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UK: Eugenio Pirri has joined Hand Picked Hotels as chief culture officer on 20 July 2026, while David Spooner will join as chief commercial officer on 7 September 2026.
Each brings more than 30 years of international experience working with luxury hospitality brands. They will both be based at Hand Picked Hotels’ recently opened central London office.
Pirri joins the company from Dorchester Collection, where he most recently served as joint CEO. He had previously spent 10 years with Dorchester as chief people and culture officer, in addition to working with brands including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
At Hand Picked Hotels, Pirri will work closely with Deborah Seymour who has held a 26-year career with the business and serves as chief people officer.
“I was drawn to Hand Picked Hotels because of its commitment to its colleagues and the belief that a strong culture is fundamental to delivering exceptional guest experiences and commercial success,” said Pirri.
Spooner joins Hand Picked Hotels from Six Senses, where he served as vice president of global brand. Other brands he has worked for include Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, One&OnlyResorts and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.
“Hand Picked Hotels has a remarkable collection of individual country house hotels, a rich heritage and a genuine opportunity to build something very special for the future. I am delighted to be joining at such an exciting stage of this evolution,” said Spooner.
Julia Hands, chair of Hand Picked Hotels, said: “Eugenio and David bring exceptional international hospitality experience and complementary expertise to Hand Picked Hotels. Their appointments strengthen our executive leadership team at an important stage in the development of the hotel collection. A strong culture and a clear, integrated commercial strategy are both central to our long-term success, and I am confident that Eugenio and David will make a significant contribution as we continue to evolve the business.”
Hand Picked Hotels is a collection of 21 privately-owned luxury country houses and coastal retreats.
Highlights:
- Hand Picked Hotels has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointments of Eugenio Pirri as chief culture officer and David Spooner as chief commercial officer.
- Eugenio Pirri joins Hand Picked Hotels from Dorchester Collection, where he most recently served as joint CEO, bringing more than 30 years of international luxury hospitality experience.
- David Spooner will join Hand Picked Hotels from Six Senses as chief commercial officer, having previously held senior leadership roles with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, One&Only and Banyan Tree.
- The appointments support the continued growth of Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 privately owned luxury country house hotels and coastal retreats, with both executives based at the group’s new central London office.
