Hilton Worldwide has announced the appointment of Edmond Ip as Chairman, Greater China and in this new role, Edmond will act as an adviser to Hilton Worldwide, primarily overseeing all of the company’s operational interests in Greater China.

This responsibility will include implementing a new organizational structure, assisting in recruiting best-in-class talent, and aggregating the growth from the numerous hotel openings in the next few years. Ip will be based between Singapore and Shanghai.

Ip brings with him more than 30 years of expertise in the hospitality business. He was most recently Non-Executive Director and Chief Adviser to the Board of the Kosmopolito Hotels International Ltd. Prior to this, Ip had a more than 10-year career with the Intercontinental Hotels Group, where he held several positions, including Chief Adviser for Asia Pacific. Prior to the Intercontinental Hotels Group, Ip held senior positions in CDL Hotel International and the Thai Wah Group of Companies, including being the co-founder of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts.

Ip’s career in hospitality began at Hyatt International Corporation in 1973, mainly with a background in Finance. During his tenure there, he was based in Indonesia, Singapore, London and the company’s Chicago headquarters. Prior to joining the hospitality industry, Ip was the Group Chief Accountant for Li Po Chin Group of Companies in Hong Kong, and Auditor at the then Price Waterhouse in Hong Kong.

“China has become one of Hilton Worldwide’s most important markets outside the United States. Ip’s extensive 30-year experience in the hospitality business will be an asset as we chart an accelerated growth path to increase our trading hotels from 18 to over 100 in the next five years,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

To achieve greater efficiency and effective management, Hilton Worldwide will also geographically segment its China operations further into three sub-regions namely the North, Central and South regions.

Guy Hutchinson, currently General Manager of Hilton Shanghai, will become Regional General Manager for the Northern region. Hutchinson will relocate to Beijing in his new role. Paul Hutton, currently General Manager of Hilton Sydney, will assume the position of Regional General Manager for the Southern region, based out of Hong Kong. Timothy Soper, Vice President, Operations, will assume responsibility for the Central region, while at the same time continuing his role as Head of Operations for China, and will continue to be based in Shanghai.