ISHC Rising Star Award Goes to Kieran Bestall of Hilton at HICAP

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), in partnership with the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), presented Kieran Bestall with the Rising Star Award Asia. Bestall was presented the award during plenary session at HICAP on 19 October 2018 at the Kerry Hotel Hong Kong.

Bestall is the Senior Director of Development in Asia for Hilton Worldwide and is responsible for expanding Hilton's portfolio of brands across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. Bestall was nominated by Benjamin Hirasawa, ISHC, Partner and Head of Hospitality for Asia of law firm Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore Pte Ltd. Hirasawa had this to say about Bestall, "Kieran has helped spearhead Hilton's growth in the region, closing numerous high profile transactions in difficult emerging markets. Kieran's EQ enables him to deftly handle difficult negotiations with owners from different cultural backgrounds and balance the sometimes competing interests of getting deals across the line while ensuring that Hilton is not exposed to excessive risk often inherent in emerging markets. This particular skill has enabled him to close several high profile and multi property transactions."

ISHC Executive Director Andrea Belfanti commented, "We are honored to be a part of the Rising Star Award Asia in partnership with HICAP. The nominations we received represent the very best and brightest in our industry. It was humbling and inspiring to see what the nominees are achieving, especially at such a young age. Kieran has had a particularly impressive career and has worked for companies like Alila, Marriott, and HVS. But more than his career accomplishments, he is known for having excellent interpersonal skills, being cool under pressure, being universally well liked by his peers, and having an upbeat attitude. I know we will continue to see great things from him and it is obvious that he is a deserving recipient."

ISHC launched the Rising Star Award Asia Pacific in 2014 in partnership with HICAP to recognize young, emerging leaders in the Asia Pacific hospitality community. Nomination criteria requires an individual be 35 years or younger, currently working and living in Asia and working in the hospitality development and/or investment field. Past Rising Star Award Asia Pacific recipients include Peter Harper (2017), Kiichi Mashita (2016), Nihat Ercan (2015) and Christopher Hur (2014).