Kempinski Hotels has appointed Barbara Muckermann as chief executive, becoming first woman in the company’s 127-years of history to lead the luxury group.
She was previously president at Silversea Cruises, part of Royal Caribbean Group.
Kempinski Hotels has 82 hotels in 36 countries and is planning “impressive” growth in new regions.
The group intends to add another 34 hotels and residences to its portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa in the coming years.
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Muckermann said: “I could not be more thrilled to be joining Kempinski Hotels as chief executive during such a pivotal time for the brand.
“I am delighted to play an integral role in this incredibly iconic brand’s next chapter while honouring its rich history, and very much look forward to working in tandem with amazing colleagues globally to continue to make the Kempinski name synonymous with individual luxury.”
René Nijhof, Kempinski Hotels chairman, added: “Barbara has always been at the forefront of luxury, and her proven ability to elevate the guest experience while simultaneously maximising profitability for leading travel brands made her the ideal choice to lead Kempinski Hotels.
“Her dynamic, forward-thinking approach will be vital as we continue to usher in a new era of luxury for our brand.”
She has more than 25 years of hospitality experience, working for leading global brands in luxury and travel including Loro Piana, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
A German native, Muckermann is fluent in five languages and is a doctor in political sciences and economics. She holds a joint MBA from Columbia and London Business School.
Previous chief executive Bernold Schroeder said on his LinkedIn profile that he is “moving on to explore new career opportunities beyond Kempinski”.