YOTEL, the global hospitality brand recognised for its design-driven and technology-enabled approach to modern travel, has announced a series of senior leadership promotions as it commits to an ambitious growth target of reaching 100 hotels open and signed worldwide by 2031.
The leadership updates come at a pivotal moment for the brand as YOTEL enters a major expansion phase, with upcoming openings planned in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, Athens and Belfast, alongside several new ventures. Currently operating 23 hotels across 16 cities and airport locations, the company has a further 11 properties scheduled to open over the next 24 months. This momentum underpins YOTEL’s long-term strategy to more than triple its global portfolio over the coming years.
Since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer earlier this year, Phil Andreopoulos has sharpened the brand’s focus on international scale and strategic growth. The expanded leadership roles reflect YOTEL’s commitment to strengthening internal expertise and ensuring the right capabilities are in place to support expansion across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
“Since joining YOTEL three months ago, one of the first things that struck me was the exceptional talent already within the organisation. I wanted to build a culture that recognises and elevates the expertise of our own teams,” said Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of YOTEL. “With our strengthened senior leadership team now in place, we are well-positioned to deliver on our long-term ambitions. These promotions ensure our leadership team is empowered to drive growth and accelerate the expansion needed to achieve this goal.”
Leadership Promotions Include
Rohan Thakkar – Chief Development & Strategy Officer
In his expanded role, Rohan Thakkar will continue to lead YOTEL’s global growth strategy while overseeing the development pipeline, feasibility and commercial evaluation, and design and construction functions as the brand progresses toward its 100-hotel target. His remit now extends to enterprise-wide strategic leadership, acting as a key strategic partner to the CEO and Board.
In addition, Rohan will shape YOTEL’s long-term commercial and development strategy, align initiatives across PR, marketing and new ventures, and strengthen coordination across teams to support a scalable and globally consistent growth platform. Since joining YOTEL in 2014, he has held several senior leadership roles, with his expanded mandate formalising oversight of the company’s core strategic initiatives.
Mark Henderson – Senior Vice President, Design & Construction
As YOTEL’s global footprint continues to expand, Mark Henderson will assume responsibility for Capital Expenditure and Renovations, signalling increased investment in both existing assets and new developments. He will lead the continued evolution of YOTEL’s room product to ensure alignment with guest expectations, owner feedback and future brand extensions, while also supporting new-venture ambitions and emerging product lines.
Mark joined YOTEL in 2018 as Feasibility Architect and progressed through a series of leadership roles before taking charge of Design & Construction in 2022. He has since built an integrated global team spanning design feasibility, interior design and project management, supporting both owners and business development efforts.
Olivia Donnan – Senior Vice President, Brand, Culture & Growth
Olivia Donnan’s expanded role reflects YOTEL’s strategy to align brand performance, guest loyalty, partner engagement and company culture as the business scales globally. She will lead efforts to strengthen brand advocacy, shape the evolution of the guest experience and ensure that performance, culture and brand perception advance together.
Her remit brings together Brand, Communications, People Experience and Development Marketing under a single, brand-led vision designed to support long-term growth. Since joining YOTEL in 2022, Olivia has played a key role in strengthening the company’s brand and communications strategy, elevating global awareness and enhancing YOTEL’s market positioning.
These leadership promotions reinforce YOTEL’s focus on people-led growth and position the brand to deliver on its long-term ambition of global scale across key urban and transport-hub destinations.Leadership Promotions Include
