Nominations

🏦 Vincent Prioult, graduated from the International Concierge Institute in 2001, swiftly advanced in Sofitel, starting as Front Office Manager at Sofitel Wanda Beijing (2007-2008), then Director of Guest Services at Sofitel Philadelphia (2002-2007), and Manager at Sofitel Saigon Plaza (2008-2012). He joined The Peninsula Hotels in 2012, served as Executive Assistant Manager at Peninsula Tokyo for nearly 4 years, Resident Manager at Peninsula Chicago (2016-2018), Hotel Manager at The Peninsula Shanghai (2018-2020), and Director, Operations at The Peninsula Hong Kong (July 2020-February 2022). Prioult was promoted to Vice President, Rooms Operations & Quality in February 2022, before becoming Hotel Manager in Bangkok, marking a significant step in his luxury hospitality career.

📌 Maëlle Collot, at 32, serves as the COO of Sansi Hotels Zanzibar, reflecting a successful blend of Vosges roots and African zeal within her career. Having a background in business management from Nancy and experience as an au pair in London, Collot's journey is marked by a significant inclination towards hospitality, shaped by her love for travel and a profound connection to both her hometown of 6,000 inhabitants and the African continent.

🏠 Stéphane Rigaud, after nearly two years leading the Intercontinental Bora-Bora, returns to France to manage Six Senses Residences & SPA Courchevel, comprising 53 apartments. He began his career with IHG, later joining Disney in 2003, and Hyatt in 2008, becoming Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile in 2015. In January 2023, Rigaud rejoined IHG in Polynesia amidst an economic recovery.

🏠 Hamid Bentahar, after a 35-year career with Accor and serving as President of Accor Afrique Services and Accor Gestion Maroc, is leaving his operational roles but will advise the group as an external consultant. Throughout his tenure, he held key positions in Turkey, Greece, and Tunisia, and led the group in Morocco. Bentahar was awarded the Gold Medal for Tourism in 2010 and the Legion of Honour in 2016. Accor, coinciding with his departure, is restructuring its Moroccan operations into two divisions: Luxury and Lifestyle, and Premium, Midscale, and Economy. Bentahar's position will not be replaced, marking a new phase for Accor in Morocco.

📌 Scott Woroch, with over 30 years of luxury hospitality experience, was appointed following the August 1st, 2024 nominations of Cristina Diezhandino and Fabrice Megarbane at Mandarin Oriental, a global luxury hotel group. Previously, Woroch held high-level development positions at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for 15 years. The new appointments, including Woroch, aim to bolster Mandarin Oriental's strategy and governance structure, with the Board now comprising 50% independent non-executive directors. Chairman Ben Keswick of Jardine Matheson, Mandarin Oriental’s parent company, praised Scott's global hotel development expertise and its enhancement to the Board's capabilities.

🏢 Richard Ginioux appointed on November 4, 2024, as Director of Excelia Tourism School and head of development for specialized Excelia schools. Formerly the General Manager of FERRANDI Paris, Ginioux succeeds Pascal Capellari. His role includes driving strategic repositioning, establishing a distinctive brand in line with the school's purpose, and overseeing development to diversify Excelia's initial training offerings.

🍴 Nicolas Le Tirrand, chef of Sources* in Lorient since summer 2020, sold his Michelin-starred restaurant to lead the kitchens at Les Mouettes hotel in Larmor-Plage, his hometown, starting March 2025. Partnering with owner Gérard Le Faouder and associate director Frédéric Avignon, Le Tirrand will introduce two new dining areas: a seasonal bistrot in spring 2025 and a sea-focused gastronomic restaurant after extensive renovations ending late 2025.

🏠 Sabine G. Lamberts, an alumna of École Hôtelière de Glion (1993), was appointed in March 2024 as the "Regional General Manager" of Nihi Hotels, under James W McBride, CEO and co-founder. Previously, she managed Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort in French Polynesia since 2021 and was the Operations Director at Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel from 2009 to 2016 before her first General Manager role at Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran in Asia.

🎓 Richard Ginioux, an ESSEC and Sciences-Po Bordeaux alumnus, formerly General Manager of FERRANDI Paris, is now leading Excelia Tourism School. His extensive experience includes roles at FERRANDI Paris (2021-2024, General Manager), École Supérieure Internationale de Savignac (2006-2021, Director), and ownership of Gites et Chambres d'Hôtes Le Branchat (1999-2008). He succeeds Pascal Capellari and is tasked with strategic repositioning, brand establishment, and supervising development at Excelia Tourism School. He's also responsible for aligning specialized Excelia schools with the group's strategy and fostering growth.

🏌️ Thomas Benassayag, with hospitality degrees from Ecole hôtelière de Strasbourg (2006-2008) and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (2008-2011), led luxury hotel operations in France, China, and the USA for brands like Sofitel and Mandarin Oriental. He later specialized in strategic consulting, international development, and luxury industry M&A. A year ago, Thomas took charge of Opio Valbonne Golf Resort, implementing a high-end, user-centric vision and integrating hotel and golf experiences.