Hotel executive moves: Aperture, Hotel Equities, Hyatt, Highgate

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

New VP at Aperture. Atlanta-based Aperture Hotels has named Bert Mullins as vice president of operations. Mullins brings more than two decades of hospitality leadership experience to the role, including regional and property-level operations for both branded and independent hotels. Before joining Aperture, he served as regional director for operations for Hotel Equities and previously held the same position at InterMountain Management. He also held leadership roles at PDQ Consulting.

New COO at Caliber. Scottsdale, Arizona-based Caliber has promoted Greg James to COO. He joined Caliber in October as head of hotel asset management and replaced Ignacio Martinez on July 7. James brings over 34 years of experience in hotel operations and asset management. Before Caliber, he spent nearly two decades at Summit Hotel Properties, where he served as senior vice president of operations and also worked at Marriott International.

CEO for Four Seasons Yacht. Toronto-based Four Seasons Yachts has named Ben Trodd as CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., effective July 1. The appointment marks a defining moment for Four Seasons Yachts as it prepares for its 2026 debut. Having spent more than 25 years at Four Seasons, Trodd brings operational and commercial expertise shaped by a career that has spanned regional and global oversight. Trodd most recently served as chief operating officer of Aman. Before that, he had a decades-long tenure at Four Seasons.

New EMEA exec for Frasers. Singapore-based investor-operator Frasers Hospitality has appointed Darryl Walker as commercial director EMEA, a newly created position. Walker brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, joining Frasers from edyn where he led the group’s global distribution strategy and oversaw a partner apartment network of more than 80,000 units worldwide. He also serves as deputy chairman of the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP), a position Walker has held for the past two years.

COO at Ginobbi Group. Alessia Meli has been appointed COO at Italy-based Ginobbi Group. Meli brings to the role over two decades of expertise in the global hospitality and luxury dining industries, with a background shaped by both European and American influences. Most recently, Meli played a key role in shaping the experiential identity of Palazzo Ripetta.

Executive moves at HHM. Philadelphia-based HHM Hotels has restructured its leadership team. Promoted to executive vice president of operations were Cathy O’Brien, Hiram Negron, and Doug Wilkins. Ray Perez continues to serve as executive vice president of operations. Marsha Ray, executive vice president and head of Canadian operations, was hired to enhance the company’s Canadian foundation and position it for significant future growth.

New president at Highgate. New York City-based owner-operator Highgate has named former Peregrine Hospitality chief operating officer Pete Sams as its new president to focus on optimizing business performance and expanding opportunities for associates. Before Peregrine, Sams served as COO of Davidson Hospitality Group, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 85 properties and guided the organization through significant growth. He also worked at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, White Lodging Services and Omni Hotels.

Senior leaders named at HE. Hotel Equities has named Albert Smith as chief operating officer and Rob Robinson as president of Springboard Hospitality. Based in Atlanta, Smith now leads enterprise-wide operations for Hotel Equities, with responsibility for optimizing performance across hotels, resorts, and outdoor hospitality destinations throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Smith most recently served as president of Hotel Operations at Hotel Equities. Based in Honolulu, Robinson now oversees all aspects of the Springboard Hospitality platform and portfolio, with a focus on driving financial performance, executing long-term growth strategies, fostering a strong company culture, and expanding the portfolio across high-growth markets. Previously executive vice president of Springboard Hospitality, Robinson originally joined OLS Hotels & Resorts in 2018 as part of its new ownership group and played a key role in the company’s transformation into Springboard.

Leadership changes at Hyatt. Hyatt Hotels Corp. has announced that effective July 1, Marc Jacheet has officially assumed his role as group president, Europe, Africa & Middle East (EAME), succeeding Javier Águila, who dedicated significant time to implement an effective transition and will now focus exclusively on leading all aspects of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection portfolio on a global basis. As previously announced, Hyatt veteran Jim Chu, who served as chief growth officer since 2022, has assumed a new position as head of Owner Relations, also effective July 1.

New exec at La Vie Hotels. Amanda Cottome has been appointed director of operations - Pacific at Sydney-based La Vie Hotels and Resorts. Cottome brings more than 23 years of senior leadership experienc and joins La Vie Hotels and Resorts following her most recent role as group director of brand experience and sustainability at Ovolo Hotels, where she led brand strategy, cultural engagement, and ESG initiatives across Australia, Hong Kong, and Bali.

New CEO at Louvre Hotel Group. Eduardo Bosch has been appointed CEO at Puteaux, France-based Louvre Hotels Group, adding to his current role as chief operating officer. Federico González will stay as a board member of Groupe du Louvre. With over 20 years of experience in the international tourism industry, Bosch will ensure the effective implementation of the company’s strategic plan, particularly in key areas such as repositioning, revenue optimization, systems implementation, and operational profitability and excellence.

New COO at Ruby Hotels. Jens Gmiat has been appointed COO at Munich, Germany-based Ruby Hotels GmbH. In Ruby Group’s early years, Gmiat played a pivotal role in building the organization’s operational and commercial foundation. He now returns to support the company’s next strategic growth phase, particularly in light of Ruby Group’s recently announced partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts. In his new role, Gmiat will be responsible for all operational, commercial and HR/people and culture domains. During the maternity leave of Danielle Boeken, senior vice president Commercial, he will also take direct charge of the commercial division. With over 30 years of experience, his career includes senior positions at European hotel groups such as Soho House and Zoku, and HotelCo51. Most recently, Gmiat was head of operations at Criterion Hospitality.