Hilton’s long-standing and popular Vice President of Operations in Australasia, Ashley Spencer, has announced his retirement, effective February 16, 2015.
He’s being replaced by the Regional General Manager for China South and former General Manager of Hilton Sydney, Paul Hutton.
Spencer is retiring from his highly successful 27-year career with Hilton Worldwide, having held senior leadership positions in the UK, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia.
He was appointed to the role of Vice President of Operations in Australasia in 2006 following his three-year tenure as Vice President of Operations in Asia Pacific.
Under Spencer’s guidance, Hilton Hotels and Resorts has retained its status as the number one hotel brand in Australia (as measured by the annual BDRC survey) a position the brand has held for ten consecutive years.
Further, under his stewardship, the region’s portfolio of hotels has doubled in size and he has led the successful launch of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the market.
Spencer will continue to work for Hilton Worldwide, in a consultancy capacity, on a number projects across Australasia and Asia Pacific.
His ongoing involvement with Hilton Worldwide ensures all hotels across Asia Pacific will continue to benefit from his outstanding operational expertise, enabling them to continue to deliver the highest levels of service.
“We very much thank Ashley for his amazing contribution to Hilton Worldwide and look forward to our continuing association,” said Martin Rinck, Hilton Worldwide President, Asia Pacific.
“Ashley has been instrumental in our success down under and I am personally looking forward to be working together with him for many more years to come.
“With our growing portfolio in Australasia, particularly that of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand, Paul brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Some of his recent successes include the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Shenzhen Bao An, our first Hilton Garden Inn in China, and the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Hainan – Qixianling Hot Spring.
“Paul recently celebrated 30 years of service with Hilton Worldwide and we are extremely pleased he will continue to build on his already successful career with Hilton Worldwide and bring his extensive hospitality experience to the strong growth region of Australasia.”
In his new role, Hutton will be responsible for the performance of the growing portfolio of Hilton Worldwide hotels in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific as well as the planning and implementation of strategies across a variety of key functions in the region.
Hutton began his career with Hilton Worldwide in 1984 at the Noga Hilton in Switzerland and then took on various roles at Hiltons in Australia, the UAE, and Egypt before being promoted to the role of General Manager at Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest in 2000.
He subsequently took on general manager and regional food and beverage director positions in the Middle East, Arabian Gulf, Asia and Australia. Hutton was then appointed to his current role of regional general Manager for China South in 2011.