In a succession planning announcement, Sunlife has confirmed that Joelle Edwards-Tonks will take over the role of Chief Executive Officer, as of October 1, 2026. She will succeed to Francois Eynaud, who will retire from his executive responsibilities on September 30, 2026, after leading Sunlife since 2019.
He will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director and continue to provide his experience and strategic insight in an advisory capacity, thus ensuring continuity. Over the past few years at the helm of Sunlife, Francois Eynaud has overseen a significant transformation of the group, guiding the repositioning of the brand, strengthening its positioning, and bringing greater clarity to its direction.
His leadership has helped establish a more defined approach to hospitality, with a stronger focus on guest experience and company culture, both of which now sit at the heart of Sunlife.
Joelle Edwards-Tonks, who has been with Sunlife since 2020 and currently serves as Chief Commercial and Operations Officer, has been a key player in the group’s development over the past five years, including the successful rebranding of Sunlife.
Her role spans both commercial and operational functions, enabling her to contribute directly to performance and to the way the guest experience is delivered across the group.
Prior to joining Sunlife, she held senior leadership roles within leading international hospitality groups, including Oetker Collection, where she was at the helm of sales, marketing, and communications across multiple functions, as well as at Shangri-La Hotel and Four Seasons, Paris.
Her experience spans across high-end hospitality environments, providing a strong foundation in brand positioning, commercial strategy, and operational alignment.
This transition announcement comes at an early stage as part of a well-structured succession process, ensuring continuity in leadership while building on the momentum already in place.
Reflecting on this transition, Francois Eynaud says: “These past years have marked an important phase for Sunlife’s evolution, shaped by the commitment of our teams. Together, we have rethought how we approach hospitality, placing greater emphasis on people and on the experiences we create. I am proud of what has been built collectively, and of the way it is now expressed across the group.”
Commenting on her appointment, Joelle Edwards-Tonks says: “I would like to thank the Board for its trust. Sunlife today stands on strong foundations, driven by the commitment of our dedicated teams. I am proud to take on this role and to build on this momentum, ensuring consistency in our vision and excellence in the experiences we deliver across all our properties and services.”
This appointment reflects Sunlife’s commitment to developing internal talent, while supporting the next stage of its evolution.
