InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has appointed Matthew Tripolone as head of Development, Australasia.

Effective from early June, Tripolone will be based at the company's Australia head office at Bond Street in Sydney.

Tripolone will lead IHG's strategic growth and development across its Australasia region, including Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He joins IHG from Accor Hotels where he held the role of general manager, Development Pacific, since 2008.

Paul Logan, senior vice president, Development, Asia, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are thrilled to welcome Matthew to the IHG family. Matthew is extremely well known in hotel development and real estate across the region, having overseen the completion of a number of major deals and transactions during his previous role. Having Matthew at the helm of our ongoing IHG development at this exciting time is certainly a win for us."

"It will be a big 12 months for IHG in this market, with exciting openings such as InterContinental Sydney Double Bay as well as the first Holiday Inn Express in Sydney’s North Ryde, and we are confident that this expansion will continue.

“Matthew has demonstrated great ability in his previous roles, and his appointment represents our continued commitment to our burgeoning community of owners, developers and partners across Australasia and the globe,” he added.

Tripolone said: "IHG is one of the leading hotel companies in the world with a market-leading portfolio of established brands. There are a number of exciting developments coming up in the region and the opportunity to work with such iconic and well respected brands, and to be a part of the company's long-term growth strategy, represented a wonderful opportunity. I look forward to working with the team to grow IHG's portfolio throughout the region."

The head of Development role was previously held by Phil Kasselis, who has moved to take on the new position of managing director at Pro Invest, an international investment company which has partnered with IHG and established a $150 million fund to develop a portfolio of 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia. – TradeArabia News Service