Hand Picked Hotels appoints new CEO

Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 privately owned, luxury country houses and coastal retreats in the UK and Channel Islands, has announced the appointment of Ignace Bauwens as chief executive officer. Current CEO Julia Hands will be stepping down from the position but will remain as Chairman. In his new role, Bauwens will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business, including the implementation of a number of core initiatives at the individual hotel level. His objective will be to make Hand Picked Hotels the top collection of destination hotels in the UK and Channel Islands. Bauwens joins Hand Picked Hotels with over 30 years of experience in notable senior roles across a number of international hospitality groups. He joins from Corinthia Hotels, where he was chief operating officer. Previous to this, Ignace has held positions including chief operating officer of Roya International in Dubai, and regional vice president of the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. Honing his craft and expertise in the sector, he spent his career in a variety of positions across a number of hospitality groups, most notably at InterContinental Hotel Group and ACCOR Hotels in Europe and the Middle East. During this time, he has been responsible for focusing on quality, product evolution and managing large portfolios through challenging headwinds. In addition to his operational pedigree, Ignace brings a passion for restaurants and bars, having started his career in food and beverage. Regarding the appointment, Bauwens said: “I am thrilled to be joining Hand Picked Hotels. The business has tremendous potential to become the leading destination hotel group in the UK, and it will be part of my responsibility to harness its existing talent and drive the ongoing initiatives. I look forward to working with Julia and the team to take Hand Picked Hotels to the next level.” Julia Hands, chairman of Hand Picked Hotels, added: “I am delighted to welcome Ignace, who brings with him a wealth of leadership experience in the hospitality sector. I am confident that he will guide the business in its ambitious objectives to provide an elevated, upscale service offering, as we continue to transform Hand Picked Hotels into an exceptional hotel group.”