Senior Appointments at Preferred Hotel Group

Preferred Hotel Group has enhanced its presence in the Asia Pacific Region with an expanded management team of highly regarded, seasoned executives.

Lynne Ireland, Managing Director, Preferred Boutique and Area Managing Director, South Pacific, will be the newest addition to the team, creating an impressive trio that also includes the newly appointed Mark Simmons, Area Managing Director Asia. Preferred Hotel Group veteran Ananya Narayan, recently relocated to Dubai, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Global Strategy and will also serve as Area Managing Director for India, the Middle East and Africa.

"This dynamic leadership team brings together some of the most experienced players in the Asia Pacific region - a significant growth market for Preferred that will only increase in importance in 2008 and beyond," said John Ueberroth, Chairman and CEO, Preferred Hotel Group.

Ireland, whose illustrious career includes more than 15 years heading the Asia Pacific region for Small Luxury Hotels of the World, will join Preferred Hotel Group in a dual role as Managing Director of Preferred Boutique and Area Managing Director, South Pacific. "Lynne Ireland is a great addition to our organization, both for her regional expertise and specialization in the type of intimate, highly exclusive luxury properties that make up the Preferred Boutique brand," Ueberroth said. "We anticipate great growth for Preferred Boutique this year, and are excited to have Lynne at the helm."

A key executive with Preferred Hotel Group since early 2005, Narayan's new role as Senior Vice President, Global Strategy will emphasize his tremendous talents in the area of strategic planning. In addition, he will serve as Area Managing Director for India, Middle East and Africa, facilitating growth and increasing brand visibility. In his previous role as Area Managing Director - Asia Pacific, Narayan, during his tenure of three years, grew membership from 13 to 45 hotels, doubled the number of regional personnel, and assisted member hotels to increase the overall room nights by 272% and revenue by over 327% through Preferred Hotel Group channels. With the expansion of the Asia Pacific team, this growth is only expected to accelerate.

Stepping into the role of Area Managing Director - Asia is Mark Simmons, whose vast experience in the region includes running his own hospitality sales and marketing outsourcing firm, Delivering Asia; Director of Sales, Asia for Accor and managing The Landmark Bangkok, a member of Preferred's Summit Hotels & Resorts brand.

"I am thrilled to be joining Preferred Hotel Group, an organization focused on strong, supported growth and a clear vision on how this can be achieved. It is an exciting time in Asia with the team growing two-fold in the next few months," said Mark Simmons.

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