Nominations

🏠 Xavier Khoo named as the new Regional Director for Western Europe at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Assumed office in August 2024, based in Brussels, Belgium. His responsibilities include overseeing marketing, communication, partnerships, and business development for the STB in Western European markets. Khoo joined STB in 2015, previously worked on conventions, meetings, and incentives and led initiatives for travel agents and tour guides. He succeeds Melissa Jane Thompson, who returns to Singapore for a new role.

🏦 Alain Debare has been appointed as associate in charge of investments and asset management for HVS in the Middle East and Africa, signaling HVS's significant expansion in the region. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, including roles at Mandarin Oriental, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Action Hotels, Debare has managed real estate portfolios over one billion dollars. HVS, a global hospitality consulting firm, offers tailored advisory and asset management services under Debare's leadership to optimize performance and enhance property value.

🏡 Patrice Hudebine, since 2008, has been the tenant of the LUX* Saint Gilles, initially managed by the Naïade group since 2007. A preliminary agreement for the purchase of the 7-hectare property from the state has been confirmed, pending approval by the Ministry of Economy.

📌 Jumeirah Group appoints Julien Soyez as Vice President of Communication, with a notable background in luxury fashion and lifestyle communications. Soyez, former Global Press Director at Gucci in Milan, has also served in significant marketing and communications roles in Paris and the Middle East for renowned brands such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacobs. His focus at Jumeirah will be to drive brand and communication strategies, enhancing visibility in new markets in line with global expansion plans.

🏨 Luca Finardi was appointed as Regional Vice President for France, Italy, and the Czech Republic, and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris. He succeeds Géraldine Dobey, who has been the General Manager since July 2021 and will now focus on her role as Director of Quality for the Mandarin Oriental Group. With nearly 30 years of experience, Finardi previously managed the Mandarin Oriental, Milan since 2014, and was instrumental in the opening of the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.

🏨 Luca Finardi appointed as Area Vice-President for France, Italy, and the Czech Republic and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris, starting September 2, 2024. Formerly General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Milan since 2014. Géraldine Dobey, previously Area Vice-President for France, Switzerland, and Morocco and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris since July 2021, now focuses solely on Quality Management within the group. Finardi brings nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

🏨 Accor announces strategic appointments to enhance brand management, with over 20 years of industry experience, Benoît Racle is named Director of Premium Brands, overseeing Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Angsana, and Peppers. The premium segment's signature count has tripled in 2023 compared to 2019. Pullman, a flagship brand with over 150 years of history, operates 155 hotels across 42 countries, with 65 new projects underway.

🏨 Katell Bourgeois appointed since September 2 for Accor's Premium, Midscale & Economy brands development in France. Based in Paris, joined the Development Executive Committee under Philippe Bijaoui. Mission: to boost group's growth strategy in a rapidly expanding region across all hotel segments. Brings nearly 20 years' experience from roles at Cushman & Wakefield Hospitality and JLL Hotels, including Senior VP Corporate Transactions. Holds a Bachelor's from CMH and an MBA from IMHI Cornell University Essec Business School (2005).

🏦 Luca Finardi, after a 10-year tenure at Mandarin Oriental Milan, moves to Paris to lead the group's Parisian palace and serve as Vice President of Operations for Italy, France, and the Czech Republic. Stephanie Greger, hotel manager since September 2021, is promoted to succeed Finardi in Milan.

🍴 Éric Wauthier-Wurmser takes immediate charge at the European strategic committee of Tortilla Group, overseeing 31 French restaurants from Fresh Burritos. This acquisition completed in June 2024 is vital to Tortilla's "Vital Five" growth strategy for European expansion. Reporting to the European strategic committee chaired by Francesca Tiritiello, he joins Andy Naylor, Gilles Boehringer, and TORTILLA founder Brandon Stephens. The integration includes converting a Strasbourg Fresh Burritos in September and a new central kitchen in Lille in Q4 2024.