Hotel executive moves: HEI, Hilton, PM, Sirius

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

Three directors quit CDL board. Three directors have resigned from a hotel subsidiary controlled by one of Singapore’s wealthiest families, according to multiple reports, in the latest twist in a corporate shakeup triggered by an internal feud. City Developments Ltd. (CDL) said in a filing that Jennifer Duong Young, Daniel Desbaillets and Wong Ai Ai have resigned as directors of London-based Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Ltd. The three had served on the hotel unit’s board for just over a year and were among six directors installed last year in a move seen as an attempt to dilute the influence of family patriarch Kwek Leng Beng, who also chairs the parent company. At the time, Kwek Leng Beng filed a lawsuit against his son Sherman Kwek, who is CDL’s group CEO. The lawsuit was eventually dropped when a key adviser to the elder Kwek, Catherine Wu, left the hotel unit.

Cushman & Wakefield hires Spanish exec. Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Luis Arsuaga as head of capital markets hospitality in Spain. In his new role, Arsuaga will lead the hotel platform alongside co-heads and partners Bruno Hallé and Albert Grau.

New CEO at HEI Hotels. Norwalk, Connecticut-based HEI Hotels & Resorts has promoted Clark Hanrattie, a partner at HEI for 23 years and an industry veteran for over 30 years, to CEO and managing partner, effective July 1. Hanrattie will succeed Anthony Rutledge, who has held that role since 2012. The company said that after the transition date, Rutledge will remain a significant owner and partner at HEI. Over his career, Hanrattie has been instrumental in the acquisition, revenue management, and expense management of more than 175 hotels, with transaction value exceeding $9 billion. Hanrattie began his career in 1993 at Olympus Real Estate, where he rose from analyst to partner, leading all hotel investment and asset management activities. He joined HEI in 2004 to bolster its owner/operator business model and played an integral role in driving HEI’s portfolio growth from 35 to over 100 hotels.

Hilton names Canadian exec. Hilton has named Mark Kochhar as director, franchise development, Canada. Kochhar holds more than 13 years of experience with Hilton and three decades in the hospitality industry. He most recently served as director, owner relations, Canada.

PM Hotel Group promotes. Chevy Chase, Maryland-based PM Hotel Group has made several leadership promotions. Ashli Musyt has been promoted to vice president of portfolio marketing. In this role, she will lead marketing strategy and execution across PM Hotel Group’s lifestyle and Hawaii properties. Kevin Johnson has been promoted to vice president of Sales, following his success as regional director of sales. In his new role, he will provide expanded leadership across a group of properties.

Sirius names new exec. Matt Lederer has been appointed as director of acquisitions at London-based The Sirius Hotel Group (formerly Resident Hotels).  Lederer joins the company following its rebranding from Resident Hotels, as it seeks to grow alongside capital partners as a specialist hotel management platform that develops and operates prime city-center hotels. He has held senior roles at JLL and Marriott International and most recently spent nearly six years as hotel acquisitions director at private equity firm Castleforge.