16 December 2008
IHG Announces Jim Abrahamson as New President, Americas Region
December 16, 2008: InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (“IHG”) [LON: IHG; NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] announces the appointment of Jim Abrahamson as President of its Americas region, effective 5 January 2009.
Jim takes over from Richard Solomons, Interim President of the Americas and Finance Director for the group. Richard has been running the region since July of this year, when Steve Porter sadly had to step down due to ill health, subsequently passing away. Jim will report to Andrew Cosslett, Chief Executive, and join the Group Executive Committee. Richard will continue to work closely with Jim to ensure a smooth transition, returning as planned to his full-time role as Group Finance Director, effective from 5 January 2009.
Jim joins IHG from Global Hyatt Corporation, where he served as Head of Development, The Americas. In this role 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. Jim also played a key part in Global Hyatt’s entry into new markets and segments, leading on the acquisitions of AmeriSuites and Summerfield Suites and developing new concepts Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites. Jim oversaw all aspects of operations, franchising and development for these two new brands. More recently, Jim had been tasked with the strategic planning for the international roll out of Hyatt Place.
Jim has 30 years of management experience in hotel operations, branding, development and franchisee relations. Previous to Global Hyatt he was President and Chief Operating Officer, Baymont Inns and Woodfield Suites and Senior Vice President, Hilton Hotels Corporation, where he served in a variety of senior management roles during his 12 years with the company. While at Hilton, he led the development and launch of Hilton Garden Inn. Earlier in his career Jim held a number of general management positions for Embassy Suites and Holiday Inn.
Andrew Cosslett, 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. I would like to thank Richard Solomons who stepped into the role on a temporary basis under difficult circumstances and has done an outstanding job over the past six months.”
Tom Corcoran, Chairman of the IAHI (The Owners Association of IHG), said: “We are now entering a new era with IHG. We will never forget our good friend Steve Porter but we now look to the future and are delighted that we will be working with Jim Abrahamson. He is a highly respected executive with a deep understanding of the hotel business; he has what it takes to manage and develop brands and knows how to work with a large franchisee community. He is a great addition to the IHG team.”
Jim is married with one son. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.
Showing posts with label ihg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ihg. Show all posts
Thursday, December 18, 2008
IHG to Take Part in the U.S. Department of Energy's Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative
18 December 2008
IHG to Take Part in the U.S. Department of Energy's Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative
IHG will work with other leading commercial real estate firms, retailers, financial institutions, and two of the DOE’s national laboratories to produce measurable energy saving design solutions
ATLANTA (Dec. 18, 2008) – As a part of the effort to find real-world solutions to the growing problem of climate change, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world’s largest hotel company by number of rooms, is pleased to be one of the 23 companies selected to participate in the ground-breaking Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative (CBI), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The CBI brings leading commercial real estate firms, retailers, and financial institutions and two of the DOE’s National Laboratories – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) together to produce real-building design solutions that yield significant and measurable energy savings in commercial buildings.
To be considered, the DOE requested proposals from its National Labs and private sector companies to achieve cost-effective savings of 50 percent above the standard set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers for new commercial building designs, and a savings of 30 percent for retrofits to existing buildings. Each private sector company proposed to have their design and facility management teams work with DOE’s PNNL and NREL to design, build, tune and operate at least one new prototype building and to
retrofit an existing building project for 50 percent and 30 percent energy savings, respectively, over the next three to five years.
The DOE is awarding $15 million in technical assistance to provide access to the labs’ unique expertise in low-energy building design and retrofit. These real building projects will provide unprecedented insight into private sector decision processes, business models, and financial drivers for achieving low-energy buildings.
“Sustainable tourism means tackling the environmental impact of hotel development and operations from the inside out – evaluating everything in the lifecycle of a hotel from site and design to management and operations. We’re thrilled to be a part of this effort in the U.S. Being chosen to work with other world-class companies and the DOE to design and deliver real world commercial building solutions to help minimize our carbon and ecological footprints supports our commitment to be a responsible hotelier,” says David Jerome, senior vice president of corporate responsibility, IHG.
