Nominations

🏩 Nazik Amrani appointed General Manager of Kisawa Sanctuary on Benguerra Island, bringing over 20 years of luxury hotel management experience, including work in UAE, Seychelles, Indonesia, Morocco. Previously, she led Rotana hotels in Abu Dhabi. Amrani now oversees Kisawa's eight exclusive residences, the Natural Wellness Centre (NWC), and collaborates with the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS), reinforcing Kisawa's commitment to exceptional service, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.

📚 Didier Malric was appointed as the Director of the Social Protection Council for Independent Workers (CPSTI) starting March 1, 2025, after a proposal from the supervising ministers was approved by the CPSTI General Assembly on January 23, 2025. An alumnus of the National School of Social Security (En3S), Malric has held various leadership roles in local social security organizations and national funds. He became the Director General of the National Union of Social Security Funds (Ucanss) in 2011 and has served as the Director General of the Urssaf Ile de France since 2018, a role he will continue along with his new position. Malric is the third Director of CPSTI since its establishment on January 1, 2019, following predecessors Eric Le Bont and Philipe Renard. Together with CPSTI President Daniel Couillaud, Malric aims to enhance services for independent workers, leveraging the 15 regional CPSTI offices and inter-fund resources.

🏨 Aleph Hospitality strengthens its presence in Ghana by managing a second hotel, The Address in Accra, owned by real estate leader DevtracoPlus. This marks their second collaboration following The Pelican Hotel in 2022. With over 60% retention rate among hotel owners, Aleph Hospitality showcases its expertise. The Address, opening in 2026, will feature 121 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, cigar lounge, fitness center, pool, and meeting rooms.

🏨 Mathieu Sauvestre joins Eklo as the new Development Director with 16 years of experience in hotel project development. A 2009 HEC graduate, he restructured Club Med's portfolio in Africa and the Middle East, led development in North America from 2015, and pioneered strategic projects in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. In 2019, he came back to Europe to oversee Club Med's development and upgrade in France and Switzerland. Sauvestre is now part of Eklo to promote an economic and responsible lifestyle hospitality concept.

🏨 Xavier Perret appointed as General Manager of Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco, bringing over 20 years of hospitality industry experience. He has held key positions within Marriott International, including Operations Manager at Renaissance Paris Nobel Tour Eiffel and multiple financial director roles in Paris and Brussels. The year marks the hotel's 30th anniversary, emphasizing its commitment to superior accommodations and service.

🏡 Mathieu Sauvestre, with 16 years of hotel development experience, is appointed as the new Development Director at French ecological and lifestyle hotel group Eklo. Graduated from HEC in 2009, started at Club Med, restructuring its portfolio in Africa and the Middle East, then led North American development in 2015, focusing on mountain markets in the US and Canada, and beach resorts in the Caribbean. By 2019, he was driving Club Med's development in France and Switzerland and enhancing its upscale positioning. Sauvestre joins Eklo to drive its ambitious expansion, aligning with its concept of accessible lifestyle hospitality and strong environmental and societal integration.

📖 The Oetker family, owners of the Bristol Paris, appoints a new chef with two Michelin stars and the title of MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). The renowned Epicure restaurant at the Bristol, located on Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, offers a culinary journey through France under the new chef, previously known for serving at the Auberge du Jeu de Paume for the Aga Khan, and hosting Barack Obama and Bono at La Chèvre d’Or in Èze. This marks a significant move from his comfort zone in Nice, where he spent eight years and developed the "Rivyera" concept.

📈 Jean-Jacques Morin, administrateur at AccorInvest, is tasked with selling Accor's 31% stake within a maximum of 18 months, as confirmed by Sébastien Bazin during a financial analysts' meeting. This move follows Accor's decision to discontinue its ownership in the real estate firm it established.

🏡 Transaxio Hôtel finalized the sale of both property and business of the 3-star Hôtel des Châteaux, which has 27 comfortable rooms and a seasonal homemade cuisine restaurant. The hotel is strategically located near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area and the famous Azay-le-Rideau castle. The buyer, Immovation group, led by Alain Fournier, owns about 15 mid-range hotels, mainly in western France. The acquisition was facilitated by Fabrice Le Mouroux of Transaxio Hôtel and Sissel Thorstensen of Fan Worldwide France. Immovation plans to extend and upgrade the hotel to enhance customer experience.

🏨 Valerio Duchini, previously managing B&B HOTELS' expansion in the U.S., has been appointed as the Western Europe Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Marine Charles. Duchini joined B&B HOTELS in 2009 after years in Vodafone Automotive and Compass Group Italia's finance departments. With 16 years at B&B HOTELS, he has served as CFO, General Manager of the Italian subsidiary—turning it into a market leader—and recently opened the first 3 hotels in the U.S. At 52, Duchini holds an economics degree, a master's in tourism management from Ca' Foscari University, Venice, and an AMP from Harvard Business School.