IHG’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Keith Barr, is stepping down from his position and from the IHG Board on June 30 after six years in the top job.
Barr plans to return with his family to the US but will remain available to support and advise the business until the end of 2023.
IHG has appointed Elie Maalouf, a member of IHG’s Board and Executive Committee, to take over as Barr’s successor. Maalouf, who has led IHG’s Americas business as regional CEO for the past eight years, will commence the position on July 1, based in the UK.
“I feel incredibly privileged to have spent three decades as part of IHG, working alongside the many talented colleagues that make it such a special company, and in partnership with our hotel owners who share our passion for hospitality,” Barr said.
“I have been lucky enough to experience this in multiple countries over the years and to have spent the last six as CEO has been an honour. After a long time living abroad, now is the right time for me and my family to return to the US.
“I am proud of the strong position that IHG is in today, thanks to the investments we have made to transform every aspect of our business, deliver for our guests and owners, and grow and operate our brands in the right way around the world.”
Barr has been a part of IHG for more than 30 years, and during his time as CEO he has driven sustainable growth surpassing 6,000 open hotels and the addition of seven brands.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Keith, and on behalf of the Board and our colleagues I want to thank him for his successful leadership of IHG and congratulate him on his remarkable contribution,” said IHG Chair, Deanna Oppenheimer.
“Starting in our hotels in the US before moving into corporate roles that have seen him work across international markets, Keith has used all his experience to lead a true transformation of IHG in his six years as CEO.
“He has rallied a business around a clear strategy with hotel owners and guests at its heart, strengthened IHG’s enterprise platform, and placed the business on a path to long-term sustainable growth and to continue an excellent track record of shareholder value creation. He has achieved this with great warmth and personality – not least during the depths of the pandemic – and we wish him the very best for the future.”
Maalouf joined IHG as Americas CEO in February 2015. During this time, the region has grown from approximately 3,700 hotels to more than 4,350. Maalouf has spent several decades in the global hospitality sector – including in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the US – and has experience in hotel development, branding, finance, real estate and operations management, as well as food and beverage.
“I am extremely proud to be appointed CEO of one of the world’s leading hotel companies and excited to work with our talented teams and owners around the world on what will be an important new chapter for IHG,” Maalouf said.
“Working closely with Keith and as an Executive Committee, we’ve made a number of critical strategic investments in recent years that position us with exciting opportunities to realise IHG’s full industry leading potential, by driving the performance and growth of our fantastic brands and delivering strong returns for all our stakeholders.”
Oppenheimer said the appointment is the result of a rigorous selection process.
“Elie has been an instrumental part of our business in his eight years running our largest operating region and as a member of the Board since 2018,” Oppenheimer said.
“His significant industry experience and deep understanding of our business makes him extremely well placed to take on the role of CEO and ensure we continue to progress and execute against our successful strategy. The Board and I look forward to working with him in his new position.”