Mark Willis to head up Movenpick Hotels & Resorts in Asia
Mark Willis is moving from the Middle East to the Asian region as he ascends to the role of president - Asia for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, effective January 2018.
Hotelier Middle East had earlier reported that Willis was departing his position as area area senior vice president for the Middle East, Turkey & Africa for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, with Tim Cordon succeeding him in the role. Willis ranked fourth in the 2017 edition of the Hotelier Middle East Power 50 for his influence and achievements in the Middle East.
In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing Mövenpick’s entire Asian operation, including its expansion strategy that targets 30 properties by 2020.
“Mark has a proven track record in commercial, strategic, operations and portfolio development roles in established and emerging hospitality markets around the world and this expertise will prove invaluable in ensuring the ongoing prosperity of our Asian business,” said Olivier Chavy, president & CEO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
“Mövenpick has made a name for itself in Asia, not only as the region’s fastest growing mono-brand hotel company, but as a brand that values its guests, colleagues and its relationship with its business partners and under Mark’s guidance, we will capitalise on this reputation.”
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts currently operates 12 hotels and resorts in six Asian destinations, two of which opened this year – the 312-key Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay, the company’s second hotel in the Philippines, and the 284-room Mövenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai, its sixth hotel in Thailand.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to join Mövenpick, which is already regarded as one of Asia’s most service-driven international hotel companies,” said Willis. “I’m looking forward to building on this status and playing a key role in accelerating the firm’s business development strategy in the region, which is home to many untapped markets where the brand can add value with its unique hospitality concepts.”
British-born Willis has completed a number of senior management programmes at Cornell University in the US and holds an MBA in International Business from Oxford Brookes University in the UK.
As president – Asia, he will take over from Andrew Langdon who will now focus solely on his chief development officer role. Both Willis and Langdon will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, with their respective families.