SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 20-F

 

 

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20192020

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 1-10409

 

 

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

England and Wales

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Broadwater Park,

Denham, Buckinghamshire UB9 5HR

(Address of principal executive offices)

Nicolette Henfrey

General Counsel and Company Secretary

+44 (0) 1895 512000

companysecretariat@ihg.com

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares
Ordinary Shares of 20340/399 pence each
 

IHG

IHG

 

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange*

 

 

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

 

Ordinary Shares of 20340/399 pence each 187,717,720

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act:    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:    Yes  ☐    No  ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer   Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to
Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.  ☑

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

US GAAP  ☐

  

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by

the International Accounting Standards Board  ☑

  Other  ☐

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

 ☐ Item 17       ☐ Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):

Yes            ☐                     No            ☑

(Applicable only to Issuers involved in bankruptcy proceedings during the past five years).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

  ☐    Yes      ☐No

 

 

 

 


LOGOLOGO


Our purpose

is to provide

True Hospitality

for Good.

It shapes our culture, brings our brands to life

and represents a commitment to make a difference

every day to our people, guests and communities,

and to protect the world around us.

Engaging with a wide range of stakeholders,

together we work towards common goals and help

ensure we create shared value for all.

LOGO

LOGOSee pages 22 to 33 for more information on how we work with our stakeholders.

LOGO

Front cover

Our Lights of Love social media campaign became a beacon of hope for the industry in 2020,

with hundreds of hotels globally creating light hearts in their windows

and colleagues doing the same with their hands.


LOGO

Contents

 

Additional Information
214212 Other financial information
221219 Directors’ Report
225224 Group information
237236 Shareholder information
244Exhibits
245 ExhibitsForward-looking statements
246 Form20-F cross-reference guide
248 Glossary
250 Useful information
252Forward-looking statements

The Strategic Report on pages 2 to 7571

was approved by the Board on 1722 February 2020.2021.

Nicolette Henfrey, Company Secretary

LOGO


LOGO

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020 1


Strategic Report

2019 key highlights2020 in review

 

LOGO

LOGO

    

A response

shaped by

our purpose

Shareholders and investors

The impact of Covid-19 on our industry has led to difficult but unavoidable decisions to protect IHG in the short and long-term. We’ve had to make savings, protect cash and thoughtfully align our cost base to a longer period of lower demand, while still protecting investments in future growth.

 Fee business costs reduced by ~$150m in 2020 through reductions in discretionary costs, temporarily reduced salaries and redundancies

 Targeted ~$75m of fee business costs to be sustainable into 2021, while still investing for growth

 Reduced gross capital expenditure by over $100m, with investment focused on high-priority growth areas

 Suspended dividend payments

 Increased liquidity and extended debt maturities

LOGO See page 33

In an unimaginably challenging year, we’ve worked tirelessly to care for our stakeholders, protect our business and ensure our purpose of True Hospitality for Good is felt even in the toughest of times – all while ensuring we’re ready to grow strongly in a recovery.

Financial performance

L

ike every company, our plans and expectations for 2020 were transformed by Covid-19. The global response to the pandemic, including lockdowns, travel bans and border closures, has impacted the lives of billions of people, severely damaged economies and posed

Global RevPAR

(52.5)%

2019: (0.3)%

Net system size growth

+0.3%

2019: +5.6%

the biggest challenge our hospitality industry has ever faced. For IHG, a 52.5% reduction in RevPAR led to operating profit from reportable segments falling by 75%.

We’ve committed to responding quickly with great care and thought, doing what’s right to support our guests, colleagues, hotel owners and communities, keep our business protected and help our industry recover. On these pages, and within this year’s Annual Report, you will see some of the actions we have taken in response to the pandemic and to ensure the right foundations are in place for a successful recovery and continued growth.

Total gross revenue in

IHG’s Systema

$13.5bn

2019: $27.9bn

Total revenue

$2,394m

2019: $4,627m

We know things will take time to improve, but as vaccinations roll out and the world feels confident to rediscover travel, we’re ready to deliver clean and trusted stays.

We’re focused on ensuring IHG and our hotels can outperform as demand returns, and we continue to sign and open new properties around the world. Looking to future growth, our pipeline of 1,815 hotels represents 11% of the industry, with ~40% already under construction.

Revenue from

reportable segmentsa

$992m

2019: $2,083m

Operating (loss)/profit

$(153)m

2019: $630m

Operating profit from

reportable segmentsa

$219m

2019: $865ma

Basic EPSb

(142.9)¢

2019: 210.4¢

a  

Restated to reflect the adoptionUse of IFRS 16 (see pages 146 to 149) in the Group Financial Statements.

b

Use ofNon-GAAP measures

Inmeasures: in addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additionalother financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on pages 5547 to 5951 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 214212 to 218.216.

cb  

Adjusted EPSba 303.3¢ (+3%31.3¢ (-90%); 2018: 293.2¢a 2019: 303.3¢.

 

2 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


LOGO

LOGO

Our people

With Covid-19 completely changing daily life, we’ve tried to be there to help all our colleagues.

Latest guidance, clear procedures and training have prioritised the safety of our hotel teams and kept them feeling supported

Mental health, wellbeing and parenting resources provided to employees working remotely, alongside increased communication

Recharge days were introduced for corporate employees working under intense pressure

An emergency support fund was created for employees significantly impacted by temporary furlough or reduced hours

A job centre and alumni network were established to offer displaced hotel and corporate colleagues ways to stay connected and pursue employment opportunities

 

    LOGO  See pages 26 to 28

LOGO

Hotel owners

Faced with temporary closures and low demand, our owners, many of whom are small business operators, have looked to IHG for advice, support and flexibility.

Supplier discounts, fee relief and flexible payment options have all helped protect our owners’ cash flow

New operational guidance offered to support performance, including evolved brand standards and digital services

Tailored hotel-reopening and recovery toolkits developed alongside targeted marketing campaigns to drive demand

Operational changes identified to improve profitability in a low-demand environment

Close collaboration with governments and trade bodies on need for sustained industry support

    LOGOSee pages 31 to 32

LOGO

Our communities

We’ve shown how important our thousands of local communities are to us by helping those in need.

From nurses to delivery drivers, we’ve accommodated frontline workers and helped travellers quarantine

We’ve provided the homeless with a safe place to stay and created care packages for the vulnerable

We’ve surprised frontline workers with free stays and offered discounted Heroes Rates for all

Working with our charity partners, we’ve funded vital work from supporting foodbanks to rebuilding communities hit by wildfires

    LOGOSee page 29

LOGO

Our guests

At a time of great uncertainty, we’ve ensured guests can trust IHG for flexibility, consistency and cleanliness.

Flexible cancellation policy for 2020 allowed guests to cancel stays up to 24 hours before arrival

A Book Now Pay Later offer has provided comfort if plans change

Status and points expiry protected for our loyalty members

Our commitment to the highest cleanliness standards in our hotels was reflected in the launch of our IHG Clean Promise

Introduced Meet with Confidence programme for corporate clients to prioritise safety, wellbeing and booking flexibility

Leveraged technology to promote a safe and clean stay through cleanliness checklists and the roll out of contactless digital check-in

    LOGOSee pages 31 to 32

LOGO

2020 in reviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  2019 key highlights2020 3


Strategic Report

Chair’s statement

statement

    

    

LOGO

Patrick Cescau

ChairLOGO

    

T

 

Final dividendhe Covid-19 pandemic gripped the world in 2020, changing lives and challenging economies, societal norms and the existence of many businesses. Without doubt, hospitality was one of

the sectors hardest hit, and our success this year has been defined as much by our financial health and strategic progress as it has by our ability to offer clarity and care during an unprecedented crisis.

85.9Border closures and restrictions designed to slow the spread of the virus have presented the travel sector with its greatest ever challenge. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates as many as 174 million jobs have been lost, as businesses have closed or been forced to reduce staff and costs, with entire supply chains feeling the knock-on¢ effect.

No pre-prepared response could have matched the magnitude of the situation. Instead, organisations will have learnt if they were equipped to be paidmanage such a crisis or not, and I am proud of IHG’s principled response, which has been guided by our purpose of True Hospitality.

Indeed, the experience has outlined the importance of purpose, giving new meaning to our potential to effect positive change, and highlighted the growing expectation that we must deliver that change in a challenging world. We have therefore evolved our purpose from True Hospitality for everyone, to True Hospitality for Good – still committed to looking after all those we interact with, but now more focused on 14 May 2020the difference we can make to our people, guests, communities and planet.

(2018: 78.1¢)

We have strived to do the right thing for every stakeholder. As a global company, our asset-light, fee-based, predominantly franchised model, and industry-leading position in upper midscale, means that while Covid-19’s impact on our business has been severe, there is also a level of resilience. Nevertheless, working back from the initial peak in April, when one in six of our hotels were closed and global occupancy was at historic lows of ~20%, we have had to focus on costs and target pockets of leisure and business demand to help maintain cash flow in difficult circumstances.

Ensuring our business remains robust has, of course, been important, but there are many other dimensions to consider, not least the anxiety this crisis has caused colleagues, or the help that our owners – many of whom are small or medium enterprises – have

 

 

Total Shareholder Return

25.1%

IHG’s Total Shareholder Return in 2019 versus the FTSE 100 Index at 17.3%

Full-year dividend

Five-year progress (¢)

 

LOGO“ Reflecting what we’ve

learnt and what’s

needed to succeed in

an evolving environment,

we entered 2021 with

a refreshed strategy.”

 

    

 

Return of funds

Since March 2003, the Group has returned over $11 billion of funds to shareholders by way of special dividends, capital returns and share repurchase programmes.

Since 2014:

 $500 million special dividend paid 29 January 2019

 $400 million special dividend paid 22 May 2017

 $1.5 billion special dividend paid 23 May 2016

 $500 million share buyback completed in 2014

 $750 million special dividend paid 14 July 2014

 

After a crucial period of transformation across our business, teams, priorities and processes, 2019 was a year in which a sharper and more agile execution of IHG’s strategy moved us closer to ambitious levels of growth and strengthened our long-term prospects.

The backdrop to this important work is one of an increasingly competitive industry. All peers are seeking to deliver on both evolving consumer expectations and aggressive growth strategies, focusing on system size expansion, market consolidation and big investments in service, loyalty, partnerships and technology.

We are clear that what will underpin IHG’s scale and success in key growth markets globally is a focus on enhancing and growing at pace, a distinct, high-quality portfolio of brands designed for great guest experiences and strong owner returns. Despite a weaker RevPAR environment, the fundamental drivers supporting our industry remain strong, with a growing global economy, increasing disposable income and an expanding middle class all fuelling long-term demand.

As a company we recognise the increasing importance of ensuring our culture, actions and aspirations also reflect a broader responsibility to contribute to society, local communities and the environment.

This is particularly important at a time of increasing political, societal, economic and environmental complexity. Climate change, trade tensions, nationalism and eroding trust in institutions represent some of the biggest themes of our time. IHG’s ability to act with integrity, transparency and conviction is key to our reputation with all stakeholders and to long-term future growth.

Accelerating growth

Over the past two years, our transformation has sparked the change needed to take IHG to the next level in terms of our capability and growth aspirations. This includes a refined structure and ways of working, and more targeted investments that strengthen our brands and business – be it fresh designs, signature marketing campaigns, new hotel tools, or new additions to our brand portfolio, such as Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (Six Senses) and Atwell Suites in 2019. Collectively this is delivering positive results.

On a performance level, our system size growth continues to accelerate in line with our aim to reach industry-leading levels, and we have achieved record signings in key markets that will support future growth.

 

4 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

 

“Over the past two years, our transformation has sparked the change needed to take IHGkeep their businesses alive. Our guests have also turned to us for enhanced safety and flexibility, and the next level in termscommunities our thousands of hotels are a part of have needed our compassion and support during an extremely challenging time.

Leading through adversity

Working intensely on so many fronts has placed huge demands on our leadership and teams. Testing IHG’s strategy, business model and management, this period has illustrated the importance of strong governance and the benefits of our capabilityrecent business transformation, designed to inject pace, clarity and growth aspirations.”empowerment into our daily work. These elements have helped us respond to many unique challenges, including temporarily closing and reopening hotels, implementing new cleanliness and safety procedures, reviewing brand standards, reimagining services and operations, pausing priority programmes and accelerating others.

Together,The role of the Board has been to support and constructively challenge – recognising a need for quick decisions but avoiding short-term reactions and maintaining a longer-term perspective that protects the assets and talent needed for future value creation. The importance of this illustratesapproach increases immeasurably when decisions affect people, and every effort was made to minimise the attractivenessimpact on jobs as a result of preserving cash and adapting to a vastly changed operating environment.

Equally, our evolving brand portfolio for guestsdecision to suspend dividend payments was not made lightly. The Board will consider future dividends once visibility of the pace and shows the trust owners have inscale of market recovery has improved. In keeping with our ability to listen to their needs and drive strong returns.

More broadlytrusted reputation, we have enriched the type of company we wantupdated shareholders regularly on all actions taken to be, strengthening our environmental commitmentsprotect liquidity, focusing on resilience and ties with local communities, launching a new share plan for corporate employees, and increasing our focus on diversity and inclusion at global and regional levels through our D&I Board. We have also put great effort into promoting the behaviours we see as critical to driving IHG’slong-term growth and contributing to a workplace everyone is proud of.prospects.

Inspiring change

I spent time in many of our markets in 2019, meeting with owners, investors and colleagues and staying in our hotels, and I have seen first-hand how the changes we are making are resonating with different stakeholders. From a conference with Crowne Plaza owners in the Americas, to a marquee InterContinental opening in France, and events in China and Japan, it is clear from my discussions that IHG is being recognised for a real focus on competitiveness and quality.

These results would not be possible without a rich company culture, whereby employees are engaged with our strategy, values and our purpose of providing True Hospitality for everyone. Special creditAcknowledgment must go to Chief Executive Officer Keith Barr and his leadership team for unitingshowing the required mix of control, flexibility, transparency and humanity that has characterised IHG’s response and given the business clarity over how it should function, execute and for leading by example on what’s requiredcommunicate.

Learning and adapting

There is an old adage that says what doesn’t break you makes you stronger, and while everybody wishes this pandemic to go above and beyond for guests, owners, investors and each other.be over,

The evolution ofit has offered us some important lessons. We’ve demonstrated the agility needed to succeed in a fast-changing industry, while our cultureteams have been more customer-centric than ever before, thinking like our guests and nurturing of talent is critical to IHG’s long-term success,owners and delivering faster, more effective services and solutions as a Boardresult. Working remotely so efficiently at a corporate level has also invigorated discussions on where and how we engage regularlywork in the future.

Reflecting what we’ve learnt and what’s needed to succeed in an evolving environment, we entered 2021 with leadershipa refreshed strategy that preserves our business model and growth aspiration but refines the priorities that guide our actions. Our priorities include an increased focus on executive development, succession planning and bench strength in management teams. In 2019, we also appointed a designatednon-executive directorcustomer centricity, as well as our commitment to ensure the Board’s engagement with IHG’s workforce, with several forums providing a valuable cross-section of views that ensures an employee voice is represented on key matters.

Our Board

The importance of the Board’s role in challenging and supporting corporate decision making during such a formative time for IHG cannot be underestimated, and we place great emphasis on ensuring that we keep pace with evolving topics that are central to our industry and organisation.

Alongside the evolution of a strong company culture, focus areas in 2019 included audit reform, the Greater China market, and consumer and technology trends. The changing cybersecurity landscape was also considered at length, alongside progress against our 2018 action plan, and the Board spent time understanding different environmental, social and governance (ESG) factorsresponsibilities through a priority to care for our people, communities and planet. Linked to this, is our new 10-year responsible business plan, Journey to Tomorrow, and, having engaged as a Board and through its Committees on both elements, I am confident our strategies provide the direction needed to grow successfully and sustainably in a competitive market.

Board refreshment

To support that growth, I place great importance on ensuring our Board represents a rich mix of backgrounds and experiences, and we saw several changes during the year, as part of the work being donean ongoing commitment to evolve our Corporate Responsibility strategy.

During 2019 we developed proposals for our refreshed Directors’ Remuneration Policy, details of which are set out in the Remuneration Committee Chair’s Statement on pages 96 to 98. As part of this work, we consulted with shareholders who made up more than 50% of the share register, as well as shareholder representative bodies. Please also see the Directors’ Remuneration Policy on pages 110 to 117.

Equally important to an effective Board is the right mix of diversity, experienceassess capabilities and backgrounds around the table – something we want to ensure is felt consistently throughout IHG. In 2019 we were delighted to again be named in the Hampton-Alexander Review as one of the top 10 FTSE 100 companies for female representation across our Executive Committee and direct reports. At a Board level, I am pleased to report that an external evaluation found the Board to be well functioning and effective.succession plans.

During the year,Both Malina Ngai and Luke Mayhew stepped down after valuable contributions in their three and nine years respectively, and we appointedwelcomed four new Independent Non-Executive Directors in 2020. Arthur de Haast as an IndependentNon-Executive Director, effective from 1joined in January, 2020. Chair of the Capital Markets Advisory Council of NYSE-listed professional services firm Jones Lang LaSalle, Arthur bringsbringing more than 30 years of capital markets, hotels, hospitality and sustainability experience; Sharon Rothstein joined in June, bringing more than 25 years of senior experience to IHG, as well as significant insight into Asia. Arthur will serve on IHG’s Remunerationat global companies; Graham Allan joined in September, bringing 40 years of strategic, commercial and Corporate Responsibility Committees.

Shareholder returns

Continuing IHG’s long track recordbrand experience; and Duriya Farooqui joined in December, bringing more than two decades of increasing shareholder returns, I am pleased to announceexpertise in strategy, transformation and innovation, and a passion for responsible operations and diversity. Additionally in February 2021, the Board approved the appointments of Richard Anderson and Daniela Barone Soares as Independent Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1 March 2021, and accepted the resignation of Anne Busquet, who will step down from the Board at the AGM.

In 2020, we saw diversity, and in particular, ethnic diversity, brought into sharper focus, as part of important conversations internationally around social equality. Diversity and inclusion is recommending a final dividendcornerstone of 85.9 cents per ordinary share, an increaseIHG’s culture, and while we’re proud of 10%our achievements, we accept we must do more to instil equality at every level of the business and better represent our communities. We have introduced additional commitments, including driving gender balance and doubling under-represented groups across our leadership, alongside delivering projects that prioritise employee wellbeing and advance our work on human rights.

Thank you

While we know recovery will take time, we have shown our ability to operate adeptly through uncertainty and to evolve. The events of 2020 have underlined the final dividend for 2018. This results ingrowing importance to our industry of tailored, responsive experiences and operations, driven not only by strong brands and hotels, but also sophisticated technology and data, and a full-year dividend of 125.8 cents per share, up 10% on 2018.

truly customer-centric mindset. As we looknavigate the intricacies of a global recovery, continuing to improve in these areas at pace will be crucial to performance and growth.

Looking to the future, our successful strategyindustry’s long-term prospects remain attractive, driven by factors including population growth, rising wealth in emerging markets, and cash generative business model remainsconsumer appetite to travel and stay in branded hotels. The ability to maintain and develop scale positions in key markets and segments is crucial to capitalising on this – however, quality growth must always come before quantity.

This has truly been a great strength of IHG. It is one that allows usyear like no other. I want to invest in initiatives that drive demandthank Keith and his leadership team for our brands and returns for our owners, motivate colleagues for high performance, and still deliver on our commitment to shareholder returns.

As ever, our achievements are the result of thetheir tremendous hard work of everyone in our hotels and offices.the way they continue to navigate uncertain times with such strategic clarity and operational agility. I would also like to thank all colleaguesoffer my respect and admiration to every hotel and corporate colleague for their dedicationtackling 2020 with such care and commitment, to bringing our brands to life, and tothank our owners for their continued confidence.confidence in IHG, as we look to a brighter future together.

    

LOGOLOGO

Patrick Cescau

Chair

 

 

LOGO

Chair’s statementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Chair’s statement2020 5


Strategic Report

Chief Executive

Officer’s review

LOGO

“Globally, we’ve worked

as a team with such

speed and compassion

– leading, learning and

listening to keep

colleagues and guests

feeling safe, protect IHG

and our owners, and

support our industry”.

LOGO

e arrived in 2020 on the back of a record year of openings and real momentum behind the growth of our brands in a thriving industry. Our clear strategy and the changes made in recent years were enabling us to move faster, accelerate our growth and take advantage of new opportunities. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic has since presented enormous challenges for travel and tourism, and for IHG. Yet, in spite of this, the thoughtful, swift and decisive actions of so many dedicated colleagues have helped us emerge a stronger company.

The enormity of this crisis means very little has escaped its impact. From socioeconomic challenges to mental and physical health, it has touched everyone’s life, and as a company, it has shifted how we’ve worked together, partnered with our owners, and looked after our guests and communities.

Globally, we’ve worked as a team with such speed and compassion – leading, learning and listening to help keep colleagues, guests and communities feeling safe, protect IHG and our owners, and support our industry. We’ve seen past the barriers of remote working and physical distancing to find ways to work together closer than ever before. I am immensely proud of how everyone from our leadership, corporate teams and reservation offices, to our owners and hotel colleagues have helped IHG and those around us through such difficult times, including our frontline workers and people in need. Collectively, we provided not just hospitality but True Hospitality for Good.

Our 2020 journey

People’s appetite to explore, rest or work on their travels hasn’t changed, but understandably their confidence in when it’s safe to do so has, and we’ve had to respond. To help keep colleagues and guests feeling safe, we quickly aligned new training and operating procedures with guidance from world health bodies. We further enhanced our IHG Way of Clean programme with new science-led protocols, backed by an IHG Clean Promise and Meet with Confidence offer. We also accelerated the rollout of technology enhancements such as digital check-in, introduced flexible cancellation and booking options, and protected points and status for our loyalty members.

Working with governments and authorities, some of our hotels switched focus to accommodate nurses, doctors and other frontline workers. Others supported the

6IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



    

LOGO

homeless, and many have provided meals and care packages for the vulnerable in their communities.

Our hotels have also needed IHG’s care. Many are small businesses, whose owners have faced real hardship as occupancies have fallen and created significant cost and cash flow pressures. We’ve supported them by reducing operating costs, redefining brand standards, renegotiating with suppliers, temporarily reducing fees and offering flexible payment terms. Knowing a recovery will take time, much of that work continues, in partnership with the IHG Owners Association and individual owners. In parallel, we’re collaborating with peers and governments to ensure continued financial support for our industry and to increase the pace at which travel safely resumes and plays its vital part in economic growth.

Ensuring there is business continuity amid so much change has been crucial, requiring both the right technology and a commitment to work with greater agility and decisiveness. As many of our corporate and reservation teams have worked remotely, we’ve supported them with mental health and wellbeing resources, flexible working arrangements and regular communication. Speaking more often to all employees and in smaller virtual circles has allowed me to answer questions and understand challenges in a way that’s brought us closer as an organisation and must be maintained.

In an environment where RevPAR more than halved in the year, IHG’s financial health has been a key focus too, balancing what’s needed to protect the business, while continuing to invest in future growth. We moved quickly to adjust existing debt agreements, access increased liquidity and protect our cash flow by suspending dividend payments, controlling capital expenditure and reducing fee business costs by $150m. It is a measure of the resilience of IHG’s business model that we were able to generate positive cash flows in this most challenging of years. Looking ahead, around half of the cost savings are expected to be sustained into 2021.

While we prioritised savings in non job-related areas, difficult choices were also made to reduce teams and operations in line with demand. Support sites and a hardship fund were set up for employees who unfortunately had their hours reduced or went on furlough, and we launched an alumni network with access to like-minded employers for employees sadly leaving us.

There have been some hard moments, but we’ve tried to ensure we can look back on our decisions knowing we had the best intentions. It means so much that in our November survey, 88% of corporate employees felt we had made responsible choices in our response to the pandemic, and 86% felt we’ve looked after their wellbeing. Equally, many owners have told me how much they’ve valued the way in which we’ve stood beside them.

Business strength

The shape of recovery continues to differ by market. Structurally, we’ve benefitted from several factors, including being principally domestic focused in key markets like the US; having less exposure to heavily hit groups and meetings business; and having leading brands like our Holiday Inn Brand Family in the upper midscale segment, where demand has historically been more resilient during a downturn. With this foundation, we’ve used data and analytics to target pockets of ongoing leisure and business demand, and worked closely with our hotels to deliver safe and consistent experiences, which has led to industry outperformance in key markets.

We’ve worked hard to drive performance, however, the impact of such a significant fall in demand is reflected in operating profit from reportable segments declining 75% to $219m. After taking into account the System Fund result and exceptional items, we reported an operating loss of $153m. Looking longer-term, the confidence we share with our owners is illustrated in another 285 hotel openings in 2020 and an average of almost one signing a day into our pipeline, with an increasing number of conversions. Our Holiday Inn® Brand Family remains a growth engine, accounting for half of all signings and ~60% of openings in the year. More broadly, our global pipeline of 1,815 hotels represents an 11% share of the total industry, showing the significant growth potential ahead. Other achievements include taking voco to the US and Greater China, our first Atwell Suites property breaking ground, and bringing avid® to Mexico and Canada.

Evolving our strategy

Prior to 2020, we had step-changed the pace of our growth and, with a recovery in mind, we must resume what was working successfully, retain valuable lessons from this period, and ensure our future growth plans reflect what’s important to our stakeholders and brands. To this end, we’ve refreshed both our corporate and responsible business strategies.

From how we build demand for our brands and deliver seamless digital experiences, to always putting ourselves in the shoes of a guest or owner, or the way we care for our people, communities and planet – our refreshed strategy puts a sharper focus on our services, products, returns and reputation. In a competitive marketplace, it’s vital we operate with this clarity and ensure that what we prioritise helps better leverage our scale and systems to grow our customer base, increase signings and in turn drive high-quality, industry-leading net rooms growth.

