UK: The CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Keith Barr, will step down from his current role on 30th June 2023, to be succeeded by Elie Maalouf IHG’s Americas CEO.
Barr has been at the helm of IHG since July 2017. During this time, he’s led the company to surpass 6,000 open hotels worldwide and introduced seven brands. He has also been responsible for launching IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow – a 10-year plan which outlines a series of ESG commitments.
Upon departure, Barr intends to return with his family to the US and will remain available to support and advise IHG until the end of 2023.
Maalouf joined IHG as Americas CEO in February 2015 and has expanded the group’s presence in the region with the addition of 650 hotels. He will take on the new role as IHG’s CEO on 1 July 2023 and will be based in the UK to lead the business.
A recruitment process is underway to appoint a new Americas CEO at IHG.
Maalouf said: “I am extremely proud to be appointed CEO of one of the world’s leading hotel companies and excited to work with our talented teams and owners around the world on what will be an important new chapter for IHG.
“Working closely with Keith and as an executive committee, we’ve made a number of critical strategic investments in recent years that position us with exciting opportunities to realise IHG’s full industry leading potential, by driving the performance and growth of our fantastic brands and delivering strong returns for all our stakeholders.”
Barr added: “I feel incredibly privileged to have spent three decades as part of IHG, working alongside the many talented colleagues that make it such a special company, and in partnership with our hotel owners who share our passion for hospitality. I have been lucky enough to experience this in multiple countries over the years and to have spent the last six as CEO has been an honour.
“After a long time living abroad, now is the right time for me and my family to return to the US. I am proud of the strong position that IHG is in today, thanks to the investments we have made to transform every aspect of our business, deliver for our guests and owners, and grow and operate our brands in the right way around the world. I’m excited for what lies ahead for IHG and having worked so closely together, to see Elie lead the business and build on all he has achieved in the Americas.”