As a part of its longtime commitment to corporate responsibility and environmental protection, many of IHG’s more than 4,000 hotels, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo® around the world already have in place a number of environmental initiatives, please visit our online CR report to find out more.
“Our partnership with the DOE is part of our efforts to more effectively minimize greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and water resources and manage our waste and recycling. With more than 4,000 hotels around the world we are committed to a long-term strategy to deliver real environmental benefits, Jerome went on to say.
Notes to editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,100 hotels and more than 600,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 40 million members worldwide.
IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 200,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.
IHG to Take Part in the U.S. Department of Energy's Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative
IHG will work with other leading commercial real estate firms, retailers, financial institutions, and two of the DOE’s national laboratories to produce measurable energy saving design solutions
ATLANTA (Dec. 18, 2008) – As a part of the effort to find real-world solutions to the growing problem of climate change, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world’s largest hotel company by number of rooms, is pleased to be one of the 23 companies selected to participate in the ground-breaking Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative (CBI), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The CBI brings leading commercial real estate firms, retailers, and financial institutions and two of the DOE’s National Laboratories – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) together to produce real-building design solutions that yield significant and measurable energy savings in commercial buildings.
To be considered, the DOE requested proposals from its National Labs and private sector companies to achieve cost-effective savings of 50 percent above the standard set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers for new commercial building designs, and a savings of 30 percent for retrofits to existing buildings. Each private sector company proposed to have their design and facility management teams work with DOE’s PNNL and NREL to design, build, tune and operate at least one new prototype building and to
retrofit an existing building project for 50 percent and 30 percent energy savings, respectively, over the next three to five years.
The DOE is awarding $15 million in technical assistance to provide access to the labs’ unique expertise in low-energy building design and retrofit. These real building projects will provide unprecedented insight into private sector decision processes, business models, and financial drivers for achieving low-energy buildings.
“Sustainable tourism means tackling the environmental impact of hotel development and operations from the inside out – evaluating everything in the lifecycle of a hotel from site and design to management and operations. We’re thrilled to be a part of this effort in the U.S. Being chosen to work with other world-class companies and the DOE to design and deliver real world commercial building solutions to help minimize our carbon and ecological footprints supports our commitment to be a responsible hotelier,” says David Jerome, senior vice president of corporate responsibility, IHG.
As a part of its longtime commitment to corporate responsibility and environmental protection, many of IHG’s more than 4,000 hotels, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo® around the world already have in place a number of environmental initiatives, please visit our online CR report to find out more.
“Our partnership with the DOE is part of our efforts to more effectively minimize greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and water resources and manage our waste and recycling. With more than 4,000 hotels around the world we are committed to a long-term strategy to deliver real environmental benefits, Jerome went on to say.
Notes to editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,100 hotels and more than 600,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 40 million members worldwide.
IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 200,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
IHG signs agreement with Seba Properties to develop InterContinental Fujairah Resort in the UAE
25 November 2008
IHG signs agreement with Seba Properties to develop InterContinental Fujairah Resort in the UAE
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Seba Properties for the development of the InterContinental Fujairah Resort, a new beachfront property in one of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) most attractive tourist destinations.
The 291-room hotel will be the first InterContinental beach resort property to open in the UAE and will establish a benchmark for quality and luxury amongst upscale resorts across the Middle East. Part of the growing portfolio of over 150 InterContinental hotels worldwide, InterContinental Fujairah Resort will connect guests with what is special about the destination, providing them with authentic and enriching 'in the know' experiences.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Hajar Mountains with breathtaking views across the Indian Ocean, the resort will consist of a series of low-rise Arabesque village-style buildings, giving it a sense of place that is unique to Fujairah. The property's design will combine contemporary design elements with strong Arab influences that reflect the local heritage and culture.
