A Superior Owner Proposition
IHG is one of the world's leading hotel companies because of our strategy for high-quality growth. A central pillar of this strategy is our highly competitive proposition to owners, which drives superior returns. Delivering 163 million room nights across 5,518 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories each year gives us clear benefits of scale and scope. Our business is owner driven, with a focus on high-quality growth, and proven strength in source markets such as USA, UK, Germany, Russia, China and Japan.
While owners appreciate our vast scale and global footprint, they rightfully want to experience it locally, too. IHG never loses sight of providing strong local support for each and every hotel - always with a clear vision to create Great Hotels Guests Love®.
Our history
1777
William Bass sets up a brewery in Burton-on-Trent. The Bass business thrives, developing into one of the UK's leading brewers.
1876
The Bass red triangle becomes the first trademark to be registered in the UK.
1960s
Bass acquires a number of well-known regional brewing companies including Mitchells & Butlers in the Midlands (1961), before merging with Charringtons in London in 1967. These acquisitions make Bass one of the largest brewers and pub owners in the UK.
1988
Bass makes its first significant international move into the hotel industry, buying Holiday Inns International.
1989
The Beer Orders legislation is passed. This limits the number of tied pubs that major brewers can own and signals a major industry restructuring.
Bass reduces the number of pubs that it owns dramatically and focuses on larger outlets. At the same time, it directs cashflow into developing an international hotel business.
1990
Bass buys the North American Holiday Inn business and Holiday Inn grows internationally.
1991
Bass launches Holiday Inn Express, a complementary brand in the limited service segment.
1994
Bass launches Crowne Plaza, a move into the upscale hotel market.
Bass's pubs business continues to grow. The business has also become increasingly branded. Bass opens the first O'Neill’s public house in 1994 and acquires the restaurant chain Harvester in September 1995.
The Harvester acquisition, the development of the All Bar One brand in 1994 and the acquisition of the Browns restaurant chain marks a significant commitment to the growing eating out market in the UK.
1996
Bass's attempt to acquire half of the Carlsberg-Tetley brewing business in the UK is blocked by the UK government.
Bass renews its focus on its hotels and pubs divisions. Over the next few years, it sells smaller, non-core businesses such as Gala bingo and Coral bookmakers, along with some of its pubs, including the leased pub business.
1997
As the hotel business becomes more purely brand focused, Bass sells its North American midscale hotel buildings, but keeps control of the branding of the hotels through franchise agreements.
Bass creates and launches a new hotel brand, Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn. It's an entry into the profitable North American upscale extended stay market. Staybridge Suites becomes the fastest brand in this segment to reach 50 units in the Americas.
1998
Bass acquires the InterContinental hotel company, adding an upper upscale brand to its hotel portfolio. It's an acquisition that brings considerable synergies and cost savings.
1999
The group strengthens its pub division in the UK by cherry picking 550 high-potential sites from Punch Taverns, who had acquired the 3,500 strong pub estate of Allied Domecq.
2000
By acquiring Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation (SPHC) in Australia, Bass confirms its position as the leading hotel company in Asia Pacific.
It also acquires Bristol Hotels & Resorts Inc., a US-based hotel management company comprising 112 hotels operating mainly under leases. This gives the group a stronger management contract presence in the world's largest hotel market.
The group sells Bass Brewers to a major Belgian brewer for £2.3 billion.
This marks the final step in refocusing the group from a domestic brewing operation to a leading international hospitality retailer – a process that has taken over ten years to complete.
It also involves the sale of the Bass name and a change of name to Six Continents PLC – a name that better reflects the global spread of the group's businesses.
2001
In February, Six Continents sells 988 smaller, unbranded pubs for £625 million.
In April, it acquires the European Posthouse chain of hotels for £810 million. The chain has hotels in strategic locations that are suitable for conversion to Holiday Inn, consolidating the Holiday Inn brand in the UK and Europe.
The group buys the InterContinental Hong Kong for £241 million, strengthening its position in the upscale hotel market in the key Chinese and Asia Pacific markets.
2002
On 1 October, Six Continents PLC announces the proposed separation of the group’s hotels and soft drinks businesses (to be called InterContinental Hotels Group PLC) from the retail business (to be called Mitchells & Butlers plc), and the return of £700 million of capital to shareholders.
This process is completed on 15 April 2003. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) is now a distinct, discrete company, listed in the UK and the US stock markets.
2003
In July, IHG sells 16 Staybridge Suites hotels to Hospitality Properties Trust (HPT) and enters into a 20-year management agreement.
In December, IHG adds the midscale extended stay brand Candlewood Suites to its portfolio.
