Nominations

🏨 Luca Finardi was appointed as Regional Vice President for France, Italy, and the Czech Republic, and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris. He succeeds Géraldine Dobey, who has been the General Manager since July 2021 and will now focus on her role as Director of Quality for the Mandarin Oriental Group. With nearly 30 years of experience, Finardi previously managed the Mandarin Oriental, Milan since 2014, and was instrumental in the opening of the Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.

🏨 Luca Finardi appointed as Area Vice-President for France, Italy, and the Czech Republic and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris, starting September 2, 2024. Formerly General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Milan since 2014. Géraldine Dobey, previously Area Vice-President for France, Switzerland, and Morocco and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris since July 2021, now focuses solely on Quality Management within the group. Finardi brings nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

🏨 Accor announces strategic appointments to enhance brand management, with over 20 years of industry experience, Benoît Racle is named Director of Premium Brands, overseeing Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Angsana, and Peppers. The premium segment's signature count has tripled in 2023 compared to 2019. Pullman, a flagship brand with over 150 years of history, operates 155 hotels across 42 countries, with 65 new projects underway.

🏨 Katell Bourgeois appointed since September 2 for Accor's Premium, Midscale & Economy brands development in France. Based in Paris, joined the Development Executive Committee under Philippe Bijaoui. Mission: to boost group's growth strategy in a rapidly expanding region across all hotel segments. Brings nearly 20 years' experience from roles at Cushman & Wakefield Hospitality and JLL Hotels, including Senior VP Corporate Transactions. Holds a Bachelor's from CMH and an MBA from IMHI Cornell University Essec Business School (2005).

🏦 Luca Finardi, after a 10-year tenure at Mandarin Oriental Milan, moves to Paris to lead the group's Parisian palace and serve as Vice President of Operations for Italy, France, and the Czech Republic. Stephanie Greger, hotel manager since September 2021, is promoted to succeed Finardi in Milan.

🍴 Éric Wauthier-Wurmser takes immediate charge at the European strategic committee of Tortilla Group, overseeing 31 French restaurants from Fresh Burritos. This acquisition completed in June 2024 is vital to Tortilla's "Vital Five" growth strategy for European expansion. Reporting to the European strategic committee chaired by Francesca Tiritiello, he joins Andy Naylor, Gilles Boehringer, and TORTILLA founder Brandon Stephens. The integration includes converting a Strasbourg Fresh Burritos in September and a new central kitchen in Lille in Q4 2024.

🏖️ La Sivolière, a 50+ year establishment with 35 rooms, family suites, and apartments in Courchevel, has been managed by Florence Carcassonne for 20 years, enhancing its reputation with a familial touch. Previously, Carcassonne directed Hôtel de la Trémoille in Paris in 1979, later working at luxury hotels like Le George V and Martinez, before her tenure at La Sivolière, founded by Jean Cattelin, a pioneer of the resort.

🏦 Sami Mendil joins B&B HOTELS to play a key role in developing investor relations and identifying new property owners, while structuring innovative programs for the group's ambitious growth plans. With over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate investment, Mendil's career includes positions at General Electric Capital Real Estate, fund management for Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund (ADIA) in continental Europe at Lasalle Investment Management, and KPMG Corporate Finance's M&A Real Estate team.

🏨 B&B Hotels, operating 800 hotels across 17 countries, aims to reach 3,000 in the next decade. Sami Mendil is appointed as the global head of real estate to facilitate growth, engage with real estate investors, scout for potential new property owners, and create innovative investment programs. Mendil's background includes roles at GE Capital Real Estate, ADIA for Lasalle Investment Management in continental Europe, and KPMG Corporate Finance in real estate M&A.

📓 Nominations and transfers in hospitality schools, high schools, and CFA for the academic year 2024-2025 in France. Alexandra Lacour appointed as deputy principal at Lycée Colard Noël, Saint-Quentin. Marriane Gutierrez, Nadia Sadouki, and Thierry Lasnon take on respective roles in Yzeure and Manosque. Corinne Ghesquier and Franck Perard join the team in Sisteron, while Nicolas Perrin is named in Gap. Other notable appointments include Delphine Palomino in Carcassonne, Catherine Brosse in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, and Sandrine Aüllo in La Ciotat. Emmanuel Guérard, Danièle Viala, Michel Villegas, Kathy Duvivier, among others, also secure positions across various regions including Toulouse, Montpellier, Dinard, and more.