IHG announces new management appointments

InterContinental Hotels Group has appointed a head for its new European division and announced a regional realignment that combines the Middle East and Africa with Asia Australasia, allowing two similar businesses to leverage scale in key developing markets. The changes are effective from 1 August.

Angela Brav, currently chief operating officer for North America, takes up the new position of chief executive for Europe, assuming a seat on the executive committee.

Jan Smits, currently head of the Asia Australasia region, now takes additional responsibility for the Middle East and Africa, becoming chief executive for Asia, Middle East and Africa.

These appointments follow the move last month of Kirk Kinsell, former president for Europe, Middle East and Africa to president for The Americas.

Tom Seddon, chief marketing officer, is leaving IHG. His role will be split on an interim basis between two senior members of the IHG sales and marketing organisation. Eric Pearson, currently chief marketing officer for The Americas, becomes interim global head of brands. Steve Sickel, currently senior VP of distribution and relationship marketing, becomes interim global head of sales and distribution.

A full search process is underway for a new chief marketing officer.

Chief executive of IHG, Richard Solomons, says: “Following the promotion last month of Kirk Kinsell to president, Americas I am delighted to welcome Angela to the executive committee and congratulate Jan on his additional responsibilities.

“Across the company we have strength in depth, enabling swift appointments while keeping momentum across the business. Angela Brav brings a wealth of franchising and operations experience to Europe and aligning two similar businesses in the Middle East and Asia Australasia under Jan Smits will allow us to leverage our scale more effectively, driving market share growth.

“Finally I would like to thank Tom Seddon for his significant contribution to IHG during his time with the group and I wish him well for the future.”

Background on the executives mentioned above: Having grown up in Germany, Angela Brav joined IHG in 1988 and has held many senior roles in its US and European businesses before her current position as chief operating officer, The Americas, where she leads the North American operations of over 3 000 franchised and managed hotels.  In addition to her extensive US experience, she has worked in Belgium and Mexico.  Prior to joining IHG, Brav worked for various hotel management companies in a range of operational positions.

Jan Smits has been with IHG since 2002, and currently leads the Asia Australasia region and is a member of the executive committee.  He will add IHG’s operations in the Middle East and Africa to his existing responsibilities.  Smits has almost 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining IHG, he was director of operations with Rydges Hotels & Resorts. He has also held various senior management positions with Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (SPHC) which was acquired by IHG in 2000.

Eric Pearson joined IHG in 1997 and is currently chief marketing officer, The Americas, accountable for all sales and marketing activities across IHG brands in the Americas.  A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Pearson has worked for The Walt Disney Company, IBM and NASA in different management and technical roles.

Steve Sickel joined IHG in 2000 and holds the position of senior vice president, Distribution & Relationship Marketing where he is responsible for IHG’s e-commerce, reservations and loyalty programs.  Prior to IHG, Sickel was MD, Loyalty Marketing, at Continental Airlines for eight years.