InterContinental Hotels Group Shapes New Organisation for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has unveiled the shape of the new streamlined organisation for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, which will result in more efficient use of regional and global resources and a structure that will drive greater innovation, customer focus and revenues by moving key resources closer to customers, partners and areas of growth.

The restructure follows the Company's global demerger and re-branding from Six Continents Hotels to InterContinental Hotels Group. With brands including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, IHG is now 100% focused on hotels for the first time in its more than 200-year history.

"Our new organisational structure will improve efficiency and streamline costs to make us even more competitive while at the same time boosting our focus on customer service across the portfolio and in key growth markets," said InterContinental Hotels Group Managing Director Asia Pacific, Patrick Imbardelli.

"Through the new initiatives, we have streamlined the decision making process within the Company and placed even more focus on value adding activities."

One such initiative has seen an increase in the operational responsibilities of IHG's Regional General Managers and reduction of the number of Directors of Operations, resulting in decision-making and control that is closer to the customer interface. Of significance is the appointment of Jan Smits to the amalgamated role of Regional Vice President of Operations for Australia and Papua New Guinea, reporting directly to Chief Operating Officer for the region, Phil Lee alongside Director of Operations for New Zealand and South Pacific, Bill Sheppard and Regional Vice President of Operations for French Polynesia, Philippe Brovelli.

InterContinental Hotels Group has also merged its Australian and New Zealand sales teams to create an integrated trans-Tasman sales organisation and enable cohesive sales strategies and processes. To lead the region's sales and marketing focus, IHG has appointed the former  Director of Operations NSW, Jolyon Bulley to the role of Director of Salesand Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. Jolyon will apply his extensive knowledge of hotel operations to increase brand  leadership across the region and consistently drive revenue, demand and system delivery across IHG's portfolio of hotels.

"We now have a greater number of people in key operational roles who are based within our hotels to drive the business and add greater value on a daily basis. This shift in responsibilities will place InterContinental Hotels Group in a better position to concentrate on expansion of the portfolio and returns for our stakeholders," Mr Imbardelli said.

"This is the best hotel team in the industry with extensive management, operational and financial expertise. Despite factors that are creating challenging times for the industry at present, we are taking a long term strategic view on investment and expansion and are absolutely confident this region represents excellent opportunities for our Company and stakeholders.

"As a result of this restructure and the constant strengthening of our relationships with owners, business partners and customers in the region, we have never been in a better position from which to grow our brands and returns," Mr Imbardelli added.