InterContinental Hotels Group is appointing Jolyon Bulley to the position of Americas chief operating officer.

Bulley will be responsible for leading the operations for IHG’s portfolio of more than 3,600 hotels, as well as further strengthening IHG’s existing franchisee relationships and developing new ones.

He also will serve on the Americas regional executive committee and be based at IHG’s regional headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bulley is an experienced hotelier with over 30 years in the hospitality industry, and first started at IHG in his native Australia in 2001.

Most recently, he served as IHG’s chief operating officer for its Greater China region, and is the longest-serving member of the IHG Global Operations Council.

During his tenure, Jolyon was integral to the development of the company’s new Hualuxe Hotels & Resorts brand, which is the industry’s first-ever international, luxury hotel brand created specifically to meet the needs and tastes of the Chinese consumer.

Prior to his position in Greater China, Jolyon worked in senior roles across IHG’s Asia, Middle East and Africa region, including in operations, brand strategy and performance for luxury resorts and multi-brand sales and marketing.

“We are delighted to welcome our colleague Jolyon to the Americas region,” said Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG.

“He is a proven operations leader and through his focus on performance and planning has transformed brand delivery, owner relations and food and beverage operations in his previous roles.

“Jolyon’s global experience across various disciplines undoubtedly will help us continue to deliver brands that are preferred by our guests and drive results for our owners, while further strengthening our senior leadership team.”

Bulley began his career in 1980 as a hotel front office clerk in Melbourne, Australia.

He went on to hold various management positions at hotels and resorts in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Thailand before moving to corporate hospitality.

Bulley commented: “I am enthusiastic about joining the IHG team in the Americas. The diversity of our owner and franchisee relationships across the region provides a wealth of opportunities to focus on our operational effectiveness and facilitate strategic growth.

“To continue to work alongside such passionate and committed people is also truly a privilege.”