Mr. James Young is an international executive with significant multi-unit and multi-brand experience at both operational and corporate levels across Europe, the Middle East, and South-East Asia. Having worked in nine different countries, he possesses strong cultural understanding and empathy.
Mr. Young is known as a communicator and an enabler, comfortable working at all levels of a business.
Education and Qualifications
Mr. Young is a strong believer in continuous education, holding advanced academic qualifications:
- An MBA with Distinction from the University of Bradford School of Management (2014–2017), with electives including International Business in Emerging Economies and Entrepreneurship.
- A B.Sc. (Hons) in International Hospitality and Tourism with First Class Honours from Sheffield Hallam University (2011–2012).
He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality (FIH) and completed the Executive Education Programme, “Steering Complex Projects,” at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.
His key strengths include Leading and developing people, Creating vision and delivering growth, Multi-unit and regional leadership, Managing risk and uncertainty, and Development from feasibility studies to opening.
Lecturing and Consulting Experience
Mr. Young has lectured on diverse hospitality and business-related topics at universities in Vietnam, the UK, and Thailand.
- Recent university engagements have included topics such as “Risk management in service industries” and “Managing across cultures”.
- Currently, he is the founder of Sparren Consulting, a registered company in Vietnam established to assist owners, operators, and individuals across the hospitality spectrum (March 2024 Onwards).
Senior Leadership and Achievements
Mr. Young has held prominent leadership positions, particularly within the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG):
- Director of Operations – Luxury and Lifestyle for IHG Australasia/Pacific (March 2023 – March 2024): He provided overall leadership and direction for luxury lifestyle brands, overseeing the operations and performance of 15 hotels (including iconic properties like InterContinental Sydney), with revenues in excess of $350 million.
- Area General Manager Indochina at InterContinental Asiana Saigon, IHG (Jan 2014 – Mar 2016): He was responsible for six other IHG hotels in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, with a combined turnover of more than US$100 million.
During his tenure, the hotel was awarded “Asia’s Leading City Hotel” and “Vietnam’s Leading Conference Hotel” at the 2014 and 2015 World Travel Awards.
He also supported the opening of InterContinental Nha Trang and the pre-opening of Crowne Plaza Vientiane.
- Vice President Resource Planning & Development at WMC Group Vietnam (Apr 2016 – Apr 2017): He was actively involved in owner negotiations for both new builds and acquisitions with major hospitality groups, including Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, and Rosewood
