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NEWS
Starwood CEO resigns 'by mutual agreement'
POSTED 17 Feb 2015 . BY Helen Andrews
van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the leadership transition Credit: Starwood
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide’s CEO, president and director Frits van Paasschen has resigned “by mutual agreement” with the company’s board of directors.

Adam Aron, a director of the company since 2006, will take over the CEO role on an interim basis while the board interviews both internal and external candidates for a more permanent appointment.

van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the leadership transition.

Chair of the board Bruce Duncan thanked van Paasschen for his contribution and said the things the board will concentrate on now include “accelerating Starwood’s growth, improving performance and sharpening its focus on operational excellence.”

Aron has experience in the hospitality industry, as a former CEO of both Vail Resorts – an owner and operator of ski resorts and hotels – and Norwegian Cruise Line.
PROJECT PROFILE:

Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa
Starwood’s Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa has opened in the historic Turtle Bay of Balaclava on the north west coast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Located 15km (9m) from the island’s leisure hub Grand Baie and 15km (9m) from the capital of Port-Louis, the 190-key resort is spread across 10 hectares (25 acres) of land.

Location: Westin Turtle Bay , Mauritius
Size: 10 hectares (25 acres)

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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Starwood CEO resigns 'by mutual agreement'
POSTED 17 Feb 2015 . BY Helen Andrews
van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the leadership transition Credit: Starwood
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide’s CEO, president and director Frits van Paasschen has resigned “by mutual agreement” with the company’s board of directors.

Adam Aron, a director of the company since 2006, will take over the CEO role on an interim basis while the board interviews both internal and external candidates for a more permanent appointment.

van Paasschen will continue with Starwood as a consultant to assist in the leadership transition.

Chair of the board Bruce Duncan thanked van Paasschen for his contribution and said the things the board will concentrate on now include “accelerating Starwood’s growth, improving performance and sharpening its focus on operational excellence.”

Aron has experience in the hospitality industry, as a former CEO of both Vail Resorts – an owner and operator of ski resorts and hotels – and Norwegian Cruise Line.
RELATED STORIES
Le Meridien Columbus hotel debuts in Ohio


The Le Meridien Columbus hotel has opened in the Joseph, a US$68m (€49m, £40m) mixed-use development in the Short North neighbourhood of Columbus, Ohio, US.
Christian Kiefer moves from Starwood to private equity firm


Christian Kiefer, director of spa and leisure for Starwood’s Middle Eastern St Regis brand, is leaving five-star hospitality to work for a private equity firm, focusing on business expansion and operations at 17 wellness centres in Dubai.
JHM Interstate Hotels & Resorts plans India exit


Hotel management firm JHM Interstate India Hotels & Resorts, a joint venture between US hospitality firms Interstate Hotels & Resorts and JHM Hotels, is preparing to shut down its operations in India.
Renowned yoga master leads personal programmes at The Andaman


Renowned Nepalese yoga master Ekrah Gajurel, whose fans include musician Sting and the Prince of Jodhpur, is leading the newly launched yoga and detox programme at Starwood’s The Andaman, A Luxury Collection Hotel on Langkawi island in Malaysia.
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Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
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+ More featured suppliers  
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The Wellness

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+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS