Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) is making key addition to its senior management team designed to support and further strengthen the company’s position as a global leader in the hotel marketplace.
With a strong mandate to accelerate portfolio growth, Matthew Sparks has been appointed senior vice president, development, The Americas.  As the latest addition to FRHI’s development team, which in 2007 will add additional resources in a new geographical structure, Sparks’ primary focus will be on brand expansion and increased penetration for the company’s two luxury hotel brands, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Raffles Hotels & Resorts.

“With the recent integration of Fairmont and Raffles now complete, we can focus our full attention on the fundamental goal of growing our portfolio,” said Tom Storey, executive vice president, development, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. “Adding a seasoned professional like Matt provides us with the leadership we are looking for to support our growth objectives in The Americas.”

With more than 15 years of experience in hotel real estate and development, Sparks has been serving in a consultancy capacity for Fairmont since early 2005.  Prior to this, he held the role of vice president of development and acquisitions for Wyndham International where he was responsible for business development, company acquisitions and real estate development and divestment for the company.  He also served as vice president of acquisitions and development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide from 1999 to 2002. During his career, Sparks has also held development positions with Marriott, Lodgian, and Westin.

Sparks, who will direct a group of experienced development professionals, will look to advance FRHI’s growth strategy which saw the company sign a significant number of new management contracts last year, including Fairmont projects in Tamarack, Idaho, and Monterey, California, both scheduled to open in 2009, a Raffles and Fairmont hotel on the Cotai Strip in Macau (2010) and a Swiss™tel in Foshan, China (2008).
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