INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The following companies bolstered their leadership rosters—Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Bettoja Hotels and Diamond Resorts International. Here’s a look at executives on the move:
Mandarin Oriental Bolsters Roster With Senior Management Roles
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed the following senior management appointments:
Christoph Mares has been promoted to COO, effective Jan. 1, 2018, and will be responsible for global hotel operations as well as overseeing the operational functions of food and beverage, rooms and quality, as well as spa and wellness. Mares will be based in the Hong Kong corporate office, moving from his current position in London as EVP, operations director, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI).
Richard Baker, currently EVP, operations director – Asia, has been appointed group chief relationship officer effective Jan. 1, 2018. In this new role, Baker will lead the company’s portfolio management focus, bringing new hotel opening projects to fruition, and managing key owner and partner relationships. Baker will continue to be responsible for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental portfolio. He will also coordinate internal projects, ensuring the company’s readiness for its future growth. Baker will remain based at the Hong Kong corporate office.
Paul Massot has been appointed group development director, responsible for driving the company’s global development strategy and development pipeline. He is based at the London corporate office, and has recently appointed additional regional development resources to support the company’s expansion strategy. Massot joined the group’s flagship, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong in 1990, before moving to the corporate office in Hong Kong as VP of sales & marketing for Asia-Pacific.
Bettoja Hotels Names New Director General
Bettoja Hotels (Hotel Mediterraneo, Atlántico and Massimo D’Azeglio), one of Italy’s family-owned hotel groups dating back to 1875, has appointed Ciro Verrocchi as director general.
Verrocchi has been part of the hospitality industry for the last three decades. He has held numerous hotel leadership positions at international companies, including managing director for IHI Italia, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG); GM of the Westin Europa & Regina in Venice, Italy; and GM of the St. Regis Grand in Rome.
At IHG, Verrocchi helped launch Italy’s first IHG Academy program, providing hospitality training to members of the local community to help foster economic growth.
“I look forward to working for a smaller, family-run company and carrying on the Bettoja tradition of fine, personal service,” said Verrocchi.
Diamond Resorts International Hires EVP of Global Ops
Diamond Resorts International has revealed that industry leader Mark Nuzzo has joined the company as EVP of global resort operations, after an interim transition period. Nuzzo will assume the role previously held by Ronan O’Gorman, who, after a long career in the hospitality industry, will retire at the end of 2018.
“Mark is an expert in the industry, and we are excited to welcome him to our Diamond Resorts team. We are confident he will continue to lead global resort operations to success,” said Michael Flaskey, CEO of Diamond Resorts International. “We also extend our sincerest gratitude to Ronan, who has committed to remain in his role as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition with his successor.”
Nuzzo brings nearly 40 years of experience in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries, most recently serving as president of The Sonnenschein Groupe and its subsidiaries, including American Resorts International and Sonnenschein Property Management. Prior to that role, Nuzzo served as managing partner of Creative Impact LLC and as president of RCI Resort Management.