Design Hotels unveils new exec board, membership option

Peter Cole (left) and Serdar Kutucu now on the executive board with CFO Sascha Wolff

With Marriott now a major shareholder, Design Hotels recently unveiled a new executive board as well as an additional membership option for hotels.

On December 1, 2018, Marriott’s former managing director of business integration, Peter Cole, assumed his new role as CEO of Design Hotels, and sole member of the management board.

Design Hotels’ founder Claus Sendlinger will continue his involvement with the company as advisor and mentor to the executive board.

Peter Cole (left) and Serdar Kutucu now on the executive board with CFO Sascha Wolff

In his most recent role at Marriott, Cole led the company’s integration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, overseeing activities including hotel operations, organisational design, talent management, loyalty programmes, system integration, financial management, and unit growth.

In previous roles, Cole was also CFO for the Americas for Marriott, as well as global CFO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

As COO, Serdar Kutucu is now working closely with Cole to further drive innovation and building engagement. In 2014, he became vice president brand, marketing & communication, and in 2017, as executive vice president brand & strategy.

The next member of the executive board is CFO Sascha Wolff. Wolff joined the predecessor company of Design Hotels, lebendsart global networks AG in February 2000 – right after the company’s IPO in December 1999. He now leads the company’s administrative, financial and legal affairs and handles all investor relation matters.

It was also announced that at the beginning of 2019, Design Hotels will allow participating member hotels to get access to Marriott’s distribution channels, the new Marriott loyalty programme, which unites SPG, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and a standardised set of products and services. Design Hotels will continue to offer its classic membership.

Member hotels will have the opportunity to choose the best option for their business, Design Hotels said in a statement.

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