Critical to the work we do to care for our people, communities and planet will be ambitious 10-year targets in our new responsible business plan, Journey to Tomorrow. This builds on our achievements from our 2018-2020 programme and will push us further as an employer, within our communities and in minimising our environmental impact.

The future

The rollout of vaccines is extremely encouraging for everyone and of course vital to our industry’s recovery, but we know it will take time. I’m confident that our business model and strategy, which builds on the investments made in recent years to expand our brand portfolio and enhance our ways of working, puts IHG in a strong position to outperform the industry as it returns to full strength.

In my more than 20 years with IHG, I cannot recall a time of such togetherness, which is all the more remarkable when considering the pressure everyone has been under. On behalf of the Executive Committee and myself, I want to express our sincere gratitude to all our corporate and hotel colleagues for their hard work, energy and understanding, and to our owners for their partnership and commitment.

I know everyone at IHG passionately believes the world is there to be explored, and as a company and alongside our owners, we will continue to work hard towards better times.

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Keith Barr

Chief Executive Officer

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We continue to improve the strength and breadth of IHG’s brand portfolio and enterprise offer to create the rich guest experiences and owner returns that are so integral to our growth, and to delivering our purpose of True Hospitality for everyone.

For the past two years, we have been united as a business behind delivering our strategy to evolve and expand our brand portfolio, sharpen our operations, loyalty and owner offer, and put our global scale and resources to greatest use.

Building upon a position of great strength as one of the world’s leading hotel companies, this period has been characterised by a desire to add pace, agility and ambition to our operations, culture and enterprise offer, and ensure that IHG is well positioned to reach its full potential for the long-term.

Central to this is our ability to accelerate the pace at which we sign and open more hotels in key growth markets globally. In turn, this drives our successful fee business model and generates more cash for further investment in our enterprise and to return to shareholders.

The importance and effectiveness of this model is amplified at times when industry RevPAR growth slows. We saw such conditions arise in 2019, led by macro and geopolitical factors, supply growing ahead of demand in some markets, and ongoing unrest in Hong Kong SAR.

Delivering results

Against this backdrop and the progression of key strategic growth initiatives, we delivered a solid annual performance, with underlying operating profit increasing 6% and new openings for the year reaching record levels.

Our commitment to quality remains a key ingredient in the success of our brands, with consistent investment in our design, service, technology and loyalty offer.

Testament to this is our Holiday Inn Brand Family, for years IHG’s growth engine, which delivered its highest ever level of openings in 2019. Helping fuel demand has been the continued roll out of modern public space and room designs like Open Lobby and H4 for Holiday Inn, and Formula Blue for Holiday Inn Express, both of which have led to increased guest satisfaction scores and owner returns.

In the year, we also launched transformative new prototypes for what are already award-winning extended stay brands in Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites. Underlining the commitment to quality and modern service that we share with our owners, many of our Crowne Plaza and InterContinental properties are also being refreshed with important renovations and enhancements.

6IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


“In 2019, we have taken more important steps to be the best long-term partner for owners, a great place to work for employees, and a brand of choice for guests.”

It has also been another year of impressive demand for our boutique brands, with a best ever year of signings for Hotel Indigo, and the global expansion of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants taking the brand’s combined system and pipeline to almost 100 hotels.

New brands

Alongside our established brands, we have added new brands to our portfolio in fast-growing segments to further accelerate future growth. In a period of less than two years we have launched or acquired five new brands, with the acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (Six Senses) and launch of Atwell Suites in 2019, following the addition of Regent Hotels & Resorts and voco in 2018, and avid in 2017.

A world-renowned wellness and sustainability brand, Six Senses represents the very top tier of luxury, whilst Atwell Suites offers a new option in an $18bn USall-suites market.

Illustrating the strength of these new brands, avid has surpassed 200 signings since launch in September 2017, Atwell Suites already has 10 signings, and voco is growing ahead of expectations in EMEAA, with plans to expand into more markets globally in 2020. In the luxury space, a redefined Regent is attracting owner interest, and signings for Six Senses have accelerated, with some fantastic locations added, including London and the Galapagos Islands.

As well as the right brands, we know our success relies on having an attractive loyalty offer, a rich digital guest experience, and the tools, support and systems that unlock greater hotel performance for our owners. Our IHG Rewards Club partnerships in 2019 with the US Open Tennis Championships and travel club and boutique hotel specialist, Mr & Mrs Smith, underline our ambition to strengthen the programme through world class partnerships and help attract, reward and retain high value guests.

We are heavily investing in technology too, with the continued development of our industry-leading cloud-based Guest Reservation System

within IHG Concerto and our wifi solution IHG Connect. In 2019, we also launched IHG Studio, our new digitalin-room guest entertainment solution, which allows guests to stream content, make service requests and pay with loyalty points through their TV.

For every priority and programme we have, there is insight, data and expertise behind it that makes sure we are delivering relevant and effective solutions. Owners and guests vote with their feet, and we have seen improved guest satisfaction scores in the year, and increasing owner confidence illustrated by a growing market share of signings. Continuing this progress in 2020 is a key priority.

As a global industry leader, we understand how to operate in an ever-changing macro-economic environment to drivein-year performance and future growth. This includes dealing with the more recent challenges associated with the outbreak ofCovid-19 in Greater China and the impact on other parts of the world.

Focusing on the quality of our brands and owner offer, and investing in our culture and the colleagues that deliver for us every day, will continue to allow us to grow our estate and revenues, and in turn drive our ability to reinvest in growth and deliver returns.

Operating responsibly

Our commitment to acting in responsible and sustainable ways is a critical component of our purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone. Every day, it ensures that we do the right thing when it comes to our culture and operations, local communities and the environment.

In a period of internal change, we continue to listen carefully to employees to improve processes and empower them to be at their best. While there is more to do, key progress in 2019 included strengthening our commitment to flexible working, launching a new employee share plan, providing additional paid leave volunteering opportunities, and introducing conscious inclusion training as part of a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Recognising how through our scale we have the potential to positively impact communities and the world around us, we also further developed our human rights programme, including material updates to our Human Rights Policy and launching a new, freee-learning module for all colleagues to combat human trafficking.

In addition, it was fantastic to see more than 160,000 colleagues take part in our Giving for Good month and help support IHG charity partners. During 2019, we also started projects including an AI technology partnership to reduce food waste, and a programme with Junior Achievement Worldwide to build young people’s hospitality skills.

Proudly, IHG also became the first global hotel group to commit to switching all bathroom amenities tobulk-size products, which together with our 2018 pledge to eliminate plastic straws, will reduce plastic waste in our hotels each year.

It is very clear that the actions we take to grow in the right way are being evermore closely followed. Alongside the delivery of our 2018-2020 Responsible Business Targets, we are working on an ambitious and effective future Corporate Responsibility strategy and associated targets, which includes setting a 2030 science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Thank you

In 2019, we have taken more important steps to be the best long-term partner for owners, a great place to work for our employees, and a brand of choice for guests. Testament to this is the many awards we’ve received, including IHG being recognised as a Kincentric (formerly a part of Aon) Global Best Employer and as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ equality, EVEN Hotels named one of hospitality’s most customer centric brands by Forbes, and Six Senses, InterContinental and Kimpton hotels all being recognised by Conde Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Our 400,000 colleagues make all this possible, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone at IHG, and our owners, for their contribution, passion and commitment.

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Keith Barr

Chief Executive Officer

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Chief Executive Officer’s review7


Strategic Report

Industry overview

Despite a more challenging global economic backdrop, leading to RevPAR growth moderating, increasing room supply illustrates the positive fundamentals for the industry overall, such as increasing disposable incomes and growing appetite for branded hotels.

The $535 billion hotel industry remains fragmented, with 54% of rooms affiliated with a global or regional chain. Competition among branded players continues to increase as companies seek growth through acquisitions, organic expansion and diversification in their offer.

Evolving consumer expectations in areas such as sustainability, luxury and technology

continue to influence how the industry operates, whilst increasing digital commerce has led to a broader competitive landscape involving online travel intermediaries, serviced apartments andpeer-to-peer home rental companies.

2019 Industry performance

In terms of key performance metrics, room supply reflects how attractive the hotel industry is as an investment from an owner’s perspective. RevPAR is an important indicator of the value guests ascribe to a given hotel, brand or market, and grows when guests stay more often or pay higher rates.

2019 saw the industry delivering its 10th year of consecutive RevPAR growth at +1% globally,

slower than previous years due in part to lower growth in the global economy. In a slower RevPAR environment, rooms supply growth becomes an important driver of value creation for hotel groups. In 2019, global rooms supply grew by +2%, driven by attractive owner returns across a number of segments.

The hotel industry is cyclical; long-term fluctuations in RevPAR tend to reflect the interplay between industry demand, supply and the macroeconomic environment. At a local level, political, economic and factors such as terrorism, oil market conditions and hurricanes can impact demand and supply in the short term.

Overview of global hotel industry

Geography

The US is the largest hotel market, whilst Greater China continues to growa

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Branded hotels

The top fivec hotel groups have increased their market share by 5 percentage pointsa

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Segment

The hotel industry can be categorised by price levela

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Hotel industry growth drivers:10-year annual growth rate

Global hotel industry performance

Hotel business models

Global GDP

+3.1%
CAGRb

Indicator of economic growth – hotel performance correlates with GDP

Global household disposable income

+3.0%
CAGRb

Growing consumer spending and leisure travel, supported by cheaper air travel

Global corporate profits

+6.1%
CAGRb

Good indicator of business travel – continues to grow

a

Source: STR, Inc

b

Source: Oxford Economics

c

IHG, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Wyndam Hotels & Resorts Inc., Accor S.A.

 

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Chief Executive Officer’s reviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20207


Strategic Report

Industry overview

T

Global Industry RevPARhe Covid-19 pandemic led to hotel occupancy across the globe falling to historic lows in 2020, as lockdowns, ($)a

RevPAR growth suggests solid lodging

travel bans and physical distancing measures were introduced to limit the spread of the virus. The impact on hospitality has been severe, though longer-term, the fundamental desire to travel for business or leisure continues to underpin the industry’s growth prospects, illustrated by sustained new hotel openings and signings.

The ~$240 billion hotel industry remains fragmented, with 53% of rooms affiliated with a global or regional chain. Branded hotel penetration is expected to continue to grow. Conversions from independent to branded hotels typically increased following the last downturn as owners sought the

benefits of a branded system. Consumer expectations in key areas such as technology, cleanliness and sustainability increased during the pandemic and looking forwards, hotel groups and third-party owners are adapting to meet changing demands while ensuring they optimise returns.

2020 industry performance

There are two key performance metrics: room supply and RevPAR. Room supply reflects how attractive the hotel industry is as an investment from an owner’s perspective. RevPAR indicates the value guests ascribe to a given hotel, brand or market, and grows when they stay more often or pay higher rates.

Following a decade of consecutive growth, global industry RevPAR dropped 54% in

2020, largely due to falling occupancy rates. The pandemic’s impact led to millions of job losses globally and the temporary closure of thousands of hotels. As has been the case in previous downturns, domestic travel across the midscale segments (midscale and upper midscale) has proved the most resilient, with occupancy at these hotels falling less than the overall industry. Underscoring the sector’s positive fundamentals, global rooms supply still grew by 2% in 2020.

The hotel industry is cyclical: long term fluctuations in RevPAR tend to reflect the interplay between industry demand, supply and the macroeconomic environment. At a local level, political, economic and factors such as terrorism, oil market conditions, pandemics and hurricanes can impact demand and supply in the short term.

Overview of global hotel industry

Geography

The US is the largest hotel market, while Greater China continues to growa

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Branded hotels

The top fivec hotel groups have increased their market share by 5 percentage pointsa

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Segment

The branded hotel industry can be categorised by price levela

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Hotel industry growth drivers:

10-year annual growth rate (2010-20)

Global GDP

 

LOGO+2.3%

CAGRb

Indicator of economic growth – hotel performance correlates with GDP

Global household disposable income

+1.9%

CAGRb

Growing consumer spending and leisure travel, supported by cheaper air travel

Global corporate profits

+3.6%

CAGRb

Good indicator of business travel

a Source: Latest STR, Inc     b Source: Oxford Economics

Global hotel industry performance

Global industry RevPAR ($)a

RevPAR movements are illustrative of lodging demand

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Global rooms supply(m rooms)a

Supply growth reflects the attractiveness of the hotel industry

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c

IHG, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc., Accor S.A.

Branded hotel business models

There are two principal business models:

A fee-based, asset-light model

Franchised: owned and operated by parties distinct from the brand, who pay fees to the hotel company for use of their brand.

Managed: operated by a party distinct from the hotel owner. The owner pays management fees and, if the hotel uses a third-party brand name, fees to that third-party too.

An owner-operated, asset-heavy model

Owned: operated and branded by owner who benefits from all the income.

Leased: similar to owned, except the owner-operator does not have outright ownership of the hotel industry

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but leases it from the ultimate owner.
LOGOPlease see pages 10 to 13 for information on IHG’s business model.

There are two principal business models used by branded hotel groups:

Fee-based, asset-light model

Franchised: owned and operated by parties distinct from the brand, who pay fees to the hotel company for the use of their brand.

Managed: operated by a party distinct from the hotel owner. The hotel owner pays management fees and, if the hotel uses a third-party brand name, fees to that third-party also.

Owner-operated, asset-heavy model

Owned: operated and branded by the owner who bears the costs but benefits from all the income.

Leased: similar to owned, except the owner-operator does not have outright ownership of the hotel but leases it from the ultimate owner.

Asset-heavy business models allow tighter control over hotel operations, whilst

Asset-heavy models allow tighter control over operations, while asset-light models enable faster growth with lower capital investment.

 

 

8IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


 

8IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019



 

Trends shaping our industry

 

Sustainability

Operating with

a social purpose

Employees, consumers, investors, governments and industry bodies are paying closer attention to how committed companies are to caring for communities and the environment. Many businesses, including IHG, have aligned their efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on priorities most relevant to their operations. The goals range from wiping out poverty and delivering decent work and economic growth, to driving gender equality and climate action. All require creativity, commitment and collaboration in order to drive real change at global scale.

See pages 24 to 40 for more information on how IHG is addressing this trend.

200m

IHG is significantly reducing the 200 million bathroom miniatures used in its hotels annually

In an industry first, in 2019 IHG committed to replacing all our miniature bathroom amenities withbulk-size products across all brands. The move, which will significantly reduce plastic waste, has been followed by several industry peers.

Case study: Resilience of US midscale segments in downturns

  During periods of weak economic demand, the midscale segments (midscale and upper midscale) have historically proven more resilient than other chain scales, with RevPAR falling less than the overall industry.

  During the Covid-19 pandemic, hotels that remained open were more likely to be in the branded midscale segments, helped by their lower-cost operating model. These hotels could meet demand from those who needed a safe place to stay, including key workers and those travelling on essential business. Hotels in non-urban areas (where the majority of midscale and upper midscale hotels are located) outperformed their urban counterparts, which have a greater reliance on inbound international travel.

  Throughout the year, domestic leisure was the first segment to return. It is likely that large group travel and events will be the last to recover. This should favour midscale/upper midscale hotels, which have lower exposure to groups, meetings and events business.

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5.9%

IHG’s reduction in carbon per occupied room from 2017 baseline

Working alongside our owners and hotels, one of our 2018-2020 Responsible Business targets is a commitment to reduce our carbon footprint per occupied room by6-7%, and we are on track to do so.

Long-term trends in travel

  Population growth, an emerging middle class and lower cost to travel have meant global travel has consistently grown over 4% per year, save for one-off impacts on demand (e.g. 9/11).

  Covid-19 saw travel largely restricted to domestic markets, with air travel down 60%. According to McKinsey, recovery is likely to be gradual, though could be achieved within five years from virus containment and rebounding economies.

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100+

Hotels adopting IHG Studio

IHG Studio uses either the IHG app orin-room TV connection to offer guests easier ways to manage their stay – from directly casting their own content or ordering room service, to using loyalty points to pay for services. IHG Studio was launched in 2019 following a successful trial and will become a brand standard globally.

Technology

Enriching the digital guest experience

As technology continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, the hospitality industry is investing in data, platforms and partnerships capable of integrating digital services and connectivity at the right moments of a stay experience. The overarching ambition is to deliver richer, personalised and frictionless experiences for consumers, and to create more effective, efficient operations and greater revenue opportunities for businesses.

See page 21 for more information on how IHG is addressing this trend.

Evolving customer expectations

  As the market recovers, customer focus is likely to be needed in areas such as reinforcing guest confidence through higher standards of cleanliness and new operating procedures.

  Technology will continue to be key in driving guest demand to hotels. This includes greater levels of personalisation, digital booking and service delivery, the ability to choose

room attributes and a loyalty programme that provides added value to guests.

  Guests and other stakeholders are paying closer attention to the commitment of companies to operate responsibly. Many businesses, including IHG, have aligned their efforts to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which range from wiping out poverty to climate action. For further information see pages 20-21 and our Responsible Business Report.

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$5.6bn
Industry overviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20209


Strategic Report

Our brands

T

o drive growth at scale in high-value markets globally, we invest in an attractive portfolio of distinct brands

that generate strong demand from both guests and owners. We have a relentless focus on the quality of our estate, efficiency of our hotel operations and investment in digital innovation, design and service trends.

In parallel to growing our established brands, we have launched or acquired five new brands in the past three years and are focused on taking them to scale in fast-growing and underserved segments.

Each of our brands is well positioned to grow, leveraging the power of IHG’s people, systems, technology and loyalty programme. To support this growth, we have adopted a more intuitive way of presenting the breadth of our portfolio to customers, as part of a refreshed approach to use our IHG® Hotels & Resorts masterbrand to enhance our brand

perception, sharpen our marketing and capture more demand. Linked to this, our loyalty programme has been refreshed to become IHG® Rewards, as we focus on growing membership and driving more business directly to our hotels.

Reflecting continued demand for our brands, we opened 285 hotels in 2020 and signed on average almost one property a day into our pipeline. This took our share of the industry pipeline to 11%, versus our current market share of 4%.

IHG’s digital (web and mobile) revenue in 2019, up 7% on 2018

Masterbrand

and Loyalty

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HOTELS & RESORTS

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REWARDS

Luxury & Lifestyle

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOTimeless legacy bound together by distinctive design and unforgettable service. Making every journey a celebration of extraordinary experiences, each in their unique way.

16 open

31 pipeline

7 open

6 pipeline

205 open

69 pipeline

73 open

32 pipeline

125 open

104 pipeline

Premium

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

Making travel personal and purposeful. Giving guests a sense of belonging and wellbeing, with the thoughtful details to make every trip matter.

18 open

29 pipeline

12 open

25 pipeline

429 open

89 pipeline

16 open

31 pipeline

Essentials

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2,966 open

683 pipeline

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1,248 open

262 pipeline

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24 open

192 pipeline

Always there, always just what you need. With the warmth and trusted experience that has come to define True Hospitality.

Suites

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0 open

19 pipeline

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303 open

155 pipeline

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28 open

0 pipeline

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366 open

73 pipeline

When you’re not at home, be here. We invite guests to settle in for longer stays, knowing the comforts of home are always within reach.

 

10 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


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As consumers spend increasingly more time online exploring and researching travel options, IHG continues to invest in providing engaging and seamless digital guest experiences. The IHG mobile app is a critical component of our offer, with revenues increasing 18% in 2019 and downloads rising by 11%
Our BrandsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202011


Strategic Report

Our business model

We predominantly franchise our

brands and manage hotels on

behalf of third-party hotel owners.

Revenue from reportable segmentsa

Our revenue is directly linked to the revenue generated by the hotels in our system.

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Total rooms

886,036

rooms

Composition of rooms

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Our brands are presented as intuitive collections for consumers. For industry segmentation, the collections fall into the following categories: Suites (midscale, upper midscale and upscale), Essentials (predominantly in midscale and upper midscale); Premium (upscale); Luxury & Lifestyle (upper upscale and luxury).

 

a Excludes System Fund and hotel cost reimbursements.

We have 16 brands operating across more than 100 countries in the Suites, Essentials, Premium and Luxury & Lifestyle categories.

Supported by a leading loyalty programme, our brands meet clear consumer and corporate demand, and generate strong returns for our owners, which in turn attracts further hotel investment and drives the growth of our estate.

As an asset-light business, we focus on growing our fee revenues and fee margins, with limited requirements for capital. This enables us to grow our business whilst generating high returns on invested capital.

Whether we franchise or manage hotels is largely determined by market maturity, owner preference and, in certain cases, the particular brand. For instance, in more developed markets such as the US and Europe, ~90% of IHG hotels are franchised. These hotels tend to be limited service.

In emerging markets such as Greater China, ~80% of our hotels are managed by IHG, where we look after the day-to-day running of the property on behalf of the owner. Over time, we expect the Chinese market to move towards a franchise model. We launched the first tailored franchise offer for Holiday Inn Express® in 2016, and have since extended this to include Holiday Inn® and Crowne Plaza®.

Our asset-light business model means that we do not employ colleagues in franchised hotels, nor do we control their day-to-day operations, policies or procedures. That being said, IHG and our franchised hotels are committed to delivering a consistent brand experience, conducting business responsibly and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good. See Our culture and responsible business section from page 24.

The weighting of our hotel estate towards the midscale segments and the location of our hotels in non-urban locations provides a degree of resilience to cyclical and exogenous events. A weighting to domestic demand also provides resilience.

IHG owner proposition

We focus on ensuring our brand portfolio, loyalty proposition, systems and expertise provide a highly valued and distinctive offer that stands out to consumers and is attractive to owners.

To keep our brands relevant to guests and evolving trends, we commit to developing our established brands with new designs, service enhancements and operational support that drives demand and owner returns.

Through our investments in development resources, we can provide outstanding operational support to owners. We have embedded new processes to help reduce the time taken from hotel signing to ground break and opening. Our hotels also have access to a suite of applications designed to help them manage and improve performance, with the aim of further boosting owner returns.

We have also developed state-of-the-art technology to drive hotel demand, be it through our mobile booking app or cloud-based hotel solutions. Our distribution channels (booking sites, GDS relationships, and call centres through which hotel rooms are marketed and booked) allow hotel owners to reach potential guests at lower costs of sale.

While historically, the vast majority of our signings and openings have come from new-build properties, we see the potential for branded hotel penetration to increase through conversions, given the attractiveness of our scale and brands, and value proposition to owners.

 

Consumer trends
12IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Why owners choose to work with IHG

Hotel owners choose to work with IHG to either franchise or manage their hotels, driven by the trust they have in our brands and our track record in delivering strong returns.

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How we generate revenue

Franchised hotels

We receive a fixed percentage of rooms revenue when a guest stays at one of our hotels. This is our fee revenue.

Managed hotels

From our managed hotels, we generate revenue through a fixed percentage of the total hotel revenue and a proportion of hotel profit.

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Owned, leased and managed lease hotels

For hotels which we own or lease, we record the entire revenue and profit of the hotel in our financial statements. Our owned, leased and managed lease hotels have reduced from over 180 hotels 19 years ago, to 23 hotels at 31 December 2020.

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Instagrammableexperiences
Our business modelIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202013


Strategic Report

Our business model continued

IHG revenue from reportable segmentsa and the System Fund

System Fund

IHG manages a System Fund on behalf of our third-party hotel owners, who pay contributions into it. This includes a marketing and reservation assessment and a loyalty assessment.

The System Fund also benefits from proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards points under third-party co-branding arrangements.

The System Fund is managed by IHG for the benefit of hotels within the IHG system.

In 2020, IHG recognised $765 million of System Fund revenue, down from $1.4bn in 2019, reflecting lower assessments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Disciplined approach to capital allocation and managing liquidity

Our asset-light business model is highly cash generative through the cycle and enables us to invest in our brands and strengthen our enterprise. We have a disciplined approach to capital allocation which ensures that the business is appropriately invested in, whilst looking to maintain an efficient and conservative balance sheet. This approach placed our business in a strong position as the depth and scale of the global pandemic became apparent.

Managing liquidity through the pandemic

With occupancies at hotels reaching historic lows, we moved quickly to preserve cash through cost reductions across all our main areas of spend, including capital expenditure and operating expenditure. This meant that during the year the business generated free cash flow of $29m.

We also took rapid action to strengthen our liquidity, building on our conservative balance sheet approach and the measures we took to reduce costs and preserve cash.

 

For many guests, the hotel they choose to stay in needs to be as much a part of their travel experience as the destination they are preparing to explore. This requires an abundance of boutique and lifestyle hotels with character, authentic neighbourhood roots, and memorable designs and service style, without compromise on quality.

Large hotel groups have seized on the opportunity to grow these brands at pace, based on their ability to offer consistently rich experiences in multiple locations, alongside thoseall-important distinctive twists worthy of a snap for social media.

See page 23 for more information on how IHG is addressing this trend.

5,290

rooms

2019 was a record year of signings for Hotel Indigo

Since launching in 2004, IHG’s Hotel Indigo brand has grown to become one of the world’s largest branded boutique chains, with no two properties the same. Demand continues to increase, with its estate set to double in size over the next five years.

~100

hotels

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has been adding exciting new international destinations at a rapid rate

Since acquiring Kimpton in 2015, IHG has focused on taking the brand’s highly personal service and playful design from its US base to top luxury boutique destinations globally. From Bali and Bangkok to London and Shanghai, Kimpton has grown to almost 100 open and pipeline hotels.

a

Excludes System Fund and hotel cost reimbursements.

This included withdrawing the 2019 final dividend recommendation, and the issuance of £600m of commercial paper maturing in March 2021 under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). Furthermore, we issued 500m and £400m bonds maturing in 2024 and 2028 respectively. We concurrently repaid early £227m of our bonds maturing in November 2022. Our next bond maturity is £173m in November 2022, with no further bond maturities until October 2024. As a result, as at 31 December 2020, IHG had available liquidity of $2.9bn.

