10 Apr 2018 14:55
For Immediate Release 10 April 2018
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014
MILLENNIUM & COPTHORNE HOTELS PLC
LEI: 2138003EQ104LZ1JNH19
APPOINTMENT OF GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C) is pleased to announce that Ms Jennifer Fox will be joining the company as Group Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors with effect from 19 June 2018.
Ms Fox has had an extensive career in the hospitality industry, with over 30 years of experience in Australia, Hong Kong, the UK and Europe, the United States, Canada and the Middle East region. She has held senior executive roles in operations, branding and marketing across mid-scale, upscale and luxury segments of the industry.
Most recently she served as President of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, where she was responsible for the luxury brand's global hotel portfolio, encompassing over 100 properties, including the Raffles and Swissôtel brands outside of North America. Prior to joining Fairmont in 2011, Ms Fox held senior positions within InterContinental Hotels Group plc (IHG) over a period of ten years, including Chief Operating Officer for Europe and Senior Vice President overseeing global brand marketing for the InterContinental brand. She joined IHG from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where she was the global brand manager for Sheraton after having spent over ten years in various operational roles with ITT Sheraton.
Ms Fox has been an independent non-executive director of Village Roadshow Limited (ASX: VRL), an Australian mass media and entertainment company, since November 2015. She will continue that non-executive directorship.
Ms Fox holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the International School of Management in Paris and an MBA from Baylor University in Texas. She also has completed the marketing certificate program at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Mr Tan Kian Seng, who has served as interim Group Chief Executive Officer since February 2017, will remain with the Group as Chief of Staff and assume other executive responsibilities.
Kwek Leng Beng, Chairman of M&C, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Jennifer to the Group as our Chief Executive Officer. She has had an illustrious and long career in the hospitality industry. With her strong leadership and in-depth sales, marketing and branding background, she will play a critical role in repositioning our key hotels, uplifting brand awareness of the Group, as well as improving the overall performance of our portfolio. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Kian Seng for his commitment, support and the leadership he has provided. As Chief of Staff, he will assist Jennifer in expediting the progress of the Group."
Jennifer Fox said: "I look forward to working with Chairman Kwek and the Board, together with my new Millennium & Copthorne Hotels colleagues around the world. The Group's distinctive portfolio of iconic properties gives it a strong edge in tackling the challenges in today's global hospitality market. I see this as a significant opportunity at a time of great change in our industry."
No further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13R in respect of Ms Fox's appointment.
Enquiries: +44 (0)20 7872 2444
Jonathon Grech, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
Peter Krijgsman, Financial Communications (Media)