Exclusive: La Vie appoints AMEA leader
La Vie Hotels and Resorts has promoted industry veteran Alan Christie to the newly created role role of Senior Director – Growth and Business Development, Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA).
Reporting to La Vie Hotels and Resorts Chief Development Officer, Chris Batterham, Christie will be charged with growing the AMEA portfolio.
“We have very clear targets and a very strong business foundation with teams set up in Sydney, Bangkok and Dubai that will support Alan in this role, and I am confident with Alan’s expertise, more and more owners will see the value that independent hotel operators like La Vie can bring to their portfolio,” said La Vie Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Xu.
“This appointment continues to strengthen our resources and team in South East Asia, and we will continue to also add resources to the AMEA region in line with our continued expansion.”
Prior to this appointment, Christie was La Vie’s Area General Manager, Sri Lanka, responsible for managing the strategic performance of the Radisson portfolio, following the group’s landmark deal with Radisson Group in 2023.
“Alan has been a fantastic addition to the La Vie family since he started with us in 2023 and we look forward to seeing him flourish in this new role focused on our growth across the region,” added Xu.
In this new role, based out of the Bangkok head office, Christie will increase awareness of La Vie’s business model across the region.
“As we continue to see significant interest and growth in the franchise and white label model, we are thrilled to have Alan onboard as we continue our expansion across the AMEA region,” said Batterham.
“As the region’s leader in third-party hotel management, we continue to offer an owner-centric hotel management solution through the full-service operating platform we operate. This, coupled with Alan’s immense industry experience will ensure we are continuing to build long term relationships with our partners.”
Prior to joining La Vie, Christie spent two decades working in senior asset management across real estate, financial services and hospitality working for groups including JLL, Hospitality Advisory Partners and CBRE.
“I am excited to be taking on this new role with La Vie, a company that has made significant strides in the franchise space over many years,” Christie said of his appointment.
“The hospitality space is constantly evolving, and we’re seeing independent third-party operators gaining significant traction in the Middle East and Asian markets following the huge success of this model in America and Europe. Now is the perfect time to start educating the market on the benefits of this tried and tested model, and I am excited to be part of the La Vie team as we continue our growth.”
TFE Hotels announces Adina Europe CEO
TFE Hotels has appointed international hotelier, Asli Kutlucan, as Chief Executive Officer of Adina Hotels in Europe.
Kutlucan joins Adina Hotels in Europe as the business prepares to debut the homegrown A by Adina brand into the European market in 2025 and begin pre-development work for two new A by Adina properties in Australia.
Kutlucan’s 30-year hospitality career began in her family’s hotel in Turkey, and she has gone on to work in hotels operations, hotel development, construction and acquisition in the US, UK, Rwanda and, most recently, Amsterdam.
She joins Adina following a 13-year stint at Cycas Hospitality where, as Chief Development Officer, she was responsible for championing employee culture and growing Cycas’ portfolio across the UK and continental Europe, from one hotel in Liverpool to 54 hotels (around 8,000 keys) across 12 countries and categories.
“With Asli’s appointment, we are solidifying our strong leadership base in Europe,” said TFE Hotels CEO, Antony Ritch.
“And I am confident her skillset and experience, together with the combined expertise of the current Adina team, will build solid foundations for future growth and the introduction of new brands.”
Kutlucan, who started at Adina’s Berlin Head Office in mid-January, is excited to lead Adina’s European expansion.
“As a hotelier, I consider the opportunity to shape or reposition a brand a distinct privilege, and I look forward to building upon Adina’s strong foundations,” she said.
“Adina has established a reputation for excellence that surpasses the conventional four-star benchmark. As we embark on the next chapter of Adina’s journey in Europe, I am confident in the significant growth potential I foresee over the coming decades.”
First female GM at Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Mandarin Oriental has appointed veteran hotelier Jill Goh to lead the newly transformed Mandarin Oriental, Singapore as its first female General Manager.
Goh brings over three decades of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry across hotel operations and management and has previously served as Resident Manager at the hotel.
Goh began her career with the group in the Singapore hotel in 1993 before moving on to Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. After a short corporate stint as Corporate Operations Manager for the Asia region, she transferred to Mandarin Oriental, Macau as the property’s General Manager before her most recent appointment as General Manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.
“It is amazing to be back here in Singapore where I have forged many fond memories, the place where I first embarked on my exciting career with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group,” said Goh.
“I look forward to continuing the chapter for Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, working alongside with my team as we surpass our boundaries and redefine luxury in Singapore and beyond.”
Halcyon House names new Executive Chef
Cabarita Beach boutique hotel, Halcyon House, has appointed Andrew Milford as the new Executive Chef of award-winning hatted Paper Daisy restaurant.
Milford, who began working at Paper Daisy in February 2016, has worked alongside both Exec Chef Ben Devlin, and Exec Chef Jason Barratt.
“We’re excited for Andrew to be promoted to Paper Daisy’s Executive Chef. He has gone from strength-to-strength over the years, having learnt from two of Australia’s leading chefs, and we can’t wait to see where he takes Paper Daisy,” said Halcyon House General Manager, Laura Proctor.
Milford has worked internationally, in the UK and France where he was a Private Chef in a ski chalet in Megeve, French Alps, as well as at Orpheus Island Resort, Wilson Island Ecolodge and Heron Island Resort.
A passionate fisherman and forager, Milford’s menu will focus on seafood as well as local produce.
“The culture at Halcyon House and Paper Daisy is second to none so to have my work recognised, and be given the opportunity to take the next step in my career, at a place I love, is terrific,” said Milford.
“I also really enjoy working with the kitchen team and having junior chefs grow and get inspired by the things we create together so this will also be a focus for me. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of being a chef.”
Sales promotion at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach has promoted Jon Ushijima to the position of Director of International Sales.
Ushijima will the resort’s strategic sales initiatives in key international markets including Japan, Korea, China, Australia, Canada and more.
He first joined the resort in 2015 as Director of Resort Sales – Asia aa pre-opening team member, and in 2018, he officially joined the brand as Director of Asia Sales. He brings nearly 30 years of combined hospitality operations and sales experience.
“Since joining our resort eight years ago, Jon has been a key force behind driving business from our Asia markets,” said Director of Sales and Marketing, Regan Rosdil.
“His decades of experience in hospitality will allow us to uncover new markets globally and continue to elevate our resort around the world.”
Prior to joining the resort, Ushijima held a number of sales and operations leadership positions at hotels and resorts in Hawai‘i including The Kahala Hotel and Resort and Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ four legacy properties in Waikīkī and Sheraton Maui.