In addition, we secured covenant waivers up to and including 31 December 2021 for our $1.35bn syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (RCF), further covenant relaxations in 2022 and extended the maturity of the facilities by 18 months to September 2023 (see page 70).

Despite the comprehensive actions we have taken to reduce costs and preserve cash, due to the impact of the pandemic on the

profitability of the Group, our net debt: adjusted EBITDA ratio of 7.7x as at 31 December 2020 is outside of our previously stated aim to maintain a ratio of 2.5-3.0x.

Looking forwards, our approach remains unchanged. As the business recovers, our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent: ensure the business is appropriately invested in to drive growth; target sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend and return surplus funds to shareholders, and do this whilst considering our stated aim of a leverage ratio of 2.5-3.0x, and our objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

Bond maturity profile ($m)

LOGO

14IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020
    LOGO

These pages should be read together with



our principal risks on pages 46 to 53

and risk factors on pages 226 to 230.

 

Consistent uses of cash

Our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent with previous years and comprise three pillars:

Shareholder returns (2003-20) ($bn)

Source of returns

LOGO

1   Invest in the business to drive growth

Whilst having strict control on investments and our day-to-day capital expenditures, we look to strategically drive growth.

2   Target sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend

IHG has a dividend policy where, whilst balancing all our stakeholder interests and ensuring the long-term success of IHG, we would look to maintain or grow the ordinary dividend each year. However, during 2020, as part of our actions to preserve cash and protect the business, a dividend was not paid.

3   Return surplus funds to shareholders

The Group has a strong track record of returning surplus cash to shareholders. Since 2003, including the ordinary dividend, the Group has returned $13.6bn.

Capital expenditure
Spend incurred by IHG can be summarised as follows:

Type

What is it?

Recent examples

Maintenance capital expenditure, key money and selective investment to access strategic growth.

Maintenance capital expenditure is devoted to the maintenance of our systems and corporate offices along with our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Key money is expenditure used to access strategic opportunities, particularly in high-quality and sought-after locations when returns are financially and/or strategically attractive.

Examples of maintenance spend include maintenance of our offices, systems and our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Examples of key money include investments to secure representation for our brands in prime city locations.

Recyclable investments to drive the growth of our brands and our expansion in priority markets.

Recyclable investments are capital used to acquire real estate or investment through joint ventures or equity capital. This expenditure is strategic to help build brand presence.

We would look to divest these investments at an appropriate time and reinvest the proceeds across the business.

Examples of recyclable investments in prior years include our EVEN Hotels brand, where we used our capital to develop three hotel properties in the US to showcase the brand. Over time, we expect to divest our interest in these hotels.

System Fund capital investments for strategic investment to drive growth at hotel level.The development of tools and systems that hotels use to drive performance. This is charged back to the System Fund over the life of the asset.We continue to develop our new pioneering cloud-based Guest Reservation System (GRS), one of IHG Concerto’s comprehensive set of capabilities, which we developed with Amadeus. 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Industry overview9


Strategic Report

Our business model

We predominantly franchise our brands and manage hotels on behalf of third-party hotel owners. As an asset-light business, we focus on growing our fee revenues and fee margins, with limited requirements for capital. This enables us to grow our business whilst generating high returns on invested capital.

Whether we franchise or manage hotels is largely determined by market maturity, owner preference and, in certain cases, the particular brand. For instance, in more developed markets such as the US and Europe, over 90% of IHG hotels are franchised. These hotels tend to be limited service. By contrast, in emerging markets such as Greater China over 80% of IHG hotels are managed by IHG, where we look after theday-to-day running of the hotel on behalf of the owner. These hotels tend to be full service.

Over time, we expect the Chinese market to move towards a franchised model. We successfully launched the first tailored franchised offer for Holiday Inn Express® in 2016, and have since extended this to include Holiday Inn® and Crowne Plaza®.

Since launch, we have signed over 200 franchise hotels in Greater China, which attract full franchise fees.

Our asset-light business model means that we do not generally employ colleagues in franchised hotels, nor do we control theirday-to-day operations, policies or procedures. That being said, IHG and our franchised hotels are committed to delivering a consistent brand experience, conducting business responsibly and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for everyone. See page 28 for more information.

IHG owner proposition

We focus on ensuring our brand portfolio, loyalty proposition, systems and expertise provide a rich and distinctive offer that stands out to consumers and is attractive to owners.

To keep our brands relevant to guests and evolving trends, we commit to developing our established brands with new designs, service enhancements and operational support that drive demand and returns, and keeps True Hospitality at the heart of our offer.

In addition to our core brands, we are focused on growing our portfolio in high-potential areas, and have launched and acquired new brands in the mainstream, upscale and luxury segments in recent years.

We have also developedstate-of-the-art technology to drive hotel demand, be it through our mobile booking app or cloud-based hotel solutions. Our distribution channels (booking sites and call centres through which hotel rooms are marketed and booked) allow hotel owners to reach potential guests at lower costs of sale, with the proportion of revenue from rooms booked through IHG’s direct and indirect channels having steadily increased over the last few years.

Our investments in development resources has meant that we can provide outstanding operational support to owners. We have embedded new processes to help reduce the time taken from hotel signing to ground break and opening. Our hotels also have access to a suite of applications designed to help them manage and improve performance, with the aim of further boosting returns.

How we generate revenue

Franchised hotels

We receive a fixed percentage of rooms revenue following a

guest staying at a hotel. This is our fee revenue.

LOGO

Managed hotels

From our managed hotels, we generate revenue through a fixed percentage of the total hotel revenue and a proportion of each hotel’s profit.

Owned, leased & managed lease hotels

For hotels which we own or lease, we record the entire revenue and profit of the hotel in our financial statements. Our owned, leased and managed lease hotels have reduced from over 180 hotels 18 years ago, to 26 hotels at 31 December 2019.

How we deliver value

Franchised hotels

We deliver value to our hotel owners through the cultivation of hotel brands, economies of scale, access to shared systems and resources, and centralised marketing activity to drive hotel guest bookings.

Managed hotels and owned, leased and managed lease hotels

As well as the benefits we deliver through our franchise model, we drive value to our managed hotel owners, and owned, leased

and managed lease hotels, by optimising the performance of these hotels.

Other stakeholders

As part of our purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone we believe it is important that we deliver value to all our stakeholders. Whether it is our workforce, hotel owners, guests, suppliers, shareholders or society, we want to create a positive impact on them and the world around us. See pages 24 to 40 for more information.

Revenue from reportable segmentsa

Our revenue is directly linked to the revenue generated by the hotels in our system.

LOGO

Franchised

614,974

rooms

Central

Revenue is principally technology fee income see page 72

Managed

262,253

rooms

Owned, leased and managed lease

6,336

rooms

a  Excludes System Fund results, hotel cost reimbusements and exceptional items.

10IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


IHG revenue from reportable segmentsa and the System Fund

System Fund

IHG manages a System Fund on behalf of our third-party hotel owners, who pay contributions into it. This includes a marketing and reservation assessment and a loyalty assessment.

The System Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards Club points under third-partyco-branding arrangements.

The System Fund is managed by IHG for the benefit of hotels within the IHG system and is run at no profit or loss over the long-term. In 2019, IHG recognised $1.4 billion of System Fund revenue.

 

 LOGO

a

Excludes System Fund results, hotel cost reimbursements and exceptional items.

b

Definitions forNon-GAAP measures can be found on pages 55 to 59. The reconciliation for fee margin can be found on page 216.

c

The margin for owned, leased and managed lease is calculated from the results related to owned, leased and managed lease included within reportable segments (see page 214 revenue of $573m and operating profit of $52m).

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our business model11


Strategic Report

Our business model continued

Disciplined approach to capital allocation

Our asset-light business model is highly cash generative and enables us to invest in our brands and strengthen our enterprise. We have a disciplined approach to capital allocation which ensures that the business is appropriately invested in, whilst maintaining an efficient balance sheet.

Beyond this, we look to return surplus cash to shareholders through ordinary and special dividends and share buybacks.

Our objective is to maintain an investment-grade credit rating. One of the measures we use to monitor this is net debt: EBITDA and we aim for a ratio of2.5-3.0x. This is equivalent to our previous guidance of2.0-2.5x before the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’.

Dividend policy

The Board consistently reviews the Group’s approach to capital allocation and seeks to maintain an efficient balance sheet and investment-gradeinvestment grade credit rating. IHG has a progressive dividend policy and an excellent track record of returning funds to shareholders through ordinary and special dividends, and share buybacks, with the ordinary dividend seeing 11% CAGR since 2003. This is in addition to special returns of funds detailed on page 242. between 2003 and 2019.

When reviewing dividend recommendations, the Directors take into account the long-term consequences of any recommendation. The CompanyBoard looks to ensure that any recommendation does not harm the long-term sustainable success of the Company and that there are sufficient distributable reserves to pay any recommended dividend. The Board will assess the Group’s ability to pay a dividend

bearing in mind its responsibilities to its stakeholders and its objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

 

LOGOFor more details on our dividend policy and approach, see pages 4 and 73.

Our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent with previous years and comprise of three pillars:

LOGO

1

Invest in the business to drive growth

Through strategic investments and our day-to-day capital expenditures, we continue to drive growth.

Capital investments net ($m)

LOGO

Ordinary dividend progression (¢)

LOGO

LOGO

2

Maintain sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend

IHG has a progressive dividend policy which means we look to grow the dividend per ordinary share each year.

LOGO

3

Return surplus funds to shareholders

In January 2019, we paid a $500m capital return to shareholders via a special dividend and share consolidation.

Shareholder returns 2003-19 ($bn)

LOGOFor 2020, given the impact of the pandemic, the Group is not proposing to pay a final dividend. The Board will consider future dividends once the visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

 

a

The 2018 comparatives have been restated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

LOGO

Our business modelIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202015


Strategic Report

Our strategy

I

n 2020, we evolved key elements of our strategy to further strengthen our ability to drive future growth.

Our ambition to deliver high-quality industry-leading net rooms growth is unchanged, driven by continued investment in enhancing our guest and owner offer and developing our brands at scale in high-value markets. Over the long term, with disciplined execution, this drives sustained growth in cash flows and profits, which can be reinvested in our business and returned to shareholders.

What has evolved is how we execute against our strategy, in terms of what we prioritise, the behaviours we champion, and the purpose that guides us. Listening to stakeholders, we’ve evaluated what’s most important, not just to IHG’s growth, but how we grow, taking into account all we’ve learnt from dealing with Covid-19 and planning for a strong recovery over time.

Our evolved priorities put our brands at the heart of our business, and our owners and guests at the heart of our thinking. They

recognise the crucial role of a sophisticated, well-invested digital approach, and ensure we meet our growing responsibility to care for our people and make a positive difference to our communities and planet.

Uniting our efforts as a company behind our four priorities will help create competitive advantage, build stronger guest and owner relationships, and enhance a culture that brings the best out of our talented teams.

 

 

12IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


OUR PURPOSE

 

True Hospitality

for Good

OUR AMBITION

To deliver

industry-leading

net rooms growth

 

 

 

OUR STRATEGY

Use our scale and expertise to create the exceptional guest experiences and owner returns needed to grow our brands in the industry’s most valuable markets and segments. Delivered through a culture that retains and attracts the best people and embraces opportunities to positively impact the world around us.

PRIORITIES

LOGO

Build loved

and trusted

brands

LOGO

Customer
centric in all

we do

LOGO

Create digital

advantage

LOGO

Care for
our people, communities and planet

BEHAVIOURS

LOGO

Move

fast

LOGO

Solutions    

focused

 

 

LOGO

Think

return

LOGO

Build one

team

16IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

    Build loved

    and trusted

    brands

We focus on building and nurturing a leading portfolio of brands that offer exceptional quality and create meaningful guest connections with every stay. By striving for industry outperformance, effective hotel lifecycle management and strong returns, we aim to make our brands a leading choice for owners. Our outstanding loyalty programme enriches our entire offering.

 

Disciplined approachWhere we’re coming from

We’ve transformed the depth and breadth of our brand portfolio, with investment in quality, design and service, plus the launch and acquisition of new brands. It’s a portfolio designed to capital expenditure

Capital expenditure incurred by IHG can be summarised as follows.meet a range of needs for guests and owners, and in a fast-changing industry, we continue to evolve and enhance each brand to strengthen both consumer preference and owner returns.

 

      Type

What’s next?

We’re focused on several areas to accelerate both hotel performance and growth. To create a clearer connection to our hotel brands, better showcase the breadth of our portfolio to consumers and drive more business to our hotels, we’ve evolved our masterbrand to become IHG® Hotels & Resorts. Embedding this in our marketing, loyalty offer and digital channels is a key priority.

What is it?

Recent examples

Maintenance capital expenditure, key money and selective investment to access strategic growth.

Maintenance capital expenditure is devoted to the maintenance of our systems and corporate offices along with our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Key money is expenditure used to access strategic opportunities, particularly in high-quality and sought-after locations when returns are financially and/or strategically attractive.

Examples of maintenance spend include maintenance of our offices, systems and our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Examples of key money include investments to secure representation for our brands in prime city locations.

Recyclable investments to drive the growth of our brands and our expansion in priority markets.

Recyclable investments are capital used to acquire real estate or investment through joint ventures or equity capital. This expenditure is strategic to help build brand presence.

We would look to divest these investments at an appropriate time and reinvest the proceeds across the business.

Examples of recyclable investments in prior years include our EVEN Hotels brand, where we used our capital to develop three hotel properties in the US to showcase the brand. Over time, we expect to divest our interest in these hotels.

System Fund capital investments for strategic investment to drive growth at hotel level.

The development of tools and systems that hotels use to drive performance. This is charged back to the System Fund over the life of the asset.

Recently, we rolled out our new pioneering cloud-based Guest Reservation System (GRS), one of IHG Concerto’s comprehensive set of capabilities, which we developed with Amadeus (see page 224). In addition, during the year we made a strategic investment, alongside other large hotel companies, in Groups360 to create an online sourcing and booking solution for meetings.

 

Continuing to take our newer brands – avid®, voco and Atwell Suites – to scale in key markets remains vital to future growth. With a low cost to build and attractive operating economics, we expect avid to be our next brand of scale in the midscale segment. We’ve signed more than 200 hotels since 2017 and the brand expanded beyond the US to Mexico and Canada in 2020. In three years, voco has reached more than 50 openings and signings and is tracking well against our aim of 200 hotels within 10 years; and Atwell Suites has 19 signings since launching in September 2019, with the first hotel now under construction.

Ensuring we capitalise on growing our transformed Luxury & Lifestyle offer is also a priority, and we will continue to add to – and open – an attractive pipeline of outstanding hotels and destinations.

Across all our brands, we understand the importance of ensuring our hotels deliver high-quality, consistent service and guest experiences, with a particular focus on cleanliness, and this will continue to be a top priority as we enhance performance and brand reputation.

 

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our business model13


 

Our strategyIHG

LOGO

14IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our brands15


LOGO

16IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


LOGO

Loyalty

A rich loyalty offer allows IHG to build valuable relationships with members who are often strong advocates for our hotel brands, and seven times more likely to book directly, which helps deliver higher-value revenue to our estate.

LOGO

IHG® Rewards Club

One of the industry’s leading loyalty programmes, IHG Rewards Club is our way of ensuring that travel is experienced the way it should be: personal, seamless and rewarding.

All our members receive free internet worldwide, have access to exclusive rates and can select personal preferences that ensures their stays are just as they like them.

On top of a stay, members can earn points on everyday activities such as shopping, dining or car rentals through our many partners globally, and

these can be used to redeem Reward Nights or book flights with more than 400 airlines. In addition, our IHG Rewards Club Concierge can be used for access toone-of-a-kind opportunities.

Further enhancing the programme, we added more world-class global and regional partnerships in 2019, and progressed important trials, including an option for members to use loyalty points to pay for amenities and services during their stay. See page 20 for more detail.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our brands  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 17


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Customer

centric in

all we do

We have two types of customers: our guests – business and leisure – and our owners, and it’s critical that we put them at the heart of every plan. Consistently acting with this mindset and insight will allow us to create the tailored services and solutions that increase demand for our brands, strengthen consumer preference, deliver stronger owner returns and drive industry-leading rooms net growth.

 

Our strategyWhere we’re coming from

Our strategy for high quality growth

Our clearly defined strategy is focused on delivering industry-leading net rooms growth overWe’ve invested heavily in recent years in ensuring IHG works even more closely and effectively with our owners. This customer-centric mindset came to the medium term. We consistently enhance and grow our mainstream, upscale and luxury brandsfore more than ever in high-value markets with strong consumer demand to create scale positions and develop a differentiated guest and owner offer.

With disciplined execution, we focus on key markets with high potential, investing ahead of demand to drive high-quality growth. This means consistent, sustained growth in cash flows and profits over the long-term.

Our strategy is executed through a strong set of values, business behaviours and talented people, with a clear commitment to grow in the right way2020 – not just for our communitiesowners but for our guests, corporate clients and the world around us, delivering on our purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone.

Strategic model

LOGO

1

Build and leverage scale

2

Strengthen loyalty programme

3

Enhance revenue delivery

4

Evolve owner proposition

5

Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests

LOGO

Industry-leading net rooms

growth over the medium term

Whilst committing to responsible business

Robust assurance processes, business ethics, values and behaviours

Strong, diverse, innovative and inclusive cultureRespect for the environment and the communities we work inEngagement with our stakeholders and nurturing relationships

On the following pages we set out some examples of how we implement each element of our strategic modelLOGO

LOGOOur strategy should be read together with our culture, responsible business and stakeholders section, pages 24 to 40, and our principal risks and uncertainties, pages 47 to 53.LOGO

For further information about our strategy, go to

www.ihgplc.com/about-us under Our strategy.

18IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


loyalty members, too.

 

LOGOThe importance of this approach was illustrated by the Guest Satisfaction Index measure being net positive for IHG throughout the year, outperforming competitors.

Build

What’s next

With a greater customer focus, we will refine elements of our offer for guests, loyalty members and owners to deepen brand loyalty, drive revenue and create more value.

leverage scale

Scale provides significant advantages in the hospitality industry at bothPriority areas for our guests include: maintaining an increased focus on cleanliness; developing a globalhybrid meetings offer for corporate customers; and national level. Focusing on the highest opportunity segments, IHG uses a diverse brand portfolio,continuing to enhance our loyalty offer, strong systemsbuilding on improved member marketing in 2020 and depth in attractive marketsfeatures such as dynamic pricing for Reward Nights, which offers members more value outside of peak times.

For our owners, we know the importance of managing costs to drive significant efficienciesbuild, open and operate, and we continue to collaborate and innovate to develop new services and solutions that lead to increased operating leverageboth increase revenue and ultimately higher margins.

In 2019, our scale provided further competitive advantage, allowing us to accelerate our net system size growth to 5.6%. Moreover, we increased our market share of signings in key markets, helping to expand our high-quality pipelinedeliver more efficient and position us well for future growth.

Illustratingsustainable operations. Key programmes include: the attractivenessroll out of our enterprise offer,Owner Engagement Portal, which gives owners real-time oversight of performance metrics; and expansion of our established brands continue to expand at pace globally. This expansion included a best ever openings performance for our Holiday Inn Brand Family, underscoring our leading position in the mainstream segment.

Within upscale and luxury markets more broadly, our Hotel Indigo estate is set to double in size in the coming years and we are bringing Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to new international destinations at an excellent pace. We continuecentral procurement services to use our scale to build new brands too, including avid hotels, which has had over 200 signings in the US, Canada and Mexico since September 2017, with seven hotels already open.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our strategy19


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Strengthen

loyalty programme

Having an attractive, differentiated loyalty offer tailored to our guests’ needs is critical to IHG’s success. We are continually innovating IHG Rewards Club to build lifetime relationships with our members. This creates a sustainable long-term revenue sourcecreate additional savings for our hotels and transforms previously unaffiliated travellers into powerful advocates for our brands.owners.

In 2019, our focus on global and regional partnerships helped deliver richer experiences for our IHG Rewards Club members and increased awareness of our brands. This included our inaugural sponsorship of the US Open Tennis Championships, which attracted almost 21 million social media impressions, with

members able to use loyalty points to bid for ‘money can’t buy’ experiences. We also announced a partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith that makes around 500 hand-selected luxury and boutique properties exclusively available for IHG Rewards Club members, and we extended our InterContinental Alliance Resorts partnership with Sands Macao to include The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao in Greater China.

Beyond this, we are piloting several programme enhancements, including an option for guests to pay with points for services including spa treatments, food and beverages.

LOGO

20IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


LOGO

Enhance

revenue delivery

By striving to drive business through our direct channels, IHG maximises returns for our owners, delivering revenue at a lower cost than alternatives such as third-party intermediaries. Digital and technological innovation, alongside strong brands and a compelling loyalty offer, is key to ensuring IHG continues to manage revenue delivery effectively.

We continue to develop IHG Concerto, our proprietary, cloud-based hotel technology system. In 2019, we began piloting attribute pricing for our Guest Reservation System, which was developed with Amadeus and rolled out in 2018. Rather than simply choosing a room at booking, guests will be able to customise their stay by selecting specific attributes, whilst hotel owners will

unlock value by optimising pricing for desirable items. In addition, our Revenue Management for Hire programme has now been rolled out to over 3,500 hotels, providing owners with data-driven insights for setting room rates.

A compelling B2B offer is also a crucial source of revenue, and we are focused on enhancing our leading global sales enterprise that drives high-quality,low-cost revenue to our hotels. In 2019, with three industry peers, we made a strategic investment in Groups360 to enhance the GroupSync platform and make group travel easier for meeting planners. Using an online tool, planners will be able to source and book meetings and events across a wide selection of brands.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our strategy21


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Evolve our owner proposition

Maintaining positive relationships with long-standing owners and constantly forging new ones is vital for IHG. Our outstanding operational support, preferred brands, industry-leading franchise offer and continued investment in innovation deliver a compelling owner proposition and strong returns.

Our global procurement solutions provide support to our owners in opening and running their hotels. Progress in 2019 included delivering a supply chain solution for new Holiday Inn Express hotels in Greater China, which helps get hotels open in a faster time period and offers high quality products at lower costs.

In the Americas, following the success of our 2017 launch of avid hotels, which encompassed a streamlined process for owners from signing a hotel, to building and running the property, we launched cost-efficient prototypes in 2019 for Holiday Inn and our extended stay brands, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites.

In Greater China, we have provided owners with more opportunities to work with IHG through our franchise offer for Holiday Inn Express, which launched in May 2016. Since then, we have extended franchising to our Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands too, achieving more than 200 signings to date.

LOGO

22IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


LOGO

Optimise our

preferred portfolio

of brands for owners

and guests

As competition intensifies, distribution channels proliferate and consumers become more demanding, actively building a strong portfolio of distinct brands for both our owners and guests is key to IHG’s success and future growth.

As an example of this, in the mainstream segment with Holiday Inn Express, our new guest room designs have delivered a five percentage points premium in guest satisfaction and strong owner returns. We are on track for adoption of these new designs in over 1,600 hotels in our Americas estate by the end of 2020, and the successes have informed enhancements rolling out for Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

In addition to enhancing our established brands, we have added new brands in fast-growing markets that will support future rooms growth.

This includes using our mainstream expertise to launch avid and Atwell Suites, targeting underserved guests in the midscale andall-suites segments. In upscale, our voco brand offers owners of high-quality assets a chance to quickly convert to a strong brand and leverage IHG’s scale and systems to drive improved performance. In the luxury space, the acquisitions of Regent Hotels & Resorts and Six Senses builds on our existing heritage to offer a more comprehensive offer to guests and to owners wanting to work with IHG in the top tier of luxury.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our strategy23


Strategic Report

Our culture, responsible

business and stakeholders

LOGO

Our purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone is at the centre of our culture. It underpins, reinforces and supports our strategy, sets the tone for our commercial activities, drives performance, and creates value for our stakeholders.

We are committed to:

Robust business ethics, values and behaviours;

A strong, diverse, innovative and inclusive culture;

Respect for the environment and the communities we work in; and

Engaging with and nurturing relationships with our stakeholders.

IHG believes that good culture is more than written values, policies and principles. It is the demonstration of our culture, the ethical and inclusive behaviours that matter, be it the way our Board and Executive Committee lead us, the way our office spaces are set out, the way we prioritise resources, monitor performance, respond to climate and societal change, or how our performance support teams partner with General Managers in our hotels.

The Company culture is driven through a mixture of the Board leading by example, delegating to the Executive Committee and Senior Leadership, setting and monitoring values, behaviour and ethical business practices, standing Board agenda items on key areas of culture, reviewing and approving policies, and direct or delegated interactions with stakeholders.

Our culture is crucial to who we are, how we work together, how we make our strategic decisions, how our stakeholders view us and how we grow our business.

LOGO

The following pages should be

read in conjunction with:

Our business model pages 10 to 13

Our strategy pages 18 to 23

KPIs pages 42 to 45

Our risk management pages 46 to 53

Governance on pages 78 to 117

Directors’ Report on pages 221 to 224

24IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


LOGO

How we engage

Engagement with our stakeholders andday-to-day management is a multi-layered and delegated process. At all levels of the business, from front line operations, through corporate functions, Senior Leadership, the Executive Committee, the Board and its Committees, we engage both internally and externally.

The Board delegates oversight ofday-to-day operations and execution of strategic priorities through the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders, and sets, approves, embeds, reviews and course corrects (where necessary) the Company’s strategy, values, policies, principles, behaviours and responsible business culture in line with our purpose and business model.

We use a variety of mechanisms to engage with employees and other stakeholders, includingface-to-face meetings, conferences, feedback and performance reviews, employee forums and training, and we monitor this through, for example, our employee and investor engagement surveys, reports and presentations to the Board. We have an open, collaborative and inclusive approach. We take the information we glean from those interactions and use it to make informed judgements in our decision

making.

