HRG restructures its European operations, appoints four MDs

Corporate services company Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) has appointed four European Managing Directors as part of its restructuring programme in Europe.

The initiative will enable HRG to operate on a Europe-wide basis, rather than by country, and will reflect the growing international focus of HRG’s multinational clients.  At the same time, the new organisation will improve service to national clients.   

“Providing our clients with a truly seamless operation in Europe is something that we’ve been planning for some time. The restructure allows us to further break down the barriers to business that can sometimes exist between countries,” said Reto Bacher, Regional President for HRG in Europe. “This European initiative follows the successful integration last year of HRG’s operations in the United States and Canada to form HRG North America.”

HRG has appointed four European Managing Directors, each with specific areas of responsibility in Europe and with significant input on the wider global stage:

·          Europe North will be headed by Hans Holmen (previously Managing Director of HRG Nordic), who is based in Stockholm, Sweden.
·          Europe Central is now led by Beat Bürer (previously Managing Director for HRG Switzerland) who is based in Zurich, Switzerland.
·          Europe West will be headed by Peter Kite (formerly Managing Director of HRG UK) who is based in Farnborough, UK.
·          Europe Multinational Services (covering all client services functions for HRG’s key managed clients across the region) is now controlled by Ian Windsor (previously Operations Director Europe). Ian is based in Farnborough, UK.

The company has also been developing a radically different technology platform, HRG Universal Super Platform (USP).

“HRG USP is based on leading-edge industry standard technology and provides one seamless international environment for all services.  Developed in-house, HRG USP provides the flexibility required to meet specific client needs while also delivering the benefits of global coverage and consistent standards. Both in-house and third-party products and services can be integrated with the platform to achieve a tailored solution. The benefits of the flexibility and control that HRG USP offers are substantial not least in providing the best possible deals from the widest possible market through one single source,” said Bacher. 

Another important service improvement is HRG’s commitment to linking up travel reservation centres in the UK, Hungary, Sweden, Singapore and Canada which will allow HRG to adopt a ‘follow the sun’ strategy with service centres providing continuous support for clients regardless of geographic location or time of day.