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Centara Hotels & Resorts has appointed Markland Blaiklock to the role of deputy chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Blaiklock will be responsible for steering the continued expansion of Centara, which aims to double both its revenues and number of properties over the next five years.
Blaiklock returns to Centara in an expanded capacity having previously served as the company’s chief operating officer in 2015.
He has held senior executive positions with Le Meridien, Shangri-La, Raffles and Accor hotel groups, in Asia and North America.
He is a Canadian national educated in England and France.
Centara created the new deputy chief executive position and brought in the experienced executive to focus on the company’s ambitious growth plans over the next five years and beyond.
Blaiklock will also oversee operations, human resources, sales, marketing, business development and legal services.
Centara has been expanding outside its base in Thailand, where it operates 32 properties.
The company currently has 67 properties open or under development across 13 countries in south-east Asia, the Indian Ocean, China, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
The next phase of growth will see Centara become an even more significant regional brand with properties opening in China, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Qatar and the UAE.
Centara manages a diverse brand portfolio catering to the needs of key business and leisure travel segments.
Its properties range from large, upscale city hotels and convention centres, to elite island resorts and economy products.
Blaiklock’s operational experience will also be put to work leading improvement of Centara’s technical platforms and systems, ensuring the company’s core infrastructure supports its vision for global expansion.
Centara chief executive, Thirayuth Chirativat, said: “We are delighted to have Markland back with Centara.
“This new position is an important component in our growth plans and his proven leadership qualities will help us accomplish our goals.”
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