InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel-Dieu has appointed Anne-Françoise Brambach as Director of Human Resources, strengthening its leadership team as the five-star property continues its strategic development. The appointment follows the recent arrival of General Manager Nicolas Mercier and marks a new chapter for the landmark Lyon hotel.
Brambach brings more than 30 years of international experience in luxury hospitality to the role. Originally from Belgium, she spent 25 years working in Paris before relocating to Barcelona, from where she has led HR projects across Europe. Her career spans some of the industry’s most prestigious names, with expertise in talent strategy, employer branding, merger and acquisition integration and organisational transformation.
Most recently, she served as Vice President of Human Resources for Europe, Turkey and North Africa at Sunset Hospitality Group, the Dubai-based lifestyle hospitality company that operates more than 88 properties across 26 countries. In this regional leadership role, she oversaw HR strategies supporting the group’s rapid expansion, including new openings and talent development initiatives across multiple markets.
Prior to joining Sunset Hospitality Group, Brambach held the position of Chief People Officer at So Hospitality by Covivio – since rebranded as WiZiU – where she directed human resources across a portfolio of 10 hotels in France and Belgium. Her responsibilities included managing merger and acquisition operations and structuring the group’s employer brand.
Brambach’s extensive career includes key positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, most notably as Director of Human Resources at W Paris Opéra and Training and Recruitment Manager at The Westin Paris Vendôme. She also worked with InterContinental Hotels Group earlier in her career as Assistant Regional Training Manager for Paris and Île-de-France, making her return to the brand particularly significant. Her hospitality journey began at Le Méridien in Brussels.
She holds a Master’s degree in HR Strategy from IGS Paris and has received the Starwood President’s Award for her leadership in human resources. A regular speaker at international HR and hospitality conferences, Brambach recently founded AF People Strategies, a consultancy specialising in HR strategy.
The appointment comes weeks after Nicolas Mercier took the helm as General Manager in early December 2025, succeeding Madelijn Vervoord, who was promoted to Director of Operations for IHG’s luxury portfolio in Southern Europe. Mercier, a Vatel Nîmes graduate with more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience across Asia-Pacific, most recently served as General Manager of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort in Thailand.
InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel-Dieu occupies a classified historic monument in the heart of Lyon’s Presqu’île peninsula. The Grand Hôtel-Dieu served as the city’s hospital for more than 800 years before its transformation into a mixed-use destination, with the hotel opening in 2019 following a four-year renovation – Europe’s largest private heritage restoration project at the time. Designed by renowned interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, the property features 144 rooms and suites across three floors, including 30 suites and duplexes and a 150-square-metre Presidential Suite.
The hotel has consistently earned recognition as France’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards from 2021 to 2024 and received a Michelin Key in 2025. Its signature Soufflot Dome, designed by Panthéon architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot and soaring 32 metres high, houses Le Dôme Bar, while the property also includes the Epona restaurant and a 1,500-square-metre conference centre.
Brambach’s appointment underscores the strategic importance of HR leadership for the Lyon flagship, particularly as the hospitality sector continues to navigate talent market pressures. Her blend of international experience, IHG brand knowledge and expertise in talent development positions her to support the hotel’s continued excellence.
