Speaker profile

Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa
IHG

Kenneth is responsible for the management, growth and profitability of Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa (EMEAA), the most diverse operating region for IHG Hotels & Resorts. Based in London, Kenneth manages a portfolio of more than 1,000 hotels in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, in both mature and emerging markets.

Kenneth was previously IHG’s CEO for Greater China, a role he held from 2013 to 2017. Kenneth led the accelerated growth and performance of the entire region during this period as well as a number of milestone projects. These included the continued expansion of IHG’s brands and the launch of the Holiday Inn Express® Franchise Plus model, key to IHG’s future scaled growth in the Chinese market.

Kenneth has extensive experience across sales, marketing strategy, business development and operations. In addition to 12 years living and working in China, Kenneth’s career includes experience in Asia, the UK, France and South Africa.

Prior to joining IHG in 2013, Kenneth worked for 20 years at Diageo, one of the UK's leading branded companies. His senior management positions included serving as Managing Director of Diageo Greater China, where he helped to build the company’s presence and led the landmark deal to acquire ShuiJingFang, a leading manufacturer of China’s national drink, and one of the first foreign acquisitions of a Chinese listed company. Kenneth has been an elected member of the China Britain Business Council Board since 2017 and was re-elected for his second three-year term in 2020.

In 2017, Kenneth received the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award for expatriates for his outstanding contribution to the city's social and economic development, having previously been awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award in 2009.

Kenneth received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bristol in the UK and speaks fluent French.