Bartels resigns from Starwood

Juergen Bartels, chief executive of hotels for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has resigned from the company as part of a shake up of its senior management team.

Bartels was formerly chairman and chief executive of Westin Hotels & Resorts, acquired by Starwood last year.

Starwood said it was re-aligning its senior management structure as it seeks to pull out of the gaming business. Bartels will continue as an adviser to the company.

Brenda Barnes, former chief executive of Pepsi Cola in North America, will take charge of Starwood's operations temporarily while the company looks for a new president and chief operating officer.

Starwood is one of the largest hotel groups in the world. In the UK, it owns Sheraton hotels and the Turnberry hotel in Ayrshire.