Keith Barr assumed the CEO role at InterContinental Hotels Group on 1 July 2017. During the first four-and-half months on the job, Barr kept busy dealing with a number of things, including: persistent rumors of IHG being acquired; the launch of a new brand called Avid Hotels; the announcement of a major global restructuring that will take place in 2018; and the quickened implementation pace of the replacement of Holidex, the company’s legacy reservations system.

Hotel News Now had a chance to sit down for an interview with Barr at the company’s office in Central London on 17 November.

One key takeaway: Barr has a keen sense of humor. When asked about the biggest surprise he experienced in his new job, he said: “How many consultants email me every single day telling me they can solve all my problems! I hadn’t realized that was going to be (the case). I could probably use a full-time person working on just that.”