Hilton Hotels Corporation is appointing Simon Vincent as the new Area President for UK & Ireland, effective as of January 2007.  Vincent will be replacing Howard Friedman who is returning to the United States following over 17 years service with Hilton.

Simon (43), joins Hilton from Opodo, where he is Chief Executive.  Opodo is a leading European on-line travel business and part of the worldwide Amadeus technology organisation.  Simon has been responsible for leading the successful growth of the Opodo business through a combination of organic growth and international acquisition.

Prior to joining Opodo, Simon worked with the Thomas Cook travel organisation for 10 years in a number of senior roles encompassing marketing, sales, strategy and operations management.

Simon is a graduate of Banking & International Finance from City University, London.

Ian Carter, Hilton’s CEO International Operations, commented on the appointment:

“I am delighted to welcome Simon to Hilton, he brings broad international experience, across on line and off line retail, tour operating and airline businesses within the leisure sector. Our UK & Ireland business is a key part of the Group and represents 73 hotels with a strong pipeline of new hotels and opportunities to introduce the new Hilton Family of Brands in our domestic market over the next few years.”

Howard Friedman will work with Simon during January before he returns with his family to the US.

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