Rachael Harding has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ESAP at Club Med in Singapore, Singapore
Club Med, the global leader in premium all-inclusive holiday experiences, has announced a strategic restructuring of its Asia Pacific operations, consolidating three existing Business Units into two integrated entities - East & South Asia and Pacific (ESAP) and China - with effect from May 1, 2025. This business transformation reinforces the brand's commitment to deepening regional focus, unlocking new growth potential, and enhancing operational agility in high-priority markets.
Designed to align with the distinct business environment in ESAP and China while preserving the collaborative "One APAC" mechanism, this new structure will enable Club Med to solidify its position as one of the most iconic global lifestyle brands and drive the next chapter of growth in Asia.
"This move opens a new chapter for Club Med in Asia Pacific. By tailoring our regional structure around the unique strengths of China and ESAP, we are well-poised to accelerate our expansion with a strategic focus. With empowered leadership and a shared glocal vision, Club Med now has even more agility to seize opportunities in key markets and reinforce our position as the worldwide leader in premium, all-inclusive travel," said Henri Giscard d'Estaing, President of Club Med.
Accelerated Growth Momentum in ESAP
The ESAP region has experienced a robust rebound over the past three years, buoyed by high client retention, new customer acquisition, and increased capacity in regions such as Hokkaido, Japan. With new milestones achieved, including the renovation and extension of Club Med Phuket with the first Family Oasis amongst its Asia resorts; upcoming renovations and enhancements at Club Med Bintan; and the highly anticipated debut of Club Med Borneo in Malaysia, ESAP is primed for significant profitable growth.
To capitalise on this momentum, Club Med has appointed Rachael Harding as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly integrated ESAP business unit, encompassing both commercial and resort operations management. She will report to Gregory Lanter, Deputy CEO of Club Med.
In this role, Rachael will be responsible for strategically guiding the ESAP business unit through the current evolving landscape. Her focus will be on ensuring a strong customer and brand experience, while driving a profitable growth strategy that solidifies Club Med's leadership position in both established and developing markets within the region.
The ESAP Business Unit will see several key appointments:
- Cindy Beleau becomes Vice President of Revenue Management APAC, leading a modernisation of pricing strategies using digital and AI tools.
- Sandrine Rossi takes on the role of Vice President, Operations and Product, bringing over 20 years of experience in resort operations and strategy.
- Anastasiya Kulish steps in as Vice President of Japan Resort Operations, with a focus on strengthening Club Med's mountain leadership in Hokkaido.
- Michelle Davies, General Manager Pacific, will expand her remit to include ESAP New Markets.
- Olivier Monceau adds the Meetings & Events segment to his leadership of Singapore and Malaysia.
- Jerome Ferrie and Arezki Haddad are named Chief Financial Officer and Chief HR Officer respectively.
Rachael Harding, CEO, Club Med ESAP remarked, "This business transformation empowers us to scale with greater purpose and precision across the region. With a refreshed leadership structure, a robust resort pipeline and stronger regional integration, we are advancing our ability to deliver elevated, seamless guest experiences. The 2024 results clearly demonstrate ESAP's significant growth potential for Club Med, and we are poised to capitalise on every opportunity this new phase presents."
Strategic Realignment in China
Club Med has seen tremendous growth in China, which is the brand's second-largest market with over 260,000 guests welcomed in 2024. Since its entry into China in 2003 and the launch of its first ski resort in Yabuli in 2010, Club Med has progressively expanded its footprint—including five Premium All-Inclusive Resorts, four Joyview Resorts and two Urban Oasis properties over the past 22 years.
Club Med will remain focused on strengthening its leadership in the Premium All-Inclusive segment, catering to affluent families and active couples while also supporting both outbound and inbound tourism.
Andrew Xu will continue as CEO of Club Med China and serve as Deputy CEO of Club Med, overseeing global finance.
More appointments at Club Med