IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has promoted Pascal Gauvin to the role of Chief Operating Officer for India, Middle East and Africa, effective 1 April 2012. Pascal succeeds John Bamsey who has taken the decision to retire and return to the UK to be with his family.

Pascal has been with IHG for nearly 19 years. During his time with the company he has held various operational roles across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Based in Dubai since 2006, Pascal’s most recent role has been Vice President Operations, Near East & Africa.

As Chief Operating Officer, Pascal will be responsible for the overall operations and growth of the region reporting to Jan Smits, Chief Executive, Asia, Middle East and Africa.

John Bamsey joined IHG in 2001 and has been leading the region as Chief Operating Officer for the last five years. John was formerly IHG’s Chief Operating Officer for the UK and Ireland and prior to that Area President of Operations for Europe. He has held a number of senior roles within the hotel industry including positions at Le Meridien UK and Eire (Forte Hotels) and Hilton International. Following his retirement on 30 April 2012, John will be moving back to the UK.

Jan Smits, Chief Executive, Asia, Middle East and Africa, said, “The business will miss John’s leadership greatly.  He has always been a ‘people person’ and his ability to challenge his team to deliver great performance is part of what makes him not only a leader, but a memorable colleague. In Pascal we have a senior leader and experienced operator with a strong track record. He is no stranger to either IHG or the Middle East and Africa region and having Pascal at the helm will be a real advantage for us.”

IHG has 110 hotels across India, Middle East and Africa, operating under the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites brands.  The company has a further 96 hotels in the region’s development pipeline which are due to open over the next three to five years.