Hilton International Hotels` new Chief Executive, Ian Carter, has announced a new structure…
Hilton International Hotels` new Chief Executive, Ian Carter, has announced a new structure for the business, effective 1 July 2005.
As part of the process of developing his strategy for the global hotel operator, the structure aims to provide the foundation for Hilton International`s growth over the next three to five years.
Details of Ian Carter`s strategic review will be released later this year. To date, the new Chief Executive of Hilton International has made no secret that he believes that operational and commercial excellence must be at the heart of Hilton International`s strategy.
In line with this focus, the changes to Hilton`s operating structure, shared with colleagues across Hilton International last week, see the introduction of a new Commercial Operations Group, which will comprise the Sales, Marketing, eCommerce & Distribution and IT functions. This will be led by Jurgen Fischer – currently President, Europe & Africa – who has been appointed President, Commercial Operations Group. All Presidents report directly to Ian Carter.
Jurgen`s existing role will be taken up by Wolfgang M. Neumann, after two and a half successful years as President, UK & Ireland. Howard Friedman – currently President, The Americas – in turn takes over the President, UK & Ireland role. The full line-up of regional Presidents will be:
- Wolfgang M. Neumann – President, Europe and Africa
- Koos Klein – President, Middle East and Asia Pacific
- Jean-Paul Herzog – President, Nordics
- Simon Barlow – President, The Americas
- Howard Friedman – President, UK & Ireland
Talking about the announcement, Ian Carter said As our customers become more global in their organisation and the Internet becomes increasingly important to our revenues, it is essential that our own structure and priorities adapt to deliver this new reality. It is clear that cost efficiencies and better co-ordination will be achieved through a global approach to brand and distribution management.
These structural changes give us a major opportunity to improve our performance through more effective co-ordination and prioritisation. The purpose of the Commercial Operations Group is to provide consistent, global leadership and co-ordination of our sales and commercial efforts, all of which should, I believe, benefit both our customers and our shareholders, added Mr Carter.
Ian Carter commenced his appointment as Chief Executive of Hilton International on 1 February 2005.
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