Van Phan is the new regional manager, operational excellence
Andrew Smith is the new director, design and technical services
Andrew Smith is the new director, design and technical services

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has appointed Andrew Smith to the position of director, design and technical services and Van Phan as regional manager, operational excellence.

These appointments follow a successful year for Starwood in the Pacific region, during which the hotel giant signed four new hotels including Aloft Adelaide, Aloft Sydney Pitt Street, The Westin Brisbane and Sheraton Adelaide Hotel; increasing its Pacific portfolio to a total of 27 hotels.

Prior to this, Smith held the position of regional director of engineering and director of engineering at Sheraton on the Park.

He said, “The Pacific region is experiencing a period of phenomenal growth and I believe my past experience will be invaluable as we work to further enhance Starwood’s profile in this region”.

Van Phan is the new regional manager, operational excellence
Van Phan is the new regional manager, operational excellence

In Phan’s role as regional manager, operational excellence, she will be responsible for the new builds and transitions (NB&T) phase of new projects, for ensuring brand standards are implemented and operational efficiencies and best practices are shared across properties.

Having worked as part of the NB&T team in Starwood’s Singapore Divisional Office, Phan brings extensive and valuable experience to the role.

“With nine hotels in the Pacific pipeline all scheduled to be completed by 2019 and new signings around the corner, this is a pivotal point in the region’s growth strategy. I’m looking forward to leveraging my international experience to help support the team through this growth period,” said Phan.

In their new roles, Andrew Smith and Van Phan will report to Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Pacific.

“Starwood is expanding at a rapid rate across the Pacific. This year alone we’ve signed four new hotels and there is potential to see this number doubled in 2016. We’re therefore thrilled to welcome Andrew and Van to their new positions to support the growth in this division. Both bring with them extensive experience that will prove to be a great asset as we enter, what we hope will be, a record year for hotel signings,” said Hunt.