2004
In April, IHG announces the introduction of a new brand, Hotel Indigo, focused on providing affordable boutique accommodation.
In the same month, the group adopts new standards for selling or re-selling hotel rooms for guest stays through online travel companies.
2005
Following the success of the extended stay Staybridge Suites brand in North America, IHG launches Staybridge Suites UK in April 2005.
IHG announces the disposal of 100% of its holding in Britvic plc. IHG is now a company with a pure hotels focus.
2006
IHG signs an operating joint venture with All Nippon Airways (ANA). The resulting joint venture – IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan – will be the largest international hotel operator in Japan, the world’s second largest hotel market. The deal sees the introduction of three new brands created for Japan: ANA-InterContinental, ANA-Crowne Plaza and ANA-Holiday Inn.
2007
IHG announces a worldwide relaunch of the Holiday Inn brand family, comprising Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The relaunch programme will give Holiday Inn a refreshed and contemporary brand image. All Holiday Inn hotels open or under development are expected to have implemented the relaunch programme by the end of 2010, with the first due to open in mid 2008 in the US.
2008
IHG entered the timeshare market through an exclusive licensing and marketing agreement, launching our Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand.
2009
Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express are announced by The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) as the 'Official Hotel Services Provider to London 2012' and a Tier Three commercial partner.
IHG launches 'Green Engage', an online system to help hotels manage their energy consumption more effectively. The system compares hotels of a similar nature across the world and lists actions hotels can take to reduce waste, and energy and water consumption.
2010
IHG entered an innovative alliance with the Las Vegas Sands Corp., bringing The Venetian and The Palazzo Resorts into the InterContinental system.
IHG launches its Priority Club Rewards iPhone app, complementing IHG's mobile websites that provide customers with the functionality to find and book hotel rooms, check rates and view or change reservations for all seven of its brands.
2011
IHG launches 'Best Price Guarantee', the website guarantee for guests booking on any IHG brand site. Any guest who finds a qualifying, lower room price for an IHG hotel elsewhere online will receive their first night free and the rest of their stay will match the price found.
2012
In February, IHG launches EVEN™ Hotels, the first mainstream hotel brand focused on wellness and fulfilling the demand for healthier travel.
The following month, IHG unveils the first upscale international hotel brand designed with the Chinese traveller in mind, HUALUXE™ Hotels and Resorts.
2013
IHG was the first in the industry to commit to free guest internet for all loyalty members worldwide.
2015
IHG acquires US based Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants. Alongside IHG’s Hotel Indigo brand, the deal creates the world’s largest boutique hotel business.
IHG Strategic Vision
Our strategy is to be the first choice for hotel guests and owners by building the best operating system in the industry, focused on strategic markets and segments.
We’re focused on winning through our strong portfolio of nine hotel brands, our talented people who demonstrate our promise and bring brands to life for guests, and our best-in-class delivery systems that enable us to leverage our scale. At the heart of our culture is a commitment to act responsibly in everything we do. Simply stated, our goals are:
Improving the performance of our brands
- Using our insight to make our brands the first choice for guests.
- Delivering consistent customer experiences.
Generating excellent returns for IHG-branded hotels
- Improving hotel revenue by encouraging guest visits.
- Improving efficiency of each hotel and operating process.
Strengthening our organization
- Investing in our people and our ability to do business.
- Building strong relationships within our company and with our owners across the world.
Putting our market scale and knowledge to good use
- Using our worldwide scale and experience to convert more hotels to our brands.
- Making the most of our global presence – guests choose brands they know when they travel.
We have a holistic set of carefully selected key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor our success in achieving our strategy.
- ‘Where we compete,’ focusing on relevant consumer segments, the most attractive markets, and the appropriate business model
- ‘How we win,’ focusing on our corporate priorities of preferred brands, talented people, best-in-class delivery, and responsible business
In particular, we use the following measurements to monitor our performance:
- Global RevPAR
- System contribution - the proportion of business delivered to IHG-branded hotels by our dedicated IHG booking channels
- Employee engagement
- Responsible business practices
These KPIs are used to measure the progress of our group to deliver Great Hotels Guests Love®.
Kenneth Macpherson - Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa
Prior to taking up this position in January 2018, Kenneth was IHG’s Chief Executive Officer for Greater China for over four years, responsible for the management, growth and profitability of our fastest growing region, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan.
Kenneth has extensive management experience, with a background in sales, marketing strategy, business development, and operations. He joined IHG from Diageo, one of the UK's leading branded companies, where he worked for over 20 years in senior management positions, including Managing Director of Diageo Greater China. Prior to being based in China in 2005, Kenneth led the development of Diageo's China strategy. He has also served as the Commercial Director of Diageo Asia Venture in Singapore, where he was responsible for commercial and brand strategy, as well as sales and marketing, and new brand development.
