Martin R. Smura
Ex Chief Executive Officer of the Kempinski Group
Aged only 15, Martin R. Smura started an apprenticeship as a chef, finishing it with the best grade across the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Later he graduated with honours in hotel service and administration, which marked the starting point for his international career. Today, 50-year old Martin R. Smura brings a vast amount of management experience and expertise from top international hotel companies on five continents.
Most recently, he was CEO at Kempinski Hotels. Other steps of his career path include Executive Chairman of the Board of Dorint Hotel Group, a seat on the Board of Azimut Hotels, Russia’s largest hotel group, and the chairmanship of the Board of Directors of Adlon Holding.
His operative spurs he mainly earned during his 15 years with Intercontinental Hotels Group, among others as Director Operations in Eastern and Western Europe. There, aged just 28, he held his first general management post, becoming their youngest Regional GM at 30.
Martin completed his study career in Managerial Finance and Accounting at Cornell University, New York and graduated from California State University, Hayward in San Francisco with an MBA.
