IHG adds execs to boost growth in Europe

IHG has added two senior executives to reinforce the company's development presence in Europe.

Josh Littman has joined IHG as head of luxury development, Europe, and Jon Colley is now head of development, UK and Ireland.

Littman began his career in operations, sales and marketing for Mandarin Oriental Hotels before working with Kerzner International’s Atlantis and One&Only brands. He previously was VP/head of development, EMEA, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos and worked for real estate financial and economic advisory firm, Economics Research Associates.

Colley began his career in banking, working for Barclays as a relationship manager in the leisure team, before joining the Royal Bank of Scotland as business development director/hotels. He then spent five years at Hilton Hotels & Resorts as development director, UK and Ireland, before joining IHG as chief investment officer.

“The appointments of Josh and Jon into these new roles reflects IHG’s focus on accelerating growth in key markets, as well as capitalizing on some significant opportunities for IHG in the high-value, high-growth luxury segment,” said Rajit Sukumaran, CDO, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa at IHG. “Both join us at an exciting time as we pursue opportunities to develop both our existing and newly launched brands in Europe, and their expertise will be key to strengthening IHG’s presence in the region.”

Related: IHG's Kimpton brand makes UK debut in London

IHG has been expanding its luxury presence across Europe, most recently with the acquisition of Regent Hotels & Resorts. The company's Kimpton brand has hotels in the works for Paris, Frankfurt and Barcelona, and recently opened the Kimpton Fitzroy in London. This UK debut follows an agreement by IHG earlier this year to rebrand and operate a portfolio of hotels in the UK, which secured an additional three Kimpton properties in the UK, and made IHG the country’s leading luxury hotel operator. 

IHG also is seeking opportunities for its new upscale Voco brand, which currently has two hotels in the development pipeline in the country, in addition to four properties that will rebrand as part of the UK portfolio deal.