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Pictured from left to right: Kristian Toivanen, Aurelia van Lynden, Rasha Lababidi, Dan Clayton – Image Credit Kempinski
Kempinski Hotels has made strategic appointments to its leadership team, naming Kristian Toivanen, Aurelia van Lynden, and Dan Clayton as vice presidents in key areas. These appointments are part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance its global hospitality offerings.
Reporting to Chief Product & Experience Officer, Rasha Lababidi, the trio will lead wellness and spa, property and destination guest experiences and gastronomy and concepts, respectively, as part of the broader transformation strategy of Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality group.
Kristian Toivanen has been appointed as Vice President of Wellness & Spa. Toivanen’s previous roles include positions at The Savoy and Claridge’s in London, as well as leadership roles at wellness resorts in Europe and Southeast Asia. His most recent position was Executive Director of The Aspen Tree in Thailand.
Aurelia van Lynden joins as Vice President of Experiences. Van Lynden has over 13 years of experience in luxury travel and experiential hospitality, with past roles at Abercrombie & Kent, Perowne International, and Pelorus. Her expertise lies in curating experiences for high-net-worth travelers.
Dan Clayton has been appointed as Vice President of Food and Beverage & Hospitality. Clayton’s background includes strategic roles at Keane and Meraki & Modus, where he advised on master planning and experience strategy. He is also known for founding the gastronomy platform FoodSheikh.
These appointments aim to strengthen Kempinski’s capabilities in delivering enhanced guest experiences across its global portfolio. The company is focusing on integrating wellness, cultural immersion, and gastronomy into its offerings to meet evolving traveler preferences.
