Hotel executive moves: Accor, Davidson, Hotel Equities, Remington

Here is a compilation of the most important executive moves of the past week in the hotel investment world alphabetically (by company):

Accor names regional executives. Accor has named Raki Phillips as regional president for the premium, midscale & economy (PME) division across the Middle East & Africa & Turkey, effective November. Phillips will oversee hotel operations performance across a network of over 250 hotels in 27 countries, bringing more than 20 years of global experience and being widely regarded as one of the most influential tourism leaders in the Middle East. Most recently, he held the role of CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and was also a former Fairmont Raffles Hotels International executive and also worked at Ritz-Carlton and Universal Studios Orlando.

New CEO for Club Med. Stéphane Maquaire has been appointed president and CEO of Club Med Holding, effective immediately. The move is the latest for the Paris-based company, following Henri Giscard d’Estaing’s announcement that he was ousted from his position as board chairman by the company’s owners, Shanghai-based Fosun Tourism Group. D’Estaing said last week he was abruptly replaced in a move that went against a previously agreed-upon procedure that Club Med “should be listed on the stock market and its center for decision making must remain in France,” he told staff in the letter, dated July 16. He had been chairman of the company since 2002. Maquaire joins Club Med from Carrefour, where he served as executive director for Carrefour Brazil and Latin America. Club Med also announced several other changes to its board with the addition of Philippe Heim and Takuya Yamada. Heim has held leadership roles at Société Générale, including CFO and deputy CEO, and later served as chairman of the board of La Banque Postale. Yamada is chairman of Tokyo-based IDERA Capital, the asset manager of Club Med’s two resorts in Japan and has collaborated closely with Club Med in recent years.

Davidson names 2 new execs. Atlanta-based Davidson Hospitality Group has named Nick Gregory executive vice president of operations for Pivot, its lifestyle operating vertical, while Paul Eckert has been promoted to executive vice president of operations and business intelligence. Gregory most recently served as senior vice president of strategic operations for the company.

Dreamscape names new feasibility exec. Dallas-based Dreamscape Hospitality has named Connor Bussing as director of feasibility. In his new role, Bussing will lead feasibility analysis and market research initiatives. Bussing brings a wealth of experience in hospitality and financial analysis to Dreamscape. He previously served in various feasibility roles at Aimbridge Hospitality.

Highway West Vacations promotion. Irvine, California-based Highway West Vacations has named Trevor Bridge as regional vice president, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in resort management. Bridge will lead operational and administrative support for Highway West Vacation’s California portfolio.

“Coach” Cerrone retiring. Hotel Equities announced that its Founder Fred Cerrone has decided to retire effective November 22, 2025, concluding a 58-year career in the hospitality industry.  As founder and chairman emeritus, he remains an enduring influence and guiding presence for the firm. Cerrone, affectionately known as “Coach” by his team and industry peers, has led Hotel Equities from a single-property operation into a platform with a robust portfolio spanning the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA). As part of the planned transition and following the latest news of its merger with Springboard Hospitality, Brad Rahinsky, former President and CEO of Hotel Equities, has assumed the title of co-chairman. Springboard’s former President Ben Rafter was appointed Hotel Equities’ CEO earlier this month.

New CEO for Nammos. Greece-based luxury brand Nammos Hotels & Resorts has appointed Carolyn Turnbull as CEO, effective immediately. Upcoming openings include Nammos Resort AMAALA within Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global project, Nammos Resort Maldives, and Nammos Resort Abu Dhabi. Additional destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are also in the pipeline. The global expansion of Nammos is backed by ADMO Lifestyle Holding, a strategic joint venture between Monterock International and Alpha Dhabi Holding.

New F&B exec for Pyramid. Boston and The Woodlands, Texas-based Pyramid Global Hospitality has named Anthony Torres as vice president of food and beverage. Torres will drive the vision of Pyramid’s food and beverage program at more than 250 hotels and resorts worldwide. For decades, Torres has been a brand and operations leader across luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts, with expertise at both the property and corporate levels. He arrives at Pyramid from IHG Resorts & Hotels, where he led food and beverage operations for Kimpton, InterContinental, Regent, Hotel Indigo and Vignette.

New COO at Remington. Remington Hospitality has appointed Jason Kreul as chief operating officer, effective August 5, 2025. He will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, engineering, food & beverage, and commercial strategy for both third-party managed and assets under management. He will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Ben Perelmuter and play a key role in accelerating Remington’s strategic growth across North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Kreul most recently served as chief operating officer at First Hospitality. He also held the role of president at Highgate, as well as senior-level positions with White Lodging and Winegardner & Hammons.