Hilton Worldwide has new ME chief

Hilton Worldwide today announced that Rudi Jagersbacher will become Area President, Operations, Middle East and Africa, for the hospitality company, effective January 1, 2011.

Jagersbacher will replace Jean-Paul Herzog, who will retire from Hilton Worldwide at the end of the year after 40 years of service.

Jagersbacher is currently Area Vice President for operations in the Benelux, Nordic and Italy. He joined the company in 1974 after holding senior leadership positions at the Savoy and Claridges in London.

He was appointed to General Manager positions in flagship properties such as the Langham Hilton and the Park Lane Hilton followed by Vice President roles in London and Dubai.

He is also a founding member of the Hilton in the Community Foundation, which is a grant-making organisation that fundraises throughout Hilton Worldwide properties in Europe to support disadvantaged children and young people.

Jagersbacher will remain in his current post until he assumes the new position as Area President, Operations, Middle East and Africa on January 1, 2011.