Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has appointed Oliver Bonke as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Reporting to Shangri-La Asia Limited Chief Executive Officer Lim Beng Chee, Bonke will assume responsibilities on September 1, 2017 and will be based at Shangri-La’s headquarters in Hong Kong.
In his capacity as President and Chief Operating Officer, Bonke will oversee the group’s Executive Vice Presidents responsible for regional hotel operations, as well as the operational division heads of Food and Beverage, Sales, Marketing, Rooms, Engineering, Security, and Quality Improvement.
“We are delighted to welcome Oliver and look forward to his arrival as the new President and COO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts,” said Lim.
“With his proven strong leadership and operational experience globally, I am confident Oliver will drive excellence and lead Shangri-La through the next phase of the group’s development and strategy.”
Bonke has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently with Loews Hotels and Co. as Chief Commercial Officer.
Loews Hotels and Co., headquartered in New York, is a luxury hotel brand comprised of 24 properties that it owns and operates in key urban and resort destinations across the U.S. and Canada.
Prior to joining Loews Hotels and Co., Bonke was Chief Commercial Officer for InterContinental Hotels Group in the Americas; he was also with Starwood Hotels and Resorts as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing in Asia Pacific, and then in the same role with Starwood covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“Shangri-La has earned a stellar reputation with travellers around the world. It is an honour to join this dynamic company to help develop strategy and support the future growth of its exceptional portfolio of properties. On a more personal note, I look forward to returning to Asia, which feels like a homecoming,” said Bonke.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently operates over 95 hotels in 22 countries and 73 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands.