Kempinski Hotels Welcomes Barbara Muckermann as New CEO

Kempinski Hotels Welcomes Barbara Muckermann as New CEO

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on May 25, 2024

Kempinski Hotels, Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, is excited to announce the appointment of Barbara Muckermann as their new Chief Executive Officer. With an impressive background in the luxury travel industry, Muckermann brings over 25 years of experience to this prestigious role. She previously led Silversea Cruises, part of Royal Caribbean Group, which is renowned as the world's largest ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line.

Muckermann joins Kempinski at a pivotal time. The iconic hospitality brand, with its 127-year tradition of excellence, is preparing for significant global expansion. Currently operating 82 hotels in 36 countries, Kempinski aims to add 34 more properties to its portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa over the next few years. This strategic growth is intended to further cement Kempinski's reputation for providing unparalleled luxury and exceptional service.

René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Kempinski Hotels S.A., expressed his confidence in Muckermann's leadership. "Barbara has always been at the forefront of luxury. Her proven ability to elevate the guest experience while maximizing profitability for leading travel brands made her the ideal choice to lead Kempinski Hotels. Her dynamic, forward-thinking approach will be vital as we continue to usher in a new era of luxury for our brand."

Muckermann is the first woman to lead Kempinski Hotels in its 127-year history. She expressed her excitement about joining the company, stating, "I could not be more thrilled to be joining Kempinski Hotels as CEO during such a pivotal time for the brand. I am delighted to play an integral role in this incredibly iconic brand’s next chapter while honoring its rich history. I look forward to working with amazing colleagues globally to continue to make the Kempinski name synonymous with individual luxury."

Throughout her career, Muckermann has significantly enhanced sales and profitability while upgrading customer experiences for global luxury brands such as Loro Piana, MSC Cruises, and NCL. Her extensive international experience, having lived in Italy, France, and the USA, and her proficiency in five languages, underscore her global perspective and capability. Additionally, she holds a Doctorate in Political Sciences and Economics and an MBA from both Columbia and London Business School.

Kempinski Hotels is known for its unique and legendary properties, each reflecting the cultural traditions of their locations while maintaining the high standards expected of the brand. As the company looks forward to expanding its presence, Muckermann's leadership is expected to guide Kempinski through this exciting phase, reinforcing its position as a leader in luxury hospitality.

With this new appointment, Kempinski Hotels continues to build on its rich heritage, combining tradition with innovation to offer the finest experiences in the world of luxury hospitality.


Trehan Iris Appoints Milind Soman as Wellness Advisor to Champion Holistic, Nature-Led Living

Trehan Iris Appoints Milind Soman as Wellness Advisor to Champion Holistic, Nature-Led Living

By Hariharan U

Published on December 13, 2025

Trehan Iris, a leading name in Indian real estate for over seven decades, has announced a strategic initiative to embed holistic wellness at the heart of all upcoming developments. Following its guiding philosophy, “Nourish Your Being”, the company is incorporating biophilic design, nature-led environments, and mindful community amenities to create living and working spaces that elevate everyday well-being.

In line with this vision, Trehan Iris has appointed actor, model, fitness and wellness icon Milind Soman as its Wellness Advisor. Known for promoting holistic health, endurance, and sustainable lifestyles, Milind will guide the wellness framework for upcoming projects in Gurugram and Noida, helping shape spaces that encourage residents and professionals to adopt healthier, more mindful habits.

Abhishek Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris, said, "Wellness is the ultimate luxury. Our collaboration with Milind Soman brings this philosophy to life in our developments, ensuring that every design element, amenity, and experience supports holistic well-being."

Aman Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris, added, "Real estate must evolve with people’s changing needs, and wellness is central to that evolution. With Milind’s guidance, we’re designing spaces that naturally promote healthier lifestyles."

Expressing his enthusiasm, Milind Soman commented, "Wellness is not about doing something extra, it's about integrating healthy habits and mindful choices into everyday life. I’m delighted to partner with Trehan Iris to shape communities where well-being becomes intrinsic to how people live, move, and connect."

Trehan Iris continues to redefine luxury real estate, ensuring that holistic wellness, nature, and balance remain integral to all future developments, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across Gurgaon, Noida, and Bangalore.

Media Contact:
Ayushi Srivastava
Associate Account Manager | PR Professionals

About Trehan Iris:
With over seven decades of expertise, Trehan Iris has delivered more than 15 million sq. ft. across 100+ landmark projects, including IRIS Broadway Gurgaon, IRIS Tech Park, and IRIS Cyber Tower. The company is expanding into wellness-led residential, commercial, and hospitality developments, crafting future-ready communities that integrate nature, vitality, and lifestyle innovation.


voco Amritsar Appoints Ahmed Faisal as Associate Director of Food & Beverage

voco Amritsar Appoints Ahmed Faisal as Associate Director of Food & Beverage

By Hariharan U

Published on December 11, 2025

voco Amritsar by IHG has announced the appointment of Ahmed Faisal as the Associate Director of Food & Beverage, strengthening the leadership team ahead of the hotel’s upcoming opening.

Ahmed brings strong pre-opening experience and a solid foundation in IHG’s service culture, known for shaping distinctive food and beverage concepts that enhance guest satisfaction and operational standards.

He previously served at voco Jim Corbett by IHG as a core part of the pre-opening team. During his tenure, he played a key role in building the hotel’s F&B identity, from menu and concept development to service refinement and guest engagement.

Continuing his growth within the IHG family, Ahmed now moves to voco Amritsar where he will lead menu planning, restaurant operations, team development and overall F&B strategy for the city’s newest upscale hotel.

His experience, creativity and focus on guest-centric dining are expected to contribute meaningfully to the hotel’s culinary positioning as it prepares to welcome travellers and locals alike.


Espire Hospitality appoints Sandeep Kumar Rajput as Commercial Director

Espire Hospitality appoints Sandeep Kumar Rajput as Commercial Director

By Hariharan U

Published on December 11, 2025

Espire Hospitality Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Sandeep Kumar Rajput as its new Commercial Director. He will lead the commercial strategy for the company’s two key brands, ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts. The appointment comes as Espire continues to expand its presence and strengthen its revenue framework across India.

With more than 22 years of experience in Sales and Marketing, Sandeep has built a strong reputation for delivering growth across multiple hospitality brands. His career includes leadership roles at Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels, Pride Group of Hotels, HHI Group, St Laurn Hotels, and Infinity Resort, where he contributed to building high-performing teams and driving market development.

In his previous role as Vice President – Sales at Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels, he handled the P&L and commercial direction for over 55 hotels across North and East India and Nepal, while also supporting revenue for a larger portfolio of more than 110 hotels across the country. His strengths include corporate partnerships, key account management, and building scalable sales structures.

At Espire Hospitality Limited, Sandeep will focus on enhancing the commercial ecosystem, strengthening brand visibility, and supporting the group’s expansion plans. His role will also involve deepening stakeholder relationships and building a results-driven culture across teams.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Mr. Akhil Arora, CEO & MD, Espire Hospitality Limited, said, “We are excited to have Sandeep join Espire Hospitality Limited during this defining chapter of our expansion. Sandeep brings with him a wealth of industry experience and has successfully led several high-impact strategic initiatives across the region. We are confident that his impressive track record, proven leadership and broad expertise will play a key role in our journey to scale new heights.”

Sandeep’s industry knowledge and leadership style are expected to contribute significantly to Espire Hospitality’s growth vision and new development pipeline.

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