A high-flying hotel executive who was set to become CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group’s Asia-Pacific region has had to resign following an “internal review” of his academic qualifications.
Patrick Imbardelli was set to join the IHG board on July 1.
In a statement, IHG said: “The decision follows an internal review of the academic qualifications of Patrick as previously presented to the Company.”
Imbardelli had enjoyed a glittering career in the hotels industry before the discrepancies on his C.V. came to light. Having joined Bass PLC, the forerunner to IHG, in 2000 he was appointed managing director, Asia Pacific at IHG in 2003.
Prior to joining the company he held management roles at Hilton International, Hyatt Corporation and Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation.
And just last month Imbardelli was named Hotelier of the Year at the 10th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference.
In the short term the chief executive role will be assumed by Tony South, currently senior vice president, development and asset management, Asia Pacific.
IHG said it would be announcing a permanent replacement for Imbardelli’s role shortly.