Nominations

📢 ShaoWei Ong appointed as Chief People & Culture Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group effective March 17, 2025. Reporting directly to CEO Laurent Kleitman, Ong joins the Executive Committee and Leadership Team. With over 22 years in HR leadership across hospitality, finance, fintech, music, and engineering, Ong brings expertise in HR transformation, leadership development, organizational redesign, and digitization. Her previous roles include Group Human Resources Director at Jardine Schindler and Livi Bank, and leadership positions at Sony Music Group Asia & Middle East, Starwood Academy Asia Pacific, Secoo Group, Wyndham Hotel Group Asia, and United Overseas Bank (Malaysia). Amanda Hyndman, former Chief People & Culture Officer, focuses on COO duties.

🏨 In France, hotel executive salaries vary by establishment type: 3-star hotel managers earn 50-80k€, 4-star managers 70-120k€, and 5-star/Palace managers 110-200k€. Operation Directors range from 45-70k€ in 3-star to 80-150k€ in 5-star/Palaces. Commercial Directors earn 50-75k€ in 3-star, up to 80-180k€ in 5-star/Palaces; Financial Directors get 55-85k€ to 90-180k€ respectively. Compensation includes base salary, reflecting experience and responsibility, and often performance-linked bonuses.

🏡 Stéphanie Carpentier promoted to General Manager of the 5-star Le Château de Théoule on the Mediterranean after nearly two years as the hotel's Sales and Marketing Director. Carpentier, with extensive luxury hospitality experience, has held high-level roles at SDPNE Hotels (now Nouvelle Vague Hospitality) and as Sales Manager for Holiday Inn Nice Centre and Holiday Inn Nice – Port Saint Laurent. Her vision aims to uphold the hotel's legacy while embracing modernity and new guest experiences.

🍺 Gwendoline Théodet named Chief Development Officer at Saguez & Dash to expand the company's presence in the hospitality and restaurant sector in the US and Europe. Théodet, with significant experience in strategic growth and innovation in hotel design, previously held leadership roles in international design agencies. She is also the founding president of NEWH's Paris chapter, aiming to enhance connections within the hotel design industry. Her appointment underscores the firm's commitment to grow creatively and strategically in the global hospitality market.

📌 Naël El Assaad joined Cycas Hospitality shortly before the announcement that Cycas would manage the 180-key Oxford United Football Club Stadium hotel, in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group. El Assaad, with significant experience in hospitality and real estate, including projects with Knight Frank, Groupe Châteauform, LWS Hospitality, and launching the Voco by IHG in Angers. He contributed to expanding CAP’ETUDES student residences over four years and created the LIVE&CO aparthotel brand. At Cycas, his role involves driving development and identifying new managerial opportunities, leveraging his network and strategic partnerships, supported by his MBA in international hotel management from ESSEC Business School (IMHI).

🏨 Mandarin Oriental appointed ShaoWei Ong as Chief People & Culture Officer, effective March 17, 2025. With over 22 years of HR leadership experience across hospitality, banking, fintech, music, and engineering, Ong's expertise includes HR transformation and digital innovation. Her role under CEO Laurent Kleitman aims to enhance the employee and customer experience. Previously, Ong held HR leadership roles at Jardine Schindler and Livi Bank.

🏨 Ahmed Naufal has been promoted to Director of Business Development at Sun Siyam Resorts, effective immediately. Previously the Director of Sales and Marketing, Naufal's new role involves driving key initiatives for long-term growth, developing innovative strategies, improving operational efficiency, and supporting expansion efforts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The promotion reflects his remarkable performance and strategic vision that have significantly contributed to the success of the resorts. CEO Deepak Booneady praised Naufal’s leadership and in-depth industry knowledge.

🍴 Boris Derichebourg, President of Elior, congratulates Mickaël Girard on his appointment to lead the company's catering operations in France, aiming to drive economic recovery and start a new development phase. At 48, Girard joined Elior in 2008, became Regional Director (2013-2020), Operations Director (2020-2023), and Deputy CEO of Elior France since November 2023. He holds an MBA from Audencia (2018) and a BTS in Hotel and Restaurant Management (1998).

🏦 Torsten Richter is appointed as the General Manager of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel starting March 2025. With over 25 years of luxury hospitality experience, Richter previously served as Area General Manager for Minor Hotels in Malaysia and Indonesia and led iconic establishments like The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, and The Jaffa Hotel in Tel Aviv. His career also includes roles with Marriott International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and SO/Bangkok. Richter's strategic vision aims to enhance Anantara Siam Bangkok's excellence and guest experience.

💰 Nikki Beach Hospitality Group announces Rich Johnson as the new CFO with nearly 30 years of financial management experience. Formerly at PwC, Johnson led the Silicon Valley tax practice, advising top tech companies. His global tax strategy, M&A, and international structuring expertise will drive Nikki Beach's global expansion, operational efficiency, and long-term growth. Beyond finance, Johnson contributes to education and philanthropy, mirroring Nikki Beach's social commitment values. This strategic appointment comes at a pivotal development stage for the hospitality group.