GENEVA—Martin R. Smura will takes the helm as CEO of the Kempinski Group on July 1, bringing a vast amount of management experience and expertise from top international hotel companies on five continents. Previously, he served executive chairman of the board of the Dorint Hotel Group.
In addition, Smura has held a seat on the board of Azimut Hotels, Russia’s largest hotel group, and chairman of the board of directors of Adlon Holding. He also served as director of operations for 15 years with Intercontinental Hotels Group, among other as positions in Eastern and Western Europe.
“We are confident that in Martin R. Smura with his outstanding leadership will continue to uphold the grand hotel tradition and quality at Kempinski,” said Abdulla H. Saif, chairman of the supervisory board, Kempinski AG. “In particular, his leadership skills, strategic vision regarding the brand’s further expansion, his excellent network and long-standing bonds of trust, also with our partners, will strengthen the group’s position for the future. At the same time, I would like to sincerely thank Markus Semer for his invaluable involvement and dedication towards the Kempinski Group over the last 16 years and over the last three years as CEO for having successfully repositioned and succeeded in making the company profitable by setting a financially sound strategy with an achieved sustainable net portfolio growth.”
Saif added, “Kempinski, which is celebrating its 122nd anniversary this year, has never been stronger and more competitive as an independent international hotel luxury brand, and we owe Markus Semer and the team our appreciation for this remarkable achievement. We wish him all the best in his new professional assignment as of January next year.”