Hotelier of tHe World aWards
HOTELS presents its nominees for the 2015 Hotelier of the World awards , now in their 35th year . Readers are encouraged to vote online for one candidate in each category at HOTELSMag . com / how2015 .
The awards recognize individuals and their careers with criteria including how the nominees have defined standards of service ; overall operational excellence and performance ; creativity in management ; and what they have done for the greater good of the global hotel business . The winners will be profiled in a November cover story and then feted during a formal presentation in New York City .
Vote ! go to HOTELSMag . com / how2015
Jean-Gabriel Pérès
President and CEO , Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Zurich , Switzerland
Under Jean-Gabriel Pérès ’ 15-year tenure as president and CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts , the company has transitioned from a predominantly Swiss hotel brand with a portfolio of 39 hotels to a major player on the international stage that has more than doubled its original size .
Pérès has evolved the company ’ s business model from lease-dominated to asset light , resulting in returns on invested capital . Pérès also has plans to significantly build the portfolio by 2020 so it is more equally balanced between Europe , Africa , the Middle East and Africa .
Prior to joining Mövenpick , Pérès worked at Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts in a variety of roles , including vice president of development for Africa and the Middle East and managing director for Asia Pacific . Pérès currently serves as a board member for several companies , including Orascom Development Holding , and is an officer of the Légion d ’ honneur . The Paris native also served in the French Navy and received his an MBA from ESSEC Business School .
richard solomons
CEO , IHG Denham , England
Since being named CEO in 2011 , Richard Solomons has led the continued growth of IHG , including the launch of its two newest brands : Hualaxe Hotels and Resorts , tailored for domestic Chinese travelers , and mainstream wellness hotel brand Even Hotels . More recently , he engineered the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants . Solomons has also overseen the relaunch of the IHG Rewards Club .
Previously , Solomons was chief financial officer and head of commercial development at IHG , where he helped implement the company ’ s asset-light strategy that has helped return £ 10.4 billion ( US $ 16.1 billion ) to shareholders . He also served as interim president of the Americas business in 2008 . In 1992 , Solomons joined Bass PLC ( later Six Continents ), the company from which IHG emerged , and oversaw the separation of IHG in 2003 as finance director .
Prior to joining IHG , Solomons worked in investment banking . He is also a chartered accountant and a member of the executive committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council . www . hotelsmag . com April 2015 HOTELS 11