Elliot Newton

Elliot Newton is the Development Director for UK & Ireland at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for growing IHG's development opportunities encompassing luxury, upscale and mainstream opportunities through managed and franchised deal structures in one of IHG’s key global markets.

Prior to joining IHG, he was most recently Development Director for Louvre Hotels Group, where he established the development & asset management strategy for the Group in the UK & Ireland.

Born and raised in Teesside, Elliot studied at Newcastle University before working in a broad spectrum of roles across the hospitality sector. He began his career at Holiday Inn Scotch Corner, with Cairn Hotel Group, before progressing into various corporate office roles at IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hilton.

James Oh

James Oh is Development Director for South East Asia & Korea at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. Based in Seoul, James is responsible for the strategic growth of IHG brands in Korea. 

James brings 14 years of experience in real estate and hospitality industry, in various roles in some of the largest real estate asset management firms in Korea, from investments to ownership and asset management of hotels. With his knowledge and experience in hotel ownership companies, James has a strong understanding of the needs of hotel owners and is well versed to provide creative investment structures to drive successful outcomes.

Prior to joining IHG, he was Investment Director for Aju Hotels & Resorts, where he successfully led an acquisition of four hotels in the U.S. with diversified structures. Prior to Aju, James was the Head of Hotel Investment at Mirae Asset Global Investments where he led multi-billion dollar hotel investment deals and handled the firm's hotel group strategies. Before joining Mirae, he was with IGIS AMC where he spearheaded outbound commercial real estate investments.

James also held various roles in hotel brokerage and consultancy. He was previously the Country Representative for Hodges Ward Elliott, where he led the firm’s brokerage business development in Asia, and provided tailored solutions for investors hotel acquisitions.

James holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from New York University and is a registered fund manager in the Republic of Korea.

Maurizio Piedra

Maurizio is the Development Manager for the Caribbean and Latin America, responsible for executing the growth strategy of all brands across this region. He started his career in hotel investment sales and later transitioned into an asset management role, responsible for a portfolio of 11 hotels across the United States with all major hotel brands. In his previous roles, he successfully developed the real estate growth strategy for other international brands, like Sonder and Hilton, in Florida and the Caribbean. Maurizio is originally from Peru and is an economist by profession. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his friends, discovering the culinary scene of the places he visits, and going for morning runs.

Fabrizio Piolanti

Fabrizio Piolanti is Director Development for Italy at IHG^®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for the expansion of IHG’s brand portfolio in Italy.

Fabrizio boasts an extensive knowledge of the Italian market with over 15 years of experience in corporate roles, operations, and consulting. Prior to IHG, he was Development Director at Marriott International and has executed both limited and premium brands projects, in urban and resort destinations. He also gained experience in EY’s and JLL’s Hospitality teams in Milan, where he led multiple operator selection processes, valuations, feasibility studies and transaction assignments.

Fabrizio holds a master’s degree in Tourism economics from Bocconi University in Milan.

 

Marie Richard

Marie Richard è Director, sviluppo portafoglio & Luxury COE for portafoglio and Strategic Alliances in Europa presso IHG®, una delle aziende alberghiere leader a livello mondiale. Il ruolo paneuropeo di Marie è responsabile dello sviluppo di tutti i marchi IHG in collaborazione con gli sviluppatori regionali IHG per qualsiasi accordo portafoglio e alleanze strategiche, tra cui partnership per lo sviluppo multi-paese o complessi accordi di lusso.

Prior to IHG, Marie worked for Jin Jiang / Louvre Hotels Group for seven years where she had a progressive career from an International Development Analyst to Asset & Investment Manager and was most recently an M&A Manager, where she worked on several portfolio acquisitions for the group in Europe and Brazil. She was also in charge of International Operations for South America and India, in coordination with local operational offices.

Marie is an Honours graduate of HEC Paris Business School in France where she followed a Master in Management in Corporate Finance.

Samuel Richard

Samuel Richard è un Business sviluppo Manager presso IHG Hotels and Resorts, dove si occupa di promuovere la crescita di IHG marchio negli Stati Uniti e in Canada. Con oltre un decennio di esperienza in IHG, in precedenza ha ricoperto il ruolo di Consulente di qualità e Direttore regionale delle aperture in franchising .

Sam, che ha contribuito in modo determinante al lancio di Garner Hotels, ha svolto un ruolo determinante nel successo dell'apertura della prima struttura ad Auburn, WA, nel dicembre 2023. Eccelle nella gestione dei progetti, nelle strategie di crescita e nella costruzione di solide relazioni con l'hotel proprietario.

Prima di entrare in IHG, Sam ha lavorato come consulente di qualità presso LRA/Deloitte e ha ricoperto diversi ruoli operativi presso Fairmont, Westin e W Hotels. 

Sam ha conseguito un Diploma in Hospitality Management presso l'Institut de Tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec e una laurea in Business Administration con una specializzazione in Tourism and Hospitality Management presso l'Université du Québec à Montréal.

Sam risiede a Cochrane, vicino a Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Nel suo tempo libero, Sam ama le escursioni e lo sci di fondo nelle Montagne Rocciose canadesi, oltre a cucinare, fare giardinaggio e viaggiare.

Misty Roe

Misty Roe supports the development functions for IHG’s upscale brands in the northeast, southeast and midwestern United States. She assists in identifying new development opportunities and retaining existing assets in IHG’s portfolio. Prior to joining IHG, Misty worked on the Franchise Development team at Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, respectively. In her personal time, Misty enjoys gathering with her family and friends, taking her dog to get fresh air at the park, and lending a helping hand to local animal rescue groups.

Philip Ryan

Philip Ryan is Director of Development for Japan and Director of Capital Investments & Transactions for Asia Pacific. Based in Tokyo, he is responsible for working with hotel investors and owners on new hotels and conversions and executing IHG’s strategic growth in Japan and the region.

Merve Sakaoglu

Merve Sakaoglu è Senior sviluppo Manager per Türkiye presso IHG Hotels & Resorts, una delle aziende alberghiere leader a livello mondiale. 

Nel suo ruolo, Merve guida l'espansione del variegato marchio portafoglio di IHG in tutto il paese, comprese le opportunità di lusso, di alto livello e mainstream attraverso strutture di accordi gestiti e in franchising . 

Con oltre 15 anni di vasta esperienza nel settore dell'ospitalità, Merve ha ricoperto varie posizioni di leadership operativa presso marchi di fama mondiale come Marriott, Shangri-La, Raffles e Accor. Presso la sede centrale di Accor a Türkiye, ha svolto un ruolo fondamentale nella supervisione degli standard operativi a livello nazionale, fornendo al contempo un supporto significativo per le iniziative di sviluppo del gruppo. 

Merve ha conseguito una laurea presso la prestigiosa Hacettepe University e ha ulteriormente affinato la sua esperienza nel marketing attraverso gli studi a Oxford.