IHG strengthens leadership with two new senior promotions

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is pleased to announce two new senior appointments within the UK.  Karan Khanna, Vice President, Design & Engineering, has been appointed Vice President, Operations, UK&I. Michael Walsh, currently Head of Capital Projects at IHG, will assume Karan’s vacated role. Both appointments will begin their new roles on 15th July 2016.

Karan will report to Stephen McCall, Chief Operating Officer, Europe, and become a member of the Operations Leadership Team. As Vice President of Design & Engineering Karan has successfully transformed the team into a professional consultancy, raising the bar on design execution, developing best-in-class design guidance, leading the design and deployment of the Holiday Inn brand family transformation and building a talent pipeline across all team disciplines.

Karan joined IHG from McKinsey & Co where he was Engagement Manager. Prior to that, Karan spent 5-years with Cadbury Schweppes in brand and innovation roles. He has an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD, a PG Diploma in Marketing from CIM and a BA (Hons) in Economics from Delhi University.

Stephen McCall said: “Karan brings valuable know-how to the Operations team, with his broad ranging background in brand building, strategy, planning and asset management, combined with his leadership skills and owner relationships, he will be key in delivering IHG’s Operational Strategy and accelerate our operation performance across UK &I.”

In assuming his new role as Vice President, Design & Engineering, Michael will report directly to Robert Shepherd, Chief Development Officer, Europe and sit on the Development, Design & Openings (DD&O) Leadership Team.

Since he joined IHG, Michael has been an integral part of the Design & Engineering transformation. He was instrumental in driving and managing many of IHG’s big capital investments including at InterContinental London Park Lane, InterContinental Paris Le Grand and Hotel Indigo London-Kensington.

A Chartered Surveyor by profession with 20 years’ experience, Michael joined IHG in January 2013 from Gardiner & Theobald (G&T) where he was an equity partner. During his time with G&T, Michael specialised in providing project, cost management services within the Hotel sector, and successfully managed the delivery of numerous hotel projects including with IHG since 2001.

Robert Shepherd said: “Michael’s strong owner relationships, deep understanding of all IHG brands, extensive knowledge of all technical disciplines, as well as his open and collaborative leadership and working style makes him suited to lead the Design & Enegineering team as the Design, Developments & Openings team embarks on the next phase of its growth strategy.”