Hilton Worldwide has announced the appointment of Timothy Soper as vice president, operations for Japan, Korea and Micronesia.

In this new role, Soper will oversee all of the company’s operational interests in these three important markets within Asia Pacific.

In addition to driving continued growth from the 16 hotels in the region (including Conrad Seoul that will open by end 2012), he will also assist in recruiting best-in-class talents.

Soper has been with Hilton Worldwide for 25 years, working in a variety of positions across properties in Bahrain, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Korea.

Soper also gained valuable insight to the Japanese market having been the general manager at Hilton Tokyo Bay previously.

Prior to joining Hilton Worldwide, he worked in several other hotel properties, having first started his career in hospitality in 1978 at the Hilltop Hotel in the United Kingdom.

Most recently vice president, operations for Greater China and Mongolia, a role he had undertaken since 2007, Soper has been instrumental in managing the operations of what is now the fastest growing market outside of the United States for Hilton Worldwide.

This included managing rapid growth in the country both in terms of the number of trading properties as well as the number of employees.

“Soper’s extensive and in-depth hospitality experience and acute business acumen will be an asset as we pursue growth in Japan, Korea and Micronesia.

“His strong leadership will be especially valuable in Japan, which is a market we have been operating in for close to 50 years,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.