Radisson Hotel Group announces the new geographical responsibilities of Area Senior Vice President for Central & Southern Europe (CESE), Yilmaz Yildirimlar, and Area Senior Vice President for Northern Europe, Tom Flanagan Karttunen. Further to their current roles, Yilmaz and Tom have now been appointed as Area Senior Vice Presidents for Eastern Europe, Russia & Turkey (EERUT) and UK, Ireland & Western Europe (UKIWE) respectively.
Yilmaz and Tom, along with Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President for Middle East & Africa, lead EMEA operations for Radisson Hotel Group.
Yilmaz started his career with the Group in Vienna in 1995 and has held several leadership positions at Radisson Blu Hotels in Amsterdam, Manchester and Bucharest. He has served as District Director for South Eastern Europe and Regional Director in Eastern Europe, based in Moscow, until his appointment in 2017 as Area Senior Vice President, Central & Southern Europe. Originally from Turkey, Yilmaz Yildirimlar studied hotel management and holds an MBA in Finance. He has also achieved several degrees in the fields of leadership, real estate and asset management.
Tom joined Radisson Hotel Group more than 20 years ago and has grown within the company, holding different leadership positions in numerous business areas at Radisson Blu Hotels in Copenhagen, Beijing, Manama, Hamburg and Galway. He has served as District Director Turkey, Azerbaijan & China, based in Istanbul, before being appointed as Area Vice President Eastern Europe & Russia, based in Moscow in 2009, and then Area Senior Vice President, Northern Europe. Born in Ireland, Tom holds a Diploma and B.A. Degree in Hotel Management.
The new responsibilities assigned to Yilmaz and Tom signal Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to growing talent.
Chema Basterrechea, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer said: “I am pleased to share the news of the expanded roles of both Yilmaz and Tom. Yilmaz has been driving growth and profitability in CESE, where Radisson Hotel Group has a large number of hotels with a high concentration of leased and fee income results. His previous experience in EERUT, as well as his knowledge of the local markets, teams and owners, will be crucial in leading the area.
“Meanwhile, since joining Radisson Hotel Group more than 20 years ago, Tom has played an integral role in ensuring the progression of business growth. He has a track record of success in leading Northern Europe, one of Radisson Hotel Group’s most mature markets, and is sure to have equal success in UKIWE.”
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