IHG Hotels & Resorts announce a major senior promotion and new appointment for its Global Corporate Affairs and Communications team in Australasia.

Chris Waite has been promoted to the role of Head of Corporate Affairs for IHG Japan, Australasia and Pacific (JAPAC), and Angelique Dingle has joined the IHG team in the newly created role of Manager, Corporate Affairs, Japan, Australasia and Pacific (JAPAC).

Chris, an award-winning and leading voice in tourism and accommodation industry communications, joined IHG in 2017 as Director of Communications JAPAC and helped build IHG’s profile through its biggest years of hotel signings and openings in history. He also helped navigate the business through Covid, and founded key CSR partnerships, namely the group’s Awesome Partnership with OzHarvest.

As part of his upweighted role, Chris and his expanded team will be responsible for elevating IHG’s public and industry affairs approach, further championing its corporate responsibility initiatives, continuing to work closely with Leanne Harwood, IHG’s SVP Managing Director for JAPAC and further building the company’s reputation in Japan, Australasia and the Pacific.

On his appointment, Chris said, “I’m exceptionally honoured to have played a role in building the profile of IHG and our industry over the past six years, and am even more excited by the opportunities ahead as we build our corporate affairs capability in JAPAC. I’m proud that our journey has always been grounded in the spirit of IHG’s purpose of True Hospitality for Good, which is something that’s incredibly important to me – from being a member of IHG’s DE&I council, to co-founding our LINK initiative, taking on the role of Vice Chair of the Accommodation Associations’ Public Affairs and Communications Committee, and launching our Awesome Partnership with OzHarvest.

“I’m excited to welcome Angelique to the team, and know that together we will continue to build our reputation, not only for IHG but for the industry as a whole.”

Angelique Dingle will be based in Sydney and has already commenced in the newly created role of Manager, Corporate Affairs, supporting Chris Waite.

Angelique has an extensive and diverse background that includes roles at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Haymarket Media, Australian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Red Door Restaurant Group, NSW & Victorian State Governments, and the Sydney Opera House.

Most recently Angelique worked as Media and Communications Manager at Global Infrastructure Hub, a not-for-profit organisation formed by the G20, that advances the delivery of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure.

Commenting on the appointments, Leanne Harwood, SVP Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan, Australasia and Pacific, said “I am incredibly pleased for Chris and Angelique for their well-deserved appointments to our corporate affairs team.

“Chris has been instrumental in driving IHG’s communications strategy in this region and has shown exceptional leadership during a critical period for IHG and through challenging times for the industry. I am confident that in his new role, Chris will continue to champion IHG’s corporate responsibility initiatives and further enhance our industry and public affairs presence.

“Angelique brings a wealth of experience to IHG and will be an exceptionally valuable addition to our team as we continue to elevate our group and support our hotels and owners in the region.”

IHG is one of the world’s leading hospitality companies and, in Australasia, has built its profile over the past few years to be recognised as one of the region’s most respected hospitality operators. With its record years of growth and leadership position in sustainability, diversity, equity & inclusion,  and flexibility & benefits, it is at the forefront of the industry in the markets in which it operates.