Nominations

🏦 Michael Pouyer began his career at Hôtel Champs-Élysées Plaza, climbing the ranks from Agent to Director of Accommodation. He became the Operations Director at Hôtel Les Théâtres and then General Manager at Padam Hôtel, overseeing the opening and operation. By summer 2024, Pouyer will lead as General Manager of the prestigious Roch Hôtel & Spa. La Compagnie Hôtelière de Bagatelle, since 2010, now runs seven boutique hotels totaling 287 rooms in Paris.

🏨 Cécile Benoit-Cattin, appointed VP Hotel Sales Relation & Business Development for Accor Europe & South Africa in early July. Began career at California Paris under "Les Hôtels du Roy". Joined Accor and Pullman Paris Bercy (formerly Sofitel) in 2003 as MICE sales executive, became Deputy Director of Sales in 2007. In 2009, named "Director of Leisure Sales" at the Pullman cluster and by 2015, Director of Sales for Major Meetings & Events Accounts at AccorHotels France.

🍴 Lionel Levy, renowned chef of Marseille's IHG, has joined LJ Hôtels & Co as Director of Catering and Events. LJ Hôtels & Co, based in Béziers, includes L’hôtel Particulier, L’hôtel In Situ****, l’hôtel café glacier le XIX***, l’hôtel Imperator***, restaurant Pica-Pica, with Château de Lignan and restaurant Cocci as upcoming projects. The news was reported by Bouillantes.

🏨 L'Hôtel Kyriad Colmar Centre Unterlinden devient l'Hôtel Gustave dès le 4 septembre 2024, à Colmar. Renommé pour mieux refléter son identité et valeurs uniques, l'hôtel offre 48 chambres inspirées de la Belle Époque et de personnalités comme Gustave Eiffel et Auguste Bartholdi, un salon convivial, et un buffet petit-déjeuner mettant en avant les saveurs alsaciennes.

🍴 Romain Henry is appointed the new Director of Restaurant Services at Domaine de Verchant in Castelnau-le-Lez, Hérault. He oversees the gourmet restaurant Marcelle, the brasserie La Plage, pool offerings, room service, breakfast, wine cellar, and sommelier services. Henry previously held positions at Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme and Maze Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay in London. He was a finalist in the "Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" contest in 2022 and won "Meilleur Sommelier 'Sud de France' 2009" in the UK. Henry also founded bistros in Béziers and Nébian and is a trainer at Purple Campus Béziers.

🍾 Berta de Pablos-Barbier left the presidency of LVMH champagnes (Moët & Chandon) in 2023, succeeded by Sibylle Scherer. Thomas Moradpour joined Dom Pérignon and Julien Morel headed Mercier. Despite new governance, LVMH faced a global drop in champagne consumption, complex geopolitics, and luxury tariffs, notably from China. Laurent Boidevezi, president of Moët Hennessy's Asia-Pacific and travel retail for over 20 years, is set to leave amid these challenges. Moët Hennessy confirmed as LVMH's weakest division in July report.

🏨 Nicole Braendle, first woman to lead HotellerieSuisse and appointed just 6 months ago, resigns to avoid conflict of interest due to her husband's recent appointment as President of the Swiss National Bank. The executive committee of HotellerieSuisse must now restart the selection process, initially assisted by a consulting firm, to find a suitable successor.

🍴 Baton Berisha, former executive at Ivy Collection, D&D London, and Le Pont De La Tour-DandD, has left Wolseley Hospitality Group, a prominent lifestyle restaurant group in London, known for establishments like The Wolseley, Brasserie Zedel, The Delaunay, and others. Berisha's departure was announced without a stated reason, but he expressed gratitude towards the group and is set to oversee a considerate handover to his successor.

🏠 Bertrand Jaquet hands over Domaine de Rochevilaine to his daughter Cécile and son-in-law, Chef Maxime Nouail. The prestigious establishment, a member of Relais & Châteaux since 1964, is renowned for luxury, nature, and refined gastronomy. Located at the junction of the Vilaine river and the ocean, it features historical buildings and a spa introduced in 1998. Cécile and Maxime now bring a fresh vision while honoring the family legacy.

💿 Katell Bourgeois, with experience since 2004 in hotel real estate, notably as Senior Vice President at JLL (2009-2019) and Head of Hospitality France at Cushman & Wakefield (since 2014), left her position in June 2024. She was appointed VP Development France for Accor's "Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands" in Europe/North Africa on September 2, 2024, joining the Development Executive Committee under Chief Development Officer Philippe Bijaoui.