Accor appointed former Hilton executive Kara Randall as chief development officer for luxury brands in North America, according to a Monday press release shared with Hotel Dive.
In her new role, which took effect Oct. 1, Randall leads Accor’s luxury development team in North America overseeing brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, Emblems Collection and MGallery Collection, per the release. Randall reports directly to Agnès Roquefort, Accor’s chief development officer of luxury and lifestyle.
Randall joins Accor after most recently serving as vice president of Hilton’s luxury, residential and corporate development group for North America, the release detailed. In that role, she supported multiple brands such as Waldorf Astoria, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts. During her 20-year career at Hilton, Randall served in a variety of other leadership roles as well, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Randall brings experience “delivering complex and high-value development projects” to Accor at a time when the French hospitality company looks to strategically expand its luxury brands across North America, according to Roquefort.
“Beyond being home to some of our most iconic luxury properties and flagship destinations, North America is also one of the world's most important feeder markets for luxury travel,” Roquefort said in a statement. “Strengthening our development capabilities in the region is essential to accelerating the growth, visibility, and long-term success of our luxury portfolio.”
Accor completed a comprehensive renovation on the U.S. flagship for its Sofitel brand in New York City last year and is also expanding its Fairmont brand to New Orleans. The Louisiana hotel, initially slated to open in 2025, is now expected to debut in November. Meanwhile, in 2023, Raffles opened its first North American location, Raffles Boston.
Randall will work closely with Edouard Schwob, senior vice president of global development for Raffles and Fairmont, to support the brands’ continued growth, per the release.
