JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group has appointed Mike Batchelor its new Asia CEO, succeeding Scott Hetherington, who is stepping into the role of Chairman.

Batchelor has been managing director, investment sales Asia, since 2007 and has nearly 25 years of experience in the sector. He will take the overall responsibility for the strategic direction and growth of JLL’s hotels business in Asia, while being based in Singapore.

Having joined the group in 1995 as Head of Brokerage in Australia before moving to the regional role, Batchelor lead and developed the investment sales team in Asia. He was also instrumental in the sale of a number of high profile assets, including the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Singapore, Laguna Beach Resort Phuket, Grand Park Orchard Hotel Singapore, and the InterContinental Hong Kong.

The group has also promoted Nihat Ercan, who joined JLL in 2002, to head of investment sales, Asia.