Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has named a new CEO, James Bermingham. The former Montage International executive succeeds Raul Leal, who led the company for 10 years and announced his decision to step down in January. Leal will stay on in an advisory role.
“For over a decade, we have been devoted to providing entertaining and unforgettable experiences for our guests, and I can think of no one better than James to spearhead this effort as we continue to grow the brand on a global scale,” Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said in a March 1 news release.
Bermingham has more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, according to the release. Former roles include executive vice president of operations for Montage International, executive positions with ITT Sheraton Corp. and general management rolls at the St. Regis Hotel in Houston and Montage Laguna Beach.
“I have long admired Virgin Hotels’ ability to seamlessly blend smart and innovative design with elevated service and—maybe most importantly—fun,” Bermingham said in the release. “Watching the brand grow into itself as a reliable haven for both leisure and business travelers without sacrificing its inherent ‘cool factor’ has been exciting, to say the least, and I’m really looking forward to joining such a dynamic team.”
Virgin Hotels, founded in 2010, operates hotels in Chicago, Dallas and Nashville. The company’s Las Vegas resort will open on March 25, and openings in New Orleans and New York City are set to follow this year.
“James’ appointment comes at an exciting time of accelerating growth for us,” Virgin Hotels Chairman Peter Norris said. “His decades of industry experience and acute global expertise will be a true asset for the brand as we push to expand our footprint both domestically and internationally.”
