Tourism and hospitality industry veteran Jennie Chua will be the new chief executive officer of the Ascott Group from August 1.

Tourism and hospitality industry veteran Jennie Chua will be the new chief executive officer of the Ascott Group from August 1.

Ms Chua will succeed Cameron Ong, Ascott’s managing director and CEO, who has resigned to pursue his personal interests, the company said yesterday.

Ms Chua is already a non-executive director of Ascott and a member of its executive committee since January this year. She was president and CEO of Raffles Holdings from April 2003 to January 2007.

‘With Jennie’s solid track record and experience in the international hospitality industry, she will be able to lead Ascott to new heights by strengthening the management bench strength in Asia, Australia, Europe and the new markets in oil rich countries,’ said Ascott’s deputy chairman and CapitaLand CEO Liew Mun Leong.

After graduating from the school of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, Ms Chua launched her career in the tourism and hospitality industry. She has been honoured with numerous awards, both from Singapore and abroad, in her over 30 years in the industry.

While welcoming Ms Chua as CEO, Ascott chairman Lim Chin Beng also noted Mr Ong’s 12 years of contribution to the group, including playing a key role in leading Ascott’s expansion internationally.

Source: The Business Times, 03 July 2007