Multi-brand hotel operator CHI Hotels & Resorts (CHI) announced the appointment of leading marketing and IT expert Brian Pratt as its senior vice-president for distribution, loyalty programmes, partnerships and management information systems, based at the company’s headquarters in Malta.

Brian has over 25 years experience in the hospitality business and was most recently vice president for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he was responsible for all marketing initiatives, customer-facing technology, business development, strategic planning, online advertising and customer acquisition for the entire brand portfolio of St. Regis, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels, Four Points Hotels, The Luxury Collection and Le Meridien Hotels. He was also vice-president e-commerce, e-business and customer technology for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In his earlier career, Brian gained valuable hands-on experience as a software consultant overseeing projects for Bank of Boston and Ford Motor.

In his new appointment at CHI, Brian will administer the company’s Distribution of rooms, Internet presence, Loyalty programme, Partnerships and Technology.

Welcoming Brian Pratt to the company, CHI chief executive officer and managing director Tony Potter said “Brian brings a real global perspective to the company, having lived and operated from Brussels, Boston, New York and Hong Kong amongst others. I am confident that he will add a new dimension and capability to our business, and feel that he is joining the team at a most interesting time in terms of our rapid development and brand focus. Brian’s expertise is a considerable addition to our online marketing resources and together with his dedicated team, he will no doubt help us achieve a quantum leap in our progress.”

A US national, Brian Pratt is a Member of the Marketing Board of Directors, the Information Technology Board of Directors and the Internet Marketing Association. He is married, has three boys and in his free time is a rugby coach.