Dorchester Collection
Luxury hotel group Dorchester Collection has appointed Philippe Leboeuf as Chief Executive Officer, effective June.
Philippe Leboeuf succeeds Eugenio Pirri, who stepped down in November 2023. He will be responsible for leading the group’s portfolio of 12 hotels worldwide, including The Dorchester and Coworth Park in the UK, The Beverly Hills Hotel in California, and Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris. The group is also planning to open a new property in Dubai, The Alba, in 2028.
Leboeuf is a seasoned hotelier with executive experience across several international luxury hotel brands. He most recently oversaw the successful opening of Raffles London. Prior to that, he served as General Manager of Concorde Hotels (a subsidiary of Taittinger), managing 19 directly operated and 70 affiliated hotels. He has also been a board member of Leading Hotels of the World and held senior roles such as Regional Vice President of Operations at Mandarin Oriental, Vice President of Operations at Rosewood Hotels, and General Manager of Claridge’s London.
Philippe Leboeuf holds degrees from Cornell University and HEC Paris, and was awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government for his contributions to the hospitality industry.
Jumeirah
Dubai-based luxury hotel group Jumeirah has appointed Thomas B. Meier as Chief Executive Officer, effective January this year.
In his new role, Thomas B. Meier is tasked with advancing Jumeirah’s strategic goal of doubling its hotel portfolio by 2030, with a strong focus on international expansion and strengthening the brand’s position as a global leader in luxury hospitality.
Meier has served as Chief Operating Officer of Jumeirah since October 2021 and later took on the role of interim CEO. In 2024, he led several milestone initiatives for the group, including its entry into the African market with two new luxury resorts: Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa, along with a number of upcoming projects. He also reinforced Jumeirah’s leadership team with a series of executive appointments.
A graduate of EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Meier has held prominent roles including Senior Vice President of Operations for Minor Hotels in Asia and Global Head of Operations at Raffles Hotels. He has also worked with brands such as Fairmont and Swissôtel.
Accor
French hotel group Accor has appointed Islam Samad as Vice President of Development for the Middle East.
In his new role, Islam Samad will be based in Jeddah and lead the group’s expansion strategy across the upscale, midscale, and economy segments in the Middle East. His focus will be on identifying new market opportunities, securing high-value deals, and strengthening relationships with owners and investors. He will report directly to Maya Ziade, Chief Development Officer for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at Accor.
With 23 years of industry experience, Samad previously held senior roles at Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars and IHG, where he oversaw the launch of more than 100 new hotels and secured high-profile deals across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. His expertise spans investment structures, market penetration, and brand expansion, making him a key figure in driving Accor’s success in the region.
Four Seasons
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has appointed Keisha Smith as Executive Vice President and Chief Talent & Culture Officer, effective January 6.
Based at the company’s headquarters in Miami, Smith will join the executive leadership team and oversee global strategy and execution across talent and culture, internal communications, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. She reports directly to Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of Four Seasons.
Smith brings over 20 years of experience as a transformative human resources leader. Prior to joining Four Seasons, she served as Chief Talent Officer at Tory Burch. She has also held senior HR roles at News Corp and Morgan Stanley. Currently, she serves as an independent board director and member of the Human Capital Committee at Unity Software. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Virginia and is a certified executive coach through the Hudson Institute.
Sanlorenzo
Italian yacht builder Sanlorenzo has appointed Renato Bisignani as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.
In this role, Bisignani will lead the company’s brand, marketing, and communications functions, working closely with top management to formulate and execute innovative strategies aimed at further strengthening Sanlorenzo’s brand image and global recognition.
A graduate in economics and management from Bocconi University, Bisignani has over 20 years of international experience in the automotive and luxury industries. He began his career with the Formula 1 division of Renault, later joining Ferrari, where he held several strategic roles including Business Development Manager, Head of the Press Office, and Head of Marketing and Partnerships.
In 2016, he became Director of Marketing, Communications, and Digital at Formula E. In 2021, he joined Aston Martin as Global Head of Marketing and Communications, playing a pivotal role in repositioning the brand within the ultra-luxury and high-performance segments.
｜Source: Official Press Releases, Marine Industry News, Hotelier Middle East
｜Image Credit: Company Websites, Personal Social Media Accounts
｜Editor: LeZhi