We also take into consideration the views and interests of other stakeholders, such as regulators and industry bodies, when determining our strategy, values and behaviours, as well as awareness of environmental and social concerns. They help provide a framework against which we measure ourselves, protect our reputation and develop our commercial and social awareness.

LOGO

More information about our culture, approach to responsible business and stakeholders is set out on the following pages. See Board agenda items on pages 84 and 85 for more information on which stakeholders were considered as part of Board decisions.

Our engagement model

 

 

 

 

 

18IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



    

 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders25


Strategic Report

Our culture, responsible business

and stakeholders continued

LOGO

 

    

Create

digital

advantage

A digital-first approach is vital to enabling seamless experiences, driving direct bookings, saving time and money, and delivering the right data, insights, technology and platforms needed to connect with guests and drive performance for owners.

Where we’re coming from

Our values, behavioursinvestment in cloud-based technology allows us to develop and work practicesroll out performance-driving tools and new guest-facing products further and faster than ever before.

Who leadsWhat’s next

We will create more sophisticated and targeted ways to transform the guest experience at every stage of the journey, while also ensuring our hotels can operate more efficiently, manage greater demand and drive stronger performance.

Key focus areas include continuing to increase the value our technology platforms, marketing, sales and loyalty distribution channels deliver for owners. We will also continue to create a first-class booking experience through our industry-leading Guest Reservation System on IHG Concerto. The roll-out of room attribute pricing is expected to be live across the estate by the end of 2021, enabling tailoring of stays and selection of add-ons. In 2020, initial pilots were conducted in each region, demonstrating to owners the ability to generate maximum value from their hotel’s unique attributes.

Board

In 2020, we developed several new digital enhancements to keep everyone connected and Committeesin control, and ensuring we successfully roll these out at scale is a top priority. Digital check-in is now implemented in more than 1,000 hotels, with strong guest satisfaction scores and continues to expand across the estate. Digital check-out is live in 4,000 hotels.

In 2020, we also launched our first flagship store on the leading Chinese Online Travel Agent (OTA) platform, as part of IHG’s partnership with Ctrip. We expect to grow other partnerships in the future to continue providing enriching experiences and benefits for our loyalty members.

LOGO

 

Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202019


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Care for

our people, communities

and planet

We are passionate about working and growing together within a culture that respects and invests in our people, and embraces opportunities to contribute positively to local communities and operate responsibly and sustainably in the world around us.

Where we’re coming from

We have ambitious growth plans, but equally important to us is how we grow. We’re proud to be a business that invests in a highly engaged workforce, supports its communities and looks after our planet. However, we recognise that to deliver on those things requires a commitment to constantly reflect on evolving expectations around what it means to operate as a responsible business.

What’s next

We enter 2021 with a determination to go even further – whether that’s in how we work or grow as individuals, how we build more diverse teams and a more inclusive culture, or how we operate around the world in ways that positively impact people and protect the environment.

Journey to Tomorrow, our new responsible business plan, starts a decade of action. Working with colleagues and those who stay and partner with us, together we will help shape the future of responsible travel. We’ll continue the work we’ve done so far on employee wellbeing and respect for human rights; supporting communities through skills training and disaster relief; and working with our hotels to reduce their environmental impact. We also made important strides in diversity and inclusion in 2020, and must now deliver on our commitment to listen and learn, advocate and act, as part of a pledge to create a more inclusive, equitable IHG for all.

Alongside Journey to Tomorrow, to keep everyone performing at their best and to attract more talented people, we are focusing on how we create a more flexible and dynamic working environment among our corporate teams, taking into account all we have learnt as a business by operating remotely for much of 2020.

We will also continue to work to the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and remain focused on collaborating with owners, partners, peers and governments to achieve a sustainable recovery.

20IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Introducing Journey to Tomorrow

Executive Committee

A

t IHG Hotels & Resorts, we touch people’s lives around the world every day, whether that’s in our

teams, in our hotels or as a valued part of our local communities.

Caring for our guests and colleagues, giving back to society, and making sure we protect the environment are all part of how we deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good – and we want to make an even bigger impact with a fresh, ambitious 10-year plan.

We call it Journey to Tomorrow. A decade of commitments to ensure we grow in a responsible way and make sure travel has a beautiful future for everyone.

To develop this plan, we’ve looked at the changing world around us, listened to our owners, and got closer to shifting consumer expectations to help build a picture of what’s most important to our stakeholders and IHG.

How companies perceive their role in the environmental, social and governance agenda continues to gain much greater

prominence with all stakeholders, and each of our commitments will ensure we stretch ourselves in areas where we feel we can make the greatest impact.

The plan will also help ensure we play our part in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all – something organisations all over the world are working toward to collectively tackle some of the biggest global challenges we face.

LOGO

LOGO

See our Responsible Business Report on our website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

LOGO

 

Senior Leaders
Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202021


Strategic Report

Section 172 statement

The impact of Covid-19 during 2020 presented an unprecedented challenge for the Board, with the Company’s response to the pandemic dominating decisions and considerations. The Directors guided, supported and challenged management, giving them, where appropriate, a clear mandate to take short-term decisions at pace whilst still keeping focus on long-term strategic impact, helping to weigh competing priorities, and ensuring that all factors and stakeholders were taken into consideration. In their deliberations they focused on IHG’s values, business ethics, purpose, other stakeholders, risks, post-pandemic strategy and the financial and organisational resilience of the Company.

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires a director of a company to act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole. In doing this, Section 172 requires directors to have regard, amongst other matters to: the likely consequences of any decision in the longer term; the interests of the company’s employees; the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others; the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment; the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and the need to act fairly between members of the company.

IHG’s Directors give careful consideration to the factors set out above in discharging their duties under Section 172 including in taking decisions of strategic importance to the Group. The information set out on pages 22 and 23 below describes the importance of each factor set out in Section 172(1)(a) – (f) to IHG and gives examples of how the Directors have had regard to each of those factors in certain decisions taken during 2020.

 

D&I Board
FactorOur engagement and commitment2020 examples of key decisions and considerations

 

Human Resources and Business Reputation and Responsibility functions

 

Functional business partners including Corporate Affairs, Finance and Global Commercial and Technology

How we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

 

Formal reporting and escalation processes to Senior Leadership and management teams

Virtual Learning Summits

Employee engagement surveys

Company intranet site including ‘our people’, and ‘CodeThe likely consequences of Conduct’ portals

E-learning relating to Code of Conduct, Anti-bribery, Antitrust and Handling Information Responsibly

Cybersecurity training and awareness

Incident handling

Our commercial success is dependent on our values and behaviours, together with our Code of Conduct, key policies, and monitoring and assurance processes, to support our decision-making. Combined they ensure that we continue to build trustany decisions in the Company.long-term

LOGO

Our culture is monitored and assessed throughLOGO  See pages 14

        and16 to 21

  As set out in the Schedule of Matters reserved for the Board, there are a number of metrics,key decisions and matters the Board is responsible for, including our employee engagement survey, employee forum feedback,the Group’s overall business and commercial strategy, annual operating and capital expenditure budget and financial plans. The Board, through its schedule of meetings, focuses on strategic and operational matters, corporate governance, investor relations and risk management. Board papers, reports and presentations are structured to include relevant stakeholder considerations and the likely consequences of each decision for the long-term success of the Company.

e-learning  participation, reports from our confidential reporting hotline,As detailed on pages 2, 7 and third-party consultant surveys.14, the Board, in the face of the pandemic and its impact on the business, took decisions throughout 2020 to protect the Company and position the business for recovery by reducing costs, strengthening liquidity and preserving cash. All discretionary costs were challenged, and salary and incentive reductions were made, including substantial remuneration decreases for Board and Executive Committee members. The Board withdrew its recommendation for a final 2019 dividend of 85.9¢ (~$150m), deferred consideration of further dividends until visibility improved, and took other decisions in relation to IHG’s financing arrangements to bolster IHG’s liquidity. In taking these decisions, the Board considered both the short and long term impact on its people, owners and investors.

 

10 years ago IHG became a member  During the course of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). We remain committed to aligning our operations, cultureyear, the Board, having taken into consideration the impact of Covid-19, changing guest and strategies with its 10 universally accepted principles insocietal expectations, and considering the areaslong-term success of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

IHG Values

IHG’s Values, formerly Winning Ways, reflect the values and beliefs of our employees and leadership. They underpin the way we behave, the decisions we make, ourCompany, approved a refreshed strategy and our commitmentpurpose. See pages 16 to providing True Hospitality21 for everyone. They reflectfurther information.

The interests of the diversity of our colleagues, business partners, guests and other stakeholders.company’s employees

LOGO

 

LOGO

Do the right thing.We always do what we believe is right and have the courage and conviction to put it into practice, even when it might be easier not to. We are honest and straightforward and see our decisions through.

LOGO

Show we care. We want to be the company that understands people’s needs better than anyone else in our industry. This means being sensitive to others, noticing the things that matter and taking responsibility for getting things right.

LOGO

Aim higher.We aim to be acknowledged leaders in our industry, so we have built a team

LOGO See page 26

  IHG’s direct workforce is made up of talented people who have a real will to win. We strive for success and value individuals who are always looking for a better way to do things.

LOGO

Celebrate difference.We believe that it’s the knowledge of our people that really brings our brands to life. Our global strength comes from celebrating local differences whilst understanding that some things should be kept the same.

LOGOWork better together.When we work together, we are stronger. We’re at our best when we collaborate to form a powerful, winning team. We listen to each other and combine our expertise to create a strong, focused and trusted group of people

Behaviours

We have a set of growth behaviours that encourage corporate employees to be decisive, work at pace, be collaborative, develop talent and focus on performance to deliver our strategic objectives and purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone.

During 2019 we continued to increase our efforts to establish a high-performing culture through a series of learning events across the organisation. We also initiated a programme to help our employees sustain high impact and unlock performance throughout the organisation. The programme, focusing on holistic physical, mental and emotional health, was rolled out to 200 IHG employees.

In addition, local teams led a range of wellbeing programmes, which will be further enhanced during 2020.

Our Code of Conduct

IHG’s Code of Conduct (Code) is fundamental in supporting employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and owned, managed, hotels in making the right decisions, in compliance with the lawleased and our high ethical standards. It provides information on our key principles and global policies, including human rights, diversity and inclusion, accurate reporting, information security, anti-bribery and the environment. It also providesmanaged lease hotels. Our employees with guidance on where to go if they are faced with a difficult issue and need further help.

The Board, Executive Committee and all employees must comply with the Code and the policies and procedures it refers to. The Code is reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis to ensure it reflects and responds to changes in the external environment and continues to support IHG’s purpose and strategy.

In 2019, new processes were put in place to ensure the Codee-learning modules are automatically populated in employees’ learning plans, including for all new starters. All our Board and Executive Committee, along with employees across the organisation, have affirmed their commitment to the Code.

LOGOThe Code is available on our websitewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business under Policies, and also displayed on our Company intranet.

LOGO

26IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


The following policies and principles are key areas within the Code, each of which is supported by its own guidance and training materials.

Human rights and modern slavery

Helping combat human rights abuses, including modern slavery, is an ongoing commitment at IHG, and we continue to develop our policies and processes. During 2019 we enhanced our human rights programme, including significantly updating our Human Rights Policy and making available a newe-learning module for all colleagues to support in preventing human trafficking.

In 2019 IHG joined the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct to benefit fromECPAT-USA’s expertise in addressing human trafficking and child sexual exploitation risks within the hospitality industry.

LOGOOur Modern Slavery statement is available on our websitewww.ihgplc.com/modernslavery

Bribery and financial crime

Bribery and financial crime, including improper payments, money laundering and tax evasion, are not permitted at IHG under any circumstances. This also applies to any agents, consultants and other service providers who do work on IHG’s behalf. Our Anti-Bribery Policy sets out IHG’szero-tolerance approach and is applicable to all Directors, IHG employees and our managed hotels. It is accompanied by a mandatory anti-briberye-learning module.

Our Gifts and Entertainment Policy supports our approach to anti-bribery and corruption. Increased targeted engagement was undertaken in 2019, includingface-to-face training for employees in our corporate offices.

IHG is a member of Transparency International UK’s Business Integrity Forum and participates in its annual Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. The results from this are used to help measure the effectiveness of the anti-bribery and corruption programme and identify areas for continuous improvement.

Handling information responsibly

As set out in our Code, we want everyone, including guests booking via our reservation channels, members of our loyalty programmes, colleagues, shareholders and other stakeholders, to trust the way we manage their information and are addressing cybersecurity threats. We have standards, policies and procedures in place to manage how personal data should be used and protected. In 2019 we relaunched oure-learning training for employees on handling information responsibly, covering topics such as how to work with vendors and transfer data securely.

We continue to enhance our privacy programme to address evolving privacy requirements, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act 2018.

Our monitoring and assurance processes

The trusted reputation of IHG and its brands is one of IHG’s most important assets. Our due diligence practices, monitoring of the health and performance of our working practices, are critical to protect this, and support our commitment to responsible business and drive commercial advantage through risk identification and mitigation.

Specific monitoring arrangements are in place for key risk areas. For example, our operational risk specialists track a range of indicators of safety and security risks to assess their potential impact on hotel operations, and to consider where additional guidance, learning materials or adjustments to existing controls may be required. Despite best efforts, incidents occur across our hotel operations. IHG management reviews reported incidents as appropriate.

We carry out risk-based due diligence and compliance checks on new third-party hotel owners with whom we enter into hotel management or licence agreements. A central committee of senior IHG decision-makers considers and reviews any material issues, such as concerns or allegations of

human rights violations, financial crime including bribery and corruption, or any other activities which may have a reputational, legal or ethical impact on IHG, prior to approval for any new hotel or entry into a new market.

To help manage and monitor our corporate supply chain, an automated procurement system is used across many of our large corporate offices. In addition to acknowledging adherence to IHG’s Supplier Code of Conduct, new suppliers onboarded to the system are required to complete due diligence questionnaires, which include questions on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Our internal audit team aims to provide objective and insightful assurance to the Board and management over our control environment. Internal audit also provides independent oversight of the mechanisms in place for confidential reporting across IHG, including the design and operation of the reporting hotline, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with employees from Human Resources, Ethics & Compliance and Finance to monitor:

the volume of reports received;

the source and nature of allegations received; and

the overall environment across the Group to promote a‘speak-up’ culture.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders27


Strategic Report

Our culture, responsible business

and stakeholders continued

Our people

Who leads at IHG

Board and Committees

Designatednon-executive director ‘Voice of the Employee’

Executive Committee

Senior Leaders

D&I Board

Human Resources function

How we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

���Responsible Business Targets 2018-2020

Colleague HeartBeat

Town Halls, conversation series and blogs

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and other employee forums

Sustainable Leadership programmes

Rise programmes

Conscious inclusion workshops

Virtual Learning summits

IHG® Academy

Careers and job portals

IHG is constantly developing, with a new organisational structure deployed in 2018, and a focus on accelerating our growth. Our people are key to delivering both our purpose of True Hospitality for everyoneGood and our strategic initiatives. We believe that an engaged and diverse workforce, and inclusive environment are necessary to our competitiveness. We seek to employ talented people, develop and train them, and provide a diverse and inclusive culture in which they can thrive. We also seek to ensure that our approach to compensation and benefits remains competitive.

Our activities

The Board and Executive Committee considered the impact on employee interests regularly during the year, including in relation to the acquisition of Six Senses,acknowledges that their key concerns include continued employment, remuneration, diversity and inclusion initiatives, suchand career development.

  The designated non-executive director with responsibility for workforce engagement provides a vital portal for the Board to hear employee views and receive their feedback, alongside regular Board and Committee agenda items relating to employee matters and Company culture. In addition, wherever and whenever possible all Directors directly engage with employees.

  During 2020, the Board made decisions and supported management to ensure employee engagement methods were prioritised and effective for working remotely during the pandemic, and concentrated on employee wellbeing and business cohesion. Regular internal communications and Staying In Touch forums were put in place to make sure employees were kept up to date on business performance and developments. Tools and resources were also selected to aid flexible and remote working, as well as the adoptionextension of our Employee Assistance Programme to cover mental health and wellbeing.

  The Board took key decisions to temporarily reduce compensation, furlough a flexible working policy,large proportion of employees and employee engagement matters.implement a programme of redundancies. When considering these decisions, the Board balanced the immediate impact on the affected employees with the broader implications for all stakeholders. Measures to temporarily reduce compensation were taken quickly in recognition of the immediate and severe impact on revenues. Decisions on the scale and extent of furlough and redundancies were deferred until informed by a greater understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on the business. The Corporate Responsibility CommitteeBoard kept all measures under regular review, and with growing confidence in the delivery of cost savings and successful management of cash flows, was able to reverse salary reductions ahead of original expectations.

The need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

LOGO

LOGO See page 31

  Building and maintaining relationships with both new and long-standing hotel owners, managing connections with critical suppliers and others within our supply chain, and focusing on guest experiences and loyalty are vital to our continued success. These stakeholders in turn look to IHG and rely on our trusted reputation, the advantages of our scale, our owner proposition, consistent guest experiences and rewards for loyalty.

  The Board maintains oversight and fosters relationships through focusing on strategic and operational matters as part of its regular meeting agendas and interactions with owners, either through the IHG Owners Association or in one to one meetings. It also reviews progress against our people 2018-2020Guest and Owner HeartBeat surveys to understand the needs and interests of guests and owners. In addition, the Responsible Business TargetsCommittee keeps under review the Group’s approach to its supply chain and our CEO continues to chair our D&I Board, (seeSupplier Code of Conduct.

  During the Governance section on pages 92 and 93 for more information).

Employee engagement

At IHG we foster a culture of open and honest feedback. Responsibility for employee engagement is a company-wide activity. Through our wide range of engagement forums,management-led performance updates and Voicefirst quarter of the Employee, (see pages 32 and 33), we talk to employees about our performance, key metrics, values, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and we give them the opportunity to talk to each other and give feedback toyear the Board Executive Committeesupported decisions to put Covid-19 health and Senior Leaders. This information assists them in their decision making.

Our employee engagement survey, ‘Colleague HeartBeat’, is measuredbi-annuallysafety operating procedures into place globally, including the IHG’s Way of Clean programme and is completed by our corporate, customer reservations officeIHG Clean Promise, protecting both guests and managed hotel employees (excluding our joint ventures). In 2019 the survey focused on key areas associated with our business strategy. 96%colleagues. Decisions also allowed for revised flexible booking and cancellation options to be implemented, and protection of the participants responded and our overall employee engagement was 87%. We saw several positive shifts across our employee engagement, most notably in relation to questions about our growth behaviours. Areas for improvement include a focus on enabling effective work processes for employees, resource deployment, and ways of working between regional and global teams. The Executive Committee and Senior Leaders continue to look for ways to appropriately address this feedback.guest loyalty membership status.

Reward culture

Our reward packages aim to attract, retain and motivate top talent, and are centred around a set of core principles:

Our employees are recognised and paid competitively for their contribution to the Group’s success;

Reward and recognition practices are consistent across our employee population regardless of gender and other aspects of diversity; and

There is alignment between the wider workforce and how executives are rewarded.

Applying a consistent approach to reward across the corporate business, which we regularly review against our competitors, ensures that we meet the needs of employees by offering market-driven rewards packages. We place great emphasis on aligning everyone to our business strategy, so that shareholders and employees have a shared interest in the performance of the Group. This alignment was further strengthened in 2019 with the launch of an employee share plan, which will encourage shared ownership and align the interests of employees with our external stakeholders.

LOGOOur wider Remuneration policies are regularly reviewed by the Remuneration Committee. See the Remuneration Report and Directors Remuneration Policy on pages 96 to 117 for more information on how we align workforce and executive reward.

Early talent development

Recognising the significance of people to our business, we aim to attract the very best talent into our hotels through our Early Careers programme, where we provide programmes to young people looking for work experience, internships, apprenticeships and graduate opportunities.

During 2019 we recruited over 15,000 participants into our Early Careers programme globally, providing them with first look experiences, work placements and permanent roles with IHG.

 

LOGO  With Board review and support, IHG worked with owners to balance the need to keep hotels open with reduced occupancy, and reduce costs, advising them on adjusting operations, providing fee relief and payment flexibility, delaying renovation requirements, and relaxing brand standards to conserve owner funds. In addition, the Board supported the repurposing of many hotels to provide essential services including accommodation to frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society. The Company, including Executive Directors, supported hotel owners and lobbied to secure broad government support for the industry, including reliefs and other hospitality-related incentives.

 

  The Board reviewed and supported management in engaging with strategic suppliers to adjust service levels, anticipate continuity risks, and address payment terms.

28IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019

22IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



    

 

 

FactorOur engagement and commitment2020 examples of key decisions and considerations

 

 

 

We also signed a partnership with Swiss hospitality schools Les Roches, Glion and EHL to develop global hospitality talent. As a result of this partnership, IHG leaders visited the schools to participate in curriculum development and welcomed over 100 of their students into our hotels and support centres to share with them our passion for True Hospitality for everyone.

As part of our Responsible Business Targets we are committed to increasing the number of young people coming through IHG’s Academy. The IHG Academy is a collaboration between individuals, IHG hotels, corporate offices, local education providers and community organisations. It provides local people with the opportunity to develop skills and improve their employment prospects in oneimpact of the world’s largest hotel companies.

In 2019, several improvements were made tocompany’s operations on the programme, including first lookcommunity and internship ‘Learning Pathway’ toolkits, designed to enhance the participant’s experience and support consistent execution of the programme globally.

Attracting and developing top talent

To ensure we achieve our strategic priorities as a business, we know we need to attract, develop and retain a diverse and talented workforce.

In 2019 we continued to use our Learning Management System to ensure that all IHG employees have a more seamless experience accessing IHG learning content. In addition to improvements across our Learning offer, we launched a job posting portal (available in 13 languages) that allows our franchisees access to IHG’s career website and have their open positions included in search results.

It was also a foundational year for the development of our Talent Attraction Strategy, which recognises that as the business grows, we will need to develop more creative and efficient ways to attract people to work in our hotels. Our plans include revitalising our Employer Brand to create a more enduring and distinctive value proposition and candidate experience.

As at 31 December 2019    Male  Female   Total

Directors

   

7

  

 

4

 

  

11

Executive Committee

   

7

  

 

3

 

  

10

Executive Committee direct reports

   

40

  

 

23

 

  

63

Senior managers
(including directors of subsidiaries)

   

102

  

 

34

 

  

136

All employees
(whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund)

   

6,498

  

 

7,938

 

  

14,436

EMEAA General Manager (GM)

Learning Events

During 2019, IHG held GM Learning Events across EMEAA, welcoming 632 GMs to a number offour-day events. The events were designed to create engaging and dynamic learning opportunities for our hotel leaders. The IHG Learning and Development team designed the agenda to deepen GM knowledge across the region and provide them with the right tools to drive performance at their hotels. All the learning modules were developed in support of IHG’s growth strategy and to maximise each GM’s personal development.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders29


Strategic Reportplanet

 

Our culture, responsible business

and stakeholders continued

��LOGO

 

Diversity
and
Inclusion

(D&I)

 

Our D&I Framework

LOGO

IHG is a global business with a global reach and as such D&I is fundamental for us to succeed. Our colleagues and guests represent multiple nationalities, cultures, races, sexual orientation, backgrounds and beliefs. It makes for a diverse and inclusive culture we are proud of, underpins our purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone and is key to our ‘celebrate difference’ value.

Our special culture is crucial to who we are, how we work together and how we grow our business. We are proud to have been recognised as a Kincentric (formerly a part of Aon) Global Best Employer three years running, Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality, by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index in the US for the past six years, and for our CEO to be awarded third place in the HERoes awards for advocating women in business.

We are committed to a continual review of our practices and policies, such as raising awareness of bias at all levels in our hiring processes and reviewing flexible working processes and policies. We have signed up to the WiHTL’s Diversity in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure Charter, a10-point action plan that ensures diversity and inclusion not only remains a priority but that we openly track progress towards our goals.

We also support the UN LGBTI Standards for Business, which focus on tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex people. And at the beginning of 2020, IHG became signatories of the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, and The Valuable 500.

The Nomination Committee was accountable for our global D&I Policy during 2019, but this responsibility will move to the Corporate Responsibility Committee in 2020. The operational D&I Board ensures that we put the D&I policy into practice. For more information see the Governance section on pages 92 and 93.

30IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


1. Strengthening a culture of inclusion

At IHG one of the core pillars of our D&I strategy is to foster a culture of inclusion so all employees feel included, valued and respected. Last year our Senior Leaders took part in a conscious inclusion programme to equip them to role model inclusive leadership and champion the flexible working guidelines that we have launched globally. We piloted changes to our recruitment practices which we plan to scale globally in 2020.

We also expanded our existing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) globally following regional success, and now have more than 1,700 members across groups such as Out and Open, FAVE (field and virtual employees), PATH (pan Asians for true hospitality), BBX (baby boomers and Gen X), and DAWN (disability and well-being network).

For example, Out and Open is a forum for colleagues to get involved with LGBTQ+ focused activities and conversations. The ERG has more than 150 active members, who come together throughout the year to celebrate key dates in the LGBTQ+ calendar.

2. Increasing the diversity of our leadership talent

As part of our 2018-2020 Responsible Business Targets we made a commitment to increase the diversity of our Senior Leaders, as well as increase the number of females working in General Manager and Operations roles in managed hotels.

Although our overall percentage of female Senior Leaders, currently 37% globally, is the same as our 2017 baseline, we are committed to furthering the opportunities for female leaders. We continue to drive increased representation through initiatives such as the development of our Future Leaders’ programme, which provides graduate-level talent with the opportunity to work across a range of departments and geographies.

We have also extended our Rise mentoring initiative for aspiring female General Managers to China, India, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, which enabled us to increase the percentage of women in General Manager and Operations roles from 24% to 26%.

