In this role, Brar will be responsible for delivering on the Group’s technology strategy for the North & Central America region with a focus on optimizing performance, supporting existing and new hotels, delivering projects, and building partner relationships. She will sit on the Accor North & Central America management committee, with dual reporting lines to Carla Milovanov, Global Senior Vice President, Customer Technology Services, and Heather McCrory, Chief Executive Officer, North & Central America.
A seasoned hospitality professional with more than 30 years of experience, Brar most recently served as General Manager for the historic Fairmont Empress in Victoria, overseeing the $60 million renovation and repositioning of the iconic property. She previously held Hotel and General Manager positions at Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver; Fairmont Battery Wharf in Boston; The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel in New York City; and Fairmont Winnipeg.
“In North & Central America, we support Accor’s ambition to build iconic and leading brands, to extend our global presence, to develop the leadership potential in our employees, and to strive to make a positive impact; all of which requires progressive technology,” said McCrory. “Brar’s extensive experience leading hotels across the US and Canada equips her with invaluable insights and a hotel-centric perspective which will prove powerful when paired with our talented technology team and resources. Additionally, Brar’s role on the management committee will elevate the function, and ensure that it is a top strategic priority in everything that we do.”
“Technology has proven a critical driver for our industry. But it’s about more than the latest tools and platforms; technology’s true potential lies in the ability to deploy those tools and platforms intuitively and effectively to enhance the relationships we build and the experiences we create for our guests and employees,” said Brar. “I’m in a unique position in that I’ve experienced what this means on the hotel side, and now, I’m thrilled to be able to play a critical role in bringing this to life for Accor North & Central America. It is an incredible opportunity to help our hotels thrive in an era driven by technology and empower our teams as we continue to reinvent and transform in order to anticipate, meet and exceed stakeholder expectations.”
The appointment is a key role within Accor’s Customer Technology Services team serving partners and hotels globally and across the region. The announcement further signifies the Group’s focus on technology and digital services transformation.
Brar holds an MBA from Queens University, Smith School of Business, and her CHA designation. She is based at the Accor North & Central America hub headquarters in Toronto.
###
About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality Group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing luxury and premium brands, midscale and economy offerings, unique Lifestyle concepts, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor also boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and approximately 260,000 team members worldwide. Over 68 million members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program ALL - Accor Live Limitless - a daily Lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.