Insider Stories

The Athenaeum Hotel and Residencies (www.athenaeumhotel.com) has appointed Sergi Kuzmin as its new Head Pastry Chef. Kuzmin brings with him a wealth of expertise, having been in the industry for over 15 years, most recently as Head Pastry Chef at The Excel London before returning to The Athenaeum in February 2025.  Kuzmin started his culinary career at famed-five-star hotel, The Savoy, in 2010, climbing the ladder from 2nd Commis Pastry Chef to Demi Chef de Partie. Going on to work in a host of luxury London establishments including Shangri-La The Shard, Rosewood London and Kimpton Fitzroy, before initially joining The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences as Head Pastry Chef in 2021, leaving to become Head Pastry Chef at The Excel London in 2022. On his recent appointment, Kuzmin said "I am thrilled to be returning to The Athenaeum in the role of Head Pastry Chef. There are lots of exciting activations in the pipeline, such as a new afternoon tea, that I can’t wait to get stuck into.”  Kuzmin will work alongside Executive Chef, Kevin Fawkes, to innovate and elevate the hotel’s F&B offering. Crafting exquisite pastries that elevate the guest experience and turn special moments into treasured memories. Along with his day-to-day career, Kuzmin has also been involved in industry competitions, achieving both Gold and Best in Class in the 2011 Salon Culinare Londres Junior Static Plated Dessert competition as well as reaching the finals of the Association of Pastry Chefs Dessert of the Year in 2012.  Embodying five-star luxury with an independent spirit, The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences is an award-winning hotel, located in the heart of Mayfair. Its prime location offers easy access to the West End, the designer boutiques of Bond Street, and the regal Buckingham Palace, making it an ideal temporary 'home' in London. The rooms and suites, adorned with life's indulgences, provide enchanting views of either Green Park or the charming Mayfair streets. 

The Berlin-based HR Group has appointed James Lamb as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). James is responsible for the HR Group’s key corporate functions, including Finance, IT, Strategic Human Resources, Legal & Compliance, and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). James brings extensive international experience in the financial and investment sector and has a proven track record in managing complex organizations and driving operational efficiency. His career began in M&A at renowned financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America. Over the past ten years, he has held various management positions and worked closely with shareholders and Chairmen on the execution of transformation programs, profitability improvements, as well as investment and divestment processes. Most recently, he served as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at FTI Group and previously as Global Head of Strategy & Corporate Finance at Mövenpick. With his strategic foresight and deep financial expertise—combined with years of experience in the hospitality industry—James will play a key role in further advancing HR Group’s growth strategy and strengthening the company’s financial performance in a sustainable manner. HR Group is once again underlining its ambitious growth trajectory and long-term financial stability in the European market and beyond with the appointment of James Lamb as Chief Financial Officer.

From March, Mike Faber will take over the position of General Manager at the luxury boutique hotel The Amauris Vienna. He brings over 25 years of experience in the international luxury hotel industry to his new position. Over the course of his career, he has gained valuable experience in management positions at renowned hotel groups such as Banyan Tree and Melia Hotels International, which has made him a true industry expert. His vision combines elegance with authentic warmth. He sees the hotel as a place where luxury and personality harmonize – an exclusive retreat for travelers from all over the world who are looking for more than just a stay, but a temporary home and an atmosphere that will be remembered. “I look forward to working with our outstanding team to continue to offer guests exceptional experiences and establish the hotel as a synonym for luxury and first-class service,” says Faber. The Amauris Vienna is part of Relais & Chateaux.

The luxurious urban retreat Hotel Arts Barcelona is proud to announce the appointment of Renato De Oliveira as general manager. With an impressive, two-decade career in the hospitality industry, De Oliveira brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.  De Oliveira’s career began at Hotel Arts Barcelona in 2004, where he started as an intern and swiftly progressed to assistant director of the Rooms Division. Motivated by his desire for new opportunities and growth, De Oliveira moved to Asia in 2011, where he assumed the role of executive assistant manager, Rooms Division at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong. He later held various senior leadership positions at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia.  Most recently, De Oliveira served as the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Maldives, Fari Islands, where he successfully led the resort through a critical phase of its ramp-up and established the property as one of the leading brands in the Maldives. Throughout his career, De Oliveira has demonstrated strong, results-oriented leadership skills in managing complex, high-performance hotels. In 2023, he was named General Manager of the Year for APEC, a testament to his exceptional leadership and performance. Since his initial tenure at Hotel Arts Barcelona, De Oliveira has become a true ambassador of The Ritz-Carlton brand, championing its legacy of excellence wherever he has worked. Now, he returns to the place where it all began, bringing with him an enriched perspective and extensive experience gained from years of leadership across the globe. In his new role, De Oliveira will oversee all aspects of the property to ensure that Hotel Arts Barcelona continues to be the benchmark of service and product quality in the hospitality industry.  “It is a true honour to return to Hotel Arts Barcelona, an iconic property of The Ritz-Carlton worldwide brand, especially during this exciting moment of transformation,” said De Oliveira. “I am thrilled to work hand-in-hand with our extraordinary hotel team, elevating the art of hospitality and crafting exceptional, cutting-edge, and innovative experiences for our guests, while honouring and enhancing the legacy of excellence that defines us.” De Oliveira holds a diploma in tourism studies from Brazil’s Anhembi Morumbi University and a graduate degree in hotel management from the Swiss Hotel Association Hotel Management School in Switzerland. For more information about Hotel Arts Barcelona, please visit www.hotelartsbarcelona.com.

