Karin Sheppard has worked for InterContinental Hotels Group for 19 years. She is currently IHG’s Managing Director for Europe, responsible for driving the performance, sustainable growth and reputation of IHG’s European business. Karin oversees more than 750 franchised and managed hotels across several IHG brands in 39 countries, including over 350 hotels in the UK.
Karin is also a member of IHG's Regional Senior Leadership Team for Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa, and sits on IHG’s global Diversity & Inclusion Board.
In her previous role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Australasia & Japan based in Sydney, Australia, Karin led the operations and performance of close to 70 hotels in the region across IHG’s brands. In her three years as COO, Karin oversaw the market debut of the Holiday Inn Express® brand, the signings of the first Hotel Indigo hotels in the region, and the launch of IHG’s Rise programme for aspiring female General Managers, now a global initiative. She was also appointed a board member of both Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) and the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).
Over the course of her more than 19 years with IHG, Karin has held several senior roles in Europe, Australasia and the Middle East, spanning commercial, operations and brand development. Previous appointments include Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Asia, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) based in Singapore, and Vice President, Brand Management for the Europe, Middle East & Africa region.
Karin has more than 25 years of international experience in commercial functions across a variety of industries, including technology, telecommunications and hospitality. She is driven by unlocking the potential of her team, inspiring them to be at their very best so they can grow as individuals and win as a team.
Karin holds a Master Degree in International Business Administration with Modern Languages, from Aarhus University, Denmark.
