Hilton Hotel boss David Michels will become a non-executive director of airline easyJet from 6 March.

The Hilton Group chief executive is thought to be in-line to pocket around £9m after the company’s takeover by American-owned Hilton Hotels Corporation (HCC).

Michels is joining HCC in a consultancy role once the deal completes to help integrate the two businesses, following December’s £3.3b reunification.

At easyJet he will become chairman of the airline’s remuneration committee, a member of its audit committee and its senior independent non-executive director.

easyJet chairman Sir Colin Chandler said of Michels appointment: “He brings an unrivalled understanding of the leisure and travel industries, a wealth of PLC experience and strong international experience in well-known, consumer facing brands.”

Michels became group chief executive of Hilton in 2000. He was previously Hilton International chief executive and also chief executive of Stakis hotels, which was bought by Hilton in 1999.

By Chris Druce

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