Alongside Two New Appointments to Leadership Team   

Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel in Austria, a part of hospitality group Minor Hotels, has appointed Jurgen Ammerstorfer as general manager, as of 7 January 2025. Ammerstorfer will oversee the property’s renovations, including the introduction of Anantara experiences, a focus on restaurant and bar offerings, and the launch of Anantara Spa. He said: “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel as Vienna prepares to welcome a record number of visitors for the 200th birthday celebrations of Johann Strauss II. Taking the helm of this gem on Ringstrasse at a time when the beloved landmark is being infused with Anantara’s signature spirit of modern luxury is a priceless opportunity.” Ammerstorfer previously served as general manager at The Ritz Carlton, Vienna, from 2020 to 2024.

Rasha Lababidi has been appointed as the new Chief Product Officer for Kempinski Hotels. In this newly created role, Rasha will lead product innovation, design and guest experience across the brand's luxury global portfolio. With over 25 years of executive marketing management, branding, guest experience, product and concept development, innovation and transformational corporate strategy expertise within luxury hospitality and real estate, Rasha brings a wealth of experience and strategic acumen to the role. Rasha previously held the esteemed position of Senior Director of Marketing at Emaar and Head of Marketing at Al Maabar International Investments (currently Eagle Hills). From innovation to revitalization, Rasha has led brand, marketing and concept development teams for some of the region's most iconic brands and destinations. Rasha is also the co-founder of Meraki & Modus, a concept and strategy firm specialising in creating visionary concepts and strategies for luxury lifestyle destinations around the world. To date, Meraki & Modus has successfully delivered over 150 hospitality concepts across four continents in addition to corporate transformation projects for property development, masterplan visioning and go-to-market strategies for some of the worlds' leading luxury hospitality and property development groups. Rasha holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Master of Science from the University of Surrey.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent luxury hotel brand and a global provider of sales, marketing, and distribution services to member hotels, has announced two new leadership appointments in the United Kingdom. Strengthening its London-based team, Anna Moore has been appointed as Regional Director, U.K. and Ireland and Dan Clark is now Vice President, Global Leisure Sales - Europe. "We are delighted to welcome Anna Moore and Dan Clark as the newest additions to our team," said Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President of Europe for Preferred Hotels & Resorts. "Their proven track records in luxury hospitality will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence across the region and help us to enhance the success of our member hotels." Anna Moore now serves as Regional Director of U.K. and Ireland. In this role, Anna focuses on the retention and expansion of the brand's portfolio within the United Kingdom and Ireland, a region which currently consists of 30 member hotels, resorts, and residences, including 13 in its prestigious Legend Collection and The Newman - a much-anticipated new opening in London in summer 2025. She has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, developing her career via a range of account management and sales-focused positions in both the U.K. and Australia. Prior to joining Preferred Hotels & Resorts Anna spent 13 years with IHG, most recently as Global Luxury & Lifestyle Sales Director for EMEA.

Cycas Hospitality has announced the appointment of Philip Steiner as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Portugal. He will be responsible for guiding strategy and overseeing operational performance in these key regions. Philip Steiner has extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to this appointment, he served as General Manager of the Bankside Hotel in London, a Marriott Autograph Collection property. Under his leadership, the hotel rose into the top 10 London hotels on TripAdvisor and was awarded the "Best of the Best" 2024 title. The hotel also achieved an impressive 87% guest recommendation score according to Guestvoice, placing it among the top 10 Autograph Collection hotels in the EMEA region and the top Marriott hotel in the UK. Since joining Cycas Hospitality in 2018, Philip Steiner has held several strategic roles, including Director of Accommodations and Serviced Apartments, and later led the Moxy & Residence Inn by Marriott complex in Slough, which has 244 rooms. A graduate of the International Hotelschool in The Hague, Philip Steiner has worked at various prestigious European establishments throughout his career, including Rome Cavalieri, as well as hotels within the Hilton and Starwood groups through ISS Facility Services. He is also active in professional organizations, serving on the London regional board of the Institute of Hospitality and as an Ambassador for Hospitality Action. This appointment reflects Cycas Hospitality's commitment to strengthening its leadership and supporting its expansion across Europe. Philip Steiner will play a key role in helping the company achieve its goals in these strategic markets.

