Steve Cassidy is Senior Vice President & Managing Director, UK, Ireland and Israel for Hilton, and is responsible for the company’s multi-brand 170 strong portfolio across the region. He joined Hilton in 2009 to lead revenue management across Europe, Middle East and Africa and now heads up the business in the UK, Ireland and Israel, including responsibility for both managed and franchise hotels. Prior to Hilton Steve qualified as an acountant in the early years of his British Airways career and went on to a number of senior positions including chief commercial officer for BA’s regional airline as well as managing the airline’s cargo business in Africa, Asia and Australiasia, based in Hong Kong. During Steve’s time leading the region, Hilton’s UK & Ireland business has nearly doubled. He has overseen a transformation in the business, introducing new brands and operating models to strengthen returns. In addition Steve leads Energy and Environment across Europe, Middle East and Africa, helping to drive the company’s Travel with Purpose ESG commitments. His hotel portfolio, now stretching across 10 of Hilton’s brands, includes London Hilton on Park Lane, Hart Shoreditch, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hilton Bankside, Conrad Dublin and Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem. This year saw the opening of Hampton by Hilton London City, which becomes the 42nd of Hilton’s fastest growing brand in the UK. As a business of people serving people, Steve passionately supports creating a strong culture to ensure that Hilton team members thrive. In the UK, where the company has more than 17,000 team members Hilton has achieved top three positioning for Great Place to Work for the last five years, and is the number one hospitality company. He is particularly proud of the deep partnerships formed with The Aurora Group and the Down Sydrome Association’s Workfit programme which have seen hundreds of young people with learning disabilities gain valuable work experience and jobs at Hilton hotels. Steve is chair of UKHospitality which represents 750 companies operating around 100,000 venues across the country. UKHospitality has been instrumental in voicing the challenges faced by the industry and the benefits it brings as the third largest private sector employer in the UK which contributes £130bn in economic activity for the country. As Chair of Trustees for the Hilton UK Foundation, Steve leads a team that seeks to partner with organisations committed to creating a better world to travel and building a brighter future for the next generation. Foundation awards have already been made to a number of organisations including The Aurora Group, The Right Course, Springboard,and Down´s Syndrome Association. With two sons, Steve has enjoyed managing a local community boys football team over the past ten years and enjoys playing golf and running.