The FINANCIAL — ATLANTA – IHG has announced the promotions of Robert (Bob) Ekman to vice president, Franchise Development for North America and Greg Aden to succeed Ekman as regional vice president, Midscale Franchise for the Western U.S. region.
The company also announced that Craig Mueller's role as vice president, Development, has been expanded, as has the role of Mike Higgins as regional vice president, Upscale Brand Development, Americas.
Ekman will report directly to Jim Anhut, chief development officer, the Americas who works with the region's president Kirk Kinsell and his senior executive team. In his new position as vice president, Franchise Development, North America, Ekman leads strategic franchise sales and development activity for Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to those four brands, he also manages the sales and development of the Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Indigo® in Mexico.
Aden will report to Ekman, and as regional vice president, Midscale Franchise, Western U.S. leads strategic franchise sales and development activity for Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites in the Western region of the U.S. He is also involved with the Holiday Inn Resort brand growth strategy.
Mueller's position as vice president, Development, Americas reporting to Jim Anhut has been expanded. While he continues to lead the development efforts of the InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts brand in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Mexico and the company's managed portfolio across the Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites brands, he now will also lead Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo's development efforts in the US, Canada and Caribbean. He also leads the development of all IHG brands in the Latin America region and the team's capital investment strategy across all brands.
Higgins will report to Mueller and in addition to his current responsibilities for Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo development in the Western region, he will now be responsible for and provide leadership to the Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo development team in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.
"I am confident that promoting Bob and Greg and expanding Craig and Mike's roles will support our efforts to continue to deliver Great Hotels Guests Love through the work we do with current and future owners, " said Jim Anhut, chief development officer, the Americas. "These changes will help fulfill our development initiatives and, in turn, support IHG in becoming the best hotel company in the world."
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