Singapore – IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel groups, announced the appointment of Adeline Phua as Director, Development for its South East Asia and Korea region. In this newly created role, Adeline will be supporting the strategic growth of IHG brands in South East Asia and Korea, focusing on its luxury and lifestyle portfolio, and establishing a China desk to facilitate cross border investments and co-operation for the region.

Adeline brings 16 years of global experience in hospitality strategy, planning, development, ideation and concept creation, feasibility, valuation, investment and asset management across China, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.

Based in China for the last 13 years, Adeline joins IHG from an Asia practice of a Swiss cross border real estate investment and hospitality advisory firm based in Shanghai where she was Founder and Partner. Prior to that, she was Senior Director at Starwood’s Greater China Development team and Partner at HVS in Asia Pacific, first based in Singapore and then moving to Shanghai in 2009 to establish their China practice.

Serena Lim, Vice President, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG says: “Adeline is a wonderful addition to the IHG team with her strong credentials in cross border investments, hospitality strategy and development in Asia and across the globe. South East Asia and Korea has incredible growth potential and we see this with the confidence of our owners in signing new deals with us across city and resort locations in 2021.

“IHG has a fantastic portfolio of brands, and Adeline will focus her efforts on growing our luxury and lifestyle brands, InterContinental, Regent, Kimpton, Vignette and Hotel Indigo across our markets in the region. To support our growth ambition, she will also establish a China desk to facilitate cross border investments, and advise and support investors building global portfolios.

Adeline Phua, Director, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG added: “I am excited to be joining the IHG team at such an important time as travel and hospitality start to rebound with the reopening of borders and our hotels welcoming guests again.

“I look forward to developing win-win strategic partnerships with owners in China as they look to extend their assets to South East Asia, aligned to the Belt and Road initiative that promotes economic cooperation, infrastructure development and inter-regional connectivity, as well as unlocking the potential of IHG brands in this region.”