KUALA LUMPUR: IHG Hotels & Resorts said that 58 per cent of senior management roles in its seven hotels across Johor Bahru, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuala Lumpur are held by women, surpassing the national average of 40 per cent.
Sophie Mougel, the director of operations for Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines at IHG, highlighted that a key aspect of the company's strategy is providing customised career routes and development plans for each individual.
IHG has developed various professional development programs, including a 12-month global mentoring program for female colleagues aspiring to hotel leadership roles and an educational initiative at the recently launched IHG University.
Additionally, IHG supports colleagues aiming to take on their first general manager (GM) position within two years through its 'Journey to GM' talent acceleration program, introduced in 2021, aligning with IHG's growth objectives.
"At IHG, we are greatly invested in the diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda and extremely proud that 58 per cent of our senior management roles in Malaysia are female, ahead of the country average of 40 per cent.
"Our business is more globally connected and interdependent than ever before. I strongly believe that having a culture that enables us to draw upon different ideas and experiences is setting us up for long-term success," Mougel said in a statement.
IHG is growing in Malaysia, giving Malaysians additional professional options. It has 11 hotels planned, including the soon-to-open Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre and Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park.
Loni Tan, executive assistant manager, commercial, expressed how her leaders, mentors, and colleagues at IHG have inspired her during her 14 years with IHG.
Starting as an event and catering coordinator, Tan worked her way up to managerial responsibilities, which were crucial to her development as a leader.
Emelyn Rosales, the GM of Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre, shared that IHG provided her the opportunity to work in Malaysia and the Philippines, allowing her to acquire new skills and appreciate diverse working cultures.
"This has enabled me to develop my understanding of different cultures, gain varied business practice insights, and achieve some personal ambitions," she said.
