After spending two decades at Kempinski Group, holding posts in operations, finance, and corporate functions, the company has named Noel Attard its new Chief Development Officer. The promotion shows the brand’s trust in internal leadership to guide its future growth initiatives.
Attard most recently served as Chief Transformation Officer, a position he took up in early 2025, leading Kempinski’s business transformation strategy.
Development Plans
He will now oversee the group’s global portfolio expansion, including targeted acquisitions, management contracts, branded residences, and new brand launches in priority and emerging markets.
According to Kempinski, the internal appointment is intended to maintain continuity as the group pursues its development plans. Company officials noted that promoting a long-standing executive reduces the learning curve for new ventures and supports a seamless transition.
René Nijhof, Chairman for Kempinski S.A., commented, “As the author of our development strategy, Noel is uniquely positioned to step in and oversee its end-to-end execution, continuing his efforts to strengthen Kempinski’s luxury proposition through disciplined expansion.”
Attard’s 20-year career with Kempinski has included trading entity management, group-level strategic planning, and hotel openings, such as Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square in Vilnius and Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz in Gozo.
His previous roles have also included Financial Controller and General Manager, with over ten years as Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Trading DMCC in Dubai.
It said his operational background will inform his approach to property development, with a focus on asset operations alongside development activities.
Kempinski currently operates 73 properties in 33 countries, with more than 21 projects under development.
