In a move that signals both strategic intent and institutional confidence, IHG Hotels and Resorts has appointed Joanna Kurowska as Vice President, Middle East and Africa Development. The appointment is an internal promotion and a deliberate one.
Kurowska brings nearly 15 years of IHG experience to the role, most recently as the leader of the group’s UK and Ireland business, its largest market within the EMEAA region. In that position, she oversaw a portfolio of more than 400 open and pipeline hotels, driving development strategy, owner engagement and sustained portfolio growth. She also played a central role in integrating Ruby Hotels into IHG’s portfolio, a move that meaningfully expanded the group’s brand offering.
Her new remit places her at the centre of IHG’s highest-priority growth markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, territories that are currently among the most active in global hospitality development.
“Having spent the past few months meeting with owners in Jeddah, Riyadh, Sub-Saharan Africa, Dubai and Cairo, I can confidently say the scale of opportunity unfolding across this region is extraordinary,” Kurowska said. “My focus is on ensuring we bring the right brands, the right deal structures, and strong local expertise to help our owners succeed,” she added.
What makes Kurowska’s appointment notable beyond the title is what it reflects about IHG’s leadership philosophy. Rather than looking externally for a high-profile hire, the group has elevated a leader who has spent over a decade building credibility within the organisation and the wider industry. Her people-centric approach and track record across complex, large-scale markets were clearly central to that decision.
Kurowska also sits on IHG’s Europe Inclusion and Impact Board, a commitment she has indicated will continue to shape her leadership across the new region.
For a market as dynamic and opportunity-rich as the Middle East and Africa, IHG has chosen experience, trust and institutional knowledge over novelty. That is itself a leadership statement.
