IHG strengthens regional operations
InterContinental Hotels Group has announced strategic changes to its regional leadership team in the growing Asia, Middle East and Africa region.
Present chief commercial officer for AMEA, Karin Sheppard, will move into an operational role as chief operating officer for Australasia, Japan, Korea & AMEA franchising. In her new role, Karin will oversee the operations and performance of over 100 hotels in more than 10 countries across brands ranging from the luxury InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to the midscale Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. A member of the AMEA Regional Operating Committee, Karin will also be responsible for the regional operations teams based in Sydney and Tokyo, as well as the AMEA Franchise Operations team.
In her 13 years with IHG, Karin has held various senior commercial roles across Australasia, Europe and the Middle East and played a critical role in establishing the AMEA Franchise Operations. Karin will relocate from Singapore to Sydney, Australia and take on her new role from 1 January 2015.
Nick Barton, formerly chief commercial officer for IHG’s Greater China region, picks up the baton from Karin to assume the role of CCO for AMEA. Nick’s career with IHG spans nearly 10 years. He was previously based in the company’s headquarters in Denham, overseeing the marketing and communications team for the Europe region before moving to Shanghai, China for five years. He has relocated to Singapore to lead the group’s sales and marketing functions in the region.
Leanne Harwood heads Bangkok corporate office as vice president of operations, South East Asia; Lincoln Barrett assumes role of vice president of commercial for AMEA
