IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has announced 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.
“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.”
IHG also announced that Kenneth Macpherson will be taking over from Keith as Chief Executive, Greater China. Kenneth joins 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.