Reto Wittwer
President and Chief Executive Officer

With Kempinski since 1995

Wittwer is regarded as an inspiration to many, and as a motivational and generous leader, the grand ambassador of the Kempinski collection. Under his leadership, Kempinski
has become one of the most prestigious names in the hospitality industry. Wittwer previously held the position of President and CEO of Ciga S.p.A. and prior to that, he was President and CEO of Swissair Nestlé Swissôtel Ltd. Wittwer has worked for Le Méridien, Inter-Continental Hotels Group, The Mandarin Hotel Group, The Peninsula Hotels group and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Wittwer is a graduate of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. With over 30 years’ experience in international luxury hospitality, Wittwer has received many honours for his contribution to the Hotel and Tourism industry, among which the title of Knight of Honour of France.

Duncan O’Rourke
Chief Operating Officer

With Kempinski since 2002

O’Rourke was one of the industry’s youngest COOs when appointed to this position from within the group. His main responsibility is consolidating Kempinski’s expansion and ensuring the group delivers on its brand promise through operational excellence, through his own extensive international experience. O’Rourke was educated at the prestigious Cesar Ritz hotel school in Switzerland and holds
a European Executive MBA from Reims Management School. Over two decades before beginning his career at Kempinski, O’Rourke has worked for premium brands such as Rosewood and Marco Polo in Washington, Moscow and Saudi Arabia, before joining Mövenpick as Director of Operations for their Gastronomy division in Switzerland.

Colin Lubbe
Chief Financial Officer

With Kempinski since 2009

Responsible for the Corporate and Hotel Finance Department, Lubbe is also responsible for Real Estate Investments and Information Technology for the group, leading the implementation of effective business strategies in a multi-national environment. Before joining Kempinski, Lubbe was the Vice President Financial Shared Services for Hyatt Corporation in Chicago. During his 27 years of experience in international hospitality, he has lived and worked in Germany, Switzerland, the United States as well as South Africa, and has opened 26 hotels in his career so far.

Markus Semer
SVP Corporate Affairs & Strategic Planning

With Kempinski since 2002

Semer leads the group’s Strategic Planning, which acts as the breeding ground for many of the group’s most innovative business concepts, as well as overseeing Legal, People Services & Corporate Communications and Kempinski’s Associated Businesses. A classical music enthusiast, Semer studied Economics at the University of Würzburg in Germany. Prior to joining Kempinski, Semer worked with Commerzbank AG in Corporate Banking. He also holds an MBA from the prestigious HEC/ Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland.