Legendary Australian accommodation personality, Ruwan Peiris, will call time on his presence in the local industry for now, with IHG announcing his imminent move to the UK following an internal promotion, HM can reveal.
The ultra-popular Peiris will take a new role at InterContinental Hotels Group’s global headquarters in Denham, UK as the company’s new Head of Managed and Leased Operations – UK and Ireland. Peiris’ new role will see him take charge of the company’s leased and company-managed hotels in the UK and Ireland region, tasked with duties including overseeing the integration of 13 recently acquired Principal Hotels properties into the portfolio.
InterContinental Hotels Group announced in mid-2018 it had entered into an agreement to purchase the 13 properties, currently operating under the Principal Hotels and De Vere Hotels brands, in partnership with real estate investment company Fonciere des Regions. The deal includes the conversion of each property into the company’s flagship InterContinental brand, with some also set to operate under the luxury Kimpton label. As part of this deal, IHG would increase its presence in cities such as London, Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, among others.
Over the last 20 years, Peiris has established himself as a universally respected professional, having held senior roles with Marriott International, Mirvac, Accor and the last five years with IHG in Australia.
IHG Managing Director – Australasia & Japan, Leanne Harwood, described Peiris as one of the nicest people in the industry.
“He has done a superb job of leading our hotel operations and colleagues over the past five years, and I’d like to personally thank him for leaving such a fantastic legacy. This a wonderful opportunity for Ruwan to lead an important part of IHG’s business, and I know that he and his wife are excited to head over to the UK and explore more of Europe. We wish him all the best his new role.”