29th JANUARY, 2024 (LONDON) – onefinestay, the world’s leading luxury private rental brand, announces the appointment of five new C-Suite executives, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the brand. Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the leadership team, the newest appointments of the C-Suite include Dorothée Guiol, Deputy CEO; François Mare, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer; Kelly Wheeler, Chief Financial Officer; Isabelle Garcin, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer; and Sophie Howse, Chief Sales Officer, all under the leadership of the brand’s existing CEO, Fabrice Carré. Together they join existing Chief Operating Officer, David Whiteside, in his newly expanded role of Global COO and Guillaume Fontana, Chief Technical Officer, who joined the executive committee end of 2022.
onefinestay has been at the forefront of the private rental industry since its inception in 2010, offering flexible home-from-home solutions for the varying needs of today’s modern luxury traveler. Over the past year, the brand has expanded its offerings to meet the demands of discerning travelers with the launch of new collections in Provence, the Rocky Mountains, New York City and Paris and has 15 per cent more homes listed compared to this time last year.
“It’s a pivotal time for both onefinestay and the vacation rental industry,” said newly appointed Deputy CEO, Dorothée Guiol. “As we solidify our existing markets and the industry continues to evolve post-pandemic, our executive team’s combined leadership will be crucial in the brand’s continued success. We are responsible for driving forward onefinestay’s newly refined vision: to provide travelers with exceptional experiences in the finest homes and destinations around the world. This includes strengthening the presence of homes, villas and chalets in our existing destinations by continuing to carefully curate homes that complement the existing portfolio, with a consistent service promise across all destinations.”
With an increase in the number of homes in the portfolio, bookings, occupancies and average daily rates have also increased. Notably, since 2019, onefinestay has seen a booking increase of over 100 per cent for Southern Europe and a double-digit average occupancy increase in London. After relaunching Paris in 2023, onefinestay focused on a higher-end product and has seen average daily rates increase by over 50 per cent compared to 2019. In London, the brand saw an increase of 30 per cent.
The new vision for the brand also defines onefinestay’s core brand passions:
Interior design: Rooted in the belief that every property is a canvas, the brand’s mission is to revel in the art of crafting spaces that are not just luxurious but also uniquely designed, each telling a story and offering a one-of-a-kind experience. onefinestay’s dedication to curating a design-led portfolio ensures that every one of its homes is visually captivating and artistically inspiring.
Arts & entertainment: onefinestay is passionate about arts and entertainment, and infuses this passion into the homes and experiences they offer; in 2023, the brand launched an exclusive partnership with Revels in Hand, allowing guests to turn their onefinestay home into their very own private theatre. From homes that feature one-of-a-kind artwork to exclusive access to cultural events and entertainment, the brand strives to immerse guests in a world of culture and inspiration, thriving on the magic of the arts and the joy of entertainment, making every stay a cultural journey.
Local discoveries & craftsmanship: Driven by a deep passion for discovering the hidden beauty of each destination it operates in, onefinestay’s commitment to local discoveries goes beyond surface-level tourism; it seeks out the authentic, the artisanal, and the extraordinary. The brand’s concierge team is passionate about showcasing local craftsmanship and connecting guests with the true essence of a place, whether it’s savoring local flavours or supporting regional artisans, there is a true dedication to celebrating the unique heritage of each destination.
Meet the new C-Suite executives:
Dorothée Guiol
Deputy CEO
Joining onefinestay in early 2022, Dorothée Guiol’s path to overseeing the company’s global day-to-day business includes extensive management experience earned over nearly two decades, most recently as Director of Group Strategic Projects for onefinestay’s parent company, Accor. Previously, Guiol spent seven years with The Boston Consulting Group in Paris, starting in 2008 as a consultant and ending in 2015 as a Project Leader. Guiol received a degree in business from ESSEC Business School at Cergy-Pontoise University in France.
François Mare
Chief Marketing and Digital Officer
A seasoned executive with multi-sector international experience in tech, fashion, hospitality and a passion for developing and deploying new strategies, François Mare arrived at onefinestay in early 2023 from Accor, where he spent much of the past decade as Vice President of Strategy, Integration of Acquisitions and New Business Growth, including work on brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Ennismore and the Orient Express. Previously, François was with Pierre & Vacances Group in Paris, where he was Marketing and Customer Data Director for over five years. He also spent four years as Managing Director of La Redoute Nordic, part of the online shopping branch of luxury leader Kering. François Mare earned a Master’s Degree in Marketing, an Executive MBA from ESSEC Business School and is also part of INSEAD Alumni network.
Kelly Wheeler
Chief Financial Officer
After over a decade in accounting roles for global organisations sized from $3 million to $2 billion in revenues, Kelly Wheeler joined onefinestay as Finance Director in 2021 and was recently appointed Chief Financial Officer. She brings abundant experience to her executive role, including implementation of enterprise resource planning, software conversions, financial modelling and more for companies in industries from commercial construction and international manufacturing to B2B start-ups and technology. Wheeler received a degree from the School of Accountancy at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
Isabelle Garcin
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer
An experienced and trusted general counsel skilled in business and corporate law, Isabelle Garcin joined onefinestay from Accor, where, as General Counsel – Corporate Venture Activities & Corporate Social Responsibility, she oversaw legal matters within the company’s new businesses and handled investments in startup companies. Previously, Isabelle spent nearly a decade as General Counsel and a member of the executive committee of RES, a world’s largest independent renewable energy player, where she created and developed the legal department for RES France. Previously, as in-house lawyer with Engie and First Data Corp., she acquired a solid experience advising corporations on many cross-border transactions. She originally started her career as an associate with Sullivan & Cromwell then with Shearman & Sterling where she advised various corporations and private equity investors and financial institutions on M&A and corporate finance related matters. Isabelle holds a law degree from Paris-La Sorbonne and was an international student at The University of British Colombia. She graduated from Cornell Law School in 1995, from Sciences Po Paris in 1998 and was admitted to the Paris Bar in 2000. The appointment of Isabelle Garcin as the brand’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer is a new created role responsible for navigating the unique and complex market regulations in destinations the brand operates.
Sophie Howse
Chief Sales Officer
Having worked in the luxury hospitality space for over 14 years, Sophie began her onefinestay career in 2016, starting as Global Sales Account Manager and recently being appointed Chief Sales Officer. Sohpie quickly distinguished herself as an integral team member playing a pivotal role in building the brand’s highly energetic sales teams, focused on data and storytelling. Sophie manages a global team based in Sydney, LA, London and everywhere in between, and has ultimate oversight for all onefinestay bookings, B2B sales with the brand’s highly valued travel partners, as well as the sales operations team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly. Sophie continues to drive innovation at onefinestay, always pushing for improved guest experiences and exploring new opportunities for growth in the luxury private rental market.
For more information on onefinestay, visit onefinestay.com