IHG Appoints Mark Winterton as GM of voco Orchard Singapore

(10 Nov 2021)  Mark Winterton has returned to Singapore as General Manager of the voco Orchard, ahead of the hotel’s rebrand from Hilton on 1 January 2022.

Joining him at the hotel is Sahil Rahat who has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing, and Walid Ouezini who will join the property as Hotel Manager in January.

Mark has spent most of his career with IHG. In 2001 he was working in Bristol, England as Operations Manager for the Holiday Inn Bristol Flinton.

From there, he moved to London as EAM of the Crowne Plaza London - The City and later received his first posting as GM at the Holiday Inn London Regents Park.

Mark Winterton has been appointed General Manager of the voco Orchard Singapore

It was not long after, that Mark was given the opportunity to manage one of the world's best airport hotels, and he returned to Singapore in 2007 as GM of the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport.

Mark's experience as hotel GM also includes time spent at the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay and InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, before he was appointed AGM.

Mark returns to Singapore from Australia this time, where he was working most recently as IHG's Area General Manager Regional New South Wales and General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

He will lead the strategic positioning of the hotel on Orchard Road as the first voco Hotel to open in South East Asia and spearheading the pre-opening conversion.

“It is truly good to be back in Singapore and have the opportunity to introduce the unstuffy charm of voco Hotels to the region,” said Mark Winterton. “Positioned as a lifestyle hotel along the vibrant Orchard Road, we look to inject a dose of voco vibrancy into this iconic property. We invite all guests to ‘come on in’ where you will be greeted by familiar faces of our long-serving colleagues from the hotel, and its staple restaurants and bars. Rekindle old friendships and spark new memories with us at voco Orchard Singapore.”

Prior to joining voco Orchard Singapore as DOSM, Sahil Rahat held dual responsibilities as Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue, and acting Director of Operations at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre. He has been with IHG for more than 10 years.

A familiar face at this iconic hotel on Orchard Road, Walid Ouezini has led operations since he joined as Hotel Manager in 2019. An inspirational leader, Walid has been instrumental in spearheading major projects for the property. Post-rebranding, he will continue to take on the role as Hotel Manager effective 1 January 2022, and lead daily hotel operations. Walid started his career in F&B and has over 18 years of hospitality industry experience across luxury and lifestyle brands in France, Tunisia, Maldives and South East Asia.

voco Orchard Singapore

When it opens on 1 January 2022, the voco Orchard Singapore will offer 423 rooms, four restaurants and bars, and more than 1,750 sqm of meeting and event space.

The hotel will be IHG’s 12th property in Singapore and its seventh brand in the country where it joins Regent, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.