Sunlife, the luxury hotel group based in Mauritius, has announced that Joelle Edwards-Tonks will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer from 1 October 2026. Edwards-Tonks, who joined Sunlife in 2020, currently serves as Chief Commercial and Operations Officer and has been instrumental in the group’s development, including its rebranding efforts.

Edwards-Tonks will succeed Francois Eynaud, who will retire from his executive duties on 30 September 2026. Eynaud, who has led Sunlife since 2019, will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director, providing his strategic insights. Under his leadership, Sunlife undertook significant transformations, focusing on guest experience and company culture.

Edwards-Tonks brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles in international hospitality groups such as Oetker Collection, Shangri-La Hotel, and Four Seasons, Paris. Her expertise in brand positioning and commercial strategy is expected to further solidify Sunlife’s market presence.

Reflecting on her new position, Edwards-Tonks expressed gratitude to the Board for their trust, stating, “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 leadership transition is part of Sunlife’s structured succession planning, aimed at ensuring continuity and capitalizing on the group’s current growth phase.