Kurt Ritter to head Rezidor until 2012

Rezidor’s group’s president and chief executive Kurt Ritter has announced he will continue to head the hotel company until February 2012.

Ritter has been at the helm of Rezidor for 32 years, including 19 years as the president and chief executive.

Under his leadership, Rezidor has developed five brands and almost 350 hotels with more than 74,000 rooms in operation and under development in 53 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Urban Jansson, chairman of the board of directors of Rezidor said: “This decision will further fortify and ensure the continuity of a strong leadership under which Rezidor has delivered an unparalleled growth.

“Kurt is probably the longest serving chief executive within the industry and we are proud of his achievements and happy to be able to further count on his experience, knowledge and long term view on the business for another three years.”

The company plans to focus its expansion on markets in Russia and the Eastern Bloc, Africa and the Middle East. It is also continuing to look out for management and franchise contracts.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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