After this publication reported an initial restructure in November 2008, IHG is ready to shuffle the Asia Pacific region once again.

This time around the region will be 'broken up' for more focus on individual parts and through streamlining and greater efficiency major cost savings are expected.

In addition, Peter Gowers, Chief Executive Officer for Asia Pacific since November 1, 2007 will leave the company end of July and it is believed, the business altogether.

Gowers was appointed in November 2007, at 34 years of age because of his strength in branding and distribution and replaced Patrick Imbardelli as CEO for Asia-Pacific due to in-accuracies on Imbardelli's resume.

An IHG press release reported today:

"The Asia Pacific organisation is now being restructured and streamlined while giving greater focus to individual parts of the region. IHG's operations in Greater China are now of sufficient scale that they will become a separate business unit under the leadership of Keith Barr, Regional Managing Director based in Shanghai, reporting directly to Andy Cosslett, IHG's Chief Executive. A second business unit comprising IHG's operations in Southern Asia, Japan, Korea and the Pacific will be led by Jan Smits, Regional Managing Director based in Singapore. Mr. Smits will also report to Andy Cosslett."

"This change is part of a broader cost saving programme involving streamlining various parts of the global organisation, discretionary cost control, improved efficiency and effectiveness and making greater use of IHG's scale to achieve purchasing savings."

It further stated: "The programme will generate enduring cost savings, in addition to the initial $30m of 2009 cost savings identified in February 2009. The details of the savings will be reported with IHG's interim results for the six months to 30 June 2009 on 11 August, together with the one-off cost of implementing the programme. The ongoing cost saving programme will be led by Richard Solomons, who assumes the role of Head of Commercial Development in addition to his duties as Chief Financial Officer."

Sources tell 4Hoteliers.com that Edmond Ip, who was promoted to Chief Adviser last year, will be retiring.