Hilton UK appoints Stakis director

Mike Ashton, former marketing director for Scottish hotel and casino company Stakis, has been appointed marketing director for Ladbroke-owned hotel group Hilton in the UK, following Ladbroke’s purchase of Stakis in January.

It is unclear how Ashton’s new position will affect David Andrew, currently vice-president of marketing for Hilton in the UK. According to a spokesman, Andrew “is being considered for other positions within the Hilton group”.

Ashton will initiate a marketing and advertising review as a result of the acquisition. Ladbroke-owned Hilton is understood to be replacing the Stakis name with the Hilton brand.

Ashton would not confirm this, but says: “Every aspect including marketing and corporate identity is being reviewed.”

Ashton, former deputy commercial director for ScotRail and sales manager at Procter & Gamble, is one of a number of high profile staff who have been transferred to Ladbroke from Stakis. Ian Payne, former managing director for Stakis Casinos, was made managing director for Ladbroke’s casinos division, while Anthony Harris, a former director at Stakis, became managing director of Hilton UK.

Ladbroke, which owns the Hilton brand outside the US, will change its name to the Hilton Group from next month.

The company is also in merger talks with the Hilton Hotels Corporation, which runs 250 hotels in the US.