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Oetker Hotels has announced a series of senior leadership promotions as the luxury hotel group prepares for further portfolio growth and its move into branded residences.
Duarte Bon de Sousa has been promoted from Vice President Operations to Chief Operating Officer and joins the Executive Committee.
Bon de Sousa joined Oetker Hotels in 2013 and has held operational roles across the portfolio, including serving as General Manager of Château Saint-Martin & Spa on the Côte d’Azur and L’Apogée Courchevel in the French Alps.
As Chief Operating Officer, he will take overall responsibility for hotel operations across the group, with his remit also extending to project development and design.
Virginie Saint-Laurent has been promoted to Chief People & Culture Officer and will continue to serve on the Executive Committee.
Saint-Laurent has spent 15 years with Oetker Hotels and will continue to lead its global People & Culture function and strategy. Her expanded responsibilities will also include sustainability as the group develops its international portfolio.
Simon Neggers has been promoted from Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing & Communications to Chief Commercial Officer and will also remain on the Executive Committee.
Neggers joined Oetker Hotels in 2020 and will lead sales, marketing and communications across the group under an expanded commercial remit.
He will also lead Oetker Hotels’ development of branded residences, a new business area that will extend the company’s hospitality and service model into private homes.
The leadership changes follow the opening of The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach during 2026, marking Oetker Hotels’ entry into the United States. Le Mas Bellevue in Saint-Tropez is scheduled to join the portfolio in June 2027.
Commenting on the appointments, Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Hotels, said:
“There is a wonderful momentum at Oetker Hotels today. The Vineta Hotel has opened an entirely new chapter for us in the United States, Saint-Tropez is next, and we see some very exciting opportunities ahead in Europe and beyond. We are also preparing to take the Oetker experience beyond our hotels for the first time, with the development of Oetker branded residences – a natural extension of our refined approach to hospitality, service and beautiful living.
“What excites me most is that these opportunities allow us to grow while remaining very true to who we are. We remain absolutely focused on the creation of Masterpieces, rather than pursuing scale for its own sake. And as the world of ultra-luxury hospitality evolves, I believe we are beautifully positioned: travellers increasingly value individuality, warmth, a sense of belonging and genuine human connection – qualities that have been at the heart of our hotels for more than 150 years.
“Duarte, Virginie and Simon have each played an important role in bringing Oetker Hotels to where it is today. They know our company deeply, share our ambitions for its future and, above all, lead in a way that reflects our values of Family Spirit, Elegance and Genuine Kindness. Their expanded roles give us an even stronger leadership team for what comes next, and I am delighted that we will shape this next chapter together.”
The Executive Committee also includes Philippe Perd, Managing Director of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, and Jens Hackebeil, Chief Financial Officer.
Fabrice Moizan, Managing Director and President of Le Bristol Paris, joined the Executive Committee from 1 October as he took up his new role.
Alongside the Executive Committee changes, Olivier Bihel has been promoted from Vice President Project Development to Senior Vice President Design & Project Development.
Bihel joins the Senior Leadership Team and reports to Bon de Sousa. His expanded remit will include leading design across the group’s development projects, with a particular focus on interiors alongside his existing project development responsibilities.
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