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M&C appoints new CEO

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels has announced the appointment of Richard Hartman as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 7 April 2008.Richard will be joining the Board of Millennium & Copthorne immediately following the
Company’s annual general meeting which is being held on 7 May 2008.

Richard, aged 62, has over 30 years experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. From 1999 he has held senior positions at InterContinental Hotels Group (formerly known as Six Continents Hotels Group and Bass Hotels & Resorts) where he was a main Board Director from 2003 until 2007, most recently as Managing Director of InterContinental Hotels Group, Europe, Middle East and Africa with responsibility for 620 hotels. Previously he was Managing Director of InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific between 1998 and 2003, where he increased the company portfolio, making it the second largest hotel chain in Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining InterContinental Hotels Group in 1998 he was President of ITT Sheraton North America between 1992 and 1998, where he led a turnaround in performance, repositioning the Sheraton North America as the premier brand of choice, and President of ITT Sheraton Asia Pacific between 1985 and 1992.

During his tenure as President of the Asia Pacific Division, he successfully executed an
aggressive development strategy, growing the Division, substantially increasing earnings andfirmly establishing Sheraton as one of the three leading hotel chains in Asia and the market leader in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

Richard has achieved numerous awards from governments, universities and business associations.

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Following the appointment of Richard as Chief Executive Officer, Wong Hong Ren who is currently acting as Interim Chief Executive will revert to being an Executive Director. Wong Hong Ren’s executive responsibilities will include overseeing the Group’s finance function.

The Company confirms that there are no other matters requiring disclosure in relation to paragraphs 9.6.13(1) to (6) of the Listing Rules.

The Company also announces that Kwek Leng Joo, a non-executive director, has appointed Kwek Eik Sheng, as his alternate as permitted by the Company’s Articles of Association.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Chairman said:

“The Board of Millennium & Copthorne is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard as Chief Executive Officer. We are very fortunate to have secured such an experienced, and senior individual as Richard and we look forward to benefiting from his strong operational skills as we continue to develop Millennium & Copthorne Hotels as a world class Hotel group.

On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Wong Hong Ren for his strong leadership as Interim Chief Executive and for the progress he has made in streamlining management and systems in sales and marketing, cost management and capital expenditure which has provided a solid platform for the future.”
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