IHG CEO steps down from top job

IHG CEO steps down from top job

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Chief Executive Officer Richard Solomons has announced he will step down from his current role, effective from June 30.

Per Skift, Solomons will be replaced by Chief Commercial Officer Keith Barr.

Solomons has been with IHG for the 25 years, and been in the CEO position for six years. In addition, per Skift, he has served on its board for the last 14 years. The company also gave Solomons a shoutout for expanding the company’s global reach and scale.

His replacement, Barr, has 17 years under his belt at IHG, and will step up to take the CEO position – as well as becoming a board member – from July 1.

Barr will no doubt feel comfortable in the top role, having been in senior leadership positions in IHG’s Americas, Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) and Greater China regions, and also working as CEO of IHG’s Greater China business for four years, per Skift.

He was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in May 2013. Per reports, Barr’s experience as the CEO of IHG’s China business was a major factor in the company’s decision to promote him.

In a statement, per Skift, Solomons said, “It has been a privilege to have spent the last 25 years working in such a dynamic business and alongside an outstanding executive team, talented colleagues across the business and our dedicated hotel owners.

“I am proud of the success we have achieved since IHG became a standalone business in 2003, not least completing our transition to becoming an asset-light business, launching a series of innovative new hotel brands and new concepts for our heritage brands, acquiring Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and creating value for shareholders.

“Keith has been an outstanding leader in the business and is clearly the right person to lead IHG to continued future success.”

Barr added, “I am honored to be appointed CEO of one of the world’s leading hotel companies and to have the opportunity to lead IHG. Building on Richard’s leadership and IHG’s strong performance track record, we will continue to focus on developing our portfolio of brands, delivering consistent, high-quality growth and creating value.”

 

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