3. Putting the right decision-making around our actions

In 2018 we established our Global Diversity & Inclusion Board, (D&I Board), led by our CEO and other Senior Leaders in IHG who are responsible for shaping IHG’s diversity and inclusion priorities. The D&I Board worked with a third-party independent partner to gain a different perspective of our business and help us identify areas for improvement. The key objectives of the partnership were to identify the ‘typical profile’ of individuals deemed to be successful at IHG, understand real and perceived barriers to success for women, and define actions to address those barriers and improve leadership gender balance. As a result of this work we took several actions, such as the launch of our flexible working policy.

As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion we also launched Diversity & Inclusion Councils across our regions in 2019, which represent the voice of our regions and markets, making sure we listen to employees and engage on local priorities, as well as collaborating to roll out initiatives.

Through collaboration with Hotel Indigo, Out and Open helped launch the #ColorOfPride campaign, which all Hotel Indigo properties in the Americas celebrated. They continued the theme into our Atlanta Pride celebrations, which is the biggest event for IHG Out and Open each year. Annually, around 250 colleagues, friends and family volunteer their time in the IHG booth and walk with the IHG float in the Pride parade.

At the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, approximately 12% of staff are colleagues with disabilities. The hotel, which has been recognised for its work in this area by the UN, invests in providing training for managers to adjust to the different ways of communicating with persons with disabilities. This includes encouraging managers to give more regular feedback, supervision and encouragement to colleagues with disabilities to ensure they always feel a part of the IHG family.

Within India, Nepal and Bangladesh, we have close to 100 colleagues with disabilities working for IHG branded hotels. To cultivate a supportive environment for them, we have partnered with the Sarthak Educational Trust to deliver training sessions for hotel colleagues and developed a toolkit and a series of guidance videos on working with colleagues with disabilities.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders31


Strategic Report  The Responsible Business Committee supports the Board by reviewing and advising on the Group’s objectives and strategy in relation to its environmental and social impact.

 

Our culture, responsible business

and stakeholders continued

LOGO

    Designated    

non-
executive

director

As part of IHG’s commitment

to compliance with the UK

2018 Corporate Governance

Code, the Board asked Luke Mayhew,Non-Executive

Director (NED), to conduct a review and recommend the best way for the Board to engage with, and take fully into account, the views of employees, and how that would align with IHG’s existing employee forums, feedback mechanisms and monitoring by the Board. Luke was supported in the review by the CEO, Chief Human Resources Officer and Company Secretary. He reported to the Nomination Committee during the course of the year, which in turn made a proposal to the Board that a designatednon-executive director was the most appropriate approach for IHG, as it aligned with existing employee engagement forums. The Board formally appointed Luke as the designatednon-executive director with responsibility for workforce engagement (Voice of the Employee) in August 2019.

Due to the global reach of IHG, Luke is supported in his role by Jill McDonald (Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee), as well as other NEDs depending on the forum and topic matter. All Directors engage with employees during the course of the year as part of hotel and office visits.

The Board will review this approach annually in the light of any changing governance expectations and ongoing feedback.

Role

Luke’s roleis to:

 Ensure that employee interests and feedback are structured into the Board’s deliberations and the setting of KPIs;

 Support management in the design and content of structured Board discussions on culture and employee engagement; and

 Review the effectiveness of wider employee engagement approaches.

His responsibilities include ensuring that:

 The Board, through the Executive, has effective methods of receiving feedback from employees and communicating Board and executive decisions and priorities throughout the organisation;

 All significant business and budget proposals include a management assessment on the impact on employees;

 Executives share employee feedback openly, transparently and in a balanced way, including reviewing employee engagement surveys and other employee reports including whistleblowing;

32IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


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The Board considers any dissonance between what is reported to it and what emerges from feedback to the Voice  IHG’s awareness of the Employee; and

Other NEDs gather feedback and perspectives from employees too.

Human Resources (HR) provides Luke with support regarding planning and engagement forums, and shares findingsimpact it has on employee engagement surveys and HR scorecards. Luke is expected to seek feedback from other NEDs, in a private session at each Board meeting, from their meetings with employees and discuss insights with the CEO and Board as appropriate. In addition, he will respond to shareholders on questions of governance in respect of the Voice of the Employee.

2019

engagement

During 2019 a schedule of employee forums and meetings was agreed with Luke to attend and appreciate the scope of existing engagement methods,
employee concerns and points of view on company culture, diversity and inclusion, career opportunities, strategy and performance, as well as to discuss the role of the Board and its Committees.

Luke visited our corporate offices in Atlanta in the US, and Branston and Denham in the UK and observed a number of Town Hall meetings, attended a variety of employee meetings and focus groups, including Lean In Circles and employee resource group (ERG) meetings, with employees from all band levels, across all IHG functions. Those locations were chosen as they are our main corporate headquarters where we have 3,098 employees. Branston was a key location in our 2018 transformation programme, where 78 new roles were created. In Atlanta there are eight active employee groups reflecting employee communities.

Insights and learnings

Insights from the forums included understanding:

  How informal peer support amongst employees works across a range of topics;

How formal management engagement with employee forum representatives is conducted;

How the CEO and other Executive Committee members communicate performance and culture updates with employees;

How the D&I Board worksenvironment, and the commitmentimpact the environment has on IHG is vitally important to rolling out this initiative;

How regional ERGs are launchedIHG’s reputation and the keylong-term viability. We take active steps to help our hotels measure and manage their environmental impact. We advise and assist hotel owners with making sustainable choices to tackle issues they discuss;

How culture-related initiatives resonate most effectively with employees; and

How our employee engagement survey, (Colleague HeartBeat), results are analysed and acted on by management.

As well as Luke’s activities, Jo Harlow attended a European Employee Forum and Jill McDonald attended an ERG and D&I overview session in Atlanta. Patrick Cescau visited Japan with Kenneth Macpherson in February 2019 where he met employees, and visited Mexico with Elie Maalouf in June 2019 and met IHG leaders and employees in the region.

Board
actions
The Board did not consider that any significant change of direction or overall approach to engagement was needed in light of Luke’s activities. However, following his

observations and feedback the following are being actioned by HR:

Improved employee dashboards and scorecards to better enable the Board’s appreciation of employee concerns and engagement results;

Revised and additional wording in engagement surveys to gain more relevant feedback on the impact and progress of the transformation programme; and

Active Board support for diversity and inclusion initiatives being launched across IHG and the optimisation by the Executive Committee of ERGs as the most effective touchpoint with the Voice of the Employee.
2020 plansWith the responsibilities and expectations agreed and fully trialled in 2019, a plan of meetings and review sessions has been scheduled for 2020.

The schedule includes opportunities to meet and talk to a range of employees in different locations across band levels, and further develop Luke’s understanding of employee issues and concerns. He will meet them at a variety of IHG’s existing employee engagement forums, such as Town Halls, virtual interface meetingsclimate change, water scarcity and corporate regional office visits. The meetings will also give employees the opportunity to give feedback to the Board, through Luke.

Meeting and engagement topics to include:

Performance results – employee questions and management responses;

Employee feedback on the transformation programme and IHG competitiveness;

Manager-level employee issues and observations;

D&I Board perspectives;

Lean In peer support issues and activities;

European Employee Forum – engagement with Forum representatives; and

Regional ERG activities.

Planned 2020 Voice of the Employee and Board reviews and interactions, ahead or as part of Board meetings, include:

Review of the engagement dashboard with Luke and Jill;

Review of the HR scorecard and employee engagement dashboard, and deep-dive into specific areas of Board interest;

Participation in a virtual employee interface session with Company managers in Asia; and

People and Culture Strategy and Voice of the Employee feedback discussion.

In addition:

Luke and other NEDs will discuss any material feedback from their meetings with employees, as and when it is received;

All relevant Board and budget papers will continue to have an employee impact assessment; and

The Board will regularly review the approach in line with best practice and changes in regulation.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders33


Strategic Reportwaste management.

 

Our culture, responsible business

success and stakeholders continued

Environment

Who leads at IHG

Boardthe wellbeing of those who work in and Committees

Executive Committee

Senior Leaders

IHG Responsible Business Governance Committee (represented by senior management from across the business)

Corporate Responsibility function

How we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

Responsible Business Targets 2018-2020

Dashboards sent monthly to Executive Committee on progress againstaround our hotel carbon reduction target

Responsible Business Report

IHG Green Engage system

hotels are closely linked. With 5,903nearly 6,000 hotels operating in more thanover 100 countries, we recognise the risks presented by climate change, which have the potential to impact our performance and growth, and our responsibility to keep adapting to meet the challenge. In 2019, the Board considered the Company’s post-2020 environmental sustainability approach and ambitions, and the Corporate Responsibility Committee endorsed new sustainability commitments, including a science-based target for carbon reduction by 2030, and

reporting in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Tackling climate change related issues involves collaboration with our key stakeholders to find solutions and innovations to drive positive outcomes. We are uniquely placed to educate and support behavioural change amongst our third-party hotel owners, suppliers and millions of guests, and will continue to develop our approach.

Our activities

Environmental sustainability

Our environmental policy sets out our approach to measuring and managing our environmental impact, and supports and guides our colleagues and hotels to find innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Our group-wide online digital sustainability platform, the IHG Green Engage system, helps hotels and colleagues measure and reduce energy, carbon, water and waste.

Carbon and energy

One of our Responsible Business Targets is to reduce our carbon footprint per occupied room by6-7% over the period 2018-2020. Over a two year period, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 5.9% per occupied room, including a 3.7% reduction in 2019, from a 2017 baseline.

As we look at our longer-term ambitions, we know that we have to do more, which is why we have set a 2030 science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste

To help address the waste generated by our corporate offices and hotels, from food to plastics and linens, and make our offices and hotels more sustainable, we have mapped out the biggest areas of waste within our operations and considered our global and environmental impact, operational requirements and guest experience. We are proud to be at the first global hotel group to commit to switching all our bathroom amenities tobulk-size products.

Food waste is a big challenge for our industryheart of local communities and we recognise the opportunity we have more to do in this area. We have partnered withmake a third-party technology company in 24 hotelsreal difference to use their AI technology to track, measure and reduce food waste for more sustainable and efficient restaurant and bar operations. On average we have achieved reductions of 35%.

Water

Following a comprehensive water risk assessment in 2016, and reassessment in 2019 of our open hotels and pipeline, we have identified risks related to water quantity and quality and developed water stewardship action plans for our hotels in water stressed areas.

In 2018 we committed to launching two water stewardship projects each year, and in 2019 we launched two projects in Beijing and Bali.

To signal our continued water stewardship work, CEO Keith Barr has signed a commitment of membership to the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate. This represents a pledge to six core commitments that mobilises business leaders on water, sanitation, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Further information about our Responsible Business Targets and our responsible business approach is available on our websitewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

See details of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on page 223.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

Building on the work we have done to set science-based targets, we have made a formal commitment to implement the recommendations of the TCFD, and in 2020 we will be developing a disclosure roadmap for the coming years.

34IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Community

Who leads atothers. IHG

Board and Committees

Executive Committee

Senior Leaders

IHG Responsible Business Governance Committee (Represented by Senior Leadership from across the business)

Corporate Responsibility function

How we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

Responsible Business Targets 2018-2020

True Hospitality for Good programme

Giving for Good month

Charitable partnerships

Volunteering days

Responsible Business Report

The travel and tourism industry accounts for 1 in 10 jobs globally with hotels in thousands of communities. The resilience and the prosperity of those communities and their people are important factors to how we operate and our long-term success.

Our community policy supports and guides our hotels and colleagues on how to be a responsible partner with our communities, whilst ensuring that our business objectives enhance the quality of life in the community.

Our activities

We aim to maximise the positive contribution we make by creating shared value in our communities through our True Hospitality for Good programme. We form forms strategic partnerships withnon-government non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and charities that can help to make a difference in communities and wider society, helping shapewith a positive futurefocus on providing assistance in times of need and boosting economic empowerment through skills building.

  In 2020, the Responsible Business Committee reviewed and approved a new set of responsible business commitments and a 10-year strategy, covering areas such as diversity and inclusion, carbon reduction, waste and water. As the pandemic spread across the globe, these commitments continued to be refined to address the changing nature of operating responsibly.

  Despite the short-term challenges IHG faced in 2020, it was important for generationsIHG to come.

In 2019 we launched volunteering guidelinescommence a project, in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), to understand the risks and encouraged employees to take two paid days each year to help charitable causes. Ouropportunities climate change poses for the business. With oversight from the Board and ExecutiveResponsible Business Committee, a readiness review was undertaken to understand where gaps to full TCFD alignment were, and a climate risk assessment framework tailored to our business was initiated. At the end of the year, the Board and third-party experts on climate change reviewed progress made and next steps for 2021, including financial qualification of climate-related risks and opportunities.

LOGO  See page 29

The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct

LOGO

  IHG’s culture is based on its commitments to strong values and its Code of Conduct. Company culture promotes integrity and transparency, gives confidence to stakeholders and makes IHG a desirable company to work with and for. The Board directly, and through its Committees, has responsibility for the Company’s adherence to its values, policies and procedures relating to business conduct, and has a number of standing agenda items to ensure it reviews policies for continued relevance.

  In 2020, the Directors, through the Responsible Business Committee, reviewed and approved the Group’s fifth Modern Slavery Statement, which includes information on our response to the pandemic, including monitoring its impact on modern slavery and human rights risks and where we have evaluatedadapted our future approachactivities and priorities to supportingrespond to these. To affirm its importance and visibility within IHG, the statement is signed by the CEO and published externally.

local communities, as part

  The Audit Committee oversaw enhancements made to enable effective and efficient management of our post-2020 responsible business ambitions,risk in a crisis environment. This included updates to the Global Delegation of Authority Policy and recognise that wereinforcement of key policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Information Security and other entity level control arrangements). The Board and the Audit Committee also reviewed continuity arrangements for key corporate offices and critical processes underpinning financial control.

LOGO  See page 24

The need to keep developing our approach.

Charitable partnershipsact fairly between members of the company

In 2019, through our partnerships with NGOs

LOGO

  IHG’s clear purpose, strong culture, resilient business model and charities, we contributed more than $1.3mevolved strategy are vital to projects and causesattracting investment in areas of hospitality skills building, environmental sustainability and disaster relief, supporting 25,000 people globally.

We work with global disaster relief agenciesthe Company. Shareholders look to IHG to provide supportconsistent shareholder returns, be committed to robust business ethics, have a strong, diverse, innovative and preparedness training in the event of natural disasters for our colleaguesinclusive culture, and local communities.

Giving for Good month

Our Giving for Good month in September 2019 brought colleagues together to make positive change through volunteering, taking care ofrespect the environment and activities focusedlocal communities.

  The Chair and Committee Chairs engage directly with investors on health, fitnessseveral matters including executive remuneration, diversity and wellbeing. A record-breaking 160,000 colleagues in 88 countries took part in 2019, volunteering 188,000 hoursinclusion and environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. In addition, they receive formal reviews of investor perceptions and regular shareholder updates to ensure the Board is cognisant of their time.views and interest.

 

LOGOFor details of our IHG Academy programme see page 29

  The Board commitment to engagement with investors and shareholders was particularly pertinent during 2020 as the pandemic unfolded. The Board received an increased number of business updates in relation to IHG’s liquidity and financing position, and further reviewed and approved an increased number of external trading updates. In addition, the Chair, Executive Directors, and Jo Harlow, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, held a series of meetings with investors in relation to a range of issues, including executive remuneration and IHG’s response to Covid-19, and responded to and acknowledged investor communications.

LOGO  See page 33

 

LOGO

IHG First Look

LOGO  The above statement should be read in conjunction with the rest of the Strategic Report and the Governance Report, including the Committee Reports and Board meeting focus areas.

LOGO  The Schedule of Matters reserved for the Board and the Terms of Reference for each of the Board Committees are available on our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

In 2019 as part of our commitment to helping young people gain skills and experience in hospitality, we partnered with JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide, one of the world’s largest youth-serving NGOs, which focuses on preparing people for future employment and entrepreneurship.

Through an IHG Foundation legacy grant, we worked to develop a curriculum to run hotel work-experience events called IHG First Look; providing young people with the opportunity to receivehands-on experience working in a hotel. Combining classroom working and a practical hotel takeover, students receive aclose-up look at what a career in hospitality involves. Initiated during 2019, this year-long partnership will support more than 750 young people to gain skills and experience in hospitality, in nine major markets.

Building on the relationship, in early 2020 we began running a set of innovation camps, which focus on solving a sustainability-based problem core to the hospitality industry.

 

 

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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders35


Strategic Report

Our culture, responsible business

and stakeholders continued

Investors and

shareholders

Who leads at IHG

Board and Committees

 

Executive Committee

Investor Relations function

Functional business partners including Corporate Affairs, Human Resources and Business Reputation and Responsibility

Section 172 statementHow we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

Annual General Meeting (AGM) and General Meetings

Results presentations

Investor roadshows,face-to-face meetings and presentations

Annual investor perception survey

Asset reunification programme

Shareholder dealing programme

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form20-F 2020 Responsible Business and other publications

Website, media and regulatory announcements

We recognise that our purpose, culture, business model and strategy are fundamental to attracting and retaining investment in our Company. With a commitment to open dialogue we maintain a comprehensive programme of investor relations activities.

In order to keepup-to-date with best practice and market views, the Company solicits independent advice and assesses guidance provided by a number of agencies, including the Investment Association.

A formal external review of investor perceptions is presented to the Board on an annual basis and both the Executive Committee and the Board receive regular updates on shareholder relations to ensure that they are made aware of and understand the views and perceptions of our major shareholders, in order to develop a balanced understanding.

In addition, our Registrar, Equiniti, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., custodians of our American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme, have teams equipped to deal with shareholder and ADR holder queries.

Our activities

Shareholder meetings

We consider our AGM and, when we need to hold them, General Meetings, to be invaluable forums for communicating with investors and shareholders, both formally as part of the meeting, and informally afterwards.

During 2019 we held a General Meeting in January to approve a share consolidation proposal, and held our AGM in May to conduct our usual statutory business.

The 2020 AGM will be held at 11:00 on Thursday 7 May 2020. The notice convening the meeting, including details of the conditions of admission, will be sent to shareholders and be available atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section, along with the results of the 2019 AGM and General Meeting.

Results presentations

Each year Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson present to institutional investors, analysts and the media following our half-year and full-year results announcements. Telephone conferences are held following the release of our first and third-quarter trading updates, including Q&A sessions with sell-side analysts.

LOGO

23
36IHG


Strategic Report

Our culture  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


    

    

 

Our success and reputation are dependent on our commitment to our values, Code of Conduct, principles, policies, and monitoring and assurance processes. Combined they ensure that we continue to build trust with all our stakeholders, and deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

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T

Investor meetings

As parthe Board is committed to ensuring that IHG’s culture supports its purpose and strategy. The Board oversees and monitors culture through direct

engagement and regular agenda items, including employee engagement survey results, employee resource groups, diversity and inclusion reports, and updates from the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement. Board discussions focus on defining the culture needed to drive IHG’s strategy and embedding it, including through the Code of Conduct, procedures and controls, training programmes, employee communications and tone from the top. These mechanisms ensure that the desired Company culture is promoted and IHG’s purpose and strategy are aligned.

LOGOSee also Board meetings on pages 83 and 84.

Our behaviours

IHG’s behaviours are aligned to our purpose and strategy, encouraging employees to Move fast, be Solutions focused, Think return and Build one team. Our behaviours were brought into sharp focus in 2020, and we lived them in a range of ways, such as prioritising enhanced operational procedures, including the IHG Way of Clean programme to protect our guests and hotel colleagues, and creating hotel re-opening guides to deliver timely support and training for the re-opening of hotels under enhanced cleanliness and safety measures.

IHG values

Our values, led by the Board, Executive Committee and Senior Leaders, underpin our behaviours, guide how we deliver our strategy, make decisions and live our purpose.

LOGO

Do the right thing

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Show we care

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Aim higher

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Celebrate difference

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Work better together

Code of Conduct

IHG’s Code of Conduct (Code) sets out IHG’s key principles and policies and is fundamental in supporting employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels to make the right decisions, in compliance with the law and our high ethical standards. It provides information on our key principles and global policies, including human rights, diversity and inclusion, accurate reporting, information security, anti-bribery and the environment. It also provides employees with guidance on where to go if they are faced with a difficult issue and need further help. The Code is supported by mandatory e-learnings on Anti-Bribery, Antitrust and Handling Information Responsibly.

The Board, Executive Committee and all employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels must comply with the Code. Each year, they are asked to reaffirm their commitment to it. The principles, spirit and purpose of the Code are relevant to all of IHG and we expect those we do business with, including our franchisees, to uphold similar standards.

The Code is reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis to ensure it reflects and responds to changes in the external environment and continues to support IHG’s purpose and strategy.

We continuously evolve our Code training, including our engagement and measurement approaches. During 2020, the Code provided a critical framework for responding to the challenges of Covid-19, and we focused on raising awareness, through targeted internal communications, of the annual Code e-learnings requirement.

The following policies and principles are key areas of the Code, each of which are supported by their own guidance and training materials.

Human rights and modern slavery

IHG is committed to respecting the human rights of all our colleagues, guests and the communities we operate in, and we continue to encourage those we do business with, including our suppliers and hotels owners, to prevent, mitigate and address adverse impacts on human rights, including modern slavery. We seek to advance human rights through our business activities and by working together with others to identify challenges and effective solutions.

A key focus of our human rights programme in 2020 has been on addressing risks relating to migrant workers, who may be increasingly vulnerable during the Covid-19 crisis. This work has included development of internal guidance, particularly in relation to staff accommodation for hotel colleagues.

LOGO

Further information is provided in our annual cycle we have a programme ofone-to-one meetings with major institutional shareholders, includingNon-Executive Director meetings, hosted by the Chair.Modern Slavery Statement, which is available on our website www.ihgplc.com/modernslavery

We also attend key institutional investor conferences and hold a series of investor roadshow events in the UK, US, Canada and Europe. In addition, we hold telephone conference events with investors and shareholders in other countries to keep themup-to-date with IHG performance and strategy, and engage with them on their areas of interest.

Elie Maalouf and Kenneth Macpherson held investor roundtables during the year and investor hotel tours took place in both London and Cardiff. During November we hosted an education event about our business in Greater China, with Keith Barr and Jolyon Bulley outlining our competitive position and strategy in that region.

The Investor Relations team also engaged with retail shareholders and hosted two investor forums in London during 2019 to help shareholders understand our strategy and performance. The feedback and insights from these events will help us develop and shape future engagement.

In addition to this, we held a series of investor consultation meetings between our Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Jo Harlow and major shareholders seeking feedback on the proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

Bribery and financial crime

IHG does not permit any form of bribery or financial crime, including improper payments, money laundering and tax evasion, under any circumstances. This also applies to any agents, consultants and other service providers who work on IHG’s behalf.

Our Anti-Bribery Policy sets out our zero-tolerance approach and is applicable to all Directors, Executive Committee members, employees and managed hotels, and is accompanied by a mandatory Anti-Bribery e-learning module. In addition, our Gifts and Entertainment Policy supports our approach to anti-bribery and corruption.

IHG is a member of Transparency International UK’s Business Integrity Forum and participates in its annual Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. Each year, the results from this benchmark help to measure the effectiveness of our anti-bribery and corruption programme and identify areas for continuous improvement.

 

 

24IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Handling information responsibly

IHG is committed to ensuring that the way we manage data and information received from the following is trusted and that we address cybersecurity threats: guests booking via our reservation channels, members of our loyalty programmes, colleagues, shareholders, and other stakeholders. We have standards, policies and procedures in place to manage how personal data can be used and protected. Our e-learning training for employees on handling information responsibly is a mandatory annual requirement, and covers topics such as password and email security, using personal data in accordance with our policies and privacy commitments, how to work with vendors and transferring data securely.

In 2020 we carried out additional awareness campaigns with communications to employees on a variety of topics such as phishing, passwords and security when working from home.

We continue to develop our privacy and security programmes to address evolving requirements and take account of developing best practice. The Board and Audit Committee regularly receive updates, and review our privacy and information security programmes.

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LOGOIHG’s Code of Conduct is available
in 10 languages on our website
www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business
and also the Company intranet.

IHG is a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and is committed to alignment of IHG’s operations, culture and strategies with the UNGC’s 10 universally accepted principles in relation to human rights, environment and anti-corruption.

Our monitoring and assurance processes

In addition to our Code e-learnings, we monitor and assess our culture through employee engagement surveys, feedback from employee forums, tracking of e-learning completion, our confidential reporting hotline, and third-party consultant surveys.

As a result of the pandemic, 2020 Executive Committee meetings were increased to a weekly cadence, in order to respond to the fast-moving industry and IHG environment. This increased frequency enabled regular performance and risk reviews, and allowed for rapid decision-making. The Executive Committee closely monitored high and trending risks, reviewed the status of hotel closures due to Covid-19, and tracked corporate and reservation employee sentiment aligned to our core values and behaviours.

Within IHG, various functions consider where additional guidance, learning materials or adjustments to existing controls are required. For example, during 2020 we enhanced our processes for handling information responsibly and our Information Security Team implemented additional monitoring to respond to heightened risks of data loss from stresses that Covid-19 placed on processes, people and supplier arrangements. The Board and Audit Committee received regular updates from key risk and control functions and considered the appropriateness of risk management and internal control arrangements.

In relation to our key business ethics, principles and policies, we carry out risk-based due diligence and compliance checks on new third-party hotel owners with whom we enter into hotel management or licence agreements. This includes the use of screening and monitoring tools and the provision of guidance for our Legal, Franchise Administration, and Development teams. In 2020, we successfully trialled and launched an enhanced version of our due diligence risk management platform, resulting in increased automation of internal escalation processes, faster counterparty searches and improved adverse media screening.

