a&o appoints Gernot Porcher as senior vice president of construction

a&o Hostels, the European hostel operator, has appointed Gernot Porcher as senior vice president of construction. He will oversee planning, construction and maintenance across its growing European portfolio, leading a team of ten specialists that is expected to expand in the coming months. Porcher previously served as vice president of real estate at Deutsche Hospitality and was head of project and risk management at EY from 2010 to 2015. His appointment comes as a&o plans six new properties by the end of 2028, including four scheduled to open in 2027.