The five-star property is set along Fujairah's two-kilometre coastline, on 69,500m2 of land. The resort will offer a variety of restaurants, retail outlets, a health club and spa as well as a kids' club.
Expected to open by the end of 2010, InterContinental Fujairah Resort will be surrounded by unspoilt natural landscapes which have made this tranquil Emirate a haven of relaxation for local, regional and, increasingly, international travellers.
Andrew Cosslett, Chief Executive for IHG, said: "Fujairah is an up-and-coming destination for both business and leisure travellers. InterContinental has been the leading hotel company in the Middle East for over 45 years and we look forward to opening what will be our first resort in the United Arab Emirates."
"With more than 65 hotels in the region, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, IHG has developed the reputation for delivering great guest satisfaction and excellent returns for our owners. InterContinental Fujairah Resort will be no exception when we open our doors in 2010."
Rabih Karam, Chief Executive Officer of Seba Properties, added: "We are committed to creating uniqueness, elegance and an appropriate response to the location and we are confident that with a partner like IHG, we shall develop a world-class iconic resort."
Fujairah's strategic plan is to position the Emirate as a premium tourist destination. The Fujairah government has allocated over AED2.9 billion toward the development of the coastline and improving infrastructure of the Emirate.
A new 45km highway connecting Dubai and Fujairah will cut travel times between the two destinations to 30 minutes. Expected to be completed mid 2009, the highway will provide easy access to Dubai International Airport as well as the new Al Maktoum International Airport, set to partially open late 2009.
IHG signs agreement with Seba Properties to develop InterContinental Fujairah Resort in the UAE
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Seba Properties for the development of the InterContinental Fujairah Resort, a new beachfront property in one of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) most attractive tourist destinations.
The 291-room hotel will be the first InterContinental beach resort property to open in the UAE and will establish a benchmark for quality and luxury amongst upscale resorts across the Middle East. Part of the growing portfolio of over 150 InterContinental hotels worldwide, InterContinental Fujairah Resort will connect guests with what is special about the destination, providing them with authentic and enriching 'in the know' experiences.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Hajar Mountains with breathtaking views across the Indian Ocean, the resort will consist of a series of low-rise Arabesque village-style buildings, giving it a sense of place that is unique to Fujairah. The property's design will combine contemporary design elements with strong Arab influences that reflect the local heritage and culture.
The five-star property is set along Fujairah's two-kilometre coastline, on 69,500m2 of land. The resort will offer a variety of restaurants, retail outlets, a health club and spa as well as a kids' club.
Expected to open by the end of 2010, InterContinental Fujairah Resort will be surrounded by unspoilt natural landscapes which have made this tranquil Emirate a haven of relaxation for local, regional and, increasingly, international travellers.
Andrew Cosslett, Chief Executive for IHG, said: "Fujairah is an up-and-coming destination for both business and leisure travellers. InterContinental has been the leading hotel company in the Middle East for over 45 years and we look forward to opening what will be our first resort in the United Arab Emirates."
"With more than 65 hotels in the region, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, IHG has developed the reputation for delivering great guest satisfaction and excellent returns for our owners. InterContinental Fujairah Resort will be no exception when we open our doors in 2010."
Rabih Karam, Chief Executive Officer of Seba Properties, added: "We are committed to creating uniqueness, elegance and an appropriate response to the location and we are confident that with a partner like IHG, we shall develop a world-class iconic resort."
Fujairah's strategic plan is to position the Emirate as a premium tourist destination. The Fujairah government has allocated over AED2.9 billion toward the development of the coastline and improving infrastructure of the Emirate.
A new 45km highway connecting Dubai and Fujairah will cut travel times between the two destinations to 30 minutes. Expected to be completed mid 2009, the highway will provide easy access to Dubai International Airport as well as the new Al Maktoum International Airport, set to partially open late 2009.
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