Executive Appointments at Starwood in China and India

Starwood has appointed Stephen Ford as Vice President, Area Managing Director for South China region and General Manager of Sheraton Sanya Resort while Don Elliot, succeeds Ford as Regional Vice President for Starwood’s India, Nepal and Bangladesh region.

“We are excited to have Stephen and Don, two very experienced hotel veterans head up these two important markets for us!” said Neil Palmer, Senior Vice President, Operations. “South China is one of the economic power houses of China while India is one of our fastest growing regions after China. With the leadership of Stephen and Don, we are poised for the great growth and performance ahead in these two regions.”

In Ford’s new role as the Vice President & Area Managing Director for South China region and General Manager of Sheraton Sanya Resort, he will play a key role in setting the strategic direction for the South China hotels’ operation with overall responsibility for all existing and upcoming hotels and resorts on Hainan Island and in Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian Provinces.

Ford returns to China after spending 3 years in India. His recent appointment before his position in India was Area Managing Director of Starwood hotels in Indonesia. Prior to that, he was General Manager of The Westin Bund Center Shanghai and opened the first Westin hotel in China.

Don Elliot, who succeeds Ford as Regional Vice President for India, Nepal and Bangladesh region, will be based in India.

Elliot has more than 30 years of professional work experience in the hospitality industry. He has been with Starwood since 1983, where he started as Financial Controller with the Sheraton Travel Center, Hawaii.

His most recent appointment was as Vice President, Operations for Hawaii & French Polynesia, a position he has held since January 2007. Prior to that, he has also held key positions such as Area Manager & General Manager, Sheraton Pretoria from 2002 – 2006 and Vice President, Finance for Africa & Middle East based in Cairo.

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