Friday 12 December 2025 – Trinity Bridge Friday news briefing
For many, 2025 has been a year of uncertainty as operators navigated shifting demand, persistent cost pressures, and evolving guest expectations.
Against this backdrop, talent has remained critical; a notable feature being the sustained demand for proven leaders in sales, marketing, digital, and revenue management. We have also seen a continued need for entrepreneurial General Managers who can operate with lean structures, stay close to the front line, and drive sales. There has been less movement at CEO and board level than we have seen in previous years among brand platforms and owner operator groups.
Looking ahead to 2026, we expect three themes to remain central: a renewed focus on succession and retention, as the cost (and risk), of external hiring continues to rise; continued drive to install more pragmatic and entrepreneurial behaviours at a hotel level; the integration of AI and analytics into commercial and operational decision-making.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful 2026.
Sam Seigler
Founder & Managing Director
** A round-up of this week’s people moves in the hospitality sector
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Nicholas Cadbury has been appointed as Non-Executive Director for InterContinental Hotels Group . Nicholas is currently Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer for International Consolidated Airlines Group and prior to this was Group Finance Director for Whitbread from 2012 to 2022.
St Regis, London , due to open in mid-2026, has announced its key leadership team, led by General Manager; Marco Novella who joins from Hotel Cipriani in Venice. He will be joined by Patrick Mudalige as Hotel Manager, joining from Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Summiya Chaudary takes the role of Director of Human Resources, having recently held the role of Director of People & Culture at the Lanesborough. And Romy Turkington has been named Director of Marketing, joining from W Hotels in London.
BWH Hotels board of directors has elected Viral (Victor)Patel as Chairperson. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role and he has also served as Board Chairman for the Corbin Tourism & Convention Commission, was the first hotelier to chair the Kentucky Travel Association, and has served as an ambassador for AAHOA.
Shangri-La has announced the promotion of Teo Nee Chaun to the role of Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of the Board, effective March 2026. He is currently holding the role of Group Head of Investment & Asset Management for China,
Jason Ballard has been named as Senior Vice President, Global Brand Leader, Essentials at Hyatt Hotels . Jason has over two decades of experience with the group and recently led the launch of Hyatt Studios, and the opening of the brand’s first hotel in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year.
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts has announced several new hires to its leadership team following the recent appointment of their new CEO. Patrick Pahlke has joined as Chief Commercial Officer after holding the same role with Sage Hospitality Group. David Solis has taken the role of Vice President, Global Luxury & Leisure Sales. David most recently served as Executive for Ultimate Jet Vacations. Megan Mullholland joins as Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing & Wellness. She has
previously held leadership roles with THE WELL and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. And Shel Buhler has taken the role as Vice President, Food & Beverage. She previously served as Head of Brand Strategy & Communications for Aparium Hotels.
Amr Dwidar has joined Shangri-La Group as Account Director, Global Sales for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Amr brings over 18 years of experience in hospitality sales, marketing, and business development having previously worked for brands including Marriott International and Saudi Tourism Authority.
Radisson Hotel Group has named Randy Romero as General Manager for Radisson Blu, Aqua Hotel, Chicago. Randy previously spent more than 35 years with Hilton, most recently serving as Regional Director, Full-Service & Lifestyle Brands, North America.
Oguzhan Isci has taken the role of Director of Sales for DoubleTree by Hilton, Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences . He brings over 10 years of experience in driving commercial growth across the UAE, Qatar, Turkiye and Europe.
Trinity Bridge is an Executive Search firm specialising in the hospitality, travel and leisure sectors.
We operate globally and build leadership teams for both multinational and domestic companies. We advise listed and privately owned businesses, as well as the portfolio companies of private equity funds and family offices.
Our mission is to help organisations and people succeed. We enable our clients to achieve their goals by giving them access to the best talent from across industries.
If there is anything you would like to discuss, please get in contact.
