Kenneth Macpherson will lead IHG EMEAA
London – 7 September 2017 –
Kenneth Macpherson, currently IHG’s CEO of Greater China, will lead the new EMEAA region, which will be created by bringing together two of IHG’s current operating divisions: Europe; and Asia, Middle East & Africa. Taking over from Kenneth is Jolyon Bulley, who has been promoted to CEO, Greater China. These changes will take effect at the beginning of 2018.
1 Kenneth Macpherson
After 28 and 15 years with IHG respectively, Angela Brav, CEO of Europe, and Jan Smits, CEO of Asia, Middle East & Africa, have made the decision to pursue other opportunities outside of the company. They will remain with IHG until the end of the year to support the transition process.
Kenneth, who currently has responsibility for the management, growth and profitability of the company’s fastest growing region, joined IHG in April 2013 from Diageo – a company he had been with for almost 20 years. He has lived and worked in China since 2005 and during his career has been based in several locations in Asia, the UK and South Africa. His in-depth experience and knowledge of business across three continents will be a key part in this new role.
The EMEAA region will be headquartered in the UK and operate through strong sub-regional divisions based in a number of locations, including Singapore, to ensure the business remains close to hotel owners, guests and colleagues. By bringing two strong, established regions together as one, the company will focus on further growth through increased agility and effectiveness.
Jolyon is currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Americas and responsible for operations across IHG’s largest region with almost 4,000 hotels. With his appointment to CEO of Greater China, Jolyon will also become a member of IHG’s global Executive Committee (EC). Jolyon brings decades of experience in the hotel industry, including 16 years with IHG. He joined IHG in 2001, as Director of Operations for New South Wales in Australia and has taken leadership roles across various divisions since. Jolyon was COO for Greater China from 2011 to 2014, with oversight of strategic planning across the region’s hotel performance, food and beverage offerings, brand performance and owner relations.