Leading a New Era is the podcast from IHG Hotels & Resorts that goes behind the scenes of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels, and into the minds of the remarkable General Managers who run them.
Each episode reveals candid stories of leadership, personal passion, and bold ideas - whether launching a flagship, building a culture of belonging, or redefining luxury.
Discover more about IHG Careers in Luxury & Lifestyle at: http://ihg.co/6005AGaXV
Opening Six Senses London: Nick Yarnell on Wellness, Leadership & Culture
In the season finale of Leading a New Era, we sit down with Nick Yarnell, General Manager of the highly anticipated Six Senses London - the brand’s first UK property, bringing a bold new wellness and sustainability focus to the reborn Whiteleys building in Bayswater.
With over 30 years of experience, Nick shares his philosophy on what truly defines luxury today: emotional connection, intuitive service and creating spaces where both guests and teams feel a deep sense of belonging.
From launching transformative guest experiences in Portugal’s Douro Valley to leading one of the most competitive hotel openings in the world, Nick reflects on:
- Why luxury isn’t about excess, but about meaning and emotional resonance
- How Six Senses London is reimagining wellness for city living
- Building a family-like culture in one of the world’s most multicultural cities
- His personal wellness tip you can try today
This episode is a powerful reminder that hospitality is as much about humanity as it is about hotels.
11 Nov 2025
What Luxury Leadership Looks Like When It’s Rooted in Purpose
At Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain, hospitality is about so much more than service, it’s about presence, purpose and deep cultural connection.
In this episode, General Manager Melissa Tang shares how she’s built her leadership approach on authenticity, courage, and emotional intelligence. With experience across Asia and the Middle East, Melissa reflects on how her own journey has shaped how she now guides others, and how she continues to learn and lead with intention every day.
28 Oct 2025
Empowering Teams & Community: Diego Padula Shares His Approach to Leadership
Join us as Diego Padula, GM of the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, discusses his career journey across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. He reveals the importance of mentorship, empowering his team and local community, and shaping a culture of belonging.
You’ll also hear how his hotel is helping to position Honduras on the global luxury map through sustainability measures, wellness initiatives and by creating memorable guest experiences.
14 Oct 2025
25 Years of Leadership Excellence at IHG Hotels & Resorts with Mohamed Mahmoud
Join us for a conversation with Mohamed Mahmoud, Cluster GM of two landmark Dubai properties: InterContinental Residences Business Bay and Kimpton Dubai.
In this episode of Leading a New Era, Mohamed shares the leadership lessons, mindset shifts and pivotal moments that have shaped his journey in luxury hospitality.
30 Sept 2025
Redefining Luxury Through Positivity, Passion & People with Merry Antoja
Today’s guest is Merry Antoja, General Manager at Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella – a landmark resort on Spain’s south coast and Kimpton’s debut in the country.
With a background in Sales & Marketing and experience leading luxury hotels across Europe and Asia, Merry brings a sharp strategic mind and a warm leadership style to every project she touches.
She talks about her approach to culture-building, managing complexity, and how she keeps her teams motivated in a high-stakes, high-touch environment.
16 Sept 2025
People-First Leadership & Building Culture with Younes Atallah
In this episode of Leading a New Era, we speak with Younes Atallah, General Manager of the newly opened Regent Santa Monica Beach; A milestone for IHG Hotels & Resorts' growing luxury portfolio in North America.
Younes shares key insights from his 25+ year career across North America, from managing large-scale operations to building cultures of excellence. Discover how he navigates complexity with clarity, turns vision into action, and empowers his team to deliver world-class guest experiences, every day.
9 Sept 2025
Leading a New Era Podcast by IHG | Trailer
Leading a New Era is the podcast from IHG Hotels & Resorts that goes behind the scenes of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels, and into the minds of the remarkable General Managers who run them.
Each episode reveals candid stories of leadership, personal passion, and bold ideas - whether launching a flagship, building a culture of belonging, or redefining luxury.
Discover more about IHG Careers in Luxury & Lifestyle at: http://ihg.co/6005AGaXV.
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