Nominations

💰 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.

🏨 Cyril Gast was appointed Director of Operations France at Meliá Hotels International after serving as General Manager at Atypio Hotels Resorts since September 2023. Gast's 25+ year tenure with Accor included positions like Novotel Fontainebleau, Novotel Orléans Saint-Jean-de-Braye, and Novotel Lorient Manager, and strategic roles such as Director of Food & Beverage France and for Midscale brands in Southern Europe. His expertise is expected to bolster Meliá's consolidation and growth in the French market.

🏨 Julien Touraine has been appointed as the Sales Director for Francophone countries by The Hotels Network (THN), which collaborates with over 20,000 hotels globally. Based in Paris, Touraine is tasked with boosting THN's growth in France, French-speaking Switzerland, and other Francophone nations. His prior experience includes strategic roles at D-Edge Hospitality Solutions and Booking.com. THN's AI-powered growth solutions aim to provide smooth, personalized booking experiences to increase conversion rates and revenue for hoteliers.

🏠 Limestone Capital, cofounded by Benjamin Habbel and Jeff Coe, announced the acquisition of Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch (164 keys, a restaurant, wellness area, and event center). Shortly after, Laurent Branover was appointed CEO of their subsidiary Loisium Wine & Spa Hotels. Limestone Capital aims to develop Loisium into the leading European enotourism brand and seeks global expansion through partnerships with hotel developers who share their passion for wine. They recently acquired a majority stake in Loisium to accelerate European development.

💰 Nikki Beach Hospitality Group announces Richard Johnson as new CFO, leveraging his 30 years of experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers. At PwC, Johnson led the Silicon Valley tax division, advised top tech companies, managed a team of over 360 professionals, and handled complex tax strategies for Fortune 500 clients. His financial leadership and global structuring expertise are expected to be strategic assets for Nikki Beach's worldwide expansion.

🏡 Delphine Jaouen manages 2L Collection, which includes five properties, with four 5-star hotels and one 4-star hotel located in Paris, Versailles, Normandy, and Provence. The brand focuses on wellness of body, mind, and heart for guests and staff, offering unique experiences such as meditation boxes, self-hypnosis machines, and mindful tasting sessions. 2L Collection also plans to open wineries at Château de Fonscolombe in 2027, promoting wine-making and tasting. Jaouen's leadership emphasizes human connections, continuous learning, self-confidence, supportive maternity, and a positive mission aligned with the owner's values. The company's RSE commitment prioritizes environmental and social impacts.

🏛 Romain Le Rol, renowned hotelier, will take charge of the RockyPop Marseille on March 17, 2025. The hotel, set to open in the summer of 2025, is described as bold and disruptive. Prior to this, Le Rol successfully launched and established Mama Shelter Rennes. His career includes experience with Starwood, Hilton, Accor, and innovative dining concepts in various locations including Paris, Marrakech, and Lomé. Romain Le Rol graduated from EPMT in 1998.

🏠 HomeExchange, the global leader in home swapping, appoints Alice Lorenz as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Aurore Saint-Maurice as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to drive expansion and make home exchanging a mainstream travel alternative. Alice Lorenz, with the company since 2015, previously with Lafarge, aims to enhance user experience and support a near 40% annual growth by improving new member onboarding for seamless home swaps.

🏡 Julien Mattei joins a&o Hostels as Chief Investment Officer, bringing 15 years of experience from Social Hub and Norges Bank Investment Management. Tasked with steering a&o's investment strategy, Mattei's arrival coincides with the company's growth phase, adding four new properties. A&o now operates 42 hostels in 11 European countries, owning 19 properties (45% of portfolio), and has secured approximately €500 million for further expansion, backed by StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners.

📌 HomeExchange, the global leader in house swapping, proudly announces the appointment of Alice Lorenz as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Aurore Saint-Maurice as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The strategy aims at growth and innovation, focusing on product and marketing to make travel more accessible and expand the platform. Alice Lorenz brings a decade of experience from within HomeExchange and a background in customer service, marketing, and complex project management, having joined after the first funding round in 2015.