Aimbridge Hospitality expands global growth leadership team

Aimbridge Hospitality, the global hospitality management company and the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, has named industry veterans Tiffany Cooper and Niall Kelly to its expanding global growth leadership team led by Aimbridge’s chief global growth officer Allison Reid. Cooper joins as chief development officer – Americas and Caribbean, and Kelly assumes the role of head of Development – EMEA. Aimbridge said the hiring of these “seasoned leaders” in key leadership positions represents the company’s on-going investment in “securing top industry talent and driving growth through focused operational and development expertise to deliver superior results for owners”. Cooper brings nearly three decades of sales and marketing, operations, and development experience to Aimbridge. As chief development officer – Americas and Caribbean, she will lead the deal team and implement plans that support the company’s strategic vision of growing its portfolio mix and global footprint across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Cooper most recently served as head of Development, North America and Caribbean for Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants where she was responsible for delivering growth to the Kimpton brand by expanding its development pipeline and national presence through new hotel projects. Cooper began her hospitality career with Kimpton in sales in 1995 and rose through positions at top global hotel companies, including Starwood Hotels and Resorts where she managed property sales teams as well as led development opportunities for the Western US for the Real Estate Group. Post-merger with Marriott International, Cooper joined the development team to assist the expansion of Marriott’s full service and luxury brand footprint Meanwhile, as head of Development – EMEA, Kelly will lead Aimbridge’s European development team and unit growth in a strategically important market for the company. He brings more than 25 years of significant deal-making experience with over 220 hotel transactions involving deal negotiation and deal structuring in international markets. Most recently, Kelly served as a development consultant to Marriott International, undertaking various deal structures from complex leases and residential deals to management and franchise. Prior to his consulting work, Kelly served as VP of Development-EAME for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide where he oversaw the significant growth of Starwood's brand presence in Europe, including the introduction of new brands like W, Aloft, and Element. Kelly’s responsibilities incorporated the full range of development activities from franchise and management contract negotiation through individual asset and portfolio acquisitions. Commenting on the appointments, Reid said: “I am delighted to welcome Tiffany and Niall to our global growth leadership team as we continue to evolve and strengthen strategies that directly support portfolio expansion and drive margin improvements for Aimbridge, our owners and brand partners. “Their unique combination of skills and deep expertise in their respective markets, along with successful runs in franchise, brand, and real estate development are invaluable assets that will help fuel Aimbridge’s continued growth on a global scale."