IHG CEO Keith Barr Steps Down
Photo Credit: IHG CEO Keith Barr on stage at Skift Global Forum On September 21, 2022 in New York City. Source: Skift. Skift
Skift Take
Under Barr, IHG shook off years of brand cobwebs and expanded its portfolio. Like Barr, Maalouf comes into the CEO role with years of brand experience that can serve him well.
InterContinental Hotels Group accompanied its first-quarter earnings with the news that group CEO Keith Barr will be replaced by IHG's Americas CEO Elie Maalouf on June 30. Barr has led IHG for six years, and Maalouf has been in his role since 2015.
Barr cited personal reasons related to his family moving back home to the U.S. as he addressed his stepping down at the start of the company’s 2023 first-quarter earnings call on Friday, May 5.
“On a personal level, it's been a very difficult decision," Barr said. "But after nearly 20 years away from the U.S. working in different countries, now is the right time for me and my family to return to the U.S. given my daughters will be studying there."
Barr called his 30-year journey with the company an “incredible privilege."
“IHG is a very special company, and to have spent the last 6 years as CEO has been an honor, as has working alongside our talented colleagues and in partnership with o
