Nominations

🏨 Mohamed El Aghoury, with over 30 years of hospitality experience, returns to oversee Sheraton Jumeirah Beach and Aloft Palm Jumeirah after previously managing them from 2020 to 2022. El Aghoury has held leadership roles in prestigious properties across the Middle East, including Dubai, Egypt, and the Maldives. He increased occupancy rates and revenues at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa through strategic renovations before leaving Dubai at the end of 2022. His expertise extends to hotel management, F&B, and rebranding, notably contributing to his tenure as General Manager of the Meydan Hotel & Hospitality cluster, which included Meydan Hotel, Bab Al Shams Resort & Spa, and the now re-operated Meydan Beach Club.

🏦 Amanda Hyndman, with over 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality, has worked for Mandarin Oriental Group for 18 years. She held management positions in the UK, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Washington DC, and was a Vice-President for regions including the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, and Switzerland, then Hong Kong, Macao, and South China. In 2020, she became the Group Director of Quality and Rooms, and in May 2023, she was appointed as Director of Human Resources and Culture to drive the group's HR evolution. Under General Manager Laurent Kleitman, Mandarin Oriental Group is pursuing a global growth strategy focusing on luxury hospitality leadership.

🏨 Minor Hotels appoints Omar Romero as Head of Development and Luxury Brands to propel its rapid global expansion. Romero, with over 20 years in the hospitality industry and a track record of leading Six Senses' global development team, will spearhead global development strategy and brand management from Bangkok, reporting to CEO Dillip Rajakarier. The company plans to open over 200 new properties by the end of 2026, adding more than 30,000 rooms. Puneet Dhawan and Gonzalo Aguilar have also joined the executive team, with Aguilar starting in January 2025.

🏌️ Paul Armitage, a UK native with over 30 years in France, distinguished himself in the European club industry, particularly as General Manager of Golf National in Paris for seven years, where he successfully led the golf course during the 2018 Ryder Cup. His tenure elevated the venue to global prominence. Now, Armitage joins Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort as Director of Development, eager to drive the Resort's growth and contribute to its unique reputation in France. Additionally, Armitage has served on the French Golf Federation's Executive Committee and the organizing committee for the Golf events at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

🏌 Paul Armitage is appointed as the Development Director at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort *****. He brings 30 years of professional experience, including a seven-year stint as General Manager of Golf National in Paris, where he led the successful organization of the 2018 Ryder Cup. Armitage has also served on the Executive Committee of the French Golf Federation and contributed to the golf events organization for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. His new role at Terre Blanche involves driving the resort's commercial development.

🍴 Laurent Peugeot, an esteemed French chef, has joined Le Grand Hôtel La Cloche to elevate its Jardins by la Cloche restaurant. Born in Saône-et-Loire, Peugeot began his culinary journey with chef Jean-Pierre Senelet, honing his craft alongside one and three Michelin-starred chefs Roland Chanliaud and Jacques Lameloise. After absorbing Asian influences in Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore, he returned to Burgundy in 2001, acquired Le Charlemagne restaurant in Pernand-Vergelesses, and earned a Michelin star by 2006.

💼 Philip Lawrence Kadoorie will become the Vice-Chairman of the board for The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) on January 1, 2025, succeeding Andrew Clifford Winawer Brandler, who will resign from his Vice-Chairmanship on December 31, 2024, but remain as non-executive director. Philip, holding a BA in Communication and a commercial pilot's license, joined the HSH board in December 2017 and oversees various Kadoorie family interests. He is 32, son of HSH Chairman Sir Michael Kadoorie.

🏨 Brian Hicks, boasting over 30 years of international experience, steps in as the fifth CEO in the nearly 100-year history of HSMAI, succeeding Bob Gilbert, who was CEO for 30 years. Hicks brings a proven track record in brand development, innovation, and leadership, aligning with HSMAI's mission to support members and their careers during a pivotal expansion and impact-enhancing period in the hospitality industry.

📈 Armelle De la Porte des Vaux appointed Vice-President of Marketing for North America since August 1, 2024, after serving as Marketing, Communication and Digital Director for Club Med in Benelux & Germany since January 2023. With over a decade in luxury industry leadership roles at L'Oréal and Dior, she brings expertise in brand development and marketing strategy across Europe, Central America, and Asia. Since joining Club Med in 2019, she's transformed campaigns, revitalized the Belgian market, managed strategic German market initiatives, and oversaw significant projects like Marbella launches and Vittel renovation, aiming to infuse the North American market with Club Med's "L'Esprit Libre.

💰 Lesya Batsuk promoted to CFO of Hotel Co 51, bringing 17 years of strategic accounting expertise. Batsuk joined the hotel management company in 2021 after over eight years in senior financial management at Intertrust Group. At Hotel Co 51, she has established a centralized financial structure, integrated systems across Europe from the Amsterdam HQ, and now oversees a team of 29 with 5 direct subordinates. The company's portfolio includes 42 establishments under five Marriott International brands across eight countries.