'The recent CEO shifts, which were announced last week are different in nature, of course,' says AETHOS Consulting Group CEO Keith Kefgen; 

'IHG CEO Richard Solomons 'retirement' is more of a natural succession plan, while Gonzalez is more about strategy and control by significant shareholder HNA. That said, these are seismic changes in the world of international hotels. Both are looking to establish themselves as dominant hotel chains that can compete with Marriott, Accor and Hilton in every respect.

Adds Thomas Mielke, AETHOS Consulting Group London-based Managing Director, "Back in 2014, Bloomberg quoted the founder and non-exec chairman of HNA Group, Cheng Fen, saying 'we want to be everywhere.' Today, his conglomerate of companies is certainly making its influence felt across the global hospitality industry.

"With investments in Carlson, Rezidor, NH Hotels, Hilton and Red Lion, HNA is playing chess, not checkers. Now, with the appointment of John Kidd, former President and COO of HNA Hospitality, to CEO of Carlson Hotels and Federico Gonzalez Tejera's transition to assume the CEO position at the Rezidor Hotel Group, HNA has two trusted 'insiders' looking after its key hospitality investments. Kidd brings an international perspective to an otherwise very US-centric business.

As AETHOS research suggests, as little as 30% of CEOs at the largest American hotel companies have international experience, and only about 20% of them are foreigners. Gonzalez Tejera's strong commercial background and track record in transforming businesses will fit in well with the entrepreneurial nature of the Rezidor Hotel Group.

"One thing is certain," continues Mielke, "the game of 'musical chairs' at the C-suite level is proving that HNA means business. 'Change management' is likely to be the buzz word in the board rooms of Carlson and Rezidor. The creation of a global steering committee is hereby an important piece of news which somehow got lost in the whirlwind of the recent CEO changes. Setting up such a task force, consisting of equal representation of Carlson and Rezidor senior executives, not only points at a stronger emphasis on closer collaboration and the creation and exploitation of synergies between the two businesses - it might also be read as a clear re-confirmation of HNA's commitment to the creation of a global player capable of taking on and rivalling the likes of Marriott, Accor and Hilton."

In sharing insights about the leadership changes at IHG, London-based AETHOS Managing Director Chris Mumford also shares, "While on the face of it the leadership change at IHG appears to be carefully planned, it will be interesting to see if this indicates a change in the company's strategy.

Solomons took the business through its highly disciplined asset-light strategy and took the proceeds of major asset sales such as the InterContinentals in Hong Kong and Paris to make special dividend payments to shareholders. Save the acquisition of Kimpton, IHG has chosen to focus on cash generation while competitors such as Accor and Marriott have pursued system growth through acquisition."

Mumford states, "Solomons brought to IHG a strong finance background; Keith Barr has a strong operational and commercial DNA, and the markets will be watching eagerly to see where he steers the company from here."

AETHOS Consulting Group is a global advisory firm serving the hospitality industry. We enhance value for our partner organizations via access, know-how and fresh thinking. Core competencies include executive search, compensation consulting, business strategy and psychometric assessments. We are designed as a single partnership operating from ten locations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. www.aethoscg.com.