The appointments of Mark Willis and Yigit Sezgin follow parent company, Accor’s, move to consolidate its brands into two divisions: a premium, midscale division as well as a luxury and lifestyle division.
Mark Willis
As the Chief Executive Officer of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Mark Willis is responsible for the luxury brand’s revered portfolio of more than 100 hotels in operation and under development globally. He brings to the role more than three decades of high-level industry experience with international hospitality brands IHG and Sun International, as well as the Radisson Hotel Group where he spent many years in senior leadership positions, including Senior Vice President Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
Mark holds an MBA in International Business from Oxford University and has completed several senior management programmes at Cornell University.
He was the Chief Executive Officer for India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey at Accor, overseeing a portfolio of more than 520 hotels in operation and development among 20 brands.
Yigit Sezgin
As Chief Brand & Commercial Officer of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Yigit is responsible for leading the entire brand and commercial strategy. He brings more than 25 years of experience with international luxury brands across 8 cities including Ritz-Carlton, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and BLG Capital Fund.
He takes the job after four years as Chief Commercial Officer for Accor IMEAT, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 425 hotels across 42 brands in 41 countries, in charge of all commercial functions, mergers & acquisitions, lifestyle platform and integrations.
Yigit holds a proven track record especially in emerging markets with strong experience in M&A, integrations, leadership, strategic marketing, brand management, commercial performance and business development.
Yigit holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, from Bosphorus University.