A central committee of senior IHG decision-makers considers and reviews any material issues identified in our due diligence, such as concerns or allegations of human rights violations, financial crime including bribery and corruption, or other activities which may have a reputational, legal or ethical impact on IHG. Contingent on any risks or concerns identified, external legal or consultancy expertise may also be utilised, including with respect to entry into new markets.

To help manage and monitor our corporate supply chain, an automated procurement system is used across many of our large corporate offices. In addition to acknowledging adherence to IHG’s Supplier Code of Conduct, new suppliers onboarded to the system are required to complete due

diligence questionnaires, which include questions on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption relevant to suppliers’ own operations and supply chains.

Our Internal Audit team provides objective and insightful assurance that we have appropriate controls in place to support our growth ambitions. Throughout 2020, Internal Audit focused on both specific reviews of processes and controls, and ongoing discussions with management, while considering the dynamic inherent risks created by the crisis and the organisational and process changes which have resulted from it. Internal Audit also provides independent oversight of the mechanisms in place for confidential reporting across IHG, including the design and operation of the reporting hotline, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with employees from Human Resources, Ethics and Compliance and Finance to monitor:

the volume of reports received;

the source and nature of allegations received; and

the overall environment across the Group to promote a ‘speak-up’ culture.

Non-financial information statement

Non-financial information, including a description of policies, due diligence processes in pursuit of policies, outcomes and risks and opportunities are set out as follows:

 Impact of the Company’s activities on the environment on page 29

 Social matters on page 29

 Anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters on pages 24 and 25

 Employee matters on pages 26 to 28

 Respect for human rights on page 24

 A description of the Group’s business model on pages 12 to 15

 The Group’s principal risks on pages 34 to 41

 The Group’s KPIs on pages 43 to 46

Our key stakeholders and factors affecting IHG

The following pages describe the importance of our key stakeholders and factors

affecting IHG, and our consideration for them during 2020.

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

Our

people

see page 26

Communities

and planet

see page 29

Our guests, owners

and suppliers

see page 31

Shareholders

and investors

see page 33

LOGO

Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202025


Strategic Report

Our people

Our people are fundamental to IHG achieving its purpose and strategic goals. IHG’s business model means that we do not employ all colleagues. We directly employ individuals in our corporate offices, reservation centres, and managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. However, not all individuals in managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels are directly employed, and we do not employ any individuals in franchised hotels (nor do we control their day-to-day operations, policies or procedures).

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W

e do not underestimate the immense amount of hard work, commitment and sacrifice that was shown by our

people over the course of last year. The Board and Executive Committee are immensely proud of all our employees around the world as teams adapted and responded to such an unprecedented challenge – their determination demonstrated the very best of IHG and our industry, living up to our values and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

Attracting, developing and retaining talent

To achieve our strategic priorities, we know we need to attract, develop and retain a diverse and talented workforce. This commitment is emphasised throughout our global hiring guidelines and initiatives, such as unconscious bias training, and is backed up by our D&I Policy, which ensures we

consider diverse attributes, perspectives, cultures and experiences. Our global flexible working guidelines are aimed at making IHG an attractive company to work for and we advocate work/life balance.

During 2020, our recruitment activities reduced significantly as a result of Covid-19. However, we are committed to securing future talent pipelines and our candidate relationship management tool has 184,000 subscriptions from over 81,000 potential candidates.

As the impact of Covid-19 deepened, steps were taken to curtail people-related costs in both corporate offices and the managed hotel estate. The Board was consulted and a global plan was created to reduce costs and help employees, including supporting the re-deployment of hotel colleagues into other work opportunities. In the Americas and EMEAA, we launched the ‘IHG Hotel

Colleague Job Center’ to connect those impacted with organisations recruiting at scale. We also implemented IHG Alumni sites to stay connected with furloughed and former employees, sharing news and job opportunities.

In the mid to long term, we are focused on implementing features of our Talent Acquisition Programme, with a priority focus on our Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Our aim is to make IHG an employer of choice, and we launched the refreshed EVP in February 2021, including a new consolidated careers website which brings together multiple careers sites and key messaging around opportunities to belong, develop and make a difference. The website features job alert functionality where potential candidates will receive email notifications of any recently posted jobs that match their predefined criteria.

Employee engagement statement

Our statement relates to only IHG’s directly employed individuals and should be read in conjunction with our S172 statement.

At IHG we foster a culture of open and honest engagement and feedback. We have a wide range of engagement forums including an engagement survey, management-led performance updates and a designated non-executive director for workforce engagement. Through these forums we hear from and talk to employees about IHG’s performance, key metrics, values, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

With the shift to remote working, we implemented virtual solutions to ensure employees kept in touch, maintained working relationships and were provided with Company updates. This included video meetings, podcasts and regular global calls with the CEO and other Executive Committee members. Global calls covered performance and other metric updates, alongside a wide range of other topics, as well as live Q&As.

The Board and Executive Committee were kept updated of employee interest and concern areas, and this influenced, for example, the set up of an emergency support fund to provide immediate help for employees facing financial hardship. The Company provided nearly $1.3m and assisted 2,134 employees across 10 countries.

The health and wellbeing of employees was a priority concern, and the Board and Executive Committee reviewed actions to help counter potential physical and mental effects of the pandemic and remote working, including re-charge days and no meeting Fridays. All corporate employees have access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which was extended to 31 countries. Other measures included a flexible learning summit, which more than 4,000 employees accessed, as well as surveys on employee remote working experiences, initiatives to raise mental health awareness, and HR and manager training programmes.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, our employee engagement survey, completed by employees in corporate and reservations offices and General Managers in managed hotels, was only conducted once during the year. The survey provided employees the opportunity to share their views on key issues relating to Company culture, IHG’s Covid-19 response, working from home, and health and wellbeing. Overall engagement remained stable at 79%, above external top quartile benchmarks. There were significant engagement improvements in relation to employees having the right tools and resources to carry out their jobs, work collaboration and decision-making speed. The main area for improvement was career development opportunities. Short pulse surveys carried out during the year also showed significant positive responses to the transparent and open nature of communications from Senior Leaders.

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Further information about the activities of the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement can be found on page 92.

26IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


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$1.3m

Emergency support fund

The Senior Independent Director, Dale Morrison, wasCompany provided $1.3m and remains available to shareholders if they have concerns they wish to discuss.

assisted 2,134 employees across 10

countries

79%

Shareholder servicesEmployee engagement survey

During 2019,Overall engagement remained stable

at 79%, above external top quartile

benchmarks

152

Future Leaders

Greater China successfully screened,

recruited and onboarded 152 Future

Leaders during 2020

49%

Our employee share plan

49% of eligible employees took up

the plan in 2020, its first year of

operation, with just over 82% opting

to pay the maximum contribution

Early talent development

Our Early Careers Programme offers work experience, internships and graduate opportunities to individuals looking to have a career in the hospitality industry, and helps attract talent into our managed hotel estate. The vast majority of face-to-face offerings were impacted as a result of the global pandemic, however in Greater China we successfully screened, recruited and onboarded 152 Future Leaders during 2020, which will support IHG’s continuing recovery in the region during 2021.

Ongoing talent development

We are firmly committed to investing in our employees and have various toolkits to help plan for and shape their development. We believe in having conversations that count. Employees engage in quarterly check-in conversations with line leaders to plan personal development and discuss career aspirations. Our leadership teams regularly discuss talent pipeline pools to identify and develop succession groups for roles with similar characteristics.

We also invest in individuals who work in and support our managed hotels, and have developed and delivered new learning modules during 2020 to help hotel teams adapt during Covid-19. Examples of new training topics include how to conduct a virtual sales call, how to implement an evolved food and beverage offering, and the IHG ran its annual share-dealing programmeWay of Clean programme.

As at 31 December 2020    Male  Female  Total 
Directors   8   5   13 
Executive Committee   7   3   10 
Executive Committee direct reports   37   23   60 
Senior managers    
(including subsidiary directors)   73   27   100 
All employees    
((whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund)   5,748   7,084   12,832 

Reward culture

IHG’s reward culture aims to attract, retain and motivate top talent, and is centred around a set of core principles, managed through robust governance, including being recognised and paid competitively for contribution to the Group’s success. Our principles ensure that reward and recognition practices are fair and consistent across our employee population, regardless of gender and other aspects of diversity, and that there is alignment between the wider direct workforce and executive remuneration. We regularly review our approach externally, ensuring we meet the needs of employees by offering market-driven rewards packages.

Our employee share plan is available to around 98% of our corporate employees below the senior/mid-management level (who receive LTIP and restricted stock units awards). IHG matches the number of shares bought by employees through the plan. 49% of eligible employees took up the plan in 2020, its first year of operation, with just over 82% opting to pay the maximum contribution rate each month. Registration for the 2021 plan took place in December 2020, with a take up of 50%.

In response to Covid-19, IHG made difficult decisions in relation to pay, furloughs, reduced hours and redundancies to protect the Company’s long-term future. In March, the 2020 salary merit increase was cancelled, and at the end of Q1 reductions in salary and Company retirement contributions were implemented. However, bonuses earned over 2019 were honoured. In Q2, decisions to furlough and implement partial working hours were taken, and to further manage costs and set the business up for recovery, global redundancies were made from July. Though our recovery is still in progress, our efforts to manage our liquidity allowed us to return employees to full salaries ahead of schedule in October 2020.

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See pages 98 and 100 for shareholdersmore information about our wider remuneration policies.

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Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202027


Strategic Report

Our people continued

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Diversity and inclusion (D&I)

IHG is a global business, and our D&I Policy and approach are designed to represent our people and the guests who stay in our hotels, who are made up of multiple nationalities, cultures, races, sexual orientation, backgrounds and beliefs. We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture. It underpins our purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, and is crucial to who we are, how we work together and how we grow our business.

Our D&I Policy supports our recruitment, development and reward practices. Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for the Board, which, through the Responsible Business Committee, has assessed and realigned our priorities and commitments in 2020 to meet changing expectations and societal concerns. We bring our D&I Policy to life through a Global D&I Board and regional D&I Councils, who focus on locally relevant initiatives. Our diversity and inclusion framework is built on three core focus areas.

Strengthening a culture of inclusion:

We know we need to do more to support, nurture and strengthen our diverse and inclusive culture. During 2020, we made a number of commitments such as doubling ethnic minority representation in leadership, particularly to support our Black employees and communities in the Americas, which is helping to shape our response in other regions.

We continue to deliver ongoing inclusive leadership learning programmes and resources for leaders and managers, and we are developing an inclusion index to track perceptions of culture and behaviour in our employee engagement survey. We also are committed to supporting education, employability and empowerment in the community through partnerships with the National Urban League and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have continued to expand and play a crucial role

in supporting our diversity and inclusion commitments. The BERG (Black Employee Resource Group) was instrumental in steering IHG’s response to racial inequality issues in the US.

Our drive to celebrate difference and contribute to making sustainable changes in our organisation also led to the creation of several new ERGs to support other facets of diversity and inclusion, including the Family Network which launched globally in the first half of 2020, and a new ethnic minority diversity network for UK-based employees, EMbrace. Similarly, our Hype ERG, focusing on early career opportunities and networking, is expected to debut in UK in the first half of 2021, after successfully launching in Greater China, the Americas and wider EMEAA. The importance of IHG’s ERGs can be seen in activities such as awareness campaigns for Black History Month, Diwali celebrations, and Senior Leaders sharing their experiences with Lean In circles.

Other activities in 2020 included celebrating International Women’s Day across our managed hotels and corporate offices, under the global theme of #eachforequal. A series of events was produced to celebrate equality throughout IHG and how we are supporting female progression and equality at work.

In June we committed globally to recognising and celebrating Pride month. Like many other companies, our approach in 2020 changed, initially to reflect the limitations of Covid-19 and then more significantly to support the fight against racism and inequality, particularly in the US. In collaboration with Senior Leaders, the BERG and Out & Open members, we adapted our celebration activities to emphasise the importance of inclusivity more broadly. We switched our visual support for Pride month from the traditional rainbow to a more inclusive Pride flag that reflected the rights of both people of colour and the transgender community.

Increasing the diversity of our leadership talent:

As part of our refreshed responsible business plan, we aim to drive gender and ethnicity balance in particular in our leadership teams.

We will continue to deliver talent programmes, such as the Rise programme, which is focused on increasing the number of women in General Manager and Operations roles. During 2020, this programme played a critical role in developing and retaining key female talent across all regions through mentoring sessions, career development workshops, high-impact learning modules, and empowering conversations. In October 2020 we launched a monthly series of ‘conversations with Leaders’ for the RISE cohort and their mentors in the EMEAA managed estate hotels. This inspiring platform connects the group virtually and continues to grow and develop critical leadership experiences.

In Greater China, a series of ERGs known as the ‘Rose Alliance’ was created for existing female General Managers to support further professional development and encourage networking.

In the Americas, as part of the commitments we announced in 2020, we are launching a bespoke programme to develop Black leadership talent and build partnerships with organisations dedicated to supporting Black employees.

Putting the right decision-making around our actions:

IHG recognises that decision-making must be inclusive and take into consideration diverse viewpoints. In the Americas, we are rolling out mandatory unconscious bias training for more than 10,000 US corporate and managed hotel employees. We are also implementing processes to ensure that our recruitment initiatives include a diverse candidate shortlist and interview panel process. In the UK, we signed the UK Race at Work charter with the BITC (Business in the Community) in July 2020. We are committed to using the key focus areas outlined in the charter to further drive our race and ethnicity diversity and inclusion actions.

We will continue to build on our diversity and inclusion practices over the year ahead, with a refreshed set of commitments to ensure we continue to expand access to conscious inclusion training for employees, and strengthen our data capture alongside piloting new diverse talent programmes.

LOGOSee also our Governance Report and statement on disability in the Directors’ Report.
LOGOSee our D&I Policy on our website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

28IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Communities and planet

The Board’s Responsible Business Committee oversees and agrees IHG’s environment and community strategy and commitments, and our Responsible Business targets underpin both. We recognise changing expectations around environment and community matters, and as our 2018-2020 targets come to an end, we look ahead to our new 10-year responsible business plan and ambitious targets.

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Community

Our community policy promotes and guides us to support local communities, partner with global charities, assist communities impacted by disasters, and help build employment skills among the disadvantaged.

During our 2018-2020 target reporting period we contributed $3.4m to charitable causes, supporting more than 400,000 people. Over the same period, 328,000 colleagues supported community projects across the globe. Our annual Giving for Good month was transformed in 2020 into our Giving for Good awards, in honour of the UN International Day of Volunteering, to reflect the efforts of our colleagues. We celebrated more than 28,000 colleague stories, who collectively spent 212,580 hours supporting people in need.

As a result of the pandemic, we saw social disparities and inequalities exacerbated. We assisted local communities by working with existing charity partners and building new partnerships with NGOs:

We supported frontline workers by repurposing hotels to provide accommodation for frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society.

We partnered with #FirstRespondersFirst in the US, donating accommodation through IHG Rewards point donations; and launched a ‘heroes’ rate for first responders and key workers.

We supported foodbank infrastructure and services across 70 countries. Key partners included ‘No Kid Hungry’ (US), ‘Trussell Trust’ (UK), Global FoodBanking Network and European Food Banks Federation. Our partner, the Global FoodBanking network, provided meals to more than 27 million people, across a network of 900 foodbanks in 44 countries.

In 2020, we supported 1,428 colleagues impacted by disasters; we continued to work with CARE International UK, the British Red Cross, American Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and enabled point donations to these organisations from IHG Rewards members.

IHG® Academy and Change 100

IHG is committed to increasing the number of young people coming through the IHG Academy, a collaboration between our hotels, corporate offices, local education providers and community organisations. It provides local people with the opportunity to develop skills and improve their employment prospects. Despite having to pause the majority of programmes in 2020, we were able to support 3,277 participants, and achieved our target of supporting over 31,000 people between 2018 and 2020. We also have a partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, helping young people build hospitality skills. In 2020 we moved our offerings online.

Change 100 is a programme that takes place each summer and provides paid work placements and mentoring for students and recent graduates with disabilities. During 2020, in partnership with Leonard Cheshire, we held a virtual summer internship for 13 participants in the UK, that included a project focused on creating innovative ideas for IHG’s sustainable hotel room concept.

Planet

Our environment policy sets out our approach to measuring and managing our environmental impact, and supports and guides us to find ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Our Group-wide environmental management system, IHG Green Engage, helps hotels measure, manage and reduce energy, carbon, water and waste consumption, and recommends green solutions.

Waste management

Across the hospitality industry there is a significant amount of waste created. It is essential that we find ways to reduce this by reusing, recycling or designing out items at scale. IHG is committed to working with others to find innovative solutions.

Examples of this include:

removing single-use plastic miniature bathroom amenities and switching to bulk-size products;

partnering with organisations and innovators to help reduce food waste. In Australia, we partner with OzHarvest to

help donate food to local communities. We’re also working with Winnow Solutions to use technology to track, measure and reduce food waste at a number of our EMEAA hotels; and

working with suppliers to repurpose single-use plastic bottles into fillings for duvets and pillows in our voco hotels. To date, more than three million bottles have been diverted from landfill this way.

As a result of Covid-19, hygiene and cleaning measures are likely to have an impact on the environment. Whilst short-term allowances have been made, we have considered and implemented ways to reduce our impact, such as fewer printed items across hotels.

Biodiversity

Through IHG Green Engage, we provide guidance aimed at preserving and protecting on-site local flora and fauna, and the wider regional ecosystems affected by hotel operations. This includes advice on management of green spaces and long-term strategies for protecting local habitats.

Carbon footprint

Hotel energy consumption across the industry represents around 1% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2012 we have tracked carbon reduction per occupied room (CPOR), and our 2018-2020 target was to reduce CPOR by 6-7%. At the end of 2019 we reported a 5.9% reduction. As a result of reduced occupancy levels during 2020, we ended the target period with a 10.2% increase, meaning we did not achieve our target. However, over the same period we reduced our absolute carbon emissions by 23.6%.

In 2020, we had our carbon science-based target approved by the Science-Based Target Initiative, which requires we achieve a 15% absolute carbon footprint reduction in our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels; and a 46% per m2 carbon intensity reduction in our franchised estate by 2030, (from a 2018 base). From 2021 onwards we will be reporting in line with shareholdingsthese targets.

Water stewardship

In relation to previous risks identified and our stewardship action plan, we worked with the Alliance for Water Stewardship during 2020, and launched projects in China and Australia, taking our total to six projects, meeting our commitment in this area. As signatories of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate we communicate progress each year against six core commitment areas. Water stress is a local issue, which varies considerably between markets. To ensure we collaborate at a local level, we have become members of the Water Resilience Coalition.

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Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202029


Strategic Report

TCFD

We are committed to doing our part to address climate change by reducing our carbon emissions, and in early 2020 we announced new 2030 science-based targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Accord. While we have an
asset-light business model, with the majority of up to 225 shares, giving themIHG hotels owned by a third party, our commitments cover the option to selloperations of all our hotels globally, whether managed, owned, leased, managed lease or increase their shareholdings at a preferable set fee. Shareholders who sold their shares had the option to donate their proceeds to charity.franchised.

The Board recognises the importance of understanding and managing the impact of potential climate-related risks and opportunities on

IHG’s business and strategy. In early 2020 we made a formal commitment to support the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and have engaged a third-party expert to support with the more technical elements of the project. During the year we completed a ‘readiness review’ to understand IHG’s gaps to full TCFD alignment and developed a climate risk assessment framework tailored to our business which was used to conduct a qualitative risk assessment including scenario planning. This will be used as the basis for an in-depth quantitative risk assessment in 2021, which will enable detailed reporting against the TCFD recommendations in our 2021 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

Governance

The IHG Board has collective responsibility for managing climate-related risks and opportunities and is advised by the Board’s Responsible Business Committee on the Group’s corporate responsibility strategy, including our approach to climate-related risks and opportunities. Committee meetings are regularly attended by our Chair, CEO, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs and VP, Global Corporate Responsibility.

Our CFO, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs and EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary co-lead executive level management of climate-related risks and opportunities and report to our CEO. Our regional CEOs for the Americas, EMEAA and Greater China lead the implementation of environmental programmes at an operational level, supported by IHG’s Global Corporate Responsibility team.

During 2020, we established an internal TCFD Steering Group, with senior representation from Finance, Risk and Assurance, Strategy, Corporate Responsibility, and the Legal, Compliance and Company Secretariat team, who are responsible for leading the project.

Strategy

Led by our TCFD Steering Group and working with specialist consultants, during 2020 we carried out over 30 Senior Leader stakeholder interviews to identify key value drivers for the business and completed a global qualitative risk assessment to understand where and how climate change may affect these value drivers over the short, medium and long term.

We held two scenario planning workshops with cross-functional Business Unit leaders, to review potential risks at 2°C and 4°C scenarios over one, five, 10, 15 and 30 year time horizons. Our analysis covered acute and chronic physical risks, including droughts or floods, water stress, wildfires and rising sea levels, as well as transition risks, such as changes in stakeholder expectations, travel patterns, climate policy and regulation.

This work culminated in a dedicated TCFD session with our Board in December 2020, to discuss climate change as a strategic resilience issue, review actions already completed and identify priorities for 2021 to close any gaps to TCFD alignment. The focus for next year will be an in-depth financial evaluation of key risks identified during the qualitative analysis, as well as an assessment of potential impacts on IHG’s growth strategy and financial planning.

Risk management

We consider climate change within the context of environmental and social megatrends as one of our principal risks. To reduce our carbon footprint and manage our exposure to climate-related risks, in 2019 we made carbon reduction a metric for all hotels globally (see below) and in 2020 we launched our science-based targets and started more formal implementation of the TCFD recommendations.

Our Risk Management team is part of our core TCFD working group and as such is closely involved in the work to assess in more detail IHG’s potential exposure to both physical and transition risks over the short, medium and long term. This will facilitate further embedding of climate-related risks into our global risk management and mitigation procedures, as appropriate, to support the long-term resilience of the business.

Metrics and targets

The IHG Green Engage system is our global environmental management platform and is critical to our ability to identify, assess and mitigate climate-related risks. As part of our brand standards, all IHG hotels globally are required to use the platform and report their monthly utility use on the platform, which in turn provides hotels with trend data, benchmarking information, green building solutions and return on investment information, to help them identify key opportunities for maximising carbon, energy, water and waste efficiency and reducing their overall utility costs.

Carbon reduction is one of IHG’s 10 global metrics, with both Group and hotel level targets set on an annual basis. Achievement of the global metrics is one of the criteria used in the annual performance plan calculations for corporate employees and General Managers of managed hotels.

In 2020, we launched our science-based carbon reduction targets – to reduce absolute carbon emissions from our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels by 15% by 2030, and to reduce carbon emissions per square metre from our franchised hotels by 46% by 2030, both against a 2018 base year. For more information on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and our performance against our targets, please see page 221.

As we complete our financial impact assessment of climate-related risks, this will inform the development of any additional metrics and targets around the management and mitigation of risks and the strengthening of IHG’s business resilience against climate change.

 

 

 

Management objectives for 2021

  Complete financial quantification of key climate-related risks and opportunities.

  Analysis of the relative importance of these climate-related risks compared to our wider enterprise risks.

  Develop roadmap for embedding climate-related risks and opportunities into IHG strategy, financial planning and decision-making.

  Present findings and proposals for discussion at our annual Board strategy day.

  Embed findings into 2021 Annual Report disclosures, to demonstrate full alignment with TCFD recommendations.

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Please see further information in the preceding pages of the

Strategic Report, as well as risk management and Governance

and Directors’ Reports.

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See our Responsible Business Report on our website at

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

30IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


    

 


Our guests, owners & suppliers

 

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To enable as many shareholders as possible to access conferences and presentations, telephonedial-in facilities are made available in advance and live audio webcasts are made available after results presentations, together with associated data and documentation.

These can be found atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Results and presentations. Details of the sell-side research analysts who publish research on the Group are available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Analyst details and consensus.
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Business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

As set out in our S172 statement, our business relationships with our guests, hotel owners and suppliers are fundamental to our commercial success.

During the year, the Board and Executive Committee focused on what was critical for guests, hotel owners and suppliers. They considered and agreed operational procedures, cost management solutions and payment terms to support these stakeholders through the pandemic.

The Board has standing agenda items to consider strategic and operational matters that include guests, owners and suppliers, and receives reports, presentations and feedback from management. Through the Responsible Business Committee, it monitors targets in relation to responsible procurement and reviews the Supplier Code of Conduct. In addition, the Chair and Executive Directors engage directly with hotel owners.

The following information sets out more detail about our relationships with our guests, hotel owners and suppliers, and describes how our relationships with these key stakeholders have been maintained and strengthened in 2020.

LOGO   See also our business relationships disclosure on page 222.

8

guest relations contact centres in 5 countries

1,700+

guest relations agents speaking 12 languages

12 m+

lines of enquiry dealt with during 2020

2.5 m

Guest HeartBeat surveys completed in 2020

2.5 m

social reviews received in 2020

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders37

Hotel guests


Strategic ReportOperating with a clear focus on what’s important to customers is key to ensuring consumer preference for our brands. Important to them is a consistent and safe stay experience, reward for their loyalty, and brands that can be trusted. In 2020, this came to the forefront more than ever with the need to provide clean and safe hotels, and flexibility in relation to hotel stays and the IHG Rewards programme.

 

Our culture, responsible business

Day to day accountability for ensuring that IHG’s strategy relating to guests is prioritised lies with the Executive Committee, including the Executive Directors, who regularly receive guest data and stakeholders continuedinsights including updates on guest satisfaction, Guest Heartbeat survey results, and loyalty contributions. To provide oversight, the Board also receives regular operational presentations and updates, including delivery against relevant metrics and KPIs.

