Profile

Serena Lim

Chief Growth Officer
The Ascott Limited

Serena is Chief Growth Officer at The Ascott Limited (Ascott), leading its global business development team to steer and manage the company’s growth in management and franchise contracts globally . Supporting the group’s development ambitions through an asset light strategy to deliver strong recurring fee income, Serena and her team drives continued opportunities to extend Ascott’s geographic reach across key growth markets. She joined Ascott in January 2023 and brings over two decades of experience in hotel development, strategic planning and feasibility. Most recently in the role of Vice President, Development, Southeast Asia and Korea at the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Serena was responsible for leading IHG’s development strategy and extended growth teams in the region. Serena played an integral role in implementing initiatives to align culture with strategy and processes as a key member of the leadership team. Prior to joining IHG, Serena was responsible for development efforts in Southeast Asia at Marriott International, where she held the role of Regional Vice President. She spent early parts of her career with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, where she led the company’s expansion across Southeast Asia, while overseeing feasibility and strategic planning efforts in Asia Pacific. Serena graduated on the Dean’s List with a Bachelor of Science (Distinction) in Hotel Administration and Major in Finance at Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration.