7th Apr 2008 07:01
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels PLC07 April 2008 For immediate release 7 April 2008 Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc Appointment of Chief Executive Officer Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc, the international group with a globalportfolio of over 110 hotels announces the appointment of Richard Hartman asChief Executive Officer with effect from today, 7 April 2008. Richard will be joining the Board of Millennium & Copthorne immediatelyfollowing the Company's annual general meeting which is being held on 7May 2008. Richard, aged 62, has over 30 years experience in the hotel and restaurantindustry. From 1999 he has held senior positions at InterContinental HotelsGroup (formerly known as Six Continents Hotels Group and Bass Hotels & Resorts)where he was a main Board Director from 2003 until 2007, most recently asManaging Director of InterContinental Hotels Group, Europe, Middle East andAfrica with responsibility for 620 hotels. Previously he was Managing Directorof InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific between 1998 and 2003, where heincreased the company portfolio, making it the second largest hotel chain inAsia Pacific. Prior to joining InterContinental Hotels Group in 1998 he was President of ITTSheraton North America between 1992 and 1998, where he led a turnaround inperformance, repositioning the Sheraton North America as the premier brand ofchoice, and President of ITT Sheraton Asia Pacific between 1985 and 1992. During his tenure as President of the Asia Pacific Division, he successfullyexecuted an aggressive development strategy, growing the Division, substantiallyincreasing earnings and firmly establishing Sheraton as one of the three leadinghotel chains in Asia and the market leader in Australia, New Zealand and SouthPacific. Richard has achieved numerous awards from governments, universities and businessassociations. Following the appointment of Richard as Chief Executive Officer, Wong Hong Renwho is currently acting as Interim Chief Executive will revert to being anExecutive Director. Wong Hong Ren's executive responsibilities willinclude overseeing the Group's finance function. The Company confirms that there are no other matters requiring disclosure inrelation to paragraphs 9.6.13(1) to (6) of the Listing Rules. The Company also announces that Kwek Leng Joo, a non-executive director, hasappointed Kwek Eik Sheng, as his alternate as permitted by the Company'sArticles of Association. Commenting on the appointment, Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Chairman said: "The Board of Millennium & Copthorne is delighted to announce theappointment of Richard as Chief Executive Officer. We are very fortunate to havesecured such an experienced, and senior individual as Richard and we lookforward to benefiting from his strong operational skills as we continue todevelop Millennium & Copthorne Hotels as a world class Hotel group. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Wong Hong Ren for his strongleadership as Interim Chief Executive and for the progress he has made instreamlining management and systems in sales and marketing, cost management andcapital expenditure which has provided a solid platform for the future." Enquiries: Tim Anderson, Charles Ryland, Rebecca Dietrich Tel: 020 7466 5000Buchanan Communications This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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