Intercontinental Hotels Group plc announced the following changes to its Executive Committee. Keith Barr will take up the new role of Chief Commercial Officer, effective from 1 June, 2013. The role takes responsibility for IHG's global sales, marketing and brands functions, to drive consistent brand strategies across all geographies and leverage IHG's scale and systems to deliver continued industry outperformance.

In his current role as Chief Executive, Greater China, Keith has been instrumental in driving outstanding operating results and building an market position and pipeline for IHG in the region. Keith has also overseen the development and launch of IHG's unique upscale hotel brand, specially designed for Chinese consumers, HUALUXETM Hotels & Resorts. IHG announced that Kenneth Macpherson will be taking over from Keith as Chief Executive, Greater China.

Kenneth joins the company from Diageo, where he is currently General Manager and Board Director of Sichuan Shuijingfang Company Ltd. Kenneth has been based in China since 2005, having previously led the development of Diageo's China strategy. He will assume his role with IHG in April, 2013, and will also become a member of the Executive Committee reporting to Chief Executive, Richard Solomons.