News from Berlin

New executive appointments further strengthen the hotel's management team

 

Around six months after taking office as Managing Director of Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, Christian Hirt has appointed three distinguished international hospitality professionals to his executive team. Over the past few weeks, Sebastian Gassen has joined as Executive Assistant Manager Food & Beverage, Marie-Pierre Girardot as Director Rooms Division, and Vanessa Siemens as Director Human Resources. Bringing decades of international luxury hospitality experience, they further strengthen the leadership team of one of Europe's most renowned grand hotels. 

With Sebastian Gassen, Hotel Adlon Kempinski welcomes a highly respected Food & Beverage strategist with more than 24 years of experience in luxury hospitality. Most recently, he led the successful opening of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka as Director of Food & Beverage. His international career includes senior leadership positions at prestigious properties and brands including The Ritz-Carlton Berlin, where he was part oft he opening team, InterContinental Hong Kong (now Regent Hong Kong), The Ritz-Carlton Vienna, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Aberdeen Marina Club Hong Kong (managed by Shangri-La Hotels), and The Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street. His focus lies in developing outstanding dining concepts that combine culinary excellence with commercial success. International hotel openings, the leadership of large multicultural teams, and the continuous enhancement of the guest experience have been defining elements of his career. At Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, he will play a key role in shaping the property's culinary strategy. 

Marie-Pierre Girardot assumes responsibility for the hotel's Rooms Division. With more than 35 years of leadership experience, she is regarded as one of the industry's most accomplished rooms professionals. Throughout her international career, she has held senior leadership positions at renowned luxury properties including Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, Raffles & Fairmont Katara Towers Doha, Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, and most recently Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, where she served as Director of Operations. Over the course of her career, she has successfully led numerous hotel openings and major renovation projects while developing international quality and service standards for some of the world's leading luxury hotel brands. She also reunites professionally with Christian Hirt, following their successful collaboration in Antwerp and Doha. 

Vanessa Siemens joins Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin as Director Human Resources, bringing more than two decades of international HR leadership experience in the Middle East. Originally from Osnabrück, Germany, she recently returned to her home country after an extensive international career. Most recently, she led the establishment of a group-wide HR Shared Services organisation for approximately 13,000 employees at Dubai Holding Group Services. Prior to that, she spent many years in senior HR leadership roles within Jumeirah Group, shaping people strategies for flagship properties including Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Her expertise in strategic human resources, organisational development and employee engagement will support the continued development of Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin's exceptional team. 

"We are delighted to welcome three outstanding hospitality leaders to Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin," says Christian Hirt, Managing Director of Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. "Sebastian Gassen, Marie-Pierre Girardot and Vanessa Siemens each bring exceptional international expertise, extensive operational experience and a genuine passion for hospitality. Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will strengthen our leadership team and help us continue delivering the outstanding service and unforgettable guest experiences for which Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is renowned."

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About Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
The iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is situated in the heart of Berlin, right next to the famous Brandenburg Gate. Its unique location, legendary history, opulent furnishings and décor, as well as a service that goes above and beyond impeccable, make the Hotel Adlon Kempinski ideal for leisure travellers and the perfect venue for social and corporate events. The hotel has 307 luxurious guest rooms, 78 exquisite suites, three restaurants and a magnificent spa and wellness area designed to attract the most elite guests from all over the world. The luxurious Hotel Adlon Kempinski has already been honoured with prestigious awards – most recently, the renowned Condé Nast Traveller included the Adlon, as one of only two hotels in Germany, in its new Triple Crown list as Berlin’s most glamorous address and best hotel.

About Kempinski
Established in 1872, Kempinski Group is Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality company. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today, the Kempinski Group operates 75 hotels and residences in 33 countries and has more than 25 prestigious projects currently under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands.
www.kempinski.com • www.ghadiscovery.com • www.kempinski.com/loyalty

Media Contact
Sabina Held • Director of Public Relations
Tanja Freytag • Public Relations Executive
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, Unter den Linden 77 • 10117 Berlin • Germany
T +49 30 2261 1703 • M +49 172 6526102 • kempinski.com/adlon
[email protected] • [email protected]