Nominations

📌 Naël El Assaad joined Cycas Hospitality shortly before the announcement that Cycas would manage the 180-key Oxford United Football Club Stadium hotel, in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group. El Assaad, with significant experience in hospitality and real estate, including projects with Knight Frank, Groupe Châteauform, LWS Hospitality, and launching the Voco by IHG in Angers. He contributed to expanding CAP’ETUDES student residences over four years and created the LIVE&CO aparthotel brand. At Cycas, his role involves driving development and identifying new managerial opportunities, leveraging his network and strategic partnerships, supported by his MBA in international hotel management from ESSEC Business School (IMHI).

🏨 Mandarin Oriental appointed ShaoWei Ong as Chief People & Culture Officer, effective March 17, 2025. With over 22 years of HR leadership experience across hospitality, banking, fintech, music, and engineering, Ong's expertise includes HR transformation and digital innovation. Her role under CEO Laurent Kleitman aims to enhance the employee and customer experience. Previously, Ong held HR leadership roles at Jardine Schindler and Livi Bank.

🏨 Ahmed Naufal has been promoted to Director of Business Development at Sun Siyam Resorts, effective immediately. Previously the Director of Sales and Marketing, Naufal's new role involves driving key initiatives for long-term growth, developing innovative strategies, improving operational efficiency, and supporting expansion efforts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The promotion reflects his remarkable performance and strategic vision that have significantly contributed to the success of the resorts. CEO Deepak Booneady praised Naufal’s leadership and in-depth industry knowledge.

🍴 Boris Derichebourg, President of Elior, congratulates Mickaël Girard on his appointment to lead the company's catering operations in France, aiming to drive economic recovery and start a new development phase. At 48, Girard joined Elior in 2008, became Regional Director (2013-2020), Operations Director (2020-2023), and Deputy CEO of Elior France since November 2023. He holds an MBA from Audencia (2018) and a BTS in Hotel and Restaurant Management (1998).

🏦 Torsten Richter is appointed as the General Manager of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel starting March 2025. With over 25 years of luxury hospitality experience, Richter previously served as Area General Manager for Minor Hotels in Malaysia and Indonesia and led iconic establishments like The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, and The Jaffa Hotel in Tel Aviv. His career also includes roles with Marriott International, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and SO/Bangkok. Richter's strategic vision aims to enhance Anantara Siam Bangkok's excellence and guest experience.

💰 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.