IHG bolsters leadership with dual promotions

Rajit Sukumaran and Vivek Bhalla tasked to drive growth and expansion across the region.

Rajit Sukumaran and Vivek Bhalla
Rajit Sukumaran and Vivek Bhalla

IHG Hotels and Resorts has promoted Rajit Sukumaran as the brand’s new senior vice president and managing director, East Asia & Pacific (EAPAC), overseeing the brand’s growth, performance and reputation in over 20 countries.

With over two decades in the hospitality industry, Sukumaran previously led IHG’s Southeast Asia & Korea (SEAK) business unit and oversaw the regional strategy for IHG’s brand growth as chief development officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa (EMEAA).

Vivek Bhalla will now step into the role of IHG’s managing director, SEAK, with the duty to oversee the growth, performance and operations of its estate of more than 120 hotels across 10 brands, and a pipeline of over 90 properties.

Bhalla has been with IHG since 2016, and is a veteran of the industry having previously held commercial and operations roles for a range of hospitality companies across the Asia Pacific.