James Bermingham has been appointed the new CEO of Virgin Hotels. He joins the lifestyle brand after nearly two decades as part of the executive leadership for Montage International. Bringing forth more than 35 years of industry experience, Bermingham succeeds Raul Leal, who stepped down from the helm of the company in January.
“I have long admired Virgin Hotels’ ability to seamlessly blend smart and innovative design with elevated service and—maybe most importantly—fun,” Bermingham says. “Watching the brand grow into itself as a reliable haven for both leisure and business travelers without sacrificing its inherent ‘cool factor’ has been exciting, to say the least, and I’m really looking forward to joining such a dynamic team.”
Since beginning his hospitality career in London, Bermingham eventually came stateside, where he served as general manager at the St. Regis Hotel in Houston and the Montage Laguna Beach. In 2008, he was named the executive vice president of operations for Montage International, which tasked him with overseeing all aspects of operations for the Montage and Pendry Hotel brand’s seven hotels and resorts. “James’ appointment comes at an exciting time of accelerating growth for us,” adds Virgin Hotels chairman Peter Norris. “His decades of industry experience and acute global expertise will be a true asset for the brand as we push to expand our footprint both domestically and internationally.”
