Kempinski Hotels has announced key changes to its executive leadership team and a related refinement of its organisational structure following the decision of chief operating officer Marcus van der Wal step down.

van der Wal has decided to leave Kempinski in order to prioritise better balance in his life, following an exceptional career with the company that started with the hotels he managed in Beijing, Tanzania, Budapest and Munich, through to his tenure as senior vice president for Europe, and his most recent role as chief operating officer.

Commenting on his departure, Markus Semer, chief executive, Kempinski Hotels, said: “Marcus is a highly-respected hotelier, both within Kempinski and the industry.

“While we are disappointed to see him go, we respect his decision to find better balance in his life and I would like to sincerely thank Marcus for his significant contributions to Kempinski throughout his career, and wish him the very best as he embarks on this new phase of his life.”

Bernold Schroeder has been formally appointed as a member of the management board of Kempinski, while also taking on the role of chief operating officer, Europe.

In the latter role, Schroeder will oversee the portfolio in Europe, the original home market of Kempinski, with landmark properties including the Hotel Adlon Kempinski and Çirağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul.

Semer continued: “We are delighted to welcome such a well-respected industry leader to the management board of Kempinski.

“Today there are very few senior executives in the industry who remain true hoteliers at heart and we are privileged to bring Bernold’s high calibre of leadership and luxury hotel operations and asset management know-how to Kempinski.”

Schroeder is an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the global hotel industry.

He joins Kempinski from his most recent roles as chief executive of the Singapore-based hotel owner, Pan Pacific Hotels Group and chief executive of Shanghai-based Jin Jiang International.