BALEEN Naples, an award-winning beachfront restaurant located within the luxurious LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, is thrilled to appoint award-winning Chef John Beriker as the new Executive Chef. Chef Beriker brings over 30 years of international culinary expertise, refined through formal training at the renowned Epicurean Cooking School in Los Angeles, California. His exceptional skills were honed under the mentorship of culinary icons Wolfgang Puck, Jean-Marie Josselin, Roy Yamaguchi and Martin Yan. Chef Beriker spent much of his life in Canada before immigrating to the United States to establish his culinary career, which began at the Black Orchid Hotel in Morristown, New Jersey. Since then, he has held prestigious Executive Chef roles at globally distinguished five-star resorts, including Dusit Thani Resort & Spa and Sheraton Laguna Resort in Tumon Bay, Guam, Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel in Sydney, Australia and the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, Germany, among many others. Over the years, his exceptional talent has earned him accolades such as "Best New Chef of the Year" in Hamburg, Germany, recognition as a culinary leader for the "Best Fine Dining Restaurant" in Singapore and the "Best Fine Dining French Restaurant" in Bangkok. Chef Beriker is also the author of "The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Cookbook." Chef Beriker's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for BALEEN Naples, as he combines his rich culinary background with a passion for innovation to elevate the restaurant's award-winning dining experience. Guests can look forward to a fresh take on the vibrant beachfront cuisine that has made BALEEN a beloved destination for food lovers worldwide.

Beaumier, one of the fastest growing European boutique hotel groups, today announced the appointment of hotel industry veteran Billy Skelli-Cohen as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025.  Originally from France, Mr. Skelli-Cohen is a lifelong hotelier, specialising in high-end hospitality and international hotel development. Most recently, he was Chief Executive Officer of Zien Group, the owner and operator of leading hospitality businesses including the Eden Hotels brand. Prior to Zien, Mr. Skelli-Cohen founded and led Lore Group, which was responsible for creating hotels such as Sea Containers London and repositioning iconic properties including Pulitzer Amsterdam and Riggs Washington DC.   “Beaumier is an incredible collection of properties in exceptional European locations. I am truly honored to join as CEO and help lead a team of passionate and dedicated professionals.  In 2021, Les Hôtels d’en Haut became Beaumier which has since developed into a best-in-class brand of hotels dedicated to their unique location and culture with a strong commitment to sustainability and nature preservation. The company is poised to continue its impressive growth in new and exciting destinations, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead the company in this exciting next chapter,” said Mr. Skelli-Cohen. This appointment comes at a time when Beaumier is continuing to strengthen its European position with the forthcoming opening of its first property in Wengen, Switzerland. This marks a significant step for the group, which aspires to offer ever more immersive experiences in exceptional settings. Beaumier currently owns and operates 11 hotels in France, Spain and Switzerland. 

Orient Express announces the appointment of Yannick Alléno, one of the most innovative and prestigious chefs on the international culinary scene, as Executive Chef of the legendary Orient Express Train and the world's largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian. This collaboration marks a milestone in the history of Orient Express, combining the brand's timeless heritage with the very best of French culinary art. A renowned signature for unparalleled experiences and emotions With two three-star Michelin ratings and a resolutely avant-garde career path, Yannick Alléno transformed the prestigious Pavillon Ledoyen into the world's most starred independent gastronomic establishment in 2014. Chef Alléno is world-renowned for his mastery of traditional French techniques combined with a modern and innovative vision of gastronomy. By joining Orient Express, he redefines the culinary experience for travelers, offering them a journey of the senses that celebrates elegance, sophistication and a passion for taste all in the heart of unforgettable destinations. A culinary journey designed for excellence and escape Aboard two restaurant cars of the Orient Express Train and on the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian, which wil house five restaurants, including La Table de l'Orient Express by Yannick Alléno, Chef Alléno offers an exceptional gastronomic experience, with exclusive menus inspired by the terroirs crossed and the unique landscapes of each journey. Driven by an insatiable quest for creativity and innovation, his cuisine promises to sublimate every moment of the voyage, plunging passengers into a universe of unprecedented flavors, textures and aromas. Yannick Alléno's unique culinary creations, created using the finest techniques and ingredients, will allow passengers to be transported by a universe where excellence and creative audacity know no bounds. Each dish will tell a story, echoing the spirit of travel and escape, while honoring the excellence of Orient Express, where every detail counts.