Nominations

🏦 Mark Wouters, with an MBA from Glion Institute (2019) and education from École Hôtelière La Haye (2000) and École Hôtelière Ter Duinen Koksijde (1999), appointed COO of Seren Collection, reporting to Founder and CEO Neil Kedward. Wouters brings over 25 years of experience from luxury hotels like The Langham in Shanghai and Huka Lodge in New Zealand, emphasizing operational excellence, customer-centric innovation, and sustainable luxury. His last role was General Manager at The Langham, Shanghai.

📢 Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell Corp.'s CEO and a Yum! Brands, Inc. subsidiary, was elected as an independent director to the board of Marriott International, effective February 12, 2025. Tresvant's leadership at Taco Bell led to national and international expansion, increased brand recognition through initiatives like Taco Bell Taco Tuesday, and enhanced in-store and online sales. David Marriott, Chairman of Marriott's board, expects Tresvant's innovative experience to be a valuable asset as Marriott focuses on future innovation.

🏨 Javier Águila, President of Hyatt for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, extends his leadership to the global all-inclusive portfolio starting March 1, 2025. Hyatt's Inclusive Collection encompasses approximately 55,000 rooms across 11 brands, including Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, now part of the collection through a 50/50 joint-venture with Grupo Piñero, where Águila will also join the board. This move follows Hyatt's division into five portfolios: Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics, and Essentials, with a separate Lifestyle group already formed under Amar Lalvani.

🗓 Mick Girardin, aged 33, was appointed as the new Director of Kimberly-Clark Professional (KCP) France, succeeding Elise Gouveia who became the Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). He will report to Franck Fleck, the EMEA Sales Director. Having spent nearly a decade at Kimberly-Clark, Girardin will leverage his expertise to lead a team of 20 and focus on enhancing business and human relations within KCP France. Girardin began his journey with KCP in Belgium in 2015, where he held key commercial roles.

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corporation appoints Javier Águila as President of its Inclusive Collection effective March 1, 2025. He maintains his role as President for Europe, Africa, and Middle East regions. The Inclusive Collection boasts approximately 55,000 rooms and includes Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts from a 50/50 joint venture with Grupo Piñero. The brand-focused reorganization follows the creation of five distinct brand portfolios—Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics, Essentials—and a Lifestyle group led by Amar Lalvani. Further luxury group announcements are expected later in the year.

🏨 Hyatt Hotels Corporation appoints Javier Águila as President of the Inclusive Collection from March 1, 2025. Águila will also oversee the Europe, Africa, and Middle East (EAME) region. The Inclusive Collection encompasses approximately 55,000 rooms, including Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts. This follows Hyatt's launch of five distinct brand portfolios: Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics, and Essentials, with dedicated Lifestyle and upcoming Luxury groups. CEO Mark Hoplamazian is confident in Águila's ability to maximize the Inclusive Collection's potential.

🏨 Gonzalo Aguilar appointed as General Manager for Minor Hotels Europe and Americas, effective January 1, 2025, succeeding Ramón Aragonés, who retired at the end of 2024 but will remain as a board member and non-executive vice president. Aguilar, with over 30 years in the hospitality industry and a former COO for Europe at Marriott International, will focus on brand portfolio integration and hotel expansion, particularly in the luxury segment.

🏡 Jean-Yves Blatt joined Villars Alpine Resort (VAR) as Group Managing Director in November 2023, and managed the renovated luxury Villars Palace as General Manager. Under his leadership, the five-star hotel experienced significant growth and joined the Leading Hotels of the World, and will be part of Swiss Deluxe Hotels by the end of 2024, enhancing its global luxury status. Blatt is also leading Six Senses Crans-Montana into a new era, promoting its unique luxury and high-end hospitality in Switzerland, known for its pure sensuality experience.

🏨 Preferred Hotels & Resorts announced the appointments of Anna Moore and Dan Clark to enhance operations and expand presence in Europe and the UK. Dan Clark, with experience from Calliope Collective, Gleneagles, Elite Hotels, Radisson Edwardian, and Trump Hotels, becomes VP of Global Leisure Sales for Europe, tasked with boosting leisure sales strategy and fostering relationships with luxury travel organizations like Virtuoso and Serandipians. Anna Moore is named Regional Director for the UK and Ireland, managing a portfolio of 30 branded hotels, resorts, and residences.

🏨 Gonzalo Aguilar became CEO of Minor Hotels Europe & Americas on January 1, 2025, succeeding Ramón Aragonés Marín after a 6-month transition announced in June 2024. With over 30 years of experience, notably as Europe Operations Director at Marriott International, Aguilar aims to focus on international integration, accelerate hotel openings, and implement a growth-supportive strategy in luxury and resort segments. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, underscores Aguilar's invaluable sector knowledge and proven leadership for the company's strategic growth plan.