Ian Carter, ceo of Hilton International, has re-shaped his senior management team.
Jurgen Fischer moves from his position as president Europe and Africa to president commercial operations group.
This is a newly created post responsible for sales, marketing, e-commerce and distributions and IT.
Mr Carter, who took up his position in February, has made it clear he believes “operational and commercial excellence” were at the heart of the company's success.
Mr Fischer is replaced as president Europe and Africa by Wolfgang Neumann, president UK and Ireland for the last two and a half years.
His old post is filled by Howard Friedman, formerly president The Americas, a position which Simon Barlow now takes up.
Koos Klein and Jean-Paul Herzog retain their posts, respectively, as president Middle East and Asia Pacific and president Nordics.
Mr Carter said of the changes: “As our customers become more global in their organisation and the Internet becomes increasingly important to our revenues, it is essential that our own structure and priorities adapt to deliver this new reality.
“It is clear that cost efficiencies and better co-ordination will be achieved through a global approach to brand and distribution management.
“The purpose of the Commercial Operations Group is to provide consistent, global leadership and co-ordination of our sales and commercial efforts, all of which should, I believe, benefit both our customers and our shareholders.”
Virgin reports 26% rise in business travel
Virgin Atlantic enjoyed a 26% increase in business class travellers in the 12 months to the end of February.
The carrier cited not only a 5% increase in business class seats, three new destinations and the roll out of its new Upper Class Suite service but also a shift to Virgin from other airlines.
During the years to February, Virgin carried 352,095 business class passengers, a load factor of 56%.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the airline, said the “majority” if the increase came from “grabbing market share from British Airways and our other rivals.”
* Virgin has also announced that it plans to recruit 1500 extra staff over the next 18 months as the airline launches a series of new routes and expands its fleet with new A340-600s.