Here’s
a roundup of the top hotel executive moves of the past week.
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.