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Earlier this year, IHG Hotels & Resorts tapped Leanne Harwood to oversee operations for its luxury and lifestyle sector in the Americas region. For the role, the hospitality industry veteran moved across the world to Atlanta from Sydney, where she was serving as senior vice president and managing director for IHG’s Japan, Australasia and Pacific region. 

In her new region, Harwood is tasked with driving growth for IHG’s six luxury and lifestyle brands: Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and Vignette Collection. IHG’s luxury and lifestyle segment is growing “particularly fast,” and the company plans to continue expanding in the space, according to an earnings report earlier this year. Hotel Dive sat down with Harwood to learn about IHG’s rapidly expanding luxury and lifestyle portfolio and the company’s strategy in the Americas.