Hyatt appoints new head of EAME and announces first Scotland hotel

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has appointed Javier Águila incoming group president of the group’s Europe, Africa & Middle East (EAME) region, following the planned retirement of Peter Fulton.

Águila will assume the role in the coming months having most recently served as group president of Apple Leisure Group’s (ALG) AMResorts Europe and global strategy. Hyatt acquired ALG last year. Águila joined ALG in 2019 as part of its acquisition of Alua Hotels & Resorts, which Águila founded and led as chief executive.

The transition comes with a planned geographic realignment for the region, moving oversight of the Indian subcontinent under the leadership of David Udell, group president Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong.

Chuck Floyd, global president of operations, Hyatt, said: “The Hyatt family is grateful for Peter’s leadership and impact throughout a career that spans almost four decades and three global regions. In his latest role as group president, EAME/SWA, which Peter assumed in 2013, he has presided over operational excellence and unprecedented growth for the region.

“Javier’s appointment is yet another milestone in bringing Hyatt and ALG’s joint vision to life. Adding ALG to our portfolio increased Hyatt’s European brand footprint by 60% and I am confident Javier is the ideal candidate to continue the region’s positive trajectory and lead the team to new heights.”

Meanwhile, the group has also announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered a franchise agreement with the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) to open the Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket in mid-2025. The 349-room property will mark the first Hyatt hotel in Scotland.

Located less than 1,000 feet from the EICC, Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will be a part of the Haymarket Edinburgh development, which will include office blocks and retail units. In collaboration with Edinburgh College, the EICC development will also include a hospitality training academy.

The full-service lifestyle hotel will have 349 bedrooms, a gym and four meeting rooms, as well as dining experiences including six different rotating street food brands. The hotel is being designed as a sustainable and upscale property by Foster + Partners, while interiors are being designed by Ica.

Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will join 16 Hyatt-branded properties across the UK and will mark the second Hyatt Centric hotel in the country, joining Hyatt Centric Cambridge. Hyatt’s global portfolio includes more than 1,150 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 71 countries.

Felicity Black-Roberts, Hyatt’s vice-president development for Europe and North Africa, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Edinburgh International Conference Center on Hyatt Centric Haymarket Edinburgh, which will mark the Hyatt Centric brand’s entry into one of the world’s most celebrated capital cities. This new-build development demonstrates Hyatt’s commitment to growing its portfolio of lifestyle brands across the UK, in locations that matter most to our guests, members, customers, and owners.”