Table of Contents
- 1 Accor’s new regional leadership team in the DACH region includes Yannick Wagner and Ben Brahim for Germany, Anne Wahl-Pozeg and Arndt Writzel for Austria and Sabrina Westphälinger and Jochen Renz for Switzerland. They will all continue in their current positions. Accor is the largest hotel group in Switzerland with around 80 hotels.
- 2 Given the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the new leadership team, what strategies will they implement to foster a cohesive and collaborative environment across Accor’s Austrian and Swiss properties?
Accor’s new regional leadership team in the DACH region includes Yannick Wagner and Ben Brahim for Germany, Anne Wahl-Pozeg and Arndt Writzel for Austria and Sabrina Westphälinger and Jochen Renz for Switzerland. They will all continue in their current positions. Accor is the largest hotel group in Switzerland with around 80 hotels.
“Our new management team underlines our ambitions and our commitment to the DACH region,” explains Patrick Mendes, CEO Accor Europe & North Africa. “These markets have always been key at Accor and will continue to play a central role in our strategic planning. Our The focus is on sustainable growth, while at the same time harmonizing product and service quality and increasing our brand attractiveness. All new managers bring one Fill in experiences – from Development and Operations, to Talent & Culture and Communications – which enables us to further advance our strategy.”
The six managing directors Most of them are long-standing Accor managers, who will retain their previous functions within the group.
The managing directors in Germany are:
Yannick Wagner looks back on an 18-year career at Accor. He initially joined the group in real estate finance before taking on various strategic roles, from Head of Asset Management & Insurance to Vice President of Development in Northern Europe. In 2023, Yannick Wagner was appointed Chief Operating Officer Managed Hotels Europe & North Africa for the Premium, Midscale and Economy Division.
I am Brahim joined Accor in 2021 and has held various operational roles within the group, most recently the dual role of Senior Vice President Operations Managed Hotels Northern Europe and Managing Director for AccorHotels Germany. He previously worked at AccorInvest, where he built up the company’s asset management division following its spin-off from Accor in 2017. Ben Brahim has extensive knowledge of day-to-day hotel operations due to his many years of experience as Vice President Operations with regional responsibility and his previous career as General Manager in ibis Hotels in Berlin and Cologne.
The management team in Austria consists of:
Anne Wahl-Pozeg is appointed Managing Director of Accor in Austria. The communications expert has been working for Accor for more than seven years and is currently Senior Vice President Communications Europe & North Africa, responsible for a diverse region with almost 50 countries. Anne Wahl-Pozeg leads a team of 25 communications experts in the areas of PR & media relations, social media, internal and partner communications as well as employer branding. She has also been a board member of the German Hotel Association (IHA) since 2021.
Arndt Writzel joined Accor in 2023 as Vice President Operations Managed Hotels DACH. He has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry with various roles in F&B, sales, operations and management. Before joining Accor, he held various positions at other hotel groups such as IHG and Foremost Hospitality, with international and regional experience in France, China, Switzerland and Germany. With his appointment as second managing director for Austria, Arndt Writzel succeeds Hannes Lechner, who is devoting himself to new tasks after more than 40 years at Accor.
The new management of Accor in Switzerland is:
Sabrina Westphälinger Currently holds the position of Senior Director Talent & Culture Germany, Austria and Switzerland at Accor and is Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of AccorHotels Switzerland. Previously, she was Director of Human Resources & Training at Accor’s premium brand Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. Before joining Accor, she gained extensive management experience in various HR positions Booking.com and IHG in the region. She holds an Executive MBA in General Management from the Graubünden University of Applied Sciences. Sabrina Westphälinger succeeds Duncan O’Rourke in her role as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, who will be appointed CEO for Accor’s premium, midscale and economy division in the Middle East and Africa in 2023 Turkey and the Asia-Pacific region was appointed.
Jochen Renz looks back on a long career in the hotel industry. He has held various management positions, from years as Director of Rooms & Sales at Mövenpick to engagements as Sales Director, Hotel Manager and Multi Property General Manager for Marriott Hotels in Zurich and Basel. Jochen joined Accor in April 2022 and has since worked as Vice President Operations Managed Hotels DACH with a focus on Switzerland and the southern Germany area. Jochen Renz has an Executive MBA from the University of Applied Sciences in Zurich and is a member of the board of the Zurich Hotel Association.
to overview
Given the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the new leadership team, what strategies will they implement to foster a cohesive and collaborative environment across Accor’s Austrian and Swiss properties?
Here are some open-ended questions based on the text about Accor’s leadership changes, broken down by theme:
**I. Leadership Transitions & The Future:**
* **What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for Accor in the Austrian and Swiss markets given these leadership changes?**
* **How will Anne Wahl-Pozeg and Arndt Writzel’s different backgrounds and experiences complement each other in leading Accor Austria?**
* **Sabrina Westphälinger’s appointment highlights the growing importance of talent and culture. How do you see HR strategies shaping the future of the hotel industry?**
* **What vision do Jochen Renz and Sabrina Westphälinger share for Accor’s growth and success in Switzerland?**
**II. Experience and Expertise:**
* **How will Jochen Renz’s extensive experience in operational roles benefit Accor’s Swiss properties?**
* **Arndt Writzel mentions experience in various international markets. How will his global perspective influence Accor’s Austria strategies?**
* **Sabrina Westphälinger’s background includes both human resources and hotel operations. How will this blended expertise inform her leadership style?**
**III. Market Focus:**
* **With the departure of Duncan O’Rourke, how might Accor’s focus and priorities in Switzerland evolve?**
* **What are the key trends impacting the Austrian and Swiss hospitality industries, and how will Accor adapt to them?**
**IV. Industry Reflections:**
* **What future trends do these leaders foresee in the global hospitality industry?**
* **Given the current economic climate, what strategies will Accor employ to remain competitive in both Austria and Switzerland?**
* **How is Accor working to address sustainability concerns and incorporate eco-conscious practices within its operations?**
**Important Interviewing Tips:**
* **Active Listening:** Pay close attention to the interviewees’ responses, and don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions based on what they say.
* **Encourage Depth:** Probe for more detailed explanations and examples to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives.
* **Diverse Perspectives:** If interviewing multiple people, try to elicit a range of viewpoints and opinions to get a multi-faceted perspective on the topic.
