Liz Dixon
Summary
Experienced technology leader with proven track record in driving strategic IT Initiatives and transformation within the hospitality sector. Expertise includes enterprise architecture, governance and team leadership. Committed to aligning technology with business objectives to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Vice President, Information Technology, EMEA
Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA
2020.02 - 2026.05
- Senior technology leader for EMEA, reporting to President, EMEA, with dotted line to CIO, and serving on both EMEA Executive Committee and Global IT Leadership Team. Held accountability for regional technology strategy, hotel technology, governance, privacy, security and service delivery across large multi-brand and independent hotel portfolio.
- Led technology strategy and operations for over 100 hotels in EMEA ensuring compliance, and operational excellence.
- Drove business transformation through technology advancements, aligning regional goals with business priorities.
- Cybersecurity, privacy, resilience, and risk management across region to protect organisation and ensure regulatory compliance, aligned with global business and brand requirements.
- Led data and information strategy, including governance, quality, reporting, and enablement of decision-making.
- Built and led high-performing teams, including organisational design, capability development, and succession planning.
- Managed strategic vendors and partner relationships, including sourcing, contracts, performance, and value delivery.
- Advised executive team and board on technology opportunities, risks, and innovation, as well as broader business opportunities and challenges.
- Supported M&A, integrations, expansion, and organisational change where technology was critical enabler.
- Set governance and operating standards across technology, security, change, and service management.
Director, Openings & Transitions – IT, International
Interstate Hotels & Resorts (now Aimbridge Hospitality)
2017.01 - 2020.01
- Oversaw IT scope for all hotel openings, transitions, rebrand, and renovations across multiple regions and brands.
- Delivered IT scope for 30+ new builds, 12 rebrand, and numerous transitions.
- Managed outsourced project management resources and ensured delivery against scope, risk, and budget.
- Strengthened brand relationships and ensured compliance with property technology standards.
- PCI-DSS attestations
- Led complex technology programmes across existing hotels, new build and transitions
- Enhanced hotel systems standards and supported IT-related capex and operational planning
- Developed training, onboarding process and change management processes.
IT Project Manager → Systems Manager
Chardon Management Ltd / Interstate Hotels
2005.01 - 2017.01
- Joined to support major rebrand of six Hilton to Holiday Inns; role evolved into decade-long leadership position overseeing systems across growing portfolio.
- Developed all processes, standards, and baselines for trading hotels, openings, and network security.
- Built one of earliest PCI-DSS programmes in UK hospitality sector.
- Led IT scope for transition of Chardon Management Ltd into Interstate Hotels.
- Established strong relationships with US teams and global brand partners.
Hotel Operations & Area Revenue Management roles
IHG Hotels & Resorts
1989.01 - 2006.01
- Progressed through variety of operational roles covering all areas of hotel before moving into Area Revenue Management, overseeing revenue strategy across multiple properties.
- Gained deep operational experience across all hotel functions.
- Strengthened commercial performance through improved forecasting, pricing, and revenue strategy.
- Built operational and commercial foundations that underpin later technology leadership roles.
Education
Tadcaster Grammar School
Tadcaster, North YorkshireCIPP/E - Privacy
IAPP
Prince2 - Project Management
QA
Skills
- Global business acumen
- New openings and transitions expertise
- Corporate governance understanding
- Executive decision-making
- Enterprise software
- Cybersecurity strategy
- Tech vendor negotiation
- Technology transformation
- Customer relationship management
- Team Leadership
Certification
- CIPP/E – Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (IAPP), 2023
- Prince2 (now expired)
Accomplishments
- Integrated EMEA into the global technology ecosystem, aligning domain, identity and core operating platforms to global standards while strengthening governance, security and operational consistency.
- Directed enterprise transformation programmes across ERP, workforce management and project management platforms, improving scalability and enabling more data-driven decision-making.
- Defined and delivered the EMEA data strategy, balancing regional business requirements with alignment to global data and technology architecture.
- Embedded GDPR and privacy-by-design across the organisation, driving awareness, redesigning processes and strengthening accountability and compliance culture.
- Repositioned IT as a trusted business partner, improving cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder confidence and service performance.
- Proven Hospitality Advisor credibility
- Delivered a £1.25m technology transformation programme within four months to support a major portfolio transition, covering PMS migration, hardware refresh, security uplift, email delivery and IT support mobilisation.
- Delivered technology readiness for new builds, rebrands and transitions across multiple regions, ensuring brand compliance, operational readiness and cost-effective execution.
- Introduced IT governance frameworks covering onboarding, crisis management and strategic operating principles, improving consistency, readiness and governance maturity.
- Influenced E.S.G strategy need and creation for the region, and lead internal working party to define with clear future priorities which will deliver embedded sustainability considerations into business planning.
Affiliations
- Chair, IHGOA EMEAA Technology Committee
- Member, IHGOA Global Technology Committee
- Member, Marriott EMEA Franchise Technology Committee
- IHG Emerging Leaders Network Committee Member
- Member, AHLA/HTNG t:100, Global Technology 100 – by invitation
Timeline
Vice President, Information Technology, EMEA
Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA
2020.02 - 2026.05
Director, Openings & Transitions – IT, International
Interstate Hotels & Resorts (now Aimbridge Hospitality)
2017.01 - 2020.01
IT Project Manager → Systems Manager
Chardon Management Ltd / Interstate Hotels
2005.01 - 2017.01
Hotel Operations & Area Revenue Management roles
IHG Hotels & Resorts
1989.01 - 2006.01
Tadcaster Grammar School
CIPP/E - Privacy
IAPP
Prince2 - Project Management
QA