Kempinski Hotels Appoints Frank Veenstra as Chief Development Officer to Lead Next Phase of Luxury Growth
Kempinski Hotels has appointed Frank Veenstra as Chief Development Officer, entrusting him with shaping the group’s next era of growth as the brand deepens its focus on the ultra-luxury hospitality segment.
In his new role, Veenstra will spearhead Kempinski’s development strategy, curating a portfolio that appeals to a new generation of discerning travellers while preserving the legacy of Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. His remit includes refining the company’s global growth roadmap, overseeing selective investment opportunities, expanding management agreements, and strengthening the development team to secure long-term success.
“The luxury hospitality sector is undergoing significant shifts in guest expectations, with rising demand for authentic, locally rooted experiences – and Frank understands how to turn those changes into opportunities,” said Barbara Muckermann, Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Group. “With his extensive expertise in luxury hospitality and strategic growth, Frank will partner with our development teams and senior leadership to elevate our pipeline, refine our global strategy, and reinforce our organisation. At the same time, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Christophe Piffaretti for his visionary leadership and invaluable contributions, which have left a lasting impact on Kempinski.”
Since assuming the CEO role in 2024, Muckermann has accelerated the transformation of Kempinski’s portfolio, working closely with property owners and overseeing more refurbishment plans in a single year than the company had undertaken in the previous decade.
Veenstra, who has held senior roles at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, NH Hotels, and Corinthia Hotels, said he is energised by the opportunity to guide Kempinski into its next chapter.
> “Kempinski stands for timeless luxury, but the definition of luxury is evolving. Our ambition is to deliver a heightened level of refinement – personalised, contextually relevant, and forward-looking – that resonates with the next generation of travellers,” he noted.
Kempinski currently operates 75 properties across 33 countries, with 25 additional projects under development. Veenstra’s appointment reinforces the group’s ambition to stay ahead of shifting global luxury trends while diversifying the expertise within its executive leadership team, which has seen a series of strategic appointments over the past year.