By SIOW NAN YEE

Sunway Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality division of Malaysian conglomerate Sunway Group, has appointed André Scholl as its new CEO.

Scholl is a Swiss national and the hotel group said his immediate focus is to steer the company’s strategy, enhance its operational excellence and support the future growth of its properties as well as maximise the potential of the brand’s footprint, especially in the traditional and new markets, and to achieve greater yield.

“The new CEO will bring diverse international exposure, sound business and financial acumen, providing directions for planned hotel expansions, renovations, new openings and re-developments, including re-engineering of operating business models in socio-political and economic landscapes.

“With a keen focus on staff development and guest experience, Scholl’s life-long immersion is anchored on the belief in taking care of staff, and staff will, in turn, take care of the guests and the business will take care of itself,” the group noted in a statement.

Scholl said he is confident the company will be able to build on towards achieving Sunway’s new vision of becoming Asia’s model corporation in sustainable development.

Prior to joining Sunway Hotels & Resorts, Scholl was the group senior VP of operations for Regent Hotels & Resorts. He had also served as the COO for the Marco Polo Hotels in Hong Kong, China and the Philippines.