2013-01-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announces the following changes to its Executive Committee.
Keith Barr will take up the new role of Chief Commercial Officer, effective from 1 June, 2013. The role takes responsibility for IHG’s global sales, marketing and brands functions, to drive consistent brand strategies across all geographies and leverage IHG’s scale and systems to deliver continued industry outperformance.
In his current role as Chief Executive, Greater China, Keith has been instrumental in driving outstanding operating results and building an industry-leading market position and pipeline for IHG in the region. Keith has also overseen the development and launch of IHG’s unique upscale hotel brand, specially designed for Chinese consumers, HUALUXETM Hotels & Resorts.
IHG is pleased to announce that Kenneth Macpherson will be taking over from Keith as Chief Executive, Greater China. Kenneth joins us from Diageo, where he is currently General Manager and Board Director of Sichuan Shuijingfang Company Ltd, a RMB 9.4 billion company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as Sichuan Swellfun Company Ltd. Kenneth has been based in China since 2005, having previously led the development of Diageo’s China strategy. He will assume his role with IHG in April, 2013, and will also become a member of the Executive Committee reporting to Chief Executive, Richard Solomons.
“With preferred brands and best in class delivery at the heart of IHG’s strategy, this is the right time to bring our Global Brands, Sales and Distribution functions under one leader,” said Richard Solomons, IHG’s Chief Executive. “Keith’s operational expertise and considerable experience in brand management and revenue generation make him the ideal person for this new role.” Solomons added, “I’m delighted that Kenneth Macpherson will be joining IHG. Kenneth speaks Mandarin and has a background in sales, marketing, strategy, business development and operations. As such, Kenneth will bring to IHG a unique blend of Chinese and international business experience.”
Background information
Keith Barr
Keith joined IHG as Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management in early 2000 and has since held a number of roles including Vice President of Operations for midscale brands in North America, Vice President of Operations for the Holiday Inn brand in North America and Chief Operating Officer for Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific. Keith has led IHG’s Greater China region since November 2008 and has been a member of the group’s Executive Committee since April 2011. Prior to joining IHG, Keith held several senior positions at Bristol Hotels and Resorts which was acquired by IHG in 2000.
Kenneth Macpherson
Since 2000, Kenneth has held senior management roles of progressive responsibility with Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks business. From his role as General Manager, Diageo Indian Ocean spirits based in La Reunion, France, through to his current position as General Manager and Board Director of Shuijingfang, Diageo’s joint-venture partner in China, based in Chengdu. During his career with Diageo, Kenneth has also worked in Shanghai, Singapore, South Africa and the UK.
Notes to Editors:
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with nine hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, EVEN™ Hotels and HUALUXE™ Hotels & Resorts. IHG also manages Priority Club® Rewards, the world’s first and largest hotel loyalty programme with over 69 million members worldwide.
IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,500 hotels and more than 672,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories. With more than 1,000 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG expects to recruit around 90,000 people into additional roles across its estate over the next few years.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.
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