Nominations

🛅 Nathalie Bitho, previously in charge of Togo's prestigious Sarakawa Hotel, was dismissed despite her successful tenure marked by significant renovations in 2020, including the refurbishment of 100 rooms, modernization of facilities, and addition of Togo's unique Olympic-sized pool. The hotel, under Bitho's management, turned profits that were reinvested, notably in the restoration of the Lébénè hotel-school. Her removal followed a visit by Minister Sani Yaya and Lebanese investors, leading to controversial topographical work on the hotel's site. Lieutenant-Colonel Komlan Edem Agbenyega Gumedzoe of the Togolese Armed Forces has been appointed as the interim administrator.

🍴 Tiago Martins, previously Deputy Director at Guy Savoy, enhances hospitality and customer experience. Le Taillevent, established in 1946, welcomes Tiago, uniting his service vision with Chef Giuliano Sperandio's culinary creativity. This collaboration promises to maintain Le Taillevent's excellence in the Paris gastronomy scene.

🏦 NUMA, now present in 15 European countries, focuses on market entry, expansion activities, and business model extensions. Philipp Morawietz, with a background in tech-driven hospitality and former General Manager at Homelike, supervises procurement, corporate operations, strategy, finance, and HR. At HRS for a decade, Morawietz aided B2C to B2B transformation, managed M&A, post-merger integrations, and strategic projects, leading a team that digitized hotel rate negotiations for major companies.

📌 Cycas Hospitality, under Matt Luscombe's leadership, expanded its hospitality management presence to twelve countries in Europe, built partnerships with global hotel chains, and developed trust with numerous investor partners. Cycas strengthened its industry position by recruiting top European hoteliers with shareholder support. Erik Jacobs of Vertiq Capital and Cycas board member since 2017, steps in as interim CEO during the ongoing selection of Luscombe's successor. Luscombe reflected on his tenure with pride.

🍴 Arnaud Becard, 53, appointed CEO of Traiteur de Paris by Noe Industries. With over 20 years in executive management and finance in the agri-food sector, he's worked with international firms like La Charlotte, Soufflet, Senoble, and Saria. Noe Industries invested in Traiteur de Paris in June 2024, boosting its equity by €6M. Becard's goal is to continue consolidation and implement a new strategic plan for profitable growth. Noe Industries, founded in 2020, specializes in investing in French industrial companies requiring capital and expertise for transformation or carve-outs.

🏠 François Mary, with over 30 years of experience in hospitality, takes over as the head of l’Institut Lyfe. Formerly COO of Naos Hotel Group (2019-2025), CEO of Your Nature Belgium (2017-2019), and director of operations at Villages Nature Paris (2015-2017), Mary has a background that includes managing luxury hotels such as Mövenpick Hotel (2004-2006) and Noga Hilton Genève (1999-2004), and the Brasserie du Louvre in Paris (1996-1999). His expertise is expected to enhance the institution's excellence.

🏡 Gerald Krischek, with an 18-year gap since his last Greek professional venture, returned to Greece in February 2025 to lead the One & Only Aesthesis. Krischek previously managed Hôtel Grande Bretagne in Athens until 2007. He is acclaimed for creating unforgettable luxury hotel experiences. In Paris, for around ten years, Krischek led the Prince de Galles, enhancing its 159 rooms and 44 suites, and its award-winning bar, earning recognition from Travel & Leisure to Forbes. Between 2011-2015, he revitalized Vienna's Hôtel Bristol, securing Condé Nast's favor, and before that, directed Salzburg's Hotel Goldener Hirsch, blending tradition with modernity.

🎉 Loïc Legrand, a discreet and modest hotel director, leads the Radisson Blu Paris Boulogne since 2022. He began his career in the champagne industry with Moët after graduating from the École Hôtelière de Lausanne in 2000 and a DEUG in law. Legrand's career took him to Hong Kong post-graduation, where he was offered an expatriate position by his impressed superiors.

🏨 Astrid de Sercey joins Hôtels & Préférence, France's leading 4 & 5-star independent hotel brand, as Marketing & Communication Director and Executive Committee member. With over 15 years of marketing and communication experience in BtoB and BtoC sectors, she previously honed her skills at Foundever for five years and enhanced Maison Blanche restaurant's brand image for six years. In 2020, she took charge at Matsuri to revitalize the brand and improve customer experience before her current appointment.

🏝 In 2023, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo marks its 20th anniversary with a year-long celebration. The hotel, located in the historic Nihonbashi area of Tokyo, is renowned for two decades of unmatched luxury, legendary service, and culinary excellence. The celebrations, honoring their heritage and looking forward to the future, will include a special logo inspired by the traditional Japanese hanko seal. Guests can enjoy exclusive experiences from April 15 to December 31.