Swire Hotels Announces Senior Leadership Transitions

Swire Hotels is excited to announce three senior management appointments, underscoring the group’s dedication to internal talent development and the dynamic growth of its portfolio. Mark Passmore is promoted to Head of Operations, Swire Hotels; Kristina Snaith-Lense is appointed General Manager of the upcoming House in Shenzhen; and Simon McHendry steps in as General Manager, The Upper House.

Mark Passmore is promoted to Head of Operations for Swire Hotels, including The House Collective, EAST and Headland Hotel. In his new role, Mark will oversee operations and design across all the Asia properties.

With a career that’s taken him across continents and through pivotal leadership roles in hospitality, Mark has been a driving force behind Swire Hotels’ milestone moments – from launching The Temple House in 2015 to leading operations at The Middle House in 2020. Most recently, he served as Director of Operations for Chinese Mainland.

As General Manager for the House in Shenzhen, Kristina Snaith-Lense will lead the property towards its highly anticipated launch in 2027. The Shenzhen House marks Swire Hotels’ first new opening in nine years and its entry into one of the fastest-growing cities in the Greater Bay Area. Kristina will also oversee wellness projects for Swire Hotels, drawing on her deep expertise and personal passion for bringing wellbeing into every aspect of the guest experience.

During her 13-year journey with Swire Hotels, Kristina has risen from Assistant Director of Guest Experience to General Manager for The Upper House in 2021. With Kristina at the helm, the House has soared to global recognition, landing a spot in the top five of The World's 50 Best Hotels for two consecutive years and earning accolades for its innovative Wellness Residencies.

Simon McHendry is appointed General Manager for The Upper House, poised to further build The Upper House’s global stature and shape the future of its signature dining destinations. In addition, he will oversee Swire Hotels’ sales and revenue team, aligning group performance with long-term strategic growth

A seasoned hotelier with over 28 years of experience in hospitality and commerce, Simon joined the group as General Manager of EAST Beijing in 2016, before moving to The Temple House in Chengdu in 2019, where under his leadership Mi Xun Teahouse earned its first MICHELIN Star. Most recently, as Head of Development & Projects, Simon led design innovation and refining operations for new hotel openings across the group.

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“As we expand our portfolio of luxury properties and look ahead to what’s next, it is a natural step to expand the roles of senior leaders who truly understand our brand,” said Dean Winter, Managing Director at Swire Hotels. “Mark, Kristina, and Simon have each played a key role in the success of The House Collective. They’ve built strong, long-standing teams who drive the growth of our hotels, challenge us to think differently about hospitality, and embody our commitment to nurturing talent from within. We’re excited to see how each of them will bring their own strengths and perspective to these new roles.”