JLL appoints EMEA head of operator selection

JLL has strengthened its EMEA Hotels Capital Market’s team by appointing Heidi Schmidtke as its new head of operator selection in its EMEA Hotels and Hospitality business.

In her new role, Schmidtke will lead a dedicated team and establish JLL’s EMEA Hotels and Hospitality business line as a “first mover” in the industry to launch an Operator Selection platform. 

This service will enable clients to unlock value from hotel and hospitality assets within their portfolios and for new projects. JLL said the selection of the best suitable operating partner and the negotiation of competitive contractual terms will “enhance the profitability of the client, increase the liquidity for the assets and align stakeholders behind investment objectives”.

Schmidtke has a “significant” record with more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality and capital markets business. She holds the position of managing director of Hotels and Hospitality at JLL. 

In her new role, she will connect an expanding team of hotel industry professionals at JLL who will draw on their ability to facilitate the next phase of growth for the business in this priority market. She will continue to report to William Duffey, head of EMEA Hotels Capital Markets.

Duffey said: “We are delighted to welcome Heidi to her new role as EMEA Head of Operator Selection. 

“Her in-depth market knowledge, long-standing connections, and strong understanding of the themes shaping the sector make her a valuable asset to our team, particularly at a time as we aim to establish our Operator Selection platform with global knowledge and local reach, ensuring one voice to all stakeholders.”