The latest industry appointments

MARK LETTENBICHLER has been appointed CEO of Regent Hotels & Resorts. He joins the Taiwan-based luxury hotel company with 30 years’ experience in the US and Asia. He spent 24 years with Ritz-Carlton, including a spell as vice president for Southeast Asia and Greater China, Korea and Japan.

CRAIG THOMAS has been named as Etihad Airways’ new vice president for Asia Pacific North and the Indian Subcontinent. Thomas relocates to Bangkok from his current role as sales manager for Victoria in Australia. He has also served as Etihad’s country manager in Thailand and South Africa.

LEO LIU has been announced as Wyndham Hotel Group’s new managing director for China. Liu steps into the newly-created role following a 15-year career, including spells as Accor’s managing director for China and Costa Cruises’ vice president of development strategy for the Asia Pacific region.

KEVIN HIATT has become the new vice president for safety and flight operations at IATA. Hiatt joins IATA from the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) where he has been president & CEO since 1 January 2013. He previously worked for Delta Air Lines for 26 years, including a spell as chief pilot.

BILL ROBINSON has been named as the new executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Sabre. He brings extensive HR experience to the role, having served in similar roles at several companies, including 20 years with General Electric and, most recently, Coventry Health Care.

ERIC CHENG has been appointed general manager of the Dorsett Tsuen Wan hotel, which is set to open next year in Hong Kong. Cheng has worked for Asian hotel companies for 25 years, and will move to the new property from another Dorsett hotel Silka Far East, where he is also GM.

HENRY TSE has been named as the new director of sales & marketing of the Dorsett Tsuen Wan in Hong Kong. Prior to moving to the new hotel, he held several senior sales and marketing roles, including spells with The Majestic Hotel and Century Hotel, both in Hong Kong.

GOPAL GOVINDASAMY has joined Six Senses Spa at the Pacific City Club in Bangkok as the new spa & wellness director. Govindasamy brings more than 11 years’ experience in alternative medicine and yogic science to the role, most recently at the Saad Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

DANILO SANGRIGOLI has been recruited as the new manager and chef at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa’s Italian restaurant, Brio. An Italian national, Chef Danilo has 30 years’ experience in five-star hotels and leading restaurants. He is also the world pizza champion.