Opodo boss takes top Hilton job

Friday, 01 Nov, 2006 0

Opodo CEO Simon Vincent has resigned to become UK and Ireland president for Hilton Hotels Corporation.

He is to join Hilton in January after two years with the online travel company, replacing Howard Friedman who is returning to the US following 17 years service with the hotel group.

Vincent, previously with Thomas Cook, will support the process of finding a new CEO for Opodo, according to parent company Amadeus.

Vincent said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Opodo and the decision to leave has been an extremely hard one to take. However, I have been offered a significant career opportunity by one of the world’s leading hotel brands that was simply too good to turn down.”

Amadeus senior vice-president corporate strategy Philippe Chérèque said: “We are sorry to see Simon leave and we would like to thank him for his significant contribution to developing the Opodo business across Europe in the last two years. At the same time we wish him well in his new career at Hilton.”

Amadeus has already begun the process for replacing Vincent.

Ian Carter, Hilton’s CEO international operations said: “I am delighted to welcome Simon to Hilton, he brings broad international experience, across on line and off line retail, tour operating and airline businesses within the leisure sector.

“Our UK & Ireland business is a key part of the group and represents 73 hotels with a strong pipeline of new hotels and opportunities to introduce the new Hilton Family of Brands in our domestic market over the next few years.”

Report by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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