New Chief Financial Officer and Chief Product Officer Join Kempinski Hotels Leadership Team

Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, has announced two strategic appointments to its senior leadership team. The group’s CEO, Barbara Muckermann, has welcomed Gordon Drake as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Rasha Lababidi as Chief Product Officer (CPO). These key appointments are expected to position Kempinski as a dynamic, world-class leader in the luxury hospitality industry.

Gordon Drake is Kempinski Hotels’ newly appointed CFO. He will oversee the company’s financial operations, including analysis, risk assessment, and strategic initiatives. Drake will also ensure the effective utilization of financial resources to increase profitability and stimulate growth.

Drake comes to Kempinski with over 30 years of global experience in real estate and hospitality. He has a strong background in corporate capital markets, asset management, risk management, and developing and implementing operational and financial strategies. Before joining Kempinski, Drake held various C-suite and board positions at organizations, including The Doyle Collection, Kingdom Hotel Investments, Six Senses Hotels, Westmont Hospitality, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, and The Savoy Hotel. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Bristol and is an Associate Chartered Accountant and Associate Member of Corporate Treasurers.

Rasha Lababidi is the new CPO for Kempinski Hotels, a newly established role in which she will lead product innovation, design, and guest experience across the brand’s global luxury portfolio. Lababidi brings over 25 years of experience in executive marketing management, branding, guest experience, product and concept development, innovation, and transformational corporate strategy expertise within luxury hospitality and real estate.

Lababidi has previously worked as the Senior Director of Marketing at Emaar and Head of Marketing at Al Maabar International Investments. She is also the co-founder of Meraki & Modus, a firm specializing in creating visionary concepts and strategies for luxury lifestyle destinations worldwide. Lababidi holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Master of Science from the University of Surrey.