Hand Picked Hotels has announced two senior appointments to its Executive Leadership Team.
The privately owned luxury hotel group said the appointments support the next phase of its transformation and long-term growth.
Eugenio Pirri joined Hand Picked Hotels as Chief Culture Officer on 20 July 2026.
David Spooner will join the group as Chief Commercial Officer on 7 September 2026.
Both bring more than 30 years of international leadership experience across some of the world’s most recognised luxury hospitality brands.
While spending significant time across the hotels, Pirri and Spooner will be based at Hand Picked Hotels’ recently opened central London office.
Pirri has held senior culture, people and operational roles with Dorchester Collection, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
During 13 years at Dorchester Collection, he served as Chief People and Culture Officer for ten years before taking up the role of Joint Chief Executive Officer.
As Chief Culture Officer, Pirri will lead Hand Picked Hotels’ culture and people agenda.
He will work with colleagues across the business to build a positive, high-performing culture that supports the continued transformation of the group.
Pirri will work closely with Deborah Seymour, who has made what the group described as an outstanding contribution to Hand Picked Hotels during her 26 years with the business, most recently as Chief People Officer.
Pirri and Seymour will oversee a considered transition of responsibilities over the coming months, ahead of Seymour’s departure later in the year.
Spooner joins Hand Picked Hotels after holding senior international roles with luxury hospitality and travel businesses including Six Senses, part of IHG, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, One&Only Resorts and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.
Most recently, he held the position of Vice President, Global Brand at Six Senses.
His experience spans commercial strategy, brand development, sales and marketing, and digital transformation.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Spooner will lead Hand Picked Hotels’ integrated commercial strategy.
He will be responsible for driving top-line growth and guest proposition across the group, while leading sales, marketing, revenue management, digital and group reservations.
Julia Hands MBE, Chair of Hand Picked Hotels, said: “Eugenio and David bring exceptional international hospitality experience and complementary expertise to Hand Picked Hotels.
“Their appointments strengthen our Executive Leadership Team at an important stage in the development of the hotel collection.
“A strong culture and a clear, integrated commercial strategy are both central to our long-term success, and I am confident that Eugenio and David will make a significant contribution as we continue to evolve the business.
“Their experience will support our ambitions for Hand Picked Hotels while helping us remain true to the heritage, individuality and commitment to exceptional guest and colleague experiences that define the group.”
Pirri said: “I was drawn to Hand Picked Hotels because of its commitment to its colleagues and the belief that a strong culture is fundamental to delivering exceptional guest experiences and commercial success.
“I am excited to be joining Hand Picked Hotels and look forward to spending time with colleagues across the business, understanding what makes it special and building on that strong culture as we deliver the group’s next phase of growth.”
Spooner added: “Hand Picked Hotels has a remarkable collection of individual country house hotels, a rich heritage and a genuine opportunity to build something very special for the future.
“I am delighted to be joining at such an exciting stage of this evolution and look forward to working with the Executive Leadership Team and colleagues across the hotels and central teams to strengthen our commercial performance, create even more compelling guest experiences and deliver sustainable long-term growth.”
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