Hilton appoints Black & Decker man as new hotels chief

Hotels group Hilton has taken the unusual step of appointing a rank outsider to lead its hotels operation.

Ian Carter, currently president of DIY giant Black & Decker's Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia operation, will become chief executive of Hilton International Hotels from 1 February.

While the leap from power tools to hotel management may appear large, Hilton was insisting today his all-round management skills were just what the hotel chain needed.

He was an expert in marketing, managing change and both financial and quality control and had successfully turned around Black & Decker's European operation, which had been suffering financially before his arrival, said a Hilton spokesman.

Carter takes over the role previously held by Anthony Harris, who died in March last year. He will report directly to group chief executive David Michels and will have a seat on the board.

Before Black & Decker, Carter spent 11 years with General Electric, both in Europe and the USA, and time at manufacturer Low & Bonar

Michels said Carter would "bring a new dimension to the hotels business", and would be focused on product innovation, quality and value.

Carter himself added: "Clearly, the industry has faced some real challenges in the past few years but I hope to be able to bring a fresh look to the business whilst at the same time continuing to build upon the strengths already in place."

by Nic Paton

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