Hotel executive moves: BWH, Foley, Kempinski, Kew Green

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

BWH names SVP. BWH Hotels has appointed Chad Fletcher as its senior vice president of worldwide sales. Fletcher will oversee the company’s global sales organization, including business, group and leisure travel as well as hotel sales support. With more than two decades of experience in global sales and commercial strategy, Fletcher most recently served as a vice president of global sales at Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy. He has also held senior leadership roles with hospitality and travel brands, including Choice Hotels International and Avis Budget Group.

Jacobs joins the Baccarat board. The Board of Directors of Starwood Hotel Group’s Baccarat luxury hotel brand has appointed Neil Jacobs as Censor of its Board of Directors. Following the 2015 inauguration of the first Baccarat Hotel & Residences in New York, new locations are planned in Rome, Florence, Dubai, the Maldives, Miami, and Macao over the next three years.

New Foley CEO. Foley Entertainment Group has appointed Joe Leinacker as CEO of its hotel division to oversee business operations for the luxury hotel collection, including the MacArthur Place and Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma County, 27 North in Healdsburg, the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard in Willamette Valley, Oregon and Wharekauhau Country Estate in Palliser Bay, New Zealand. Most recently, Leinacker led teams at Pacific Hospitality Group as regional managing director, overseeing the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley and Pasea Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, California.

Kempinski names C-suite exec. Munich, Germany-based Kempinski Hotels has named Barbara Biffi as chief brand officer. Biffi will be responsible for managing the company’s brand and marketing framework, directing the company’s global brand strategy, and overseeing marketing operations. Biffi has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, brand management, technology, and digital strategy. Her past roles include global sales senior vice-president and brand vice president at Silversea Cruises, as well as senior positions at MSC Cruises.

New Kew Green CEO. U.K.-based Kew Green Hotels has appointed David Taylor as the new CEO of Kew Green Group, effective October 13. Taylor will oversee a portfolio of more than 50 hotels across the U.K., spanning key brands such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, voco, Courtyard by Marriott, and independent properties.

New Hakkasan CEO. Mohari Hospitality has appointed Yavuz Pehlivanlar as CEO of Hakkasan Group, a newly established entity comprising the Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, and Sake No Hana brands. As CEO, Pehlivanlar will lead the continued expansion and strategic growth of Hakkasan Group’s modern Asian dining brands, beverage program and design. Pehlivanlar previously served as COO of Caprice Holdings Ltd., overseeing a portfolio of dining destinations including Balthazar, Sexy Fish and Scott’s Mayfair. His career includes c-suite roles at 50 Eggs Hospitality Group, Yardbird Group, Dream-Dogus Group and Mina Restaurant Group. In 2021, the entity formerly known as Hakkasan Group was acquired by Tao Group Hospitality, and, in 2023, Tao Group Hospitality was acquired by Mohari. As of September 2025, all branded locations (except Hakkasan Las Vegas and Sake No Hana NYC, which will continue to be owned and operated by Tao Group) will resume operations under the Hakkasan Group name as an independent corporate entity backed by Mohari investment.

USTA names new SVP. The U.S. Travel Association names Erik Hansen as senior vice president, head of government relations, where he will lead the association’s advocacy strategy and engagement with policymakers on issues critical to strengthening and growing the U.S. travel industry. Hansen, who joined U.S. Travel 15 years ago after working on Capitol Hill, has played a central role in developing and advancing the association’s policy priorities across transportation, infrastructure and travel facilitation.