InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced a number of strategic changes to its Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) regional operating committee.

Alan Watts, previously chief operating officer (COO), Australasia and Japan, and operations performance, AMEA, will now oversee the performance of the region's 246 hotels across 37 countries and territories. In his expanded role as COO for Asia, Middle East and Africa, Watts will be supported by Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa and Phil Broad, vice president, food & beverage, AMEA.  

Clarence Tan, previously COO for South East Asia and Resorts based in Bangkok, Thailand, has been ppointed senior vice president, development for AMEA. Paul Logan will take on the newly created position of chief development officer. Over the next 15 months, Logan will transition his growth responsibilities to Tan, culminating in his retirement at the end of 2015. They both report directly to the region’s chief executive officer Jan Smits.

Watts and Logan continue to be based at IHG's regional head office in Singapore and Tan, who is currently based in Bangkok, will relocate there in due course.

Smits, chief executive officer, AMEA, IHG said: “In the past three years since we formed this geographically, and culturally, diverse region of Asia, Middle East and Africa, we have grown to a total of over 245 hotels across five brands, with another 137 in our development pipeline."

"Our regions’ success and strategic growth is a reflection of the depth and diversity of our talent; and I have made these changes to our senior leadership team in response to the fast evolving landscape in which we operate. Paul has been a key driver in our growth story and he will continue to be so. Both Alan and Clarence have been with IHG for more than a decade and in their new roles they will continue to play an important part in our journey, ensuring we deliver on the expectations of our guests, hotel owners and guests."  - TradeArabia News Service