 

Suppliers

Who leads at IHG

During 2020, with Board agreement, IHG enhanced and Committees

Oversight fromdrove implementation of the Chief Financial Officer

IHG Responsible Business Governance Committee
Way of Clean programme and IHG’s Clean Promise into all regions to protect guests, and also implemented a flexible cancellation policy, temporary loyalty

Procurement function,programme changes, including Strategic Supplier Management Office (SSMO)

Howreducing stay qualification, and revised operational procedures in relation to food and beverage offerings. These decisions balanced local government guidelines, owner costs and guest expectations. In addition, 1,500 guest relations agents switched to remote working, ensuring we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

Responsible Business Targets 2018-2020

Supplier Code of Conduct

IHG Green Supplier scorecard

Employee education programme on responsible procurement

Supplier risk assurance programme

Being a trusted business with a strong reputation is criticalcontinued to provide quality service to our long-term operational growth. Our scale gives hotels under our brands the benefits of broader supply chain opportunities and consistent products and services, which in turn benefits our guests. We have a complex supply chain and work with suppliers who share our commitment to our responsible business agenda and ethical work practices.

The Procurement function drives IHG’s Responsible Business agenda into our supply chains. During 2019 the function focused on enhancing the foundations for responsible procurement in IHG, through the supply chain risk assurance programme, employee awareness of responsible procurement and our IHG Green Supplier programme, which evaluates prospective suppliers across a number of sustainability factors.

During 2019, we made progress with our supplier risk assurance programme pilot, with support from the British Standards Institute. As part of the introductory pilot, which began in 2018, we issued a desktop-based risk assessment questionnaire to all IHG Marketplace suppliers to help us understand their governance, human rights and environmental practices. In 2019, we reviewed responses and categorised them based on their risk profile. We will expand the scope beyond the IHG Marketplace suppliers group in the next phase of our programme. The initial pilot has been an important step in understanding our supply base.

The Strategic Supplier Management Office, (SSMO), supports strategic suppliers, identified for their contractual and operational value, via business performance reviews to promote value realisation, risk mitigation and create healthy supplier partnerships.

Our activities

Our supply chain activities are split into two categories – corporate and hotel supply chains. Our corporate supply chain covers items such as technology and professional services. Procurement of goods and services at hotel level, covers items required for opening, renovating and operating a hotel, such as food and beverages, furniture, linen and electrical goods. Procurement predominantly occurs at local hotel level as our hotels are largely owned by independent third-party owners, who are responsible for managing their own independent supply chains.

In certain cases, IHG provides a centralised procurement programme for both managed and franchised hotels, such as IHG® Marketplace in the Americas region (for US, Canada, Mexico) and IHG Mall in Greater China. IHG also provides purchasing support and leverages procurement platforms for managed hotels in some countries within EMEAA.

 

LOGOPositive guest sentiment is vital to our customer-centric strategy. Apart from Guest Love we have other metrics in relation to loyalty, sales and guest relation interactions. Measures put in place during 2020, such as the flexible cancellation policy, were in direct response to guest requests to cancel and rearrange their bookings because of the pandemic.

 

DuringLOGO    See page 18 for more information on our

          customer-centric strategy.

Hotel owners

IHG predominantly franchises its brands, but also manages hotels on behalf of third- party hotel owners, and has a global network of hotel owners. Our success is reliant on our effective execution of our corporate strategy, a strong owner proposition, our shared commitment to delivering our purpose and desire to maintain high business standards.

We predominantly measure our relationship with hotel owners through the yearOwner HeartBeat survey, which the Board and Executive Committee receive and review, but other metrics, such as the Signings KPI, indicates the attractiveness of our Supplier Codeowner proposition.

We engage with hotel owners in a variety of Conduct was updatedways, depending on whether their hotels are franchised or managed. For example, we engage with franchised hotel owners through annual portfolio and approved byhotel reviews, and also through the Corporate Responsibility Committee.IHG Owners Association (IHGOA). The Supplier Code sets out our requirement for suppliers to demonstrate that they actIHGOA represents the interests of more than 4,500 hotel owners and operators worldwide. We work with integrity and respect for human rights and the environment. We expect our suppliers to adhere to these standards, both within their own business and across their supply chains.them

IHG complies with the statutory reporting duty on payment practices and performance and is a signatory of the Prompt Payment Code.

 

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Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202031


Strategic Report

Our guests, owners & suppliers continued

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to obtain feedback on IHG standards, programmes and initiatives, including our System Fund.

During 2020, with the hospitality industry significantly impacted by Covid-19, the Board, through the Executive Committee, agreed and put in place a range of measures to help protect owner cash flow including supplier discounts, fee relief and flexible payment options. Decisions were reviewed against the impact on IHG’s own cash flow and revenue requirements, hotel operational costs and what was needed to be done to protect guests. For example, the costs of implementing the IHG Way of Clean programme were balanced against reductions in other operational and brand standard costs, such as delaying planned refurbishments.

Further support for owners included provision of tailored recovery toolkits and targeted marketing campaigns to drive hotel demand. Our regional CEOs lobbied at the highest levels of government (including with the President of the United States and the speaker of the US House of Representatives), as well as through trade bodies, to gain support for the hospitality industry. In the UK, Keith Barr worked with other Executive Committee members to ensure that appropriate support was provided by the UK Government to help owners through the difficult trading period caused by restrictions and government lockdowns.

Suppliers

Working with suppliers is vital for our operations and for driving our responsible business commitments. Our supply chain activities are split into two categories: corporate and hotel supply chains. Our corporate supply chain covers items such as

technology and professional services, and includes a number of strategic suppliers, identified for their contractual and operational value. For example, we have a technology agreement with Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc. for the development and hosting of the Group’s Guest Reservation System.

Procurement of goods and services at hotel level covers items required for opening, renovating and operating a hotel, such as food and beverages, furniture, linen and electrical goods. However, most of our hotels are owned by independent third-party owners, who are responsible for managing their own independent supply chains.

During 2020, IHG considered and responded to the impact of Covid-19 on suppliers, taking actions such as renegotiating payment schedules across key vendors and increasing engagement with strategic suppliers on service levels and continuity risks.

The Procurement function drives IHG’s responsible business agenda into our supply chains, which is agreed with the Responsible Business Committee. The responsible procurement agenda was significantly impacted by Covid-19 in 2020. However, the function was instrumental in supporting owners and hotels with sourcing PPE and other emergency supplies, and used IHG’s scale to provide support to supplier negotiations.

Despite much otherwise reduced sourcing activity, the function, supported by the Responsible Business Committee, focused on the core elements of responsible procurement through (i) our supply chain risk assurance programme, (ii) our IHG Green Supplier programme, (iii)

improving employee awareness of responsible procurement, and (iv) ongoing collaboration with key suppliers bringing innovation, smarter choices and business efficiency for our hotels and owners.

We made good progress with our supplier risk assurance programme. Following the previous launch of desktop-based risk assessment questionnaires and risk profiling suppliers based on their responses, we requested additional information from a number of suppliers to better understand their practices in certain areas. We paused the programme during the year to focus on addressing the challenges of the pandemic, but are expecting to recommence the programme in 2021.

We were also able to introduce a new set of responsible procurement criteria for prospective suppliers. The pre-contract assessment is part of IHG’s tendering process and includes questions about suppliers’ governance, human rights and environmental practices relevant to suppliers’ own operations and supply chains.

LOGOSee also our business relationships disclosure on page 224.

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Gender-inclusiveSupply chain mapping

During the year, in partnership with CARE International UK and our key suppliers, we continued our programme focused on the textiles supply chain,

Following aimed at creating a review of our supply chain, we identified textiles as a priority supply chain commodity, given they are widely present in our hotels. At IHG, we know that gender-inclusivity is essential for a sustainable business,more gender-inclusive workplace, leading to more productive, resilient and secure value chains. ThisRecognising the environmental impact of textiles, we also partnered with the University of Exeter to carry out an environmental assessment of IHG’s textiles value chain in support of identifying opportunities for IHG to transition towards circularity.

32IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Our shareholders

LOGO

W

e are committed to maintaining

an open dialogue and a comprehensive programme of

investor relations activities, and pride ourselves on keeping up-to-date

with best practice and market views

through independent advice and guidance

from a number of agencies and brokers.

The Chair and Committee Chairs actively engage with investors to ensure they are aware and understand the views and perceptions of our major shareholders, and the Board receives formal external reviews of investor perceptions. In addition, our Registrar, EQ, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., custodians of our American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme, have teams set up to deal with shareholder and ADR holder queries.

During 2020 both Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson presented IHG’s 2019 year-end and 2020 interim results to institutional investors, analysts and media. Telephone conferences were held following first and third-quarter trading updates, including Q&A sessions with sell-side analysts.

The Chair and other Board members continued with their annual cycle of investor meetings with major institutional shareholders during 2020, albeit meetings were held virtually and the usual range of meetings was adjusted as a result of the pandemic. Patrick Cescau engaged with our largest shareholders to discuss broader governance matters and the Company’s situation and response to Covid-19. Jo Harlow, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, held a series of investor consultation meetings with major shareholders, in relation to Executive Directors’ remuneration. In addition, following Sharon Rothstein’s appointment

to the Board she undertook an introductory meeting with a major shareholder, and Dale Morrison, our Senior Independent Director, was and remains available to shareholders if they have concerns they wish to discuss.

As in previous years, significant engagement occurred with sell-side analysts and investors. The market was kept updated of IHG’s business situation during the year through a number of stock exchange announcements, including updates on its financing and liquidity. Individual investor meetings and conferences were hosted, and both Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson hosted virtual fire-side meetings. Below Board level, various business leaders including representatives from Corporate Responsibility and Ethics and Compliance, held meetings with shareholders to discuss responsible business focus areas.

AGM

The 2020 AGM was held in constrained circumstances, following UK Government lockdown measures and advice from IHG’s external legal advisors. Our belief is that AGMs are an invaluable forum for communicating with investors and shareholders. With the likelihood of continued constraints in place, due to UK Government Covid-19 physical distancing measures, we continue to evaluate how our AGM on Friday 7 May will be held. The notice of meeting, including details of the conditions of admission, will be sent to shareholders and be available at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section. If any changes to the meeting details are required due to UK Government Covid-19 guidance, they will be published in the aforementioned website section.

Dividend

As the impact of Covid-19 became apparent the Board, after balancing the considerations of managing liquidity due to low hotel occupancy, with the expectations of investors and shareholders, withdrew its 2019 final dividend recommendation of 85.9¢ per share, a payment which would have had a cash outflow of ~$150m in the first half of 2020, and did not pay an interim dividend in respect of 2020. The decision to suspend dividends was not made lightly, and the Board is why in partnership with CARE Internationalnot proposing to pay a final dividend. They will consider future dividends once the visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

LOGOSee also page 15 for information about our key suppliers, we are exploring the social impacts that can be gained through creating more gender-inclusive workplaces via a detailed supply-chain mapping and gender risk analysis exercise.

dividend policy.
LOGOPlease see www.ihgplc.com/investors for further information.
 

 

LOGO

38IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019

Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202033


Strategic Report

Our risk management

The Board’s role in risk management – stewardship and active partnership

The Board is ultimately accountable for establishing a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risk to be assessed and managed, and is supported by the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and delegated committees. Our governance framework and Committee agendas establish procedures for Board members to receive information on risk from the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders and a range of other internal and external sources.

In 2020, our Board and management team, supported by the Risk and Assurance team, have reviewed our risk profile with increased frequency, and evaluated the appropriateness and resilience of our risk management and internal control arrangements. Throughout the management of the Covid-19 crisis, the Board has also considered the longer-term impact of the pandemic and other external and internal factors on our risk profile.

Emerging risks

During 2020, alongside the close focus on responding to Covid-19, Board and Committee discussions have allowed for consideration of other emerging and evolving risks, including:

 competitor and macroeconomic risk factors within the Board’s discussion of strategy and key management presentations (e.g. for Brand strategies, Commercial & Technology, Loyalty, Corporate Governance and Regulatory Developments);

 workforce related risks at the Remuneration and Nomination Committees, including the impact of Covid-19 on attraction, retention and succession arrangements; and risks relating to the competitiveness of Executive remuneration and Board composition;

 regulatory and financial governance risks at the Audit Committee (e.g. tax risks relating to digital businesses, treasury and liquidity risks linked to volatility and sentiment in the capital markets, and financial control risks in a cost-constrained environment);

 risks relating to people and culture at the Responsible Business Committee, including updates on employee engagement and well-being; diversity and inclusion; community impact; sustainability; human rights; and our continuing responsibilities across our supply chain; and

 potential risks relating to the impact of climate change on IHG in the future at a dedicated Board briefing on our progress to comply with the TCFD reporting requirements.

The most prominent emerging risk we face is a sustained downturn caused by further waves of the pandemic and/or a slower than anticipated industry recovery. This could create further volatility in our risk factors and also challenging conditions in the capital markets, making it more difficult to obtain additional funding if required and manage our liquidity, potentially impacting financial performance. Our financial planning includes identifying levers which could be pulled to enable flexibility and adaptability to changes to our financial assumptions and circumstances. More detail on the topics covered by the Board and Committees is available in the Governance Report, pages 74 to 95.

Procedures for identifying, discussing and escalating emerging risks

Many topics and potential risks to longer term viability and sustainability are considered as part of our ongoing management decision making, as well as Board and Committee agendas and presentations, enabling escalation of emerging risks where appropriate. These combined elements have also enabled us to react to uncertainties and changing circumstances as the Covid-19 crisis evolved.

LOGO

34IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



How risk management and our appetite for risk have supported decision making in 2020

Our risk management and internal control systems remain fully integrated with the way we run the business, and IHG’s risk appetite is visible through the nature and extent of risk taken by the Board in pursuit of strategic and other business objectives. We cascade this appetite through our culture, values and behaviours, see pages 24 and 25, the goals and targets we set, and our Code of Conduct and other global policies, all of which are further reinforced by frequent leadership communications to guide behaviours and set priorities.

The short- and medium-term uncertainties created by Covid-19 led to active ‘real time’ consideration of acceptable risk tolerances and whether any adjustments were required to financial and operational controls. Enhancements were made to controls to enable effective and efficient management of risk throughout the crisis, including the decentralisation of decisions to front line crisis teams within a framework of agreed

principles. This was balanced with updates to the Global Delegation of Authority Policy, reinforcement of policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Information Security) and updates to other entity level control arrangements.

After the initial operational disruption of Covid-19, additional adjustments to controls were required to maintain acceptable risk levels during IHG-initiated changes to the workforce and to safeguard continuity across our supply chain. These changes were guided by principles developed by the Executive Committee to ensure that any actions taken were not disproportionately de-stabilising, and supported by communications plans.

Formal and informal monitoring, reporting and assurance arrangements, also described on pages 24 and 25 have been reinforced during 2020 to enable the Board and Executive Committee to maintain ongoing oversight of key areas of uncertainty and the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control arrangements.

As we move into 2021 the Board will continue to focus on whether levels of risk in the business are managed or controlled to an acceptable level (either individually or in total) and whether we are appropriately balancing opportunities for efficiency or investment with the need to build in resiliency in the short and longer term. Many leadership teams, including the Executive Committee, plan to continue to meet more frequently than pre-pandemic, which will also enable more active consideration and reaction to changing risks.

Our Annual Report and Form 20-F provide more detail on formal risk appetite and tolerance in a number of places. For example, our appetite for financial risk is described in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements, see page 179.

LOGOThis section should be read together with the rest of the Strategic Report, Governance on pages 74 to 111, the going concern statement on page 223, and Risk Factors on pages 224 to 229.

A practical illustration of IHG’s risk management system in action during 2020:

The wider primary public health concerns of Covid-19 created several secondary impacts for IHG, including rapidly emerging risks relating to customer demands, how we operate our hotels and the standards required of our franchisees.

The table below illustrates how we managed these risks in a systemic way across IHG, working with our owners and third-party experts to develop and deliver enhancements to our “IHG Way of Clean” brand standards to reassure our guests, colleagues and owners of our response to Covid-19 risks across all our hotels globally.

Policies, procedures and principles...applied by our people within key processes......with close monitoring and reporting

Executive, regional and functional leadership formed a Cleanliness Board to provide a clear “tone from the top” of the importance of safety and cleanliness, and to engage third-party expertise.

Communications were coordinated centrally to ensure consistency of internal and external messaging, including with owners.

Regional teams quickly mobilised to adopt and communicate the global policy to operational teams and hotel colleagues.

We created a suite of guidance including:

 enhanced standards and supporting guidance for the IHG Way of Clean programme;

 training for colleagues on how to wear face coverings and gloves;

 physical distancing and hand washing best practice;

 procedures for colleague symptom screening; and

 appropriate signage to be used throughout the hotels.

Our Procurement team worked with regional Operations and Safety teams to source protective items ranging from masks and gloves to hand sanitiser machines and brand appropriate signage.

We implemented a frequent and effective monitoring system to ensure that these cleanliness standards are upheld throughout our hotel portfolio.

This includes new virtual hotel audits allowing us to monitor the implementation of the IHG Way of Clean standards despite travel and restrictions on face-to-face interactions.

In addition to the hotel audits, we also track the completion levels of training materials and monitor social media to enable us to respond to guest or colleague feedback.

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202035


Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

IHG’s principal risks and uncertainties

While the Covid-19 crisis has not fundamentally changed the principal risks to our business and strategy, it has heightened the uncertainty we face in the short term and also created the potential for longer term impacts based on trade-offs that have been required to protect liquidity in 2020. The crisis has also accentuated the increasingly interconnected nature of risk.

We have not managed Covid-19 as a separate risk during the year, as the pandemic has increased the risk profile across many of our existing principal risks as we look forwards. This is most obvious in relation to the continuing significance of the safety and security of our colleagues and guests, government regulations impacting domestic and international travel, consumer

confidence and appetite to travel internationally in the longer term, how we operate our hotels and the overall impact on our business resilience.

The necessary response to Covid-19 safety concerns has also created several secondary impacts and the potential for disruption and additional stress on our risk management and internal control arrangements. In addition, continued scrutiny of the social performance of major corporates may also lead to any incident or failure to manage risk receiving significant and rapid attention.

All the risks on the grid below meet the definition of ‘principal’, however we have reviewed the trends carefully to more accurately reflect the current behaviour of these risks. In relative terms, some risks continue to trend upwards as we move into

2021 while other risks remain more stable on 2020 levels. Where we have indicated changes on the grid this is typically because of something we have noted in the nature of the risk itself, for example as a result of changes in the external environment, our extended enterprise, or a specific internal initiative.

By distributing the risks across the grid in this way based on their behaviour, it allows the Board and management to consider what different responses may be required to individual factors (for example, rapid factors which may require continuity planning), or the overall level of risk we are facing and what it means for governance of the whole portfolio.

Risk trend and speed of impact

We assess whether the risk area is stable or dynamic in its impact and/ or likelihood (inherent risk trend), and the rate at which there could be a material impact on IHG. The trend and speed of impact are summarised in the diagram with further detail on activities to manage each of these risks in the following pages.

Principal risk – assessment of trend and speed of impact

LOGO

Principal risks descriptions

  Inherent risk trendRisk impact – link to our strategic priorities
LOGODynamic/RapidLOGOBuild loved and trusted brands
LOGODynamic/GradualLOGOCustomer centric in all we do
LOGOStable/RapidLOGOCreate digital advantage
LOGOStable/GradualLOGOCare for our people, communities and planet

36IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



    

 

Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

 

Macro external factors such as political and economic disruption, the emerging risk of infectious diseases, actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, natural or man-made disasters could have an impact on our ability to perform and grow.

 

Hotel owners

Who leads at IHG

BoardSecondary impacts and Committees

Executive Committee

Senior Leaders

Regional hotel lifecyclecontinuing uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic may also exacerbate these factors across several markets and growth functions

Regional hotel operational support functions

How we engage

Board and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

IHG Owners Association meetings

International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF)

Owner HeartBeat surveys

Regional brand and owner conferences

Owner portfolio and hotel reviews

Dedicated operational support

Hotel openings

Hospitality industry forums

Our global network of hotel owners is one of IHG’s greatest strengths and we continually lookexternal sources indicate that these risks are likely to evolve our owner proposition. Our success is reliant on matching ownerstrend upwards in future years with the right brandspotential for more rapid impact on IHG.

LOGOLOGO

  Our initial focus for Covid-19, both in China and in other markets, prioritised the safety and security of our colleagues and guests by supporting crisis management teams in our portfolioindividual business units and markets, sharingglobal functions. This support included monitoring intelligence from a common outlook on responsible businessrange of external and working together to use our scaleinternal sources (e.g. government health and resources to drive strong returns.

From meeting to discuss a new project, to planning every facet of a hotel’s operations, to the opening itself, we focus on building businesses. Once open, we support owners with world class, brand-specific resources that help drivetravel advice), and developing guidance for hotel employee performance, improved guest satisfaction and increased revenues.

Our activities

Across our managed estate hotel operations, including operations leaders, General Managers, hotel employees and corporate operations support, regularly engage with ownersoffices on hotel performance. Our franchise performance support teams engage with franchised ownerssanitation and operators through annual portfolio or hotel reviews.cleaning procedures, including for when hotels have been used for quarantine and to house essential workers.

 

LOGOFor more information on the IHGOA see www.owners.org

  The Risk and Assurance and Global Corporate Affairs teams have developed guidance and internal and external communications strategies, and coordinated across regional and functional crisis management teams to review business continuity preparations for corporate offices (e.g. business service centres, reservation offices and corporate offices) and key supplier relationships. Furthermore, we established protocols for tracking and reporting on the status of hotels in China early in 2020, which then evolved into monitoring of hotels in other regions.

We also engage with the IHG Owners Association (IHGOA), the representative bodymaintain a range of more than 4,500 hotel owners and operatorsintelligence sources at our disposal to horizon-scan for nearly 3,600 IHG branded hotels worldwide, in relationemerging threats, provide insight to brand initiatives, industry topics and hotel operations. In 2019, we worked with various IHGOA committees to obtain owner feedbackleadership on IHG standards, programmes and initiativesincidents that impact both ownersoperations, and guests. In particular, we engaged withanalyse future political and economic scenarios to inform the IHGOA on our System Fund.

We also establish, when appropriate, working groups with key owners in relation to major public issues relevant to the hospitality sector. In 2019, for example, we formed a group to consider Brexit.

In 2019, members ofbusiness planning cycle, including at the Board and Executive Committee engagedlevel. We are also applying lessons learned from Covid-19 and using data analytics to better prepare for future disruption, in particular in relation to other fire safety and security threats that continue to receive industry-wide scrutiny.

  In addition to epidemics and pandemics, the risk of earthquakes and extreme weather events continues to pose a threat to IHG operations. IHG manages these events through training, advanced monitoring and warning, and standard operating procedures. As we moved into the 2020 hurricane season, regional operations teams planned and communicated with hotels, including those operating at reduced capacities, to ensure they were prepared to maintain safe operations for colleagues and guests.

Failure to deliver preferred brands and loyalty could impact our competitive positioning, our growth ambitions and our reputation with guests and owners.

Competition from other hotel brands and third-party intermediaries create inherent risks and opportunities to the longer-term value of IHG’s franchised and managed proposition for our brands. The Covid-19 crisis has also refocused guest expectations in relation to the cleanliness and safety of individual hotels and IHG’s brands. In a numberpotentially lower-demand environment it will also be critical to use our loyalty programme to drive business to our hotels and take share from our competitors.

LOGOLOGO

  The focus of our keybrands and loyalty teams during the crisis has been on supporting our guests, owners at events including:and hotels. This has included adjusting our cancellation policy to allow guests flexibility to change or cancel bookings, rolling over our IHG Rewards Elite membership status to 2021 and reducing the achievement criteria for 2022, extending the deadline for points expiry until July 2021, and launching a suite of solutions to engage members.

 

The 2019 World Economic Forum

  We have implemented enhanced cleanliness and safety measures through the IHG Way of Clean programme to drive customer confidence. Initially established in Davos;

The 2019 NYU International Hospitality Industry Conference in New York;
2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme is now a global brand standard that includes deep cleaning processes and operating protocols developed with expertise from third party partners, which reflect the advice of public health authorities. As travel resumes, we have also introduced other enhanced guest experiences such as a contactless journey through the hotel, modified food and beverage offers and ‘Meet with Confidence’ programmes to drive revenue recovery, and we have created new virtual quality audit and compliance processes to reinforce standards and drive consistency.

 

Strategic Owners Gathering at the InterContinental Zhuhai Yanheng, celebrating Greater China’s 400th hotel milestone;

Hotel openings, including InterContinental Beppu Resort and Spa in Japan, InterContinental Houston – Medical Center in the US, and Kimpton Da’an in Taipei;

Dinners at the InterContinental Berlin (as part of the IHIF), and at the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland;

Face-to-face  meetings during visits to priority markets, including Mainland China, Japan and Mexico; and

Americas Investors and Leadership ConferenceWe also reduced costs for owners by relaxing brand standards and General Managers in Las Vegas.
operational and food and beverage requirements to balance enhanced cleanliness and safety protocols.

 

  While the focus of our marketing management shifted rapidly to respond to the pandemic and to support regional recovery, we have built on the active transformation already underway with enhancements to our Marketing organisation and processes which enable us to drive efficiency in a financially constrained environment and optimise resources and speed to market. We conduct regular monitoring of indicators, including loyalty member data, to identify emerging trends quickly.

  Throughout 2020, we also have prioritised our commercial spend behind our loyalty programme towards the highest returning marketing investments that drive business to all brands through the loyalty programme umbrella. See page 17 for more details on our priority to Build loved and trusted brands.

LOGOSee page 23 for details about how we are optimising our brand portfolio for our owners and guests.

LOGO

 

 

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders39
Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202037


Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Attracting, developing and retaining leadership and talent and failure to do this could impact our ability to achieve growth ambitions and execute effectively.

 

Risks relating to people underpin the majority of processes and controls across IHG, and our ability to develop talent is critical to delivering value to our brands and hotels in the global markets where we operate and compete. It is essential that we retain key executive, leadership and specialist talent, both at the corporate and hotel levels, in an uncertain hospitality industry and in a resource constrained, highly competitive, and remote working environment.

