About Keith Barr
Keith Barr is a prominent American businessman and global hospitality executive, best known for his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of IHG Hotels & Resorts from 2017 to 2023. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Sixth Street and serves on the Board of Directors for MGM Resorts International and Yum! Brands. Barr has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, focusing on strategic growth and value creation.
Career
Senior Advisor
A private equity firm with greater than $75B AUM.
Member Board of Directors
Member Board of Directors
Member Board of Directors
Member Board of Directors
Senior Business Advisor
Senior Business Advisor
Chief Executive Officer
Keith was Chief Executive Officer of IHG Hotels & Resorts since July 2017. He was responsible for implementing IHG’s strategy for high-quality growth and generating industry leading value creation for hotel owners, operators and shareholders.
Keith spent more than 25 years working in the hospitality industry across a wide range of roles, having started his career in hotel operations. He was a member of IHG’s Executive Committee since April 2011 and served as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for four years before being appointed CEO. Prior to his role as CCO, Keith spent four years as CEO of IHG’s Greater China business.
Keith joined IHG in 2000 and subsequently held a number of senior positions, including Vice President of Operations for Midscale brands in North America, Vice President of Operations for the Holiday Inn brand in North America and Chief Operating Officer for Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific.
Prior to joining IHG, Keith held several senior positions at Bristol Hotels and Resorts, which was acquired by IHG in 2000. Keith is a Non-Executive Director of Yum! Brands. He also sits on the Board of WiHTL. Keith is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for The School of Hotel Administration, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Chief Executive Officer
CEO
CEO
Chief Commercial Officer
Accountable for the management of our global brands as well as our revenue delivery channels and loyalty programs. Chief Commercial Officer
Chief Executive Officer, Greater China
Chief Executive Officer, Greater China
CEO Council Member
Member of the CNBC CEO Council. Designed for the chief executives leading companies across all sectors through the pivotal changes shaping the future of business, this invitation-only council provides year-round interactive events with leading experts, off-the-record discussions with CNBC journalists, and peer connections to help equip CEOs with the tools and resources they need to excel in their roles, and support their organizations and help them continue to succeed.
Education
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Administration
Skills
Core professional competencies developed over 25+ years in global hospitality and executive leadership.
Strategic Planning
Business Strategy
Value Creation
Global Operations
M&A and Integration
Digital Transformation
Executive Leadership
Team Management
Board Governance
Stakeholder Relations
Organizational Design
Change Management
Hotel Management
Revenue Analysis
Yield Management
Food & Beverage
Hospitality Management
Brand Management
Financial Acumen
Income Statement Analysis
Cost Control
Private Equity Advisory
Domains
Hospitality Industry, Global Hotel Chains, Luxury & Midscale Brands
Private Equity, Board Governance, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), Gaming & Resorts
Tags
Visionary, Strategic, Results-Oriented, Global Executive, Board Member
High-Quality Growth, Value Creation, Digital Innovation, Brand Stewardship
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