Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Children
Personal Information
Hobbies and Interests
References
Generic
Kenneth Kerr

Kenneth Kerr

Singapore / Johor Bahru

Summary

A performance-driven and motivational leader is in tune with the pulse of a business. With a legal and financial background, Ken's career led him to specialize in the hospitality industry in finance and development, primarily in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions, where he has held various leadership roles. He founded companies, orchestrated significant expansions, and delivered impressive returns on investment. Ken epitomizes collaborative leadership, maintains the integrity and principles that have guided him throughout his career and is known for his cheerfulness, diplomacy, and sound counsel.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Co-Founder and CEO

Zenya Lofts Inc. Philippines
08.2020 - 05.2023
  • Ken was pivotal in raising USD 25 million in equity (March 2021) and corresponding debt for acquiring and developing ten greenfield sites in Manila within two years.
  • Zenya Lofts offers co-living spaces for 2,000 + residents, enabling affordable living near workplaces for young professionals.
  • Ken led all aspects of business growth, including land acquisitions, legal, banking, and finance.
  • Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze competitor trends.
  • Recruited, interviewed and hired new staff members and developed training materials for employees.
  • Developed marketing materials and campaigns to boost brand awareness and customer engagement.
  • Unfortunately, supply chain disruptions doubled construction and fit-out costs due to the pandemic.
  • Shareholders accepted the increase, but it significantly compromised managements returns, leading to the voluntary sale of the business.

Founder & Executive Director

Red Planet Hotels
01.2008 - 07.2020
  • After offering equal founding shares to three partners in 2009, Ken helped build a business that, upon sale (2020/21), employed 540+ people (both corporate and hotel-based) in 34 locations with 4,991 limited-service hotel rooms.
  • Ken helped raise US$240 million in equity in 2010 and US$70 million from Goldman Sachs in 2016, with an additional US$110 million in a sale and leaseback deal with the bank.
  • By 2019, revenue was US$68.5 million, with an EBITA of US$20 million, from zero in 2010.
  • As one of eight Board members, Ken shared responsibility for the overall running of the business and assumed direct responsibility for sourcing and negotiating the acquisition of 38 land parcels and two existing hotels.
  • Assets acquired in Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
  • Ken set up and led the Philippines regional corporate office out of Manila, which oversaw all aspects of Red Planet's most significant and profitable region, the Philippines.
  • He raised US$22 million debt finance in the Philippines.
  • Red Planet Hotels is a household name in the Philippines.
  • Negotiated terms of business acquisitions to increase business base and solidify market presence, latterly with a focus on Japan.
  • Established and maintained strong relations with strategic partners.
  • Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.

Vice President of Acquisitions and Development, Asia Pacific Region

Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI)
06.2004 - 12.2007
  • As well as acquiring assets for KHI, Ken established and ran Kingdom's Asia Pacific office in Singapore.
  • He deployed USD 800 million + equity during his tenure. Asia ultimately accounted for 48% of KHI's bottom line.
  • Responsible for identifying assets, presenting deals to KHI's Board under Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud's chair, and negotiating and closing the transaction post-approval.
  • Deals were closed in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines.
  • Reporting directly to Kingdom's SVP Acquisition, Tim Hansing, Tim subsequently became Ken's equal equity partner in Red Planet Hotels at Ken's invitation.
  • Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
  • Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • The 2007 financial crisis prompted the Prince to divest his Asia portfolio, KHI's most extensive profit base.
  • Ken was tasked with divesting the assets he had acquired and winding down the business, a challenge he successfully met, resulting in a significant profit for HRH.

Chief Financial Officer (Acting CEO from Mid-2003)

Elegant Hotels Group
01.2002 - 05.2004
  • Seven assets based in Barbados, the Bahamas, and Antigua.
  • Ken was reporting directly to the CEO, and in his absence over the last year, he reported directly to the principal shareholder, Credit Suisse First Boston (New York office, Kinsey Dykeman), as acting CEO.
  • EHG's principal shareholder disposed of their interest in EHG to a private equity fund, concluding EHG's right-sizing and relaunch.
  • When Ken took over, EHG was a loss-making business and, by sale, made EBITDA of nearly US$2 million (savings achieved by restructuring the business, closing two international sales offices, and closing a loss-making hotel).

Vice President, Finance

IHG Middle East & Africa
01.1992 - 12.2001
  • Joining IHG as an Internal Auditor, Ken was promoted to Group Director of Audit worldwide in December 1993 (New York).
  • As Group Director of Audit, he led a team of 10 auditors tasked with auditing the financial systems of IHG's hotel and corporate portfolio.
  • He reported directly to the group's Managing Director, Gavin Simonds.
  • In March ‘96, he was promoted to Vice President of Finance, Asia Pacific (based in Hong Kong, then Singapore).
  • He reported to the Group Financial Controller, Warren Bartle (deceased).
  • Following Bass PLC's acquisition of IHG in 1999, Ken was promoted to VP of Finance, Middle East and Africa and oversaw all aspects of hotel and corporate accounting for that portfolio.
  • He reported to the group CFO, Richard Solomons.

Education

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales -

Price Waterhouse
UK

Law Degree -

Cardiff University, Inns of Court School of Law
UK

Skills

  • Client and Vendor Relationship Building
  • Customer Service
  • Business Development
  • Financial Management
  • Relationship Building
  • Strategic Planning
  • Contract Negotiation and Closing
  • Decision-Making
  • Operations Management
  • Self Motivated and Results Driven
  • Open Minded
  • Team Leadership

Timeline

Co-Founder and CEO

Zenya Lofts Inc. Philippines
08.2020 - 05.2023

Founder & Executive Director

Red Planet Hotels
01.2008 - 07.2020

Vice President of Acquisitions and Development, Asia Pacific Region

Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI)
06.2004 - 12.2007

Chief Financial Officer (Acting CEO from Mid-2003)

Elegant Hotels Group
01.2002 - 05.2004

Vice President, Finance

IHG Middle East & Africa
01.1992 - 12.2001

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales -

Price Waterhouse

Law Degree -

Cardiff University, Inns of Court School of Law

Children

Three children, one adult, two dependents.

Personal Information

  • Nationality: UK,
  • Marital Status: married.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Sailing
  • Travel, preferably with family
  • Running
  • Reading

References

Ken is happy to put you in touch with the following people who can give independent, unbiased professional references:

• Eduardo Saguil, investor and co-founder Zenya Lofts Inc.

• Peter Malone, a major investor in Red Planet Hotels

• Sarmad Zok, Chairman and CEO of Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI)

• Robert Gary Dodds, former Vice President Human Resources, Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Hotels, MEA

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Kenneth Kerr