Source: IHG

45% of General Managers are women with focus on home-grown talent

IHG Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) by investing further in female leaders in Thailand – with 45% of General Manager roles now held by women.

With the majority of these positions going to home-grown talent, IHG has continued to deliver on Journey To Tomorrow, its 10-year action plan of clear commitments to drive change for its people, communities and planet.

Globally, 38% of the company’s senior leaders are women, and it has increased its female leadership pipeline in Thailand as part of its 2030 DE&I commitments to drive gender balance and a doubling of under-represented groups across all levels of its business.

Clive Murray, Regional General Manager, Bangkok City Thailand, said: “IHG is greatly invested in diversity, equity & inclusion and we are extremely proud that almost half of our General Managers in Thailand are female, and the majority of them are home-grown talent.

“Our business is more globally connected and interdependent than ever before, and it requires a culture where we draw upon different ideas and experiences to succeed. Having a diverse leadership team in Thailand enables us to drive growth, deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and owners, and be the type of organisation that people aspire to work for.”

IHG has implemented a host of initiatives to support its female leaders, including RISE, a 12-month global mentoring programme that aims to increase the number of women in General Manager and other senior positions. RISE participants get access to a dedicated mentor and sponsor, matched to their needs and expertise, have access to learning modules, career development workshops and have the opportunity to lead a Lean-In circle in their hotel. RISE inspires confidence in its participants, helps to grow their networks, and provides them with a range of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Some 50% of participants in South East Asia and Korea have advanced into a new opportunity with some moving into General Manager roles.

Juthamas Sakulpisut (Khun Judy), RISE graduate and mentor and General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11, said: “My advice to aspiring female leaders is to never doubt yourself and always believe you are capable of so much more. Take risks and go for it. IHG’s initiatives such as RISE provide aspiring female leaders with great support in the form of a dedicated mentor to provide guidance, and a sponsor to advocate career growth and success.

“The senior leadership team at IHG continually challenges me, gives me confidence in my roles and supports my career aspirations and, as a RISE mentor, I now support young women to achieve their goals and dreams, too."

IHG’s other DE&I initiatives include conscious inclusion training for its corporate teams and hotel General Managers, and a global network of local DE&I councils, which represent its regions and markets through giving its people a voice and providing them with advice, direction and support.

Nattareutai Thanapoomikul (Khun Aimmy), South East Asia & Korea DE&I Council Member and pre-opening General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut, said: “Being a woman in hospitality has its challenges, but thankfully IHG provides dedicated opportunities through which we can bring out the best in ourselves. These include the RISE programme, Lean-In Circle – which encourages women to meet in small groups – and our DE&I councils.

“These initiatives have nurtured my leadership capabilities and allowed me to achieve my dream to become a successful leader. As a member of the South East Asia and Korea DE&I council, I can impact change, and I want to inspire others to do more and become the best versions of themselves they can be. IHG is definitely the right place to pursue our dreams.”

In March, International Women’s Day focused on “Women in Leadership”, highlighting the crucial role that women in senior positions play in closing the gender gap.

As Kate Gerits, Regional General Manager, Thailand Central and South and General Manager of Holiday Inn Pattaya, explained:
“The beauty of the travel and hospitality industry is that we have the opportunity to work in different countries and experience a very diverse workplace, with employees and guests from all over the world. This brings about a culture that values and celebrates differences. We have female leaders across our hotels with varied skillsets and experiences, and that’s fantastic as they’re the type of role models who inspire the next generation of leaders.”

IHG has hotels and offices in more than 100 countries and 350,000 colleagues representing a wide variety of nationalities, cultures, religions, abilities and backgrounds. Caring for its people, communities and planet has been at the heart of IHG’s business for many years and, through Journey To Tomorrow, it will continue to strengthen its culture of inclusion and focus on attracting, building and retaining talent in all markets, to champion a diverse culture where everyone can thrive.

About IHG®

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

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Charlene Tan
+65 9722 7525
IHG

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