Preferred Hotel Group has appointed Australian Anthony Ross as Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA).
In his new capacity, Ross will drive the company’s existing development efforts in key cities throughout the region, working closely with a team of Regional Directors.
He is also committed to identifying unique, innovative solutions to help Preferred Hotel Group generate greater revenue and increased market share for its member hotels.
“The industry is seeing a huge shift in the global marketplace with more hotels deciding to step into the independent space after recognizing the value proposition of a soft brand, so it is a very exciting time to join Preferred Hotel Group,” Ross said.
“Working closely with Lindsey Ueberroth and our dedicated regional team, I look forward to supporting these entrepreneurial hoteliers as they work through the transition and helping them reap the greatest benefits of Preferred Hotel Group’s global infrastructure.”
Ross brings more than 25 years of international hospitality experience to his new responsibilities with Preferred Hotel Group. Most recently, Ross served as vice president of operations for Marco Polo Hotels, where he was helping to develop a new luxury hotel brand. Prior to Marco Polo Hotels, Ross was area general manager for Swire Hotels’ operations in Beijing, responsible for the openings of The Opposite House and East Beijing, both members of Preferred Hotel Group. Ross also spent seven years working for Pan Pacific in Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Hong Kong and Monaco. His extensive experience also encompassed the management of independent hotels, including renovating, re-branding and re-launching The Sentosa Resort and Spa in Singapore, a project which was followed by the development of Azur, a member of Preferred Boutique in Queenstown New Zealand, in collaboration with a business partner.
Ross obtained his Bachelor of Business, Catering and Hotel Management degree from Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. Based in Hong Kong, he assumes the role previously held by Ananya Narayan, who departed Preferred Hotel Group last month after a 10-year tenure to join his family business in Dubai.