Executive appointments, 17-21 August

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has appointed Edward Pinchard to the role of vice president Sales, EMEA. 

Pinchard will be based in the company’s office in Brussels and will report to Eric De Neef, executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

Pinchard joined the group in April 2012 and served as the global director of Sales for UK and Ireland. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving increased market share and for leading and implementing sales strategy to optimise global revenue growth.

He has 20 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry. He started his career with Intercontinental Hotels Group before going on to work at Hilton Hotels and GHL Hotels in a variety of sales and commercial roles in Europe, Middle East and The United States.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time working for the UK & Ireland operation and I look forward to continued success in this new leadership role,” said Pinchard.

Notable Scottish tourism industry identity Shirley Spear has joined The Royal Yacht Britannia’s Board of Trustees.

As co-founder of the internationally-renowned The Three Chimneys on Skye, a multi-award-winning restaurant with rooms, Shirley brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Britannia.

Spear has successfully established an international reputation for The Three Chimneys, as a Gold 5-star restaurant with rooms and holder of three AA Red Rosettes for food for 16 years. The facility has won many awards and accolades over three decades, the latest being a coveted Michelin Star in September 2014.

“I am honoured to have been invited to join Britannia’s Board and look forward to working with an exciting new team on a different aspect of Scotland’s diverse hospitality industry, helping them to develop the next chapter of their amazing success story,” said Spear.

PPHE Hotel Group Limited announced the appointment of several key senior executives within its UK management team.

Axel Krueger, formerly operations manager at Park Plaza Riverbank London and Plaza on the River has been promoted to the role of hotel manager following a successful two years at the hotel. Krueger first joined PPHE Hotel Group as food and beverage director at London flagship hotel, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.

Joining Krueger at Park Plaza Riverbank London and Plaza on the River as new operations manager is Dror Danino-Forsyth, who joins PPHE Hotel Group with over a decade of hotel management experience.

Park Plaza County Hall London welcomes the appointment of James Doherty as operations manager. Doherty first joined PPHE Hotel Group five years ago as reception manager for the landmark opening of Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.

Doherty takes over the role from Jo Alder who, amongst other roles at PPHE Hotel Group has completed a successful three years at Park Plaza County Hall London and now moves to sister hotel Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes as the new general manager.

Celebrity Cruises has appointed Sarah Harraghy to the newly created role of commercial sales director, UK and Ireland. 

Harraghy has worked for the last ten years as a strategic consultant to businesses in the travel and retail sector, including for Celebrity Cruises and the RCL Cruises Ltd organisation over the last five years. She has been involved in the development of the strategic focus of CLIA, and has also consulted with brands such as Thomas Cook, Saga Holidays, Holiday Autos, Virgin Holidays and Lastminute.com. Harraghy brings considerable expertise on the business of travel distribution.

The new commercial sales director will report to UK and Ireland managing director Jo Rzymowska, and will complement the team already within the Celebrity Cruises business. The role will include overseeing the 24 strong trade sales, trade sales support and commercial teams including the London intensification team and is responsible for all of Celebrity Cruises’ UK and Ireland distribution channels.

The appointment follows the recent departure of Nicki Tempest-Mitchell.