More people are on the move as Accor has named a new CEO for the Pacific, the IHG Owners Association has introduced its new board and Menin has a new people officer.
Accor appoints Pacific CEO
Accor has appointed Sarah Derry to the role of CEO Accor Pacific, effective Feb. 1.
She is currently SVP, talent and culture and joined Accor in 2017 after having owned and operated her own successful business for more than 10 years. With close to 30 years of hospitality experience working for international hotel companies and excelling in her early career in operations, she brings with her formidable experience, not only in talent and culture but in business, strategy and development, according to the company.
In her new role, she will continue Accor’s growth trajectory in the Pacific, build Accor’s brands, its loyalty network and bring together talent in the region.
“I am delighted to welcome Sarah to Accor’s executive committee as new CEO of Accor Pacific,” said Sébastien Bazin, chairman/CEO, Accor of Derry’s appointment. “She not only brings a wealth of experience to the role, but also a unique understanding of Accor’s values and culture. Her strategic expertise, gained over an impressive career in hospitality, will no doubt prove invaluable as our growth in the region continues.”
He continued, “Personally, I would like to thank Simon McGrath for his absolute professionalism, dedication and engagement to Accor over the last 15 years. He has been unwavering in his commitment to the team and our business, and steered Accor to be the largest hotel operator in the Pacific, going from 120 hotels to over 400. He’s introduced new brands to market, including Pullman, Movenpick, Sofitel SO and ibis Styles and successfully led the Mirvac Hotels & Resorts and Mantra acquisitions. His expertise in forging and managing partnerships across sporting, entertainment and lifestyle realms is second to none. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
Derry added, “I am incredibly proud, humbled and excited to be leading the Accor team in the Pacific as we see the industry transition from recovery to growth. Providing memorable world-class experiences for our guests and loyalty members while bringing our teams on the journey will continue to be a priority and I am looking forward to working closely with our owners, partners and industry colleagues.”
IHG Owners Association names 2022 board of directors
The IHG Owners Association, which represents InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) franchise hotel owners worldwide, has named its 2022 global board of directors. Norman (Norm) Leslie has assumed the chairmanship for 2022.
Leslie is president of National Hospitality Services and one of the founders of Legendary Capital, both based in Fargo, ND, and brings to the board more than 30 years of hospitality experience and expertise in hotel management, development, finance, acquisitions, deal structure and project negotiations, among other areas. He succeeds Wayne West III, president/partner, Newport Hospitality Group, who served as chair over the past two years during one of the most challenging times in the industry.
Leslie began his hospitality career at an economy hotel where he rose through the ranks—from washing dishes at the property’s on-site restaurant to a position as general manager. He began development of his first hotel in 1991 and has since grown that portfolio to nearly 50 properties. In 2001, Leslie founded National Hospitality Services, which today manages 36 hotels across the U.S. under a variety of brand flags.
Other members of the 2022 global board of directors:
- Chair-elect & AMER member at large: Navroz Saju, president/CEO, HDG Hotels
- Treasurer & AMER member at large: Nellie Dhanji, VP, operations/legal counsel, Stanley Park Investments Ltd.
- Secretary & AMER member at large: Mark Zipperer, president/CEO, Pride Hospitality LLC
- Immediate past chair advisor: Wayne West III, president/partner, Newport Hospitality Group
- Past chair representative: Kurt Furlong, chief revenue officer/partner, Genuine Hospitality LLC
- CEO, IHG Owners Association: John Muehlbauer
- Europe regional representative: Sean Lowe, CEO, Atlas Hotels
- MEAA regional representative: Paul Salter, managing director, Salter Brothers Asset Management and CEO/managing director, Salter Brothers Hotel Group
- AMER member at large: Juan Carlos Alvarez, partner, Operadora Alro
- AMER member at large: Asad Malik, president/CEO, Amerilodge Group
- AMER member at large: Euan McGlashan, cofounder/CEO, Valor Hospitality Partners
- AMER member at large: Perry Molubhoy, founder/president/CEO, Atlantic Hotels
- AMER member at large: Vijay Patel, president, A1 Hospitality
- AMER member at large: Juan Carlos Santos, CEO, BPO
- AMER member at large: David Wespiser, founding partner, Hotel Development Services LLC
- Europe member at large: Nicola Taylor, CEO, Chardon Hotels
- IHG representative: Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Americas
Menin adds Christine Langseth
Menin Hospitality has appointed Christine Langseth as VP of people.
In this role, she represents three established brands in Miami and will oversee the development and implementation of human resources strategies, systems and policies, plans and services, including recruitment, selection, legal compliance, employee benefits, compensation, employee relations, diversity equity and inclusion, employment practices and procedures, employee communications and events. She will oversee HR strategy for GFO Investments, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, which spans multiple locations across South Florida and all units within the Menin Hospitality umbrella.
Langseth brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to her new role. Throughout her professional career, she has held multiple high-ranking positions in human resources for major hotel establishments throughout South Florida, including 1 Hotels, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Renaissance Hotels, Marriott International, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and more.
Most recently, she served as the head of human resources at Pura Vida Miami, where she applied her hospitality management and employee engagement skills to lead internal operations and expansion of the wellness-driven eatery.
