BA exec nets Hilton alliance role
Hilton International has hired the man behind British Airways’ joint venture with Qantas Airways to head its new marketing alliance with Hilton Hotels Corporation of the US.
The Ladbroke-owned group has recruited David Scowsill, currently BA’s director for Europe and the Middle East, as vice-president for sales, marketing and information technology.
He replaces Paul Steele, who left last month to become chief executive of the Virgin Group division which is launching Virgin Cola into international markets.
Scowsill’s role is an expanded one, as it includes co-ordinating the marketing and sales for Hilton International, following the worldwide alliance with the Hilton Hotels Corporation, which operates the hotels in the US.
The company is responsible for the Hilton name worldwide outside the US. Under the agreement, announced in August, the two companies will join forces on sales, marketing, advertising, loyalty programmes and development strategies.
Scowsill joined BA in 1978, but left to join American Airlines as head of sales and marketing for Europe in 1991. He rejoined BA in 1993 as regional general manager for Asia Pacific, where he was instrumental in the formation of the alliance with Qantas. He takes up the post at Hilton International in the new year.
