Accor Appoints New CEO
by Daine Taylor
Heather McCrory was appointed as chief executive officer for the North and Central American branch of Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies. Photo: Shutterstock.com.
Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has announced the appointment of Heather McCrory as chief executive officer for the North and Central American branch.
The French-based company is one of the largest hotel groups in the world outside of the U.S., with nearly 4,800 hotels, resorts and private residences.
In her new position, McCrory will have strategic oversight for over 115 hotels and more than 28,000 employees across North and Central America. Accor brands include: Fairmont, Sofitel, Delano, SLS, Banyan Tree, Pullman, Swissôtel, 21c Museum Hotels – MGallery Hotel Collection, Mondrian, Hyde, Novotel, Mama Shelter, ibis and ibis Styles.
McCrory will also serve as a member of the group’s executive committee.
Chris Cahill, deputy CEO of Accor hotel operations and luxury brands, said “I am pleased to welcome Heather to our group’s executive committee and into her new role as chief executive officer overseeing the successful operation and expansion of Accor brands throughout North and Central America.”
McCrory has an extensive background spanning more than 30 years in the hospitality industry. She most recently served as executive vice president of operations, North and Central America region, for Accor, a position which offered her wide-ranging oversight of hotel operations, technology, design and technical services. She also serves as the executive sponsor for North and Central America for RiiSE, Accor’s international network dedicated to promoting diversity.
In 2018, she chaired the first annual Women on the RiiSE Forum, bringing together more than 60 female industry leaders from throughout the region for professional and personal development.
An active leader in the hospitality industry, McCrory is the past chair of Tourism Toronto; past vice chair of the board of directors for the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC); as well as a past board member of the Ontario Breast Cancer Association. In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious Pinnacle Award for Hotelier of the Year from Hotelier Magazine; and in 2014, was honored with the Gold Award for Hotelier by the Ontario Hostelry Institute.
