New President for IHG Americas Group

17 December 2008 by Gemma Sharkey

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the appointment of a new president of its Americas region.

Jim Abrahamson will replace Richard Solomons, who has acted as interim president of the Americas and finance director for the group since July, after Steve Porter had to step down due to ill health, and subsequently passed away.

Solomons will continue to work closely with Abrahamson to ensure a smooth transition, returning to his full-time role as group finance director, effective from 5 January 2009.

Abrahamson joins IHG from Global Hyatt Corporation, where he served as head of development of the Americas, where he was responsible for the development of all Hyatt brands in the region and the franchise owner relations group supporting its full-service and select service franchise hotels.

Andrew Cosslett, IHG's chief executive, said: "Jim is very highly regarded throughout the hotel industry. He has a proven track record of developing and managing leading brands and an intimate knowledge of working within a franchise organization. We are delighted that someone with his unique blend of operational, franchise and development leadership experience is joining our team."

Previous to Global Hyatt Abrahamson was president and chief operating officer of Baymont Inns and Woodfield Suites and senior vice president of Hilton Hotels, where he served in a variety of senior management roles during his 12 years with the company.

Read Gemma Sharkey's IHG China blogs here:

China in her hands part 1>>

China in her hands part 2>>

China in her hands part 3>>

China in her hands final part>>

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Credit crunch delays new InterContinental hotels>>

By Gemma Sharkey

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