Kempinski Group has appointed Noel Attard as Chief Development Officer. Attard will oversee the expansion of the group’s global portfolio from his new role.
The internal appointment follows two decades of service across Kempinski’s operations, finance and corporate functions. Attard most recently served as Chief Transformation Officer, a position he took up in early 2025.
Noel Attard to lead Kempinski development strategy
In his new role, Attard will focus on executing Kempinski’s development strategy and identifying growth opportunities. These include targeted acquisitions, management contracts, branded residences and brand debuts in priority and emerging markets.
Kempinski Group said the appointment supports business continuity as the company expands its global portfolio. Attard previously worked on the group’s business transformation strategy before moving into the development role.
René Nijhof, Chairman for Kempinski S.A., said Attard was the author of the company’s development strategy. Nijhof also pointed to Attard’s long-standing experience with Kempinski and his relationships with owners and investors.
According to Nijhof, Attard’s understanding of the global luxury hospitality market will support the company as it identifies and pursues development opportunities.
Attard brings two decades of Kempinski experience
Attard has spent 20 years working across trading entity management, group-level strategic planning and hotel openings at Kempinski. His hotel opening experience includes Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz in Gozo and Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Croatia.
For more than 10 years, Attard also served as Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Trading DMCC in Dubai. Earlier in his career, he held Financial Controller and General Manager roles with the business.
This background gives Attard experience across operations, finance and corporate strategy. His new remit therefore brings development responsibilities alongside experience in running hospitality assets.
Kempinski said Attard’s approach to property development focuses on real-world asset operations. The company also said his development work considers front-line operational expertise.
Kempinski Group continues global portfolio expansion
Kempinski Group currently operates 74 properties across 33 countries. The group also has more than 21 projects under development.
The company’s portfolio includes hotels and residences, with properties spanning historic landmarks, urban lifestyle hotels, resorts and residences. Kempinski said each property combines the brand’s service standards with local cultural traditions.
Kempinski Group describes itself as Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality company. The company is also a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance, an alliance of independent hotel brands.
Attard outlines focus for next phase
Attard said his immediate focus will be on capturing opportunities while maintaining continuity with Kempinski’s brand heritage and existing portfolio.
He added that the company’s development roadmap reflects both Kempinski’s history and its growth plans. Attard said the priority is to execute the roadmap in line with the group’s core values.
The appointment places responsibility for Kempinski’s global development portfolio with an executive who has held operational, financial, transformation and strategic roles within the group.
Kempinski Group said its latest internal appointment supports the continued execution of its strategic development plans across global markets.
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