-For Immediate Release-
HBA ANNOUNCES NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH
New Appointments Set to Take Leading Interior Design Firm to the Next Level
NEW YORK, NY, (NOVEMBER 21, 2011)— HBA, the global leader in hospitality design, announces today a leadership transition that heralds a new era for the company. In announcing this succession in the management team, HBA paves the way to build on their recent dynamic growth and to further enhance their position as the world's leading hotel design firm.
After 40 years association with HBA, MichaelBedner is to be elevated into the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. Together with Howard Hirsch, MichaelBedner had established HBA in 1964, creating the first firm in the world to offer a comprehensive hospitality design consultancy.
In planning for this transition and the continued brand strategy evolution across all disciplines, HBA established a comprehensive succession plan formulated by the 11 existing global partners. Their aim was to ensure continuity of vision of the firm coupled with strong growth initiatives to strengthen HBA for the future.
Ian Carr and René Kærskov have both been appointed the new Co-CEOs of HBA. René, who has been employed by HBA for more than 20 years, had been the Chief Operating Officer of HBA since 2009 and Ian, who has been employed by HBA more than 15 years, had been President HBA Asia Pacific and responsible for the company’s Asia operations.
IlijaKarlusic and Andrew Moore are the new Co-Presidents of HBA Asia Pacific. Andrew, who has been employed by HBA more than 15 years, was a Principal in the company’s Singapore office and Ilija, employed by HBA more than 15 years, was a Principal in the company’s Hong Kong and Australia offices. Howard Pharr, who has worked with HBA for 30 years, remains the President of HBA Americas, Europe and Middle East.
Other partners completing the new generation of HBA leaders include Inge Moore in London, Connie Puar in Singapore, Alicia Loo, Miguel Baeza, and Kathleen Dauber in Los Angeles, and Mathew Liu in Hong Kong.
In addition, HBA has promoted See Ping Wang to Principal in the company’s Shanghai office. See Ping has worked with HBA since 2007 as Director of Projects in China.
“It’s been an amazing experience to help build the HBA brand over the years,” says Michael Bedner. “I look forward to the next generation of HBA leaders to elevate the group to new heights, taking an ever-increasing role in the hospitality design space internationally.”
“With more than 800 employees in 13 offices on four continents that worked in more than 50 different countries in 2011, HBA is truly a global design firm with an absolute focus on impeccable design and service.” says René Kærskov. “With our new leadership we will continue to expand our presence in all markets to provide our clients with the best solutions to their increasing requirements.”
HBA is set to take on greater roles worldwide with the successful launches of new brands. HBA STUDIO provides design for two to three star brands in China and India. The firm has also added vertical brands including the art consultancy Canvas and the lighting consultancy Illuminate. These new developments help ease the integration of full service for HBA’s clients giving them the best possible property as an end result.
HBA is also continually expanding and finding new opportunities. In Asia, HBA now has more than 500 designers. HBA also sees the "Arab Spring" as an opportunity to enhance their presence and commitment to the Middle Eastern Region. They are currently looking at expanding their regional office in Dubai by more than 30 designers.
New HBA properties scheduled to open in the coming months include Park Hyatt Hyderabad, Jumeirah Maldives, St. Regis Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi and the Four Seasons Guangzhou. For more information, please visit
About HBA
World-renowned as the “Number 1 Hospitality Design Firm” (Interior Design) and winner of six record-breaking awards (2010 Hospitality Design Awards), HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, unveils the world’s most anticipated hotels, resorts, and spas. Leading the hospitality interior design industry since 1964, HBA remains keenly attuned to the pulse of changing industry trends governed by today's sophisticated traveler. The company’s international presence, depth of experience, and detailed industry knowledge enables them to identify interior design trends at their source, make definitive predictions about new directions and innovations, and influence design standards at a global level. HBA’s ultimate objective is to add value, raise standards and enhance the brand of a project's owner and operator.
HBA creates the signature look of traditional luxury brands, independent contemporary boutiques, urban resort spas, world-class residences, restaurants, casinos, and cruise ships. From continent to continent, each HBA interior is the result of a unique and sensitive response to location, architecture, and client vision. With over 800 designers around the globe in 13 offices and a recent expansion in Asia, HBA is a true global company with more than 75% of its employees now outside the United States. HBA’s international presence, combined with its extensive knowledge of the interior design industry, has facilitated the ability to rewrite the language of design with each new project.
For HBA in Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, New Delhi, Dubai and Manila, visit
# # #