IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is pleased to announce the senior leadership team at voco Orchard Singapore ahead of the hotel’s rebrand from Hilton Singapore on 1 January 2022. The appointments will see Mark Winterton return to Singapore as General Manager, and Sahil Rahat, stepping into the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. Walid Ouezini will start as Hotel Manager in January 2022.
Throughout the hotel’s storied history, it has always been known as the place for business meetings or a leisure stay – a tradition that voco Orchard Singapore looks to enhance under IHG’s premium brand, voco Hotels. Marking the brand’s debut in South East Asia when it opens on 1 January 2022, the hotel will offer 423 contemporary rooms, four restaurants and bars, and more than 1,750sqm of meeting and event space. A vibrant gateway located in the heart of Singapore’s famed Orchard Road, guests can discover gourmet dining and entertainment options, and world class attractions such as idyllic Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“It is truly good to be back in Singapore and have the opportunity to introduce the unstuffy charm of voco Hotels to the region. Positioned as a lifestyle hotel along the vibrant Orchard Road, we look to inject a dose of voco vibrancy into this iconic property,“ Mark Winterton, General Manager, voco Orchard Singapore “We invite all guests to ‘come on in’ where you will be greeted by familiar faces of our long-serving colleagues from the hotel, and its staple restaurants and bars. Rekindle old friendships and spark new memories with us at voco Orchard Singapore.”
Mark Winterton, General Manager
Mark Winterton returns to Singapore after a three-year stint with IHG Australia, to lead the strategic positioning of the hotel as the first voco Hotel to open in South East Asia, and spearheads the preopening conversion operations. Mark first moved to Asia in 2007, and has since successfully launched new IHG hotels such as Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay and InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, and rebranded Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park.
Sahil Rahat, Director of Sales & Marketing
An established commercial leader with 12 years of experience, Sahil leads the charge of developing and executing the overall commercial strategies of the hotel, leveraging on his deep understanding of the local market.
Prior to joining voco Orchard Singapore, Sahil was holding dual responsibilities as Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue, and acting Director of Operation at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre. Having been with IHG for more than 10 years, Sahil brings a wealth of experience across the different markets and all aspects of commercial deliverables.
Walid Ouezini, Hotel Manager
A familiar face at this iconic Orchard Road hotel, Walid has led operations since he joined as Hotel Manager in 2019. An inspirational leader, Walid has been instrumental in spearheading major projects for the hotel. Post-rebranding, he will continue to take on the role as Hotel Manager effective 1 January 2022, and lead daily hotel operations. Walid started his career in food and beverage and has over 18 years of hospitality experience across luxury and lifestyle brands in France, Tunisia, Maldives and South East Asia.
voco Hotels and IHG in Singapore
voco Hotels also continues to evolve as part of its global ambition to welcome guests at 200 voco hotels in leading urban and leisure locations within 10 years. Its first-ever all-suites property has been signed in Doha, Qatar, and its first new-build hotel has opened for business in Edinburgh, Scotland, with another, in Nanjing, China, preparing to welcome guests later this year. voco Orchard Singapore will be IHG’s 12th hotel in Singapore and its seventh brand in the country where it joins Regent, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Holiday.
