Kempinski Hotels COO switch: Boosting regional expertise

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Exchanging top regional practices and harnessing collective experiences to enhance the Kempinski brand involves a strategic shift of roles for two COOs at Kempinski Hotels. Xavier Destribats, formerly Chief Operations Officer for The Americas over the past seven years, transitions from Cuba to Geneva, assuming responsibility for the European region alongside his existing role in The Americas. Meanwhile, Timur Sentuerk, previously overseeing Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, relocates to Dubai to focus entirely on advancing operations in the Middle East and Africa. Both executives hold positions on the Managing Board of Kempinski Hotels.

“The switch of regions of these two top leaders signifies an inspiring knowledge transfer from their vast experience in different work and cultural environments,” says René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kempinski Hotels S.A. “Moreover, in consideration of the substantial development pipeline within the Middle East and Africa, holding high strategical importance for Kempinski’s footfall and prominence as a global leading luxury brand, it has become critical over time to split the responsibilities for the regions as the scopes became too large”, says René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kempinski Hotels S.A. “With a total of 27 new development projects around the globe, we are proud to have such experienced top leaders overseeing and steering operations in these very crucial regions.”

Xavier Destribats became part of Kempinski in 2011, following a tenure with Morgan Stanley Capital and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Initially assuming the role of Senior Vice President of Operations, he later ascended to President Europe in 2014. In alignment with Kempinski’s strategic expansion into the Americas and the imperative for robust leadership in the region, Xavier was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Americas in 2017.

Timur Sentuerk joined Kempinski in 2022, bringing with him extensive senior management experience from renowned hospitality brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Oberoi Hotels, and Langham Hospitality Group. As Chief Operating Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa, he played a pivotal role in the operational success of both regions over the past two years, overseeing regional offices in Europe and the Middle East & Africa.

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