Following a critical review of the organization, Kempinski Hotels, Geneva, announced Thursday a new management board to lead Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group into the future.
This extended team of senior Kempinski executives, led by chairman and CEO Markus Semer, has been created to reinforce hotel operations and improve the company’s agility to drive forward its agenda “as hoteliers at heart, with an organization suited to our size and strategic priorities.”
At the same time, Kempinski announced key changes to the company’s executive leadership team and a related refinement of its organizational structure following the decision of COO Marcus van der Wal to leave the company.
Bernold Schroeder has been appointed COO and a member of the management board. In his role as COO Europe, Schroeder will oversee the portfolio in Europe, the original home market of Kempinski, with properties including the Hotel Adlon Kempinski and Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul.
Schroeder is an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the global hotel industry. He joins Kempinski from his most recent roles as CEO of the Singapore-based hotel owner Pan Pacific Hotels Group and CEO of Shanghai-based Jin Jiang International.
Members of the new Kempinski Management Board include:
- Markus Semer, chairman of the management board and CEO
- Colin Lubbe, CFO
- Bernold Schroeder, COO Europe
- Michael Henssler, COO Asia
- Henk Meyknecht, COO Middle East & Africa
- Xavier Destribats, COO The Americas
- Amanda Elder, senior vice president business development
- Mike Haemmerli, senior vice president development
- Marina Zapp, senior vice president human resources
“We are in a unique position in the industry to remain an independent European luxury hotel operator with the full support of our shareholders toward this long-term strategy, and as we move now into the future with the leadership of this committed executive team, we have all the ingredients to ensure that Kempinski continues to evolve with our guests and set new standards in luxury hospitality for many years to come,” Semer added.