Worldwide: Starwood Capital Group has promoted Arash Azarbarzin to CEO of its subsidiary company, SH Hotels & Resorts.
Azarbarzin succeeds Starwood Capital chairman, Barry Sternlicht. Sternlicht is to remain chairman and will continue to be involved with the organisation.
With more than 30 years of experience, Azarbarzin has worked in leadership roles at St. Regis Hotels, W Hotels, Four Season Hotels, and as a founding member at SBE hotel group.
Last year, he joined the board of directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
In Azarbarzin’s three years as president of SH Hotels & Resorts, he spearheaded the successful openings of 1 Hotel West Hollywood and 1 Hotel Haitang Bay in China, and launched the Treehouse Hotels brand. Following his promotion, he will continue to oversee the 1 Hotels and Treehouse brands, as well as Baccarat Hotels.
Sternlicht commented: “I am delighted to promote Arash to the role of CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts to help lead the growth of the company and its brands across the world. Over the last year, the industry has experienced tremendous upheaval and Arash has shown steady leadership and helped position us for a bright future. I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to see significant increases in guest satisfaction, build excellence in SH Hotels & Resorts, as well as true advocacy for our overall mission of sustainability in everything we do.”
Azarbarzin will lead the company’s expansion in cities including Paris, London, Copenhagen, Toronto and Manchester (UK), as well as domestic expansion in San Francisco, Miami, Nashville (Tennessee), and Kauai (Hawaii).
