Robert van der Graaf

Robert van der Graaf is Development Director for Northern Europe for IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for the expansion of IHG’s portfolio with a focus on Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Robert actively fosters relationships with existing growth stakeholders, creates new partnerships and asset-right deal structures.

Before joining IHG, Robert spent four years with the Radisson Hotel Group, as Senior Director of Business Development for Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, where he signed lease, management and franchise agreements and secured the entry of two new hotel brands in the region.

Prior to that, Robert worked for eleven years at Worldhotels – a global group of independently operated upscale hotels, where he added over 40 hotels to the portfolio. He also has a profound understanding of hotel commercial operations and distribution and went through the group’s three major transitions, including a rebranding, a merger and two private equity cycles.

A Dutch native, Robert speaks four languages and holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from The Hotelschool The Hague.

Hylko Versteeg

Hylko Versteeg is the Head of Development for Southern Europe at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for leading the growth of IHG’s brand portfolio across Southern Europe through franchise and management agreements. Working collaboratively with development partners, Hylko and his team consistently deliver strong returns for owners. With over a decade of development experience with IHG and having signed over 100 deals across multiple brands, Hylko is well positioned to help owners optimise their asset, recommending the most appropriate brand and design solutions for their properties.

Prior to joining IHG in 2006, Hylko worked at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and in several Hotel & Tourism consulting roles across Spain and Latin America for an international consulting company and the CAF (Corporacion Andina de Fomento – the Andean Community Development Bank).

Hylko holds a bachelor degree in European Hospitality Management & Hotel Administration from The Hague Hotel School.

Matt Walton

Matt Walton is Senior Head of Development UK & Ireland at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for leading and overseeing all development opportunities encompassing luxury, upscale and mainstream opportunities through managed and franchised deal structures in one of IHG’s key global markets.

Matt brings a wealth of experience in hotel development and investment. Prior to joining IHG in 2018, he was with Metro Bank where he founded and headed the Hospitality & Leisure team focused on providing debt solutions for hotel development, acquisition opportunities amongst other sub sectors within the hospitality sector.

Prior to that, Matt worked in hotel finance at institutions such as Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays.

Emma Yap

Emma Yap is the Senior Development Manager for Southeast Asia & Korea at IHG^®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. She is responsible for the expansion and strategic growth of IHG’s portfolio in Malaysia.

Emma brings over 10 years of experience in hospitality. Prior to IHG, she was with Capella Hotel Group, Horwath HTL and Accor, holding various roles including Consulting, Sales & Marketing, Revenue Management, Feasibility Studies, and Development.

With a well-rounded hospitality background, Emma is an alumnus of École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). She continues to grow her real estate expertise through coursework at Singapore Management University (SMU).