STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts has announced several key promotions to its senior leadership team and changes to its organisational structure, spanning the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
New leaders will be promoted within the company, following the planned retirements of Matt Avril, president of the hotel group; Denise Coll, president of Starwood North America; and Miguel Ko, chairman and president of Starwood Asia-Pacific, who will continue to serve as non-executive chairman for the next three years.
Recognising the growth potential of Latin America, Starwood will combine its North America and Latin America operations under the Americas to create a better support system, while its leadership in China will be elevated to reflect the country’s importance for Asia-Pacific and the company.
Stephen Ho, currently senior vice president of acquisitions and development for Starwood China, will become president of Asia-Pacific. Qian Jin, currently head of Starwood’s operations for China, has also been promoted to president of Greater China.
Sergio Rivera, currently president and CEO of Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO), has been promoted to co-president of Starwood Americas. Osvaldo Librizzi, currently president of Latin America, has also been appointed as co-president of the Americas.
John Peyton, currently senior vice president of operations for Starwood North America, has been promoted to senior vice president of global initiatives, and Robert Hermany, currently senior vice president of operations, North America, will replace Peyton in an expanded role of chief of North American operations & global initiatives.
Christie Hicks, senior vice president of Starwood sales organisation, will now report directly to Frits van Paasschen, president and CEO of Starwood, as will all presidents of the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. These appointments will be effective July 1, 2012.
