SHANGHAI, Sept. 5, 2018 — Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the appointment of Jerry Huang as president of development in Greater China and Mongolia. Effective September 10, 2018, Huang will oversee the team responsible for the overall development strategy for China.
"Jerry's experience within the vast China hospitality market is nearly unparalleled," said Matt Fry, senior vice president, development for Asia Pacific. "Having someone of his calibre join our team will allow us to build on the success we have had in this very important market."
Hilton today has more than 500 hotels open and under development in Greater China, with more than one third of all hotel rooms under construction carrying one of its brands.
Qian Jin, area president for Greater China and Mongolia, said, "We are excited to welcome Jerry Huang, one of the China hospitality industry's great leaders, to Hilton. We have a strong commitment to China, which is already our largest market outside of the US, with a target of 1,000 hotels by 2025."
Huang is a veteran and leader in the hotel industry with more than 30 years of experience. A 25 year spell at InterContinental Hotels Group saw him lead the development and operations teams, before becoming their president of Greater China. More recently, Huang was President, Greater China of Artyzen Hotels Group.
A former Vice Chairman of China Tourism Hotel Association, he also serves as a member of the China National Tourism Administration Platinum Five-Star Grading Committee. On multiple occasions he has been recognised as one of the Top 10 Figures in China's Hotel Industry by the China Hotel Industry Annual Meeting Committee and has been awarded International Hotelier of the Year at the China Hotel Investment Conference.
Huang is also enthusiastic in promoting charity, helping the world recongized "Make-A-Wish®"foundation in China as their first Chair of board of "Make-A-Wish®" Shanghai.
"Hilton has been a name I've always associated with hospitality, ever since I first began my studies at the Shanghai Institute of Tourism nearly 40 years ago," said Huang. "It's my great pleasure that, after a long and rewarding career in the industry, I have the opportunity to work for such a leader in its field."
Huang will be based in Hilton's China regional office in Shanghai and will report to Matt Fry, senior vice president, development for Asia Pacific. He replaces Francis Lee who will be leaving Hilton to pursue opportunities in the investment and private equity industries.
