Nominations

💼 The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, owners of The Peninsula Hotels, appoint Julien Munoz as Chief Commercial Officer effective November 12, 2025. Munoz, with over 25 years of luxury hospitality experience, will oversee commercial and marketing teams and join the Management Board. He previously worked at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Additionally, the Food Hotel Tech 2026 event will occur in Paris on April 14-15, featuring over 200 exhibitors and 8,500 professionals.

🍴 Stefano Stafie, 29, joins Hôtel de Sers as Chef des Cuisines near Champs-Élysées. Originally from Assisi, Italy, Stefano honed his skills in Paris at the Morice Venice Bar, Per Se in New York, and L’Orangerie at George V, Paris. Known for his mastery of French techniques and Italian roots, he revitalizes Mediterranean cuisine with creativity and detail. His culinary philosophy focuses on memory and taste, with each dish centered on a key product.

🚀 Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, former French Minister of Transport (2019-2022), has been appointed President of Travel Planet's Strategic Council. Travel Planet, a leader in business travel solutions, aims for international growth. Djebbari, with degrees from École nationale de l’aviation civile and École Polytechnique, brings expertise in innovation and operational efficiency. Founded in 2014, Travel Planet has rapidly become a technological leader, leveraging technology for business travel growth.

📈 Dr. Evrim de Groot joins Glion University as Assistant Professor in luxury management, contributing to the Luxury Brand Strategy specialization. Dr. Alessio Delpero, an Associate Professor, brings expertise in strategic management and innovation, focusing on digital technologies. Vaibhav Rustagi, with 18 years in luxury hospitality, becomes the Director at Glion's London campus. In July 2025, Glion gains recognition as a Haute École Spécialisée, enhancing academic mobility and research opportunities.

📚 Glion Institut de Hautes Études, Suisse, recently appointed Dr. Evrim de Groot and Dr. Alessio Delpero to boost academic excellence post-accreditation as a Haute École Spécialisée. Dr. de Groot, an expert in luxury management, strengthens their Luxury Brand Strategy. Vaibhav Rustagi became the new Director of Glion London campus, underscoring Glion's commitment to internationalization and industry-aligned education.

📈 Olivier Mouchet, with nearly 30 years in hospitality and travel sectors, is now leading S4BT's Hotel Procurement & Chain Supply Division, succeeding Nicolas Besse. This division is central to enhancing corporate client programs with sustainable hotel solutions. Mouchet's experience includes roles at Louvre Hotels, HRS, Châteaux & Hôtels Collection, and consulting for Accor. His aim is to optimize corporate hotel purchasing performance.

📈 Olivier Mouchet, with nearly 30 years in the hotel and business travel industry, will lead S4BT’s key division, succeeding Nicolas Besse. His aim is to optimize hotel programs and improve sustainable purchasing performance by leveraging technological innovation and strong human teams. Mouchet’s extensive background includes roles at Louvre Hotels, HRS, and Châteaux & Hôtels Collection. He emphasizes the human-technology blend as vital for S4BT's development under Ziad Minkara’s vision.

🏨 Jaime Faus, nouveau Directeur général du Pullman Paris Montparnasse, a annoncé une acquisition majeure avec QuinSpark Investment Partners, Bain Capital, et Columbia Threadneedle Investments. L'hôtel a récemment rénové ses 32 étages, incluant 957 chambres et nouveaux concepts F&B comme Umami Burger. Ces changements consolident sa position parmi les meilleures adresses de Paris. Le développement vise à renforcer l'offre pour les clients d'affaires et de loisirs, contribuant à la revitalisation du quartier Montparnasse.

🏨 Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, a annoncé la nomination de Julien Bardet comme Directeur Général à partir du 15 septembre 2025. Originaire de Cannes, Bardet a débuté à l'Hôtel Martinez et occupé des postes à l'international, notamment au St. Regis New York et Miami. En 2020, il est devenu Directeur Général du Shangri-La Paris. Bardet est diplômé en Sciences Économiques et Business Management de l'Université de Nice.

📈 John Muehlbauer's tenure included fee reductions and the IHG Ignite initiative. Following a thorough search by a volunteer committee and Bristol Associates, Sickel was appointed. With over 13 years at IHG, Sickel, formerly the global director of revenue strategy, has been pivotal in key commercial strategies. He also served as CEO of RoomKey. Now, he aims to strengthen IHG hotel owners' relations and enhance investment returns.