Alan Watts In his new role, effective January 1, 2018, Watts will oversee the operations of more than 200 Hilton properties across the region, as well as the company's pipeline of more than 375 hotels. Watts will be reporting to Hilton's President & Chief Executive Officer, Christopher J. Nassetta, and serve as a member of the executive committee. Watts takes over the role from Martin Rinck, who over the last nine years led Hilton through historical growth in APAC and helped position the Hilton portfolio of brands as best in class in the region. During his tenure at Hilton, the organization launched several of its award-winning brands including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton, and pursued an ambitious growth strategy that has led to more than 100 trading hotels in China alone. Rinck has long planned to relocate to join his family in Canada, and Watts' transition into the role will allow him to pursue other potential opportunities at Hilton. Watts joins Hilton after an esteemed two-decade career at IHG, where he most recently acted as Chief Operating Officer for IHG's Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region. He was responsible for the company's operations in 280 hotels across six brands and 40 countries and territories, including bringing to life the group's substantial pipeline and brand introductions. Having spent his entire career in the APAC market, with a number of senior leadership roles, Watts is well known and benefits from vast experience. Originally from New Zealand, he is married with two daughters.