Managing Director, UK & Ireland
IHG Hotels & Resorts
| Windsor
Be the face of IHG in our largest European market. Shape the future of hospitality across the UK & Ireland.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's leading hotel companies, with 19 brands and more than 6,000 hotels globally. The UK & Ireland business is our largest and most strategically significant market in Europe, home to over 400 hotels open and pipeline across our mainstream, upscale and luxury & lifestyle portfolio.
We are seeking an exceptional
Managing Director, UK & Ireland
to lead this business into its next chapter of growth, innovation, and partnership. This is a unique opportunity to represent IHG at the highest levels – with owners, investors, industry bodies, government stakeholders, and global colleagues – while delivering strong commercial outcomes and inspiring our teams.
The Role
As Managing Director, you will:
* Hold end-to-end leadership for the UK&I business unit, encompassing franchise, managed and leased hotels.
* Lead a diverse portfolio of brands including Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, voco, Hotel Indigo and our Luxury & Lifestyle collection.
* Act as IHG's market ambassador, representing us with owners, government, and industry forums.
* Balance strategic growth (new deals, pipeline development) with operational excellence (quality of estate, guest satisfaction, and commercial performance).
* Oversee a leadership team in a matrix management organisation spanning development, operations, HR, finance, legal and commercial, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
* Deliver on a £2bn+ P&L responsibility, driving sustainable revenue and profit growth.
* Leverage IHG's global scale and enterprise platforms while ensuring the UK&I maintains a pioneering role as a fastest to market innovator for new brands and concepts.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate will bring:
* Proven track record in general management or senior market leadership in the Hospitality and Travel or adjacent industries.
* Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable experience in development, franchising, or owner partnerships.
* Deep understanding of owner and investor relations, with credibility to engage at board and institutional level.
* Ability to lead through influence in a matrixed global organisation.
* Exceptional EQ, communication and stakeholder management skills – calm, resilient and collaborative under pressure.
* Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams; inspiring, developing, and empowering future leaders.
* Adaptability to operate across mainstream, upscale and luxury/lifestyle segments, with comfort flexing between franchise and managed models.
* A strategic yet hands-on leader who thrives in ambiguity, balances operational rigour with innovation, and represents IHG with authority and authenticity.
Why This Role?
* Scale and Impact: Lead IHG's largest European market, a cornerstone of our EMEAA business and a significant global profit contributor.
* Visibility: A high-profile leadership role with regular exposure to IHG's global executive leadership team, owners, and industry bodies.
* Innovation: Drive brand acceleration and market-first initiatives in a country that leads hospitality trends for Europe.
* Partnerships: Build long-term, strategic relationships with some of the world's most influential hotel owners and investors.
* Growth Platform: This role is both a critical market leadership position and a potential springboard into broader EMEAA or global leadership roles within IHG.
* Culture: Join a company recognised globally for its values-driven culture, focus on impact and inclusion, and strong sense of purpose – True Hospitality for Good.
Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.