Oetker Hotels strengthens leadership team amid ‘exciting new chapter’

Oetker Hotels has made a string of leadership promotions as it enters an “exciting new chapter”.

The three appointments come at a “defining moment” for the brand, as it eyes further expansion of its hotel portfolio and looks ahead to the development of its first Oetker private residences.

To lead the group’s move into branded residences, Simon Neggers has been promoted to chief commercial officer.

Neggers has played a “significant role” in developing Oetker’s brand strategy since joining the group in 2020 and, in his new role, will oversee the brand’s expansion beyond hotels and into private homes.

Speaking to Aspire, Neggers said: “The addition of branded residences is a very natural evolution for Oetker Hotels. Residences allow us to take that experience beyond a hotel stay to become part of our guests’ everyday lives. That is incredibly powerful for a brand like ours, where loyalty and long-term relationships have always mattered.”

The group sees “significant potential” in this new market, citing a rise in demand for “highly individual, experience-led hospitality” as one of the key drivers behind the expansion.

However, Oetker’s growth will remain “deliberately selective”.

Neggers said: “It must be an extraordinary opportunity, in a great location, with all the ingredients for us to create a true masterpiece. We also tend to go to places we know will resonate with our existing guests.”

As well as developing its first private homes, Oetker continues to bolster its hotel collection, with the opening of its first US outpost, The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, earlier this year.

Le Mas Bellevue Saint-Tropez will debut in June, with other “wonderful European destinations in the pipeline”, according to Neggers.

To further support the brand’s next chapter, Duarte Bon de Sousa has been promoted from vice-president of operations to chief operating officer, which will see him assume overall responsibility for hotel operations across the group and support the development of new properties.

Virginie Saint-Laurent has also been promoted after 15 years with Oetker. In her new role as chief people and culture officer, Saint-Laurent will continue to lead the group’s global people and culture strategy while also assuming responsibility for sustainability.

Oetker Hotels chief executive Timo Gruenert said: “We remain absolutely focused on the creation of masterpieces, rather than pursuing scale for its own sake.

“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.”

Pictured left to right: Simon Neggers, Virginie Saint-Laurent and Duarte Bon de Sousa