Accor Asia-Pacific Executive Appointments Reflect Strong Growth in Region

Bangkok, Thailand, July 01, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Accor, the largest international hotel operator in Asia-Pacific, today announced a number of changes to its executive team to lead the Group’s continued expansion in the region. Paul Richardson has been appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer, Greater China, whilst in the Pacific, Simon McGrath assumes the newly-created role of Chief Operating Officer, Pacific. Garth Simmons takes on the role of Vice President, New Zealand and Fiji. Patrick Basset has been named Senior Vice President, Thailand & Indochina.

Paul Richardson joined Accor in 2005, most recently serving as Vice President, New Zealand & Fiji since 2007. He brings over three decades of hospitality industry experience to his new post as Chief Operating Officer, Greater China, including senior hotel and corporate management posts in Greater China, New Zealand, Australia and Brunei. Paul has a track record of leading network expansion and led the development of Accor’s business in New Zealand, resulting in the doubling of the size of the network during his five-year tenure. Accor currently operates 120 hotels in the Greater China region, with another 63 hotels commited.

Simon McGrath takes on the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, Pacific, which incorporates Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Accor operates over 230 hotels in the Pacific, having recently acquired 54 properties from Mirvac. Simon joined Accor in 2005, building on a career that has taken him across Asia and the Pacific, including senior hotel management posts in Thailand, Malaysia, Hamilton Island, Ayers Rock, Gold Coast, Cairns and Sydney. In his most recent post as Chief Operating Officer, Australia, Simon oversaw the expansion of Accor’s Australia hotel network to over 200 hotels.

Garth Simmons has been appointed Vice President, New Zealand & Fiji. Garth joined Accor in mid-2007 and, following assignments in Darling Harbour and Sydney Olympic Park, was appointed in 2008 to his most recent role of area manager, New South Wales and ACT, where he oversaw the operations of 35 hotels across multiple brands. Garth brings over 15 years of senior hotel management experience in Australia.

Patrick Basset will take up the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Thailand & IndoChina beginning 15 July. Patrick has nearly 30 years’ experience with Accor, joining the Group’s Middle East operations in 1983. He relocated to Asia 19 years ago and has since 2006 has held the position of Vice President, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Patrick’s new role reflects the growing importance the Group is placing on countries like Vietnam, where Accor currently operates 13 hotels and commits to open a further 16 hotels in the next few years.

Gerard Guillouet, in his capacity as Senior Vice President, Malaysia, Indonesia & Singapore, retains responsibility for those markets.

These appointments come at a time when Accor has embarked on a period of record expansion in the region, with the Group set to add over 100 hotels to its Asia-Pacific network in 2012. Today, Accor operates 540 hotels across the region and has committed to opening an additional 175 over the next few years.

Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Accor Asia-Pacific, says, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these industry veterans to lead our operations across the Asia-Pacific region. With Accor set to add over 100 hotels to its Asia-Pacific network in 2012, these appointments alight the organisation with our key priority markets.”