Six Continents Hotels, the world’s most global hotel company, today announced the appointment of John Wright as brand president, Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts. He assumed his new role in November and is based in London, reporting directly to Thomas R. Oliver, chairman and chief executive officer of Six Continents Hotels.

Wright’s appointment highlights Six Continents Hotels’ continuing commitment to the development of the Inter-Continental brand, which now includes over 130 properties in some 70 countries around the world. Paul Simmons, vice president, Inter-Continental and Jacqueline Moyse, director, global brand development, who were both appointed earlier this year, will work with Wright to define and deliver the brand’s values globally and ensure the consistency of quality and standards across the entire Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts’ portfolio.

Six Continents Hotels owns, manages or franchises leading hotel brands including Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites in six continents around the world.

Prior to this appointment, Wright held the role of area president Europe, Six Continents Hotels for 12 years, with responsibility for over 100 owned and managed hotels in more than 65 cities in Europe. In this time he has also been a valued member of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) executive team. Prior to Six Continents Hotels’ acquisition of Inter-Continental in 1998, Wright managed the European portfolio of Inter-Continental Hotels.

Thomas R. Oliver, chairman and chief executive officer, Six Continents Hotels said that Wright “has played a critical role in the integration of the Inter-Continental portfolio into Six Continents Hotels, and has 30 years’ international hotel experience - including 21 years with Inter-Continental itself. John will, I am sure, put his excellent experience to good use in taking the Inter-Continental brand forward.”

During his time with Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts, Wright has held various senior management positions in both hotel operations and the corporate arena, including his previous roles as president for EMEA; senior vice president, Europe, and senior vice president for the United Kingdom and Benelux.

Wright began his hotel career at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in the Food and Beverage department and subsequently held positions as auditor and later executive assistant manager at Grosvenor House in London, before being named general manager of the Grosvenor House, Sheffield. He has also held regional and general management positions in a number of hotels in the USA, Seychelles, Jordan and the Middle East, Greece, East Africa, Tunisia, and Belgium.

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