Holiday Inn 2014 Annual Report Download - page 63

Eric Pearson
Executive Vice President
and Chief Information Officer
Appointed to the Executive Committee:
February 2012 (Joined the Group: 1997)
Jan Smits
Chief Executive,
Asia, Middle East and Africa
Appointed to the Executive Committee:
April 2011 (Joined the Group: 2002)
Board composition and diversity
The Board believes that, in order to be most effective, objectively challenge management and encourage different perspectives
for debate, it must have an appropriate mix of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity in line with our business. The Nomination
Committee supports the Board in respect of reviewing Board composition and continuously monitors succession planning.
See page 69 for the Nomination Committee Report.
Independence and tenure
The Board and Nomination Committee regularly review the
independence of each Non-Executive Director. Jennifer Laing
has served on the Board for over nine years and the Nomination
Committee has specifically reviewed her independence and is
satisfied that she continues to demonstrate independence in
character and judgement and is independent as required under
the Code. The Board has also considered this and reached the
same conclusion. Excluding the Chairman, 70 per cent (as at
16 February 2015) and 67 per cent (as at 31 December 2014)
of our Board comprise independent Non-Executive Directors.
As Ying Yeh has also been on the Board for over six years, both
her and Jennifer’s continued appointments were the subject of
particular review and scrutiny by the Nomination Committee and
the Board. Our current Non-Executive Directors’ lengths of tenure
as at 16 February 2015 are shown below:
0-3 years tenure
50% (4)
6-9 years tenur
e
12.5% (1)
3-6 years tenure
25% (2)
Over 9 years tenure
12.5% (1)
Skills and experience: Jan has 33 years’ experience in the hospitality
industry. He held various senior positions in the Asia and Australasia
region. He became Managing Director, Asia Australasia in June 2009.
Following the amalgamation of our Middle East and Africa region with
our Asia Australasia region, he became Chief Executive, Asia, Middle
East and Africa in August 2011.
Key responsibilities: These include business development and
performance of all the hotel brands and properties in Asia, Middle
East and Africa.
Skills and experience: Eric has a background in engineering and
technology and started his career at IHG nearly 20 years ago. Since
then he has held various senior positions in the field of emerging
technologies and global e-commerce. Prior to being appointed Chief
Information Officer, Eric most recently held the position of Chief
Marketing Officer for The Americas region.
Key responsibilities: These include global technology, including
IT systems and information management, throughout the Group.
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STRATEGIC REPORT GOVERNANCE
GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION