Shock Resignation at InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group confirmed on Thursday that Mr. Patrick Imbardelli has resigned from his position of Chief Executive, Asia Pacific Region.

The award-winning and highly respected hotelier, had been scheduled to join IHG's board on 1 July 2007. The shock-resignation comes after the company conducted an internal review of Mr. Imbardelli's academic qualifications from Australia's Victoria University and Cornell University in the U.S..

Tony South, Senior Vice President, Development and Asset Management, Asia Pacific, has been appointed Acting Chief Executive of the region while a permanent successor is found. In this role, Tony will assume full executive authority for the region and report directly to Group Chief Executive, Andrew Cosslett.

A chartered accountant, Tony has over 30 years experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, joining IHG (then Bass plc) in June 2000. Prior to his current role, he was Chief Operating Officer for IHG's Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Region.

Mr. Imbardelli joined Bass in 2000 and was appointed IHG's Managing Director, Asia Pacific in 2003. Previous to that he held a number of management roles with Hilton International, Hyatt and Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation. In 2006, Mr. Imbardelli was named Asia Pacific Hotelier of the Year.

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