Accor has been implementing important changes in its senior executive structure, including upcoming new appointments to lead some of its brands separately. Omer Acar is expected to take over as CEO of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Orient-Express (replacing Stephen Alden) and Mark Willis as CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Mark Willis has been with Accor since 2018 as CEO Turkey, India, Middle East and Africa, based in Dubai. Before Accor, Willis held senior positions at Radisson Hotel Group.
Omer Acar arrives from Katara Hospitality, where has been Managing Director Europe & Americas since 2014. Previously, Acar had been General Manager of Royal Monceau Raffles Paris (3 years) and General Manager of Ritz Paris (5 years). During his tenure at Katara Hospitality, Acar has been successfully overseeing 12 luxury hotel properties in Europe and the U.S. including The Savoy in London, Royal Monceau Raffles Paris and The Plaza in New York.
Maud Bailly will head the Sofitel Hotels brand as CEO, having been with Accor since 2017. From 2020, Bailly was Accor CEO of Southern Europe. Duncan O’Rourke will transition from his role as Accor CEO Northern Europe to CEO of Accor midscale and economy brands. Marc Dardenne has left Accor from October 2022, his previous position of Accor COO Luxury being scrapped. Gaurav Bhushan retains his role of CEO Accor Lifestyle & Entertainment, Co-CEO Ennismore.
It is for the first time that Fairmont Hotels and Sofitel Hotels brands will be run separately, as distinct brands, a move which is likely to benefit Accor’s positioning in the luxury sector. A new global post is expected to be created in New York, where the new CEOs will be based, a beneficial positioning considering Accor’s exceptional potential for growth in the Americas. The exact timings of the appointments are yet to be announced.
Omer Acar takes over March 1st 2023. It has not yet been officially confirmed when the other executives formally transition to their new roles. The New York office will also include the senior development team of Accor’s luxury brands.
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