InterContinental Hotels (IHG) has appointed a man from the drinks and confectionary industry as its new chief executive officer.
Andrew Cosslett, president of Cadbury Schweppes EMEA operation for the past two years, will take over at IHG by mid-March.
He succeeds Richard North who was sacked as ceo by group chairman David Webster last September.
Mr Cosslett, who is 49, has worked for Cadbury Schweppes in various roles for 14 years. He joined the company as marketing director after 11 years in Unilever's marketing department.
Mr Webster said of the appointment: “He brings great expertise in global brand management and a wealth of international experience at a time when the company is concentrating on developing its world-leading brands and growing its managed and franchised operations.”
At the time of Mr North's departure, Mr Webster said the group needed a ceo with “brand management” skills.
During his tenure as ceo, Mr North pursued a policy of selling off hotels which IHG owned to focus the company on becoming a hotel operator rather than proprietor.