LOGOLOGO

  At the start of the Covid-19 crisis a cross-functional taskforce was established to guide how we protect our employer reputation and culture. While we have had to take actions to reduce costs at corporate and hotel levels, HR teams have partnered with operations and functional teams to develop guiding principles to protect our reputation as a responsible employer; maintain our culture during the crisis period; and equip teams to bounce back with great talent and people practices. This has enabled us to maintain engagement, avoid burnout and bolster support to leadership. Our culture, responsibleapproach to managing our people during 2020 is outlined in detail on pages 26 to 28 and our normal business

and stakeholders continued planning process includes a review of workforce risks.

 

Hotel guests and

corporate clients

Who leads at IHG

Board  Due to the Covid-19 crisis, our programme of engagement surveys and Committees

Executive Committee

Senior Leaders

Global Marketing function

Hotel-facing operations

How we engage

BoardHR scorecards adapted to reflect the realities of virtual and Committee oversight, monitoring and review

Hotel visits

Corporate and brand websites

IHG Rewards Club

Guest HeartBeat surveys

Guest relations

Social media channels

We recognise that our hotel guests and corporate clients want to do business with a trusted company, with a reputation for strong business ethics,remote working and a wide portfoliochallenging period of hotel brands, which understandsfurloughs and respondsreduced hours. We have monitored key workforce indicators, leveraged our existing virtual learning platforms to their environmentalunderstand employee sentiment, and community concerns.utilised short pulse surveys to gather employee feedback throughout the crisis and to shape our thinking on returning to office working.

 

LOGOSee page 23 for details about how we are optimising our brand portfolio for our owners and guests.

Our activities  The Executive Committee has regularly discussed talent retention risks, and the HR team is focusing on talent plans with each leadership team. We have refined our diversity and inclusion strategy to drive recruitment and retention, and employee resource groups help educate employees and build a culture of inclusion.

Strengthening

  Effective communications have been established for internal audiences, including regular all employee calls with the Chief Executive Officer to provide latest updates, ongoing leadership communications and virtual team meetings at regional and functional levels, and continued development of our loyaltyflexible learning summits. Through these channels, leaders are able to answer questions from employees at all levels.

  IHG has the ability to manage talent and retention risks directly in relation to IHG employees but relies on owners and third-party suppliers to manage these risks within their own businesses. Our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams also consider more indirect workforce risks relating to our third-party relationships.

  The Remuneration Committee reviews our approach to executive remuneration, aligned with the interests of shareholders and the UK corporate governance environment.

Inherent threats to cybersecurity and information governance remain significant and dynamic and external attacks against the hospitality industry have continued in 2020.

We are aware of our responsibilities in relation to a range of high-value assets (critical systems and employee and other sensitive data) which may be targeted by various threat ‘actors’ (including organised criminals, third parties and colleagues). Rapid societal, regulatory and media scrutiny of privacy arrangements mean that the potential impact of data loss to IHG financially, reputationally or operationally remains a dynamic risk factor. The disrupted working conditions (including increased remote access) caused by the pandemic for our employees and suppliers and advances in attack sophistication also heighten inherent information security risks.

LOGOLOGO

  While Covid-19 has modified the threat profile, our Information Security team has pivoted to implement new solutions and controls to address potential vulnerabilities, and to focus resources on those operational tasks that best protect our sensitive data sets and systems and detect and respond to potentially malicious events in an appropriate way.

  In the early stages of the pandemic, we deployed our Intelligence functions to gain early knowledge of potential new attack campaigns; implemented controls to prevent malicious emails from getting to email inboxes; and educated employees worldwide on the increased dangers from phishing, business email compromise and social engineering. We also accelerated the rollout of multi-factor authentication to limit successful phishing attacks. To respond to heightened inherent risks from remote working, we reviewed controls for remote access solutions and increased monitoring to more quickly identify malicious activity. Our Procurement team engaged key providers on their approach for maintaining operations and fulfilling their contractual obligations for the safety and security of our data and systems.

  We have continued to work with our specialist technology providers to continuously improve key operational security processes and capabilities such as Identity & Access Management, Security Monitoring, Incident Response, and the support and maintenance of technical solutions architecture.

  Preserving security across our complex corporate and hotel estate requires continuous maintenance and enhancement or replacement of hardware and software. With finances at a premium for hotel owners, our Information Security and Technology teams collaborate to provide reliable, scalable and cost-effective solutions, targeted at areas of greatest opportunity for future attacks.

  Our information security programme is one of our strategic driverssupported and a key foundation for engaging with our guests. See page 20 for more information.

As part of our purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone we consider guest experience extremely important:

We have a dedicated team with a customer-centric agenda focused on measuring guest satisfaction through data-driven insights derived from post-stay surveysreviewed by internal and social reviews, which are validated and posted on IHG branded websites and social media. Data collected informs us how our hotels are performing, and helps us to support hotels to improve where required.

We have nine contact centres in six countries, with over 3,300 agents on hand to help guests. They speak 13 different languages and handled 26.6 million guest issues and questions in 2019.

LOGO

Agents assist our guests with reservations, loyalty programme support and other customer service enquiries via telephone, email,on-line chat and social media.

During 2019 we continued to enhance guest experience through several technology initiatives, including IHG Connect, where guests can connect to wifi in our hotels with ease, and IHG Studio, where content from guests’ devices can be streamed in their individual hotel room. See page 9 for more information.

Whether for business or leisure, we know, through our guest insight efforts, that hotel guests increasingly want their stays to be more sustainable without any impact on the quality of their experience. See page 9 for information about our environmentalexternal assurance activities, including our commitmentInternal Audit and Financial Governance teams and PCI assessments. The Board receives regular reports using key risk indicators to reducing plastic bathroom miniatures, which has received positive guest feedback.track inherent risk trends and mitigation activities. We also continue to work closely with our insurers to ensure we are adequately protecting against our risks, and have assessed and quantified potential cyber incident scenarios to drive risk-based discussions on investing in remediation versus risk acceptance and transfer opportunities.

LOGO

 

40IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019

38IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



    

 

Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

 

Failure to capitalise on innovation in booking technology and to maintain and enhance the functionality and resilience of our channel management and technology platforms (including those of third-parties, on which we rely directly or indirectly), and to respond to changing guest and owner needs remains a dynamic and critical risk to IHG’s revenues and growth ambitions.

Increasing personalisation and understanding our guests and their needs will drive return stays and further build loyalty. Despite the pandemic placing cost pressures on our owners, the pace of change in the hospitality industry continues to accelerate and IHG must evolve to effectively grow and compete in the marketplace. It will be key for us to prioritise digital capabilities to drive our channels, actively expanding the breadth and depth of our digital relationships with current and new guests.

LOGOLOGO

  Our comprehensive channels strategy is a key driver and enabler of accelerated growth. Rapidly evolving guest and owner expectations have increased the pressure to deliver commercial and technological change more quickly. We continue to seek opportunities to align and innovate our channels and technology platforms to Create digital advantage (see page 19 for more details). Our IHG Concerto platform is operating at all IHG hotels, and over time future releases will enhance the guest travel journey, deliver efficiencies for hotels, and drive sustainable revenue.

  To respond to the initial disruption from Covid-19, a new Global Revenue Committee was formed across global and regional teams to manage and drive booking activity and revenue. The Committee developed and monitored specific leading indicators on market status, sentiment, search and demand, and loyalty member trends, and further tracked communications penetration, internal pulse surveys and public relations effectiveness. The relatively reduced level of booking activity in 2020 also created the opportunity to reorganise our technology delivery model, moving more development to technology partners and co-sourcing arrangements. We have also engaged with our strategic suppliers during 2020 to adjust service levels and anticipate continuity risks.

In a resource constrained environment, the importance of investment effectiveness and efficiency will be critical to balance short- and longer-term strategic needs (e.g. developing infrastructure, increasing growth, enhancing digital capabilities).

Failure to manage risks associated with investments may impact commercial performance, lead to financial loss, and undermine stakeholder confidence.

LOGOLOGO

  Our oversight and finance teams regularly review and evolve our governance and control frameworks, including delegated approval authorities and processes, to enable decisions on investments to be made quickly and efficiently with consideration of the risks involved. In early 2020 the Delegation of Authority Policy was specifically updated to help drive cost-conscious behaviours and close control of investment expenditure required in the business at that time.

  With on-going uncertainty in the industry outlook, we need to retain flexibility in the extent to which we commit to expenditure until there is improved visibility. Our financial planning balances a disciplined approach to discretionary investments with a need to appropriately reward our people and invest in strategic growth initiatives. There is, and will continue to be, a constant focus on retaining flexibility within our cost base to ensure spend is being prioritised in the right areas given the ever-changing environment. Financial resource allocation is kept under regular review, with decisions taken as part of our quarterly forecasting process.

  We have also sought to protect key functions that are critical for fulfilling our responsibilities as a publicly listed company and in maintaining our reputation across our external stakeholders. For example, we continue to ensure that we have the right level of support in our Legal, Corporate Affairs and Financial Reporting teams.

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202039


Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

    

 

Risk descriptionTrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

 

The global business regulatory and contractual environment and societal expectations have continue to evolve throughout 2020. Failure to ensure legal, regulatory and ethical compliance would impact IHG operationally and reputationally, and non-regulatory stakeholders (including corporate sales clients) and investors continue to focus on IHG’s performance as a corporate entity to uphold ethical and social expectations. Significant fines can be imposed for regulatory non-compliance, most notably in relation to privacy obligations and data security. In an uncertain hospitality industry, there may be increased pressure on compliance programmes, and a heightened risk of liabilities relating to our franchise model both in relation to brand reputation issues as well as litigation.

LOGOLOGO

  Our Ethics and Compliance team focuses on ensuring IHG has a globally coordinated approach to material ethical and compliance risks, taking into account the regulatory environment, stakeholder expectations and IHG’s commitment to a culture of responsible business. The overarching framework for ethics and compliance is the IHG Code of Conduct (see page 24) and we provide e-learning training on an annual basis to all corporate, reservation offices and managed hotel employees and new joiners.

 

  We continue to monitor changes and advise stakeholders on risks across a range of regulatory issues, including safety, employment, contract, privacy, anti-bribery and anti-trust, while also addressing legal and regulatory issues that have emerged as a result of Covid-19. We also continue to participate in Transparency International UK’s 2020 Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. This is a comprehensive tool that measures and compares the performance of anti-corruption programmes across companies on an anonymous and confidential basis.

 

Compliance Statements  We continue to focus on key human rights risks, particularly those heightened by Covid-19. For example, to address migrant worker staff accommodation risks which may have been heightened by the pandemic, we developed a guidance note on staff living accommodation for hotel teams.

As a UK publicly listed company we have  Monitoring of sanctions continues to comply with numerous regulations. In order to make it easier to assess compliance, we have presented somebe an increasingly important part of our due diligence processes as their use by the US, UK and EU in particular continues to grow. A sanctions update is communicated annually to the Legal, Development and Strategy teams and other relevant employees providing a reminder of ‘No Go’ countries and sanctions issues that may restrict IHG. Our owner legal due diligence process also requires that all new owners are screened against sanctions lists and we utilise due diligence tools for this purpose. Ethics and compliance statements below. Our statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code can be found on pages 94country-level due diligence is also undertaken for new country entry assessments, taking into account country- specific risks and 95.impacts.

Section 172(1)  The Ethics and Compliance team currently monitors training completions, gifts and entertainment reporting and the owner due diligence process, and they receive informal queries/escalation of issues directly from colleagues and via an Ethics and Compliance email channel which is publicised in training and awareness materials. The Board receives regular reports on the Confidential Reporting Channel and matters directly related to our responsible business agenda.

A director

The manner in which IHG responds to operational risk and the steps taken to safeguard the safety and security of a company must actcolleagues and guests will continue to receive heightened scrutiny, particularly in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would most likely promote the successlight of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole,Covid-19 pandemic, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:

the likely consequences of any decisions in the long-term;

the interests of the company’s employees;

the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others;

the impact of the company’s operations on the community and environment;

the desirability of the company maintaining acould affect IHG’s reputation for high standards of business conduct;conduct, result in financial damage, and

the need to act fairly as between members of the company.

The Board considers that it has complied undermine confidence in all material respects with their s172(1) duties. Details of how the Board of Directors discharged its duties are set out in the Strategic Report pages 24 to 40 and should be read in conjunction with information disclosed in the Governance section, on pages 78 to 117. The Board and its Committees received Board papers, presentations and reports, participated in discussions and considered the impact of the Company’s activities on its key stakeholders, (wherever relevant), against the backdrop of the Company’s purpose, values and strategies.our brands.

 

LOGOFurther information about our responsible business approach is available on our websitewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

Employee engagementThe rapid progression of Covid-19 has also given rise to significantly increased litigation risk across all markets. These risks relate both to our direct operations in hotels and other locations where we have management responsibility, and also to outsourced activities and others with whom we collaborate and trade, including the owners of our franchised hotels which operate as independent businesses.

IHG has a number

LOGOLOGO

  Our Business Reputation and Responsibility team coordinates and monitors IHG’s risk management system, which is designed to anticipate and identify relevant operational safety and security risks and provide appropriate levels of forums,control necessary to mitigate against significant incidents, whether in hotels or corporate offices. Regional and global subject matter experts in safety and security work regularly with relevant stakeholders, including hotels, operations leaders, and operations support teams such as Town Halls, weekly office updatesDesign & Engineering, Food and performance metrics, through which employees are providedBeverage and Human Resources, to review and set operational safety and security policies and procedures.

  The Covid-19 pandemic has led to the enhancement of IHG’s operational safety and crisis management procedures for hotels and corporate offices. In early 2020, our safety experts worked closely with information on mattersOperations and Global Corporate Affairs to develop a Hotel and Corporate Office Response Toolkit of concernguidance, processes and procedures for operating a safe work environment in line with the advice issued by government authorities and public health officials. As the pandemic has progressed, this guidance has been revised and expanded to them, including awarenessaddress emerging operational safety issues, and changes in local government requirements or public health advice.

  Alongside Covid-19, subject matter experts in safety and security have continued to monitor external trends that may impact the safe operation of financialhotels, customer expectations, and economic factors affecting the performance of the Company, career development opportunities (e.g. fire safety, food allergens), and Company policieswe continue to review our relevant standards and principles. In addition thereguidance as these issues evolve and/or new regulatory requirements and best practices are opportunities to give feedback to Senior Leaders, Executive Committee members and the Board through Q&A sessions, engagement surveys and the Voice of the Employee meetings. During 2019, an employee share plan was introduced, which also continues to raise awareness of the performance of the Company with employees. Further information about how the Board and Senior Leaders engaged with employees during the year, and have taken their interests into account, is set out on pages 28 to 33, and in the Governance section on pages 78 to 117.published.

Business relationships with suppliers, customers  Our experts also track a range of internal indicators relating to safety and others

As partsecurity to assess their potential impact on the safety of our strategic growth initiatives, the interests of our suppliers,hotels, colleagues and guests and hotel owners are taken into account in our commercial decisions. We engage with them at all levels of the Company. Details of our relationship with them are set out on pages 38 to 40, and should be read together with our disclosures in the rest of the Strategic Report, as well as the Governanceimpact on the reputation of IHG and Directors’ Report sections on pages 78its brands. Despite our best efforts, incidents may occur across our global hotel operations and corporate offices and an assessment of severity and impact is made before the most serious are promptly forwarded to 117senior management. The Board receives and 221reviews regular safety reports and monitors safety performance. Through this monitoring, IHG can determine where additional standards or guidance may be necessary or whether existing controls may need to 224.

Non-financial information

Non-financial information, including a description of policies, due diligence processes and outcomes, where applicable, is set out as follows:be adjusted.

 

Environmental matters on page 34

 

Social matters on page 35

 

Anti-corruption

40IHG  |  Annual Report and anti-bribery matters on pages 26Form 20-F 2020



Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

A material breakdown in financial management and 27control systems would lead to increased public scrutiny, regulatory investigation and litigation.

 

Employee matters on pages 28

This risk includes our ongoing (and stable) operational risks relating to 33

Respect for human rights on pages 26our financial management and 27

A descriptioncontrol systems which have been adapted to cope with remote working arrangements during the pandemic; the continuing expectations of the Group’sIHG’s management decision making and financial judgements; and our own business model on pages 10and transactions.

LOGOLOGO

  Covid-19 inevitably impacted IHG’s financial control environment, with heightened risks relating to 13

liquidity, business continuity and fraud and a need to adapt and enhance existing processes for employees working remotely and, in some cases, with a reduced workforce. The Group’s principalFinance leadership team regularly monitors the primary risks on pages 48 to 53

The Group’s KPIs on pages 42the function and to 45

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders41


IHG and, as the impact of Strategic ReportCovid-19 became clear, reviewed controls and implemented enhancements to provide additional mitigation, including controls over cash disbursements and expenditure, applying data analytics where possible.

 

Key performance indicators (KPIs)  We reviewed our business continuity arrangements, including for our India-based Global Business Service Centre, given the operational importance of processes located there such as accounts payable, billing and cash collection, and financial reporting for both corporate and hotels. In response to decisions to furlough corporate employees during 2020 we evaluated risks, processes and controls relating to accuracy of payroll; access to IT systems and company credit cards; as well as completeness of payment processes.

 

Our KPIs are carefully selected  Throughout the year we have reinforced policies across the organisation, including particular emphasis on entity level controls. We have continued to allow usoperate an established set of processes across our financial control systems, which is verified through testing relating to monitor the deliveryour Sarbanes-Oxley compliance responsibilities. See pages 68, 144, 157 to 162 for details of our approach to taxation, page 87 for details of our approach to internal financial control, and pages 179 to 183 for specific details on financial risk management policies. These processes and our financial planning will continue to evolve to reflect the changes in our management structure and business targets, including system enhancements and further automation where possible.

  While it remains difficult to assess trading conditions in 2021 with certainty, we will continue to adapt our approach to financial control across our hotel estate. Given the differences in the culture and ways of working across our regions, we apply globally and/or regionally consistent policies and procedures to manage the risks, such as fraud and reporting risks, wherever possible.

  Our Group insurance programmes are also maintained to support financial stability.

As a global business, IHG faces uncertainties relating to evolving environmental and social megatrends and our response to these is subject to scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders.

These stakeholders include regulators and investor groups (such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)), who focus on various environmental, social and governance issues that have the potential to impact performance and growth in key markets. The focus on companies acting responsibly and being true to their purpose has been heightened by the pandemic and will continue into the future.

LOGOLOGO

  Working together with governments and industry associations has been key in ensuring our voice is heard among key stakeholders, as well as being able to advocate for our industry and our owners. As the pandemic has progressed there has been an expectation from governments for companies to do the right thing by their stakeholders. We work with key industry bodies to engage governments and officials to take steps that support our industry and owners across a number of different markets.

  To support our hotels in better understanding, managing and reporting their environmental footprint, while driving operational efficiency and reducing their utility costs, we are replacing IHG’s Green Engage system with a more comprehensive and engaging platform as well as an automated data entry solution to enable much more accurate information capture. See pages 20 and 21, and 29 and 30 for details of our environmental policies and initiatives, including our commitment to support the TCFD recommendations.

  Our long-standing commitment to operating our business responsibly has underpinned the actions we are taking in our local communities see page 29. The Corporate Responsibility team has established core principles to support our local communities, while establishing clear governance for our overall community support strategy in partnership with legal and long-term success. They are organised around our Strategic Model, which iscommunications.

  Our values and behaviours, underpinned by doing business responsibly,our Code of Conduct, inform our decision-making at all levels. For example, specific elements of our Code of Conduct define expectations for IHG employees in relation to human rights and the environment, and our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams monitor supply chain and human rights risks (see page 18)pages 24 and 25). KPIs are reviewed annually by senior

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202041


Strategic Report

Viability statement

The Covid-19 global pandemic has resulted in the worst ever period of trading for the hotel industry. The resilience of the Group’s fee-based model and wide geographic spread has however left it well-placed to manage through these challenging times. Our weighting towards upper midscale hotels in non-urban locations with low reliance on groups business has supported IHG’s performance. In addition to taking decisive action to reduce costs and protect IHG cash flows, we have also used IHG’s scale and expertise to support owners in reducing their costs and managing cash flows. As a result, Group free cash flow was $29m during 2020 and net debt has reduced by $136m through this challenging trading perioda.

We also entered the Covid-19 pandemic with a conservative balance sheet which has been managed with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating. This has supported covenant amendments which have been agreed as required through the year with minimal additional restrictions.

Although previous viability assessments had not considered a plausible scenario as severe as the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic, the resilience of the business has been demonstrated.

Looking forward, the Directors have determined that the three-year period to 31 December 2023 is an appropriate period to be covered by the Viability statement.

The Group’s annual planning process builds a three-year plan. The detailed three-year plan takes into consideration the principal risks, the Group’s strategy and current and emerging market conditions. That plan then forms the basis for strategic actions taken across the business. The plan is reviewed annually by the Directors. Once approved, the plan is then cascaded to the business and used to set performance metrics and objectives. Performance against those metrics and objectives is then regularly reviewed by the Directors.

There remains unusually limited visibility on the pace and scale of market recovery and therefore there are a wide range of possible planning scenarios over the three-year period considered in this review.

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have reviewed a number of scenarios, weighting downside risks that would threaten the business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity of the Group more heavily than opportunities.

Viability scenarios and assumptions

In performing the viability analysis, the Directors have considered a ‘Base Case’ scenario which is based on a gradual improvement in demand during 2021 as vaccines become more widely

available, and a steady but gradual improvement to the end of 2023 by when RevPAR is expected to reach 90% of 2019 levels. The assumptions applied in the viability assessment are consistent with those used for Group planning purposes and for impairment testing (see further detail on page 135).

The Directors have also considered a ‘Downside Case’ scenario, which assumes a slower impact from vaccine rollout and is based on the performance of the second half of 2020 continuing throughout 2021, with the recovery to 2019 levels starting in 2022.

The key assumption included in the three-year plan relates to RevPAR growth which is explained above. The Board has stated that consideration of dividends has been deferred until visibility of the pace and scale of the market recovery improves and for the purposes of this analysis no dividends have been assumed in the period under review.

Principal risks

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have considered the impact of the principal risks as outlined on pages 36 to 41. A large number of the principal risks would result in an impact on RevPAR which is the main scenario modelled in the ‘Downside Case’. These risks include: preferred brands and loyalty, leadership and talent, channel management and technology platforms, investment effectiveness and efficiency, macro external factors, environmental and social megatrends, safety and security and financial management and control systems.

There are other principal risks that could result in a large one-off incident that has a material impact on cash flow and the income statement. These include cybersecurity and information governance and legal, regulatory and ethical compliance. The impact of these has been considered in the viability assessment.

Funding

The Group has taken steps to strengthen its liquidity during 2020. The existing covenants on it’s syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (‘the bank facilities’) have been waived or amended until December 2022. See note 24 for further details.

The other assumptions relating to debt maturities are as follows:

The $1.35bn bank facilities mature in September 2023. It has been assumed that these facilities are renewed as they mature.

£600m of CCFF due in March 2021 is repaid on maturity.

£173m of bonds due in November 2022 are repaid on maturity.

No other new or additional financing has been assumed in the analysis performed.

Viability assessment

Under the Base Case the Group is forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 2021-2023 period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. The principal risks which could be applicable have been considered and are able to be absorbed within the $400m liquidity covenant and amended covenant requirements.

Under the Downside Case the Group is also forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 2021-2023 period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. In this scenario, the Group could be at risk of breaching the covenant requirements in 2023 (which have not been amended at this time). However, additional actions could be taken in order to mitigate this risk such as reductions in discretionary spend.

In the Downside Case, the Group has substantial levels of existing cash reserves available and is not expected to draw on the bank facilities. The Directors reviewed a reverse stress test scenario to determine how much additional RevPAR downside could be absorbed before utilisation of the bank facilities would be required. The Directors concluded that the outcome of the reverse stress test showed it was very unlikely the bank facilities would need to be drawn and therefore the Group does not need to rely on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities. This means that in the event the covenant test was failed, the bank facilities could be cancelled by the lenders but would not trigger a repayment demand which threatened the viability of the Group.

In the event that a further covenant amendment was required, the Directors believe it is reasonable to expect that such an amendment could be obtained based on their prior experience in relation to negotiating the 2020 amendments. The Group also has alternative options to manage this risk including raising additional funding in the capital markets.

In the event of additional or multiple principal risks occurring during the period of review e.g. continued depressed RevPAR and a widespread cybersecurity incident, it is expected that these risks could be absorbed within the liquidity headroom available without relying on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities.

Conclusion

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period to

31 December 2023, taking account of the Group’s current position, the Group’s strategy and the principal risks documented in the Strategic Report. Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2023.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP measures can be found on pages 47 to ensure continued alignment to our strategy51.

42IHG  |  Annual Report and Responsible Business targets and are included in internal reporting and regularly monitored. Measures included are those considered most relevant in assessing the performance of the business and

relate to our growth agenda and commitment to our major stakeholders including owners, guests, colleagues,Form 20-F 2020



Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Our KPIs are carefully selected to allow us to monitor the delivery of our strategy and long-term success. They remain organised around our refreshed strategy, which articulates our purpose and ambition and our four main priorities, (see page 16). KPIs are reviewed annually by senior management to ensure continued alignment to our strategy and are included in internal reporting and regularly monitored. Measures included are those considered most relevant

in assessing the performance of the business and relate to our growth agenda and commitment to our key stakeholders including owners, guests, employees, shareholders and the communities in which we work. KPIs should be read in conjunction with the other sections of the Strategic Report, and where applicable, references to specific relevant topics are noted against each KPI.

 

 

 

A guide to this KPI section

Link between KPIs and Director remuneration

As we continuedWhilst performance was impacted