From new hires to business acquisitions, we round up the latest organizational updates from design firms, hotel companies, and more.
Alastair Thomann has been appointed CEO of serviced apartment and aparthotel group edyn. Thomann, who most recently served as CEO for Generator and Freehand Hotels, replaces interim CEO Daniel Carre-Bishop, who will continue in his role as CFO.
Design firm HKS announced that Heath May will succeed Dan Noble as CEO and chairman. May will step into the CEO role in January 2026, following a year of apprenticeship and preparation alongside Noble, who has been with the firm for more than 42 years and served as its CEO since 2014. Furthermore, HKS expand its global hospitality studio into Southeast Asia, driven by a dedicated team in the firm’s existing Singapore office. The Southeast Asia studio will be helmed Stephane Lasserre, principal and studio practice leader, hospitality, and Robert Day, principal and studio practice leader, masterplanning and landscape.
Dallas-based Coury Hospitality has promoted Andrew Casperson to president to drive the company’s strategic growth. Since joining the company in 2023, Casperson has led operations strategies for Coury’s portfolio of hotels, bars, and restaurant concepts.
Newbond Holdings, a real estate and hospitality-focused investment platform, has welcomed Christina Zimmer as SVP of design and development. Zimmer’s career began at Stonehill Taylor before transitioning to the ownership side at Ian Schrager Company and Highgate.
Hotel management and development company Highgate has appointed Randy Diamond and Angela Nolan as vice presidents of its expanding portfolio across the Hawaii region. Diamond will lead a portfolio of independent hotels managed by Highgate Hawaii (including Romer House Waikiki), while Nolan will lead eight branded assets (including the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai).
IA (Interior Architects) has named James Lee as managing director and design principal of hospitality for the Americas and Asia. Lee brings 20 years of experience in the hospitality design sector, having previously held leadership positions at HBA, Leo A Daly, and Wilson Associates. In addition, the firm has appointed the following principals: Andy Roberts, London; Anna Lai, Northern California; Gisselle Gema Amador, Miami; Holly Jeffers, Chicago; and John Azinaro, New York.
Valor Hospitality Partners has appointed Patrick Antaki as vice president of operations for the Middle East. With more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Patrick brings a wealth of operational skills and a deep understanding of the Middle East market.
White Lodging, a privately owned lifestyle hospitality development and management firm, has selected Conner White to take on a new role as vice chair and chief investment officer. White is the eldest son of White Lodging chair Beth White and the late White Lodging founder Bruce White.
New York-based Dash Design, founded by David Ashen in 2004, has been acquired by Saguez & Partners, a Paris-based global design agency. “We have been formally collaborating on projects in Europe and the U.S. over the past three years under the name of Saguez & Dash, sharing resources and creative direction, and collectively realized a tremendous global growth and expansion opportunity for the two firms,” says David Ashen, founder and president of Dash Design.
Oppenheim Architecture is expanding its European interiors practice with a dedicated studio. Interior design lead Mariana Charters, formerly a director at BLINK Design Group’s Singapore office, will head the European studio alongside Francisca Soares de Moura, who will serve as the hospitality design lead.
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