Nominations

🏠 Najeti Hôtels et Golfs Collection expands in French cities, acquiring Hôtel Victoria in Lyon-Perrache, after Strasbourg. The 2-star Hôtel Victoria, labeled "clé verte", will see an investment of €700,000 for upgrades, including air conditioning for its 50 rooms, bathroom renovations, and IoT equipment. The existing team of 10 employees will be retained, receiving support from Najeti for efficiency and development. The hotel is near the Brasserie Georges in a district scheduled for complete remodeling by 2030.

🍰 Maxence Barbot named new Pastry Chef at Le Bristol Paris, starting May 5. He succeeds Yu Tanaka, who leaves after 7 years. Barbot, with an exceptional career in top Parisian palaces, brings talent and creativity to the prestigious Faubourg Saint-Honoré establishment. As Le Bristol nears its centennial, Barbot is honored to join and aims to enrich its legacy with his vision of sincere, indulgent, creative pastry, deeply rooted in seasonality.

💸 Adrien Pot named as Diageo France's Off Trade Commercial Director, responsible for driving the off-trade channel strategy and enhancing Diageo brand presence in mass retail. Reporting to Benoit Lohio, Diageo France's Commercial Director, Pot holds a degree from ISCOM and Clermont School of Business in management, sales, and commercial negotiations. With extensive experience in mass distribution and the spirits market, Pot has handled negotiations across various sectors (MBWS, FLEURY MICHON, TIPIAK) for over 8 years. He joined Diageo France as a Key Account Manager in April 2024 and was promoted in March 2025, now leading a team of 3 national and 4 regional Key Account Managers.

🏨 Marissa Mayer, former Yahoo! CEO (2012-2017) and Google executive (13 years), is set to join Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc's board, replacing long-serving director Judith McHale, who will retire at this year's annual shareholder meeting in May. Mayer's tech and leadership background is expected to guide Hilton in leveraging new technologies for growth opportunities.

🎸 Hard Rock International's Senior VP of Hotel Operations, John Rees, announced the opening of Hard Rock Hotel London in Ontario, aiming to offer guests the brand's signature music-infused environment. The hotel features 164 rooms and suites with family-style rooms and the Rock Star suite boasting a luxury lounge, bar, music-inspired decor, and a private kitchenette. Tim Dora of Dora Hotel Company anticipates the hotel will significantly impact Canadian travelers.

🏠 Christian Baumgarten, 54, a German national born in Geneva, boasts a career in luxury hospitality. Starting in Germany, he moved to France's prestigious Côte d’Azur establishments like Hôtel Martinez and Croisette Beach Hôtel. In 2008, Baumgarten joined Le Mas de Pierre as Deputy Director, later becoming the General Manager. By 2017, he led two 5-star hotels, Hôtel Miramar and Yaktsa, and the Michelin-starred L’Or Bleu restaurant in Théoule-sur-Mer. As of early this year, he's directing the Hôtel & Spa du Castellet and Grand Prix Hôtel & Restaurant, blending his passion for automobiles with luxury hospitality.

🏨 The Breton hotel group B&B HOTELS is expanding in Europe and internationally. Céline Vercollier is appointed as the new CEO, with Damien Martin as CFO and Jan Grossmann as COO for Central and Northern Europe. The group separates the roles of President and CEO, with Fabrice Collet remaining President. These changes support growth as B&B HOTELS celebrates its 35th anniversary. Vercollier, previously CFO since 2017, played a key role in the group's development.

🏨 B&B HOTELS, a European budget hotel leader, splits the roles of President and CEO, with Céline Vercollier, CFO since 2017, becoming CEO. Aimed at supporting growth and internationalization for their 35th anniversary in 2025, Vercollier focuses on reinforcing the brand's leadership, while former CEO Fabrice Collet shifts to strategic diversification projects. Damien Martin joins as CFO, contributing 25 years of financial experience. Founded in 1990, B&B HOTELS has 883 locations across 17 countries, with half in France, doubling its network since 2019.

🏨 B&B HOTELS, European leader in budget hotels, splits roles of President and CEO, previously held by Fabrice Collet. Céline Vercollier is appointed CEO, a promotion from her position as CFO since 2017. In 2025, B&B HOTELS marks its 35th anniversary. Collet, now solely President, focuses on strategic diversification projects and was CEO since 2016 and President-CEO since 2019, after being CFO since 2012. Damien Martin joins as CFO, coming from Group Babilou.

📢 Civitatis appoints Andres Spitzer, former Amazon executive, as Chief Product Officer (CPO) to boost its growth, leveraging a $50 million investment from Vitruvian Partners. With a sales growth target of 40% by 2025, Spitzer's role will focus on product development, operational scalability, and enhancing B2B and B2C segments. The company specializes in distributing activities, tours, and transfers in French.