EMEA | September 2026
Cushman & Wakefield has announced the appointment of Fred Le Fichoux as Head of EMEA Hospitality, marking an important leadership transition for the company’s hospitality business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Le Fichoux will step into the role following the retirement of Jon Hubbard at the end of September, bringing extensive hospitality investment and advisory experience to the position. Having been with Cushman & Wakefield since 2017, he is set to build on the foundation established by Hubbard while guiding the firm’s hospitality business through the next phase of growth.
Jon Hubbard Retires After a 40-Year Hospitality Career
Hubbard leaves behind a career spanning four decades in the hospitality industry. During his time at Cushman & Wakefield, he played an important role in developing the firm’s EMEA hospitality platform and expanding its presence across some of Europe’s key hospitality markets.
Since joining the company in 2017, Hubbard helped strengthen the firm’s regional capabilities while also improving connections between its EMEA and global hospitality teams. His leadership contributed to the growth of specialist teams and helped attract experienced professionals across important markets.
He was also closely involved in major hospitality transactions, advising hotel owners, investors and operators on a range of significant deals. His retirement therefore represents the end of an important chapter for Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA hospitality business.
Fred Le Fichoux Brings Extensive Hospitality Experience
Le Fichoux has built a strong track record within Cushman & Wakefield since joining the firm in 2017. His career has focused heavily on hospitality transactions and advisory services across European markets.
Since 2024, he has served as Head of Hotel Transactions EMEA, after previously taking on leadership responsibilities for hotel transactions in Continental Europe and the company’s hospitality practice across Central and Eastern Europe.
Over the years, his work has covered a wide range of hospitality assets, including city-centre hotels, luxury resorts and major hotel portfolios. His transaction experience includes the sale of the Sunčani Hvar hotel portfolio in Croatia and the sale of the Augustine Hotel in Prague to Kempinski Hotels.
Beyond Hotel Transactions
While hotel transactions have been a major part of Le Fichoux’s career, his expertise extends well beyond buying and selling hospitality assets.
He has also advised clients on hotel valuations, operator selection and development strategies, giving him a broader understanding of the factors that influence hospitality investments.
This combination of transaction experience and advisory expertise could be particularly relevant in his new regional role. Hotel investment decisions increasingly involve several interconnected considerations, from selecting the right operator and assessing asset value to understanding development opportunities and changing traveller expectations.
Leading Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA Hospitality Business
As Head of EMEA Hospitality, Le Fichoux will be responsible for guiding the continued development of Cushman & Wakefield’s hospitality business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
His responsibilities will include strengthening the firm’s advisory capabilities, supporting clients throughout the hospitality investment lifecycle and continuing to develop specialist teams across key regional markets.
The appointment comes at a time when the hospitality investment landscape continues to evolve. Investors and hotel owners are navigating changing traveller preferences, new investment strategies and growing opportunities across both established and emerging destinations.
Cushman & Wakefield Continues to Strengthen Hospitality Leadership
Le Fichoux’s appointment is part of Cushman & Wakefield’s broader focus on strengthening its specialist hospitality leadership across EMEA.
The company recently appointed Luis Arsuaga as Head of Capital Markets Hospitality in Spain, highlighting its continued investment in specialist expertise across strategically important hospitality markets.
For hotel owners and investors, the development of dedicated hospitality advisory teams reflects the increasingly complex nature of the sector. Hotel transactions today can involve much more than the purchase or sale of a property, with financing, asset management, operator agreements, development and repositioning all playing important roles.
A New Chapter for EMEA Hospitality
Le Fichoux’s extensive transaction background gives him experience across different hotel segments and European markets. His work with landmark hotels, resort portfolios and institutional hospitality assets has provided exposure to the priorities of a wide range of owners and investors.
His appointment also provides continuity for Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA Hospitality platform following Hubbard’s retirement, while creating an opportunity to expand the firm’s capabilities further.
With years of experience within Cushman & Wakefield and a career focused on hospitality investment and advisory services, Le Fichoux brings both institutional knowledge and sector expertise to his new position.
As he takes over from Hubbard, his focus will be on carrying forward the momentum of the EMEA hospitality business while identifying new opportunities for growth. The leadership transition comes as hotel investment continues to evolve across the region, making specialist advice increasingly important for owners, investors and operators navigating the changing hospitality landscape.
