IHG strengthens regional operations and commercial leadership teams

Present CCO for AMEA, Karin Sheppard, will move into an operational role as COO for Australasia, Japan, Korea and AMEA Franchising. In her new role, Karin will oversee the operations and performance of over 100 hotels in more than 10 countries across brands ranging from the luxury intercontinental hotels and resorts to the mid-scale Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

Nick Barton, formerly chief commercial officer for IHG's greater China region, picks up the baton from Karin to assume the role of CCO for AMEA. He has relocated to Singapore to lead the group's sales and marketing functions in the region.

Leanne Harwood, formerly vice president, commercial for AMEA, has been appointed vice president of operations for South East Asia. In her new role, Leanne is responsible for the operations and performance of nearly 50 hotels across seven countries in South East Asia and the 51 hotels in the company's development pipeline in the region.

Lincoln Barrett, formerly vice president of distribution and relationship marketing for the company's greater China region, has moved to Bangkok to take on the role of vice president, commercial for AMEA, where he is accountable for driving overall revenue of the company's managed hotels across the region through the company's system, tools and processes.