Hilton appoints Paul Blackmore as UK & Ireland development VP

Paul Blackmore has been appointed vice president, development UK and Ireland at Hilton as the hotel group looks to drive further growth in the region.

Blackmore brings more than 20 years’ experience in hotel development, having joined Hilton almost eight years ago to lead the architecture, design and construction (AD&C) team in Sub-Saharan Africa. He also spent three years overseeing the team in Asia Pacific, based out in Singapore, before most recently serving as vice president, AD&C, Europe, Turkey and North Africa.

As the former managing director of CIMC Modular Building Solutions, Blackmore has a strong background in modular construction, adaptive re-use and hotel conversions, coinciding with the launch of premium economy conversion brand Spark by Hilton in May last year.

He will focus on harnessing the growth potential of Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton, as well as the aforementioned Spark by Hilton, which made its European debut in Romford in May, followed by a property in Luton.

From July, he will report into Nick Smart, who leads Hilton’s development across UK, Ireland and the Nordics.

Smart said: “Paul’s appointment is a sign of our commitment to the UK&I market – a mature market ripe with development opportunity for our portfolio of award-winning brands. Following a successful year last year, we look forward to further building on our momentum, continuing to ensure Hilton is the partner of choice for owners.”