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Kempinski makes it official on new CEO

Embattled Kempinski Group, Geneva, has officially named Martin Smura its new chief executive officer, effective July 1.

In succeeding Markus Semer, who had been in office since 2016 and announced his departure in March, the 50-year-old Smura brings a vast amount of management experience from global hotel companies across five continents. He declined to comment about his new role until he takes office next month.

Smura’s most recent remit has been as executive chairman of the board of Dorint Hotel Group, Cologne, Germany. He also recently spent more than three years as an investor in German country and castle hotel brand, Castlewood Hotels and Resorts, which has grown to 13 properties.

Over the course of his career, Smura held a seat on the board of Azimut Hotels, Russia’s largest hotel group, and the chairmanship of Adlon Holding. His operations experience came during his 15 years with InterContinental Hotels Group, where among other positions he served as director of operations in East and Western Europe. Smura held his first general management post at 28 and became IHG’s youngest regional GM at 30.

Martin Smura
Martin Smura

At Kempinski, with 76 luxury hotels in more than 30 countries, Smura will be charged with finally putting to rest the dubious departure of long-time President and CEO Reto Witter, who left in late 2014 under allegations of internal corruption. In addition, at the end of 2017, Berlin’s Bristol Hotel separated from Kempinski. Then, three hotels of Broermann Hotels & Resorts were lost to the group, including the Atlantic in Hamburg.

“We are confident that in Martin R. Smura with his outstanding leadership will continue to uphold the grand hotel tradition and quality at Kempinski,” said Abdulla Saif, chairman of the supervisory board of Kempinski AG. “In particular, his leadership skills, strategic vision regarding the brand’s further expansion, his excellent network and long-standing bonds of trust, also with our partners, will strengthen the group’s position for the future.”

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