Nominations

📜 Accor, a global hospitality leader, appoints Karelle Lamouche as CEO for Europe and North Africa for its Premium, Midscale, and Economy brands. She will manage over 3,000 hotels across 40 countries, representing 40% of Accor's global network. Karelle joined Accor in 1998, has 30 years of experience, and was previously Director of Operations for Europe and North Africa.

🏨 Thomas Esnée is the third generation of a family hotel group established over 45 years ago. It began in 1981 in Rouen and was among the first Accor franchisees. The group continues expanding through franchising and has created its own brands, like YOU, and diversified into viticulture and third-party management. Thomas has been involved since childhood, joining the business full-time after completing his hotel studies, and started working at 22 or 23 years old.

📈 David Beers, over 18 months, aimed to enhance Choice Hotels' international presence by strengthening franchise relationships in EMEA. Key developments include focusing on high-value deliverables and expanding in France, Spain, and Eastern Europe. Choice Hotels operates 22 brands across 1,400 hotels outside the U.S., with 150,000 rooms in 46 countries. Priority markets include France, with 107 hotels after a deal with Zenitude, Spain, Eastern Europe, and new entries in Poland and Kenya by 2026.

🏨 Nicolas Mercier, avec 20 ans d'expérience en hôtellerie de luxe, a débuté chez Swissôtel à Genève. En 2018, il rejoint IHG comme Hotel Manager au Vietnam, avant de gérer plusieurs hôtels à Jakarta. En 2024, il devient Directeur Général de l'InterContinental Khao Yai Resort en Thaïlande. En 2023, il est à Lyon, appuyé par Christophe Laure, chef de la division luxe d'IHG en France. Il apprécie particulièrement Lyon pour son histoire et sa gastronomie.

🏨 Tamara Lohan joins Hyatt with over 30 years of luxury brand management experience to enhance strategic alignment for Park Hyatt, Andaz, Alila, Miraval, and The Unbound Collection. Marc Jacheet, as President EAME, is tasked with boosting brand performance and growth in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The governance shift aims to improve luxury market differentiation, with plans targeting premium destinations, wellness, and high-end design before 2026.

🏨 Guillaume Robert will become the General Manager of MGallery Balthazar Hotel & Spa Rennes on December 1, 2025. He joined the hotel in 2018, previously holding various operational roles, including Deputy Director. Robert's extensive luxury hotel experience spans prestigious locations like Courchevel, the Côte d’Azur, Paris, and Monaco. He succeeds Pierre Ferreira-Leal, who moves to a new role in Lyon. Located in central Rennes, MGallery Balthazar combines contemporary elegance with timeless charm.

🏨 Hyatt, at the ILTM Cannes, announced Tamara Lohan's appointment as Global Brand Leader – Luxury in 2023. Lohan, previously of Mr & Mrs Smith, will lead a global luxury expansion targeting 2026. CEO Mark Hoplamazian emphasized the growth in luxury markets through strategic insights and customer experiences. Hyatt's plan includes enhancing brand differentiation while expanding in sought-after locations.

🏨 Karelle Lamouche leads a portfolio of over 3,000 hotels across 40+ countries, representing about 40% of Accor's global network. The brands include Pullman, Mövenpick, Swissôtel, Novotel, Mercure, and others. Her expertise spans hotel operations, commercial strategy, and marketing, focusing on client loyalty and investment returns. Jean-Jacques Morin, Accor's Deputy CEO, emphasizes Karelle’s leadership and strategic skills. She will collaborate with Benoît Racle and Jean-Yves Minet to sustain brand value.

🏌️ Tristan Freslon, a PGA Professional with 14+ years of experience, has been appointed General Manager of Sunlife's Golf Cluster, overseeing Anahita and Île aux Cerfs Golf Clubs. This strategic move aims to enhance regional presence and create unique golf experiences in the Indian Ocean. Freslon will focus on operational excellence and developing integrated offerings for members and visitors, leveraging the clubs' distinctive identities.