In 2009, Kenneth received the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award for expatriates for his outstanding contribution to the city's social and economic development.
Kenneth received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bristol in the UK and speaks fluent French.
Rajit Sukumaran - Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa
Rajit brings more than 12 years’ experience in Development, Acquisitions and Feasibility from his previous role as SVP, Acquisitions & Development, Asia Pacific at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Since joining IHG at the beginning of 2017 he has delivered the biggest year of signings in AMEA’s six-year history. He is well known and highly regarded by the owner community and industry so he is a great asset to the leadership team. Rajit will continue to lead the Growth team across the four Business Units of Europe, IMEA, SEAK and AUAJ as well as the New Hotels team that support these too.
Karin Sheppard - Managing Director, Europe
Karin has been with IHG for more than 15 years. She held a variety of commercial roles in Australasia, Europe, and the Middle East before becoming Chief Commercial Officer for AMEA. During her three years in Europe, Karin held the role of VP, Brand Management, implementing the Global Holiday Inn Relaunch and bringing new brands to market. She was also co-chair of the IHG Owners Association Sales & Marketing Sub-committee. Since 2014 Karin has been Chief Operating Officer for Australasia & Japan where she has been responsible for operations and performance across these mature markets.
Given the scope of the new Managing Director role in Europe, Karin’s rounded experience, including brand, marketing, commercial and operations for both managed and franchised hotels, will set her up for success.
Pascal Gauvin - Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa
With nearly 25 years tenure at IHG and his extensive experience working across the Middle East, India and Africa, Pascal is the ideal leader to continue to drive our scale and deliver operational excellence in this fast-growing region – particularly ahead of Dubai’s Expo 2020 and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s diversification away from oil.
Pascal has recently been named in the top 3 of the Hotelier Middle East ranking for 2017 which demonstrates his knowledge and understanding of the cultural nuances of doing business in these markets, as well as his extensive owner relationships. I am delighted he will take on the additional responsibilities the Managing Director role brings.
Clarence Tan - Managing Director, South East Asia & Korea
Clarence has held several roles with IHG in his 13 years with the company. He has deep knowledge of the region and long standing relationships with our owners. With significant growth expected in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as key events such as the Winter Olympics due to take place in Korea, Clarence’s understanding of these markets is important to our growth.
With 20 Resorts in South East Asia, and another 17 in the pipeline, this business unit will also focus heavily on this segment, and under Clarence’s leadership will ensure we continue to excel in this area. The majority of the SEAK leadership team will be based in Singapore, therefore we will be looking to right size the Bangkok office as part of the transformation.
Leanne Harwood - Managing Director, Australasia & Japan
Leanne has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with more than a decade at IHG. During her career, which started on-property before moving into corporate teams, she has been based in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, French Polynesia, Singapore, Dubai and Thailand. Most recently Leanne headed operations for South East Asia & Korea, based in Bangkok. She brings a breadth of experience from a wide range of roles in both Commercial and Operations and will provide great continuity for our Australasia and Japan business which continues to enjoy healthy growth as it prepares for the Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics in Japan.
Lara Hernandez - Senior Vice President, Commercial & Business Performance, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa
Lara has more than 20 years of industry experience in leadership roles across brand, marketing, sales, digital and operations. The last 11 years of her career have been with IHG, firstly in Atlanta and for the last year as Chief Commercial Officer of AMEA based in Singapore. With her extensive experience working within the global team in Atlanta she has the knowledge and network across the business to ensure this team delivers. Lara will also continue working with me to lead the broader EMEAA transformation and integration programme.
Daisy Llewellyn - Vice President BRR, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa West
Daisy joined IHG in 2010 as a member of the EMEA legal team before becoming VP of Europe Legal for Development & Operations in 2014. Daisy has wide corporate and commercial law experience both in private practice and in-house, including with DLA Piper, Virgin and Opodo.
Janice Gan - Vice President BRR, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa East
Janice has extensive legal experience having first established herself in private practice with both local and international law firms. She moved into travel and tourism in the last decade including a previous role at IHG as Senior Corporate Counsel in our Singapore office. She subsequently became General Counsel for Accor across Asia Pacific and then at the Singapore Tourism Board, before returning to IHG in 2015.
Tom Curry - Vice President, Corporate Affairs, EMEAA
Tom joined IHG in January, 2013. In his current role he is responsible for driving the corporate, internal and owner communication strategy and delivery for EMEAA, one of IHG’s largest and most diverse regions, spanning 72 countries and 27 time zones. This role sees him leading teams located in Denham, Dubai, Frankfurt, Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney.
Prior to that, he held the position of VP, Global Corporate Affairs, where he was responsible for Global Internal Communications, Global Public Affairs, Global Sales and Marketing Communications and Global Technology Communications.
Tom has 20 years’ experience in communications gained through roles across both the public and private sector. High-profile leadership roles have spanned media relations, including financial, brand, digital and crisis, internal communications and government affairs. Before joining IHG, Tom was Group Media Director at Tesco PLC, leading all media relations for the UK’s biggest retailer and largest private sector employer. Tom was responsible for both corporate and consumer media relations, strategy and day to day handling, including financial reporting calendar.
Between 2006 and 2011, Tom was Head of Media at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), leading media relations for the public authority responsible for building the venues, infrastructure and legacy facilities for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Previous communications roles have included a time in the corporate practice at Weber Shandwick, and nearly five years in Government communications, working with Ministers as a press advisor in the Department for Trade and Industry and the Department for Education and Skills.
Michael Cockcroft , Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa
Michael has been promoted to CFO for the region. He has been with IHG for more than 11 years and during that time has held a variety of finance roles based in Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore and most recently in Denham as Chief Financial Officer for Europe. He brings a breadth of knowledge of the EMEAA region and a depth of financial experience from his finance roles supporting many facets of our business including operations and development, as well as internal audit where he began his career with us.
Tejas Katre - Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Europe, Asia, Middle East & Africa
Tejas joined IHG from PepsiCo where he was Vice President for HR for their Greater China business. Tejas brings with him more than two decades of experience, in a wide range of HR disciplines, across diverse geographies including Europe, Asia, Middle East and Russia, and working in a variety of business models, such as owned operations and franchise. Prior to PepsiCo, Tejas spent his early career years at Unilever.
Craig Preston - Vice President, Hotel & Owner Solutions, EMEAA
Craig Preston is Vice President, Hotel & Owner Solutions, EMEAA. Craig is responsible for providing the leadership, vision, and strategy for Hotel & Owner Solutions in the region. Craig is also responsible for the product deployment and maintenance of all guest-facing, in-room and back of house technology for both IHG company managed and franchised hotels.
Craig oversees the opening and conversions of new hotels, ensuring that they open with best in class technology that support our brands and employees. Craig also leads the regional engagement with our hotel based IT community and owner IT representatives, ensuring IHG’s proposition is developed and delivered through collaboration and partnership.
Craig has 20 years’ experience of working in technology with 15 of those years focused on hospitality technology and solutions. He joined IHG (then Bass PLC) in October 1998 and has held several roles within the Global Technology Department. His most recent position was Vice President, Global Technology Europe & Head of Global IT Service, where he was responsible for Hotel and Corporate technology in Europe and hotel IT support for all IHG hotels globally.
Craig has an Honours Degree in Geography and is ITIL V3 qualified. He is married with two daughters and has a passion for cricket and archaeology.
Last updated 1st March 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Being a responsible business is part of IHG’s DNA and is at the heart of everything we do. This is part of our culture and underpins our entire strategy. As the owner of an IHG-branded hotel, you will benefit from our corporate responsibility programmes developed to reduce your hotel’s operating costs, reduce environmental impact and support the local community around your hotel.
IHG Green Engage™
- The award-winning IHG Green Engage system helps your hotel to track, measure and report on your carbon footprint and utility consumption. The system also recommends more than 200 cost-saving Green Solutions which help deliver greater sustainability. The average hotel can achieve impressive energy savings of up to 25%.
IHG® Academy
- The IHG Academy is a pioneering global collaboration between IHG hotels, local education providers, and community organisations that gives local people a chance to learn the skills they need to find work in the hotel industry. In addition to benefiting our local communities, the programme can also reduce recruitment costs by helping to build a talent pipeline for your hotel. Currently, we operate over 2,500 IHG Academy programmes in nearly 76 countries across the globe.
True Hospitality for Good
- Backed by a $3 million fund, True Hospitality for Good is our new flagship programme for communities and charitable giving, providing colleagues in our hotels and offices with a greater say in how we support important causes around the world. Together, our aim is to help change lives for the better through building skills and education in hospitality, and to support communities when disasters strike.
To find out more, please click here.
The IHG Owners Association represents the interests of our franchise owners and operators of more than 3,400 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) hotels worldwide in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, Mexico and Latin America. The Association works globally in partnership with IHG to improve revenue for our hotels, further strengthen the value of IHG’s brands and most importantly, enhance the experience for our guests.
Please visit IHG Owner Association for more information.