Langham Promotes Katie Benson to Regional VP
Europe and North America
MARCH 25, 2009 - Langham Hotels International (LHI) has promoted hospitality veteran, Katie Benson, to the newly created position of Regional Vice President - Europe and North America - signaling the group's growing ambition as a luxury hotel operator. In addition, Ms Benson will become Managing Director of The Langham London, relaunching the original grand hotel as one of London's top three hotels from April after a massive lb80 million restoration and refurbishment.
Brett Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hotels International said: "In the 9 years she has been with us, Katie has played an impressive role in the development of The Langham brand in Melbourne and Hong Kong. We feel confident that her knowledge and expertise will continue to contribute to the company's success at our flagship hotel in London while developing new and existing properties strategically in North America and Europe."
In her dual role, Ms Benson will lead the repositioning of The Langham in London as it evolves and take up the strategic responsibility for The Langham properties in North America. She will also be active in the future developments for LHI in the USA and Europe.
Before her promotion, Ms Benson served as Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong, where she oversaw all aspects of the operation from 2007. She also successfully relaunched and positioned The Langham, Melbourne in 2005 as one of the premier hotels in the city where she was also the only woman to be named Australian Hotelier of the Year by HM Magazine. Ms Benson has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
"I'm thrilled about the exciting challenges that lie ahead", Ms Benson said. "2009 will be a year of developments, not only for The Langham, London but for our properties across North America and Europe. I'm looking forward to working with the dedicated teams at each of these properties to roll out a number of exciting projects." Cited by Hotel Management magazine as an "exceptional hospitality professional," Ms. Benson has held executive positions at luxury hotels in Middle East, China and Australia. "The most enjoyable part of my job is connecting with people in all walks of life, and I look forward to bringing my experiences to my new roles" she says.
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