Kempinski Hotels announced the appointment of Barbara Muckermann as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Muckermann previously led Silversea Cruises (part of the Royal Caribbean Group).
She joins Kempinski, a luxury hospitality brand with 82 hotels in 36 countries, as it prepares to expand into new regions worldwide.
The group said it intends to add 34 more hotels and residences to its portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa in the coming years.
“I could not be more thrilled to be joining Kempinski Hotels as CEO during such a pivotal time for the brand,” Muckermann said in a press release.
“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.”
With a career spanning over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Muckermann has a track record of expanding sales and profitability and enhancing the guest and customer experience for leading global brands in luxury and travel, including Loro Piana, MSC Cruises and NCL.
“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,” said René Nijhof, chairman of the Board of Directors Kempinski Hotels S.A.
“Her dynamic, forward-thinking approach will be vital as we continue to usher in a new era of luxury for our brand. As Barbara takes the helm, she will be the first woman in the company’s 127 years of history to lead this iconic brand.”
A German native who has lived in Italy, France, and the US, Muckermann is fluent in five languages, has a Doctorate in Political Sciences and Economics, and holds a joint MBA from Columbia and London Business School.
