Global hospitality leader AccorHotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Frid as Chief Operating Officer for North & Central America. As a key leader within the company, Frid’s position is one of the first senior management appointments since the recent acquisition of FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) and its three prestigious luxury hotel brands: Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel.
The appointment of Frid, with his vast experience and expertise in the United States, Canada and Mexico, underscores AccorHotels’ commitment to one of its key strategic objectives: building long-term growth and profitability in a region that includes the largest and most influential consumer market in the world.
“I am delighted to welcome Kevin to this new role within the AccorHotels team,” said Chris Cahill, Chief Executive Officer, Luxury Brands, AccorHotels. “Kevin brings a proven track record in luxury hotel management and a deep understanding of the important local markets across this region. He’s an incredible asset for the group and his contributions will be essential as we look to grow our brands and create value for shareholders.”
In his new role, Frid will have operational responsibility for 88 hotels across the North & Central America region. This includes notable hotels such as Fairmont San Francisco, The Plaza in New York City, Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya, Sofitel Philadelphia, Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim, Pullman Cayo Coco in Cuba, Swissôtel Chicago, and Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego.
As the lead operations executive in the region, Frid will also be tasked with successfully overseeing large-scale renovation and refurbishment projects. Under his purview, Frid supervised the recent $75 million, lobby-to-roof restoration of the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City and the multi-million dollar guestroom renovation at Seattle’s historic 450-room Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Sofitel Washington D.C. at Lafayette Square will soon embark on a makeover of its food and beverage outlets after completing the first phase of an Art-Deco inspired update, which included the renovation of all 237 guestrooms and meeting spaces, along with a complete lobby redesign. Furthermore, over a dozen of the company’s world-class properties across North and Central America are currently undergoing major restoration projects, including Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Pullman Miami Airport, Montreal’s Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and the Fairmont Empress in Victoria.
Frid will also oversee new developments in North and Central America, including the stunning new Fairmont Costa Canuva, a 250-room luxury hotel with additional private residences along the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico (opening 2018); Fairmont Austin, a $350 million concept that will not only bring sumptuous luxury and unparalleled views to Austin visitors and locals alike, but will also be the first and only hotel in the city to provide direct access to the Austin Convention Center (opening 2017); and Sofitel Mexico Reforma, a 290-room centerpiece that will feature 61 suites, a beautiful swimming pool and exceptional fitness offerings (opening 2018).
Frid, an accomplished hotelier with an extensive hospitality background spanning more than 30 years, most recently served as President, Americas for FRHI Hotels & Resorts. Prior to joining FRHI’s predecessor in 2000, Frid spent 18 years with Canadian-based Delta Hotels in various general manager and operations roles including the position of Senior Vice President, Operations.
Frid holds a M.B.A. from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, as well as a B.A.A, Hospitality & Tourism Management from Ryerson University, Toronto.
