese delegation. It's one of the largest hotels in Paris with 700 rooms. The hotel prioritizes sustainability, community engagement, and modern technology, such as key card-activated elevators. It recently hosted over 1,100 guests on a Saturday.

📍 Elon Kenchington has been named general manager at The Mark Hotel in Manhattan, bringing over 30 years of hospitality experience. Previously, he held senior roles at The Curtain Hotel, The St. Regis New York, and others. The Mark Hotel boasts 106 rooms, 44 suites, 3 penthouses, 3 F&B venues, a Frédéric Fekkai salon, wellness services, and a seasonal sailboat.

🍴 Ron Ruggless, a senior editor since 1992 at Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News, has extensive experience in foodservice journalism. He was with the Dallas Times Herald from 1982 to 1991, including roles as restaurant critic and food editor. Ruggless moderates panels at various industry events, including MUFSO and RestaurantSpaces. He previously worked for the Charlotte Observer (1980-1982) and Omaha World-Herald (1978-1980). Connect with him on social media (@RonRuggless on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok).

🏨 Hand Picked Hotels appointed Olivia Peach as the general manager of New Hall Hotel and Spa in Sutton Coldfield.

🍳 Hastings Hotels appointed Damian Tumilty as Executive Head Chef for the Europa Hotel on July 23, 2025. With over 25 years of culinary experience, he will also continue his role at the Grand Central Hotel, both located in Belfast. Tumilty will lead more than 50 kitchen staff across these iconic hotels, uniting two renowned kitchens under a shared vision.

📈 Katharina Dein, Jelena Kezika, and Andrea Krenn assume pivotal roles at Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) in 2023. Dein, with GHA since 2013, becomes VP of Commercial, while Kezika, also since 2013, is VP of Strategy. Krenn, part of GHA from 2021, is now Senior VP of Communications. GHA, with 800+ hotels in 100 countries, champions gender diversity, with women making up 60% of leadership. New hotel additions in 2025 include Cinnamon Hotels (Sri Lanka), Sunway Hotels (Malaysia), and Rotana Hotels (UAE).