IHG Takes Asia Focus

IHG has moved Simon Scoot, VP of global brand marketing for the InterContinental brand from its headquarters in the UK to lead the brand globally, out of Asia.Scoot (pictured) has been with IHG since 1992 and has had a diverse amount of experience across all functions within the brand's operations.He will report to the region's chief executive officer, Jan Smits, who leads the wider Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region from Singapore.In his new role, Scoot will be based in Thailand."Managing a historic, global brand out Asia will enable us to continue elevating the InterContinental brand globally but in a way that is also best suited to the growth opportunities in this region," Smits said.Earlier this year David Anderson, regional vice president of brands for IHG said he will be exiting the the company in December 2012 to take up a role at Virgin Australia Airlines. IHG currently has 86 InterContinental hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, making up for more than half of the InterContinental portfolio globally. In AMEA, IHG's hotel brand portfolio includes InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge, with Hotel Indigo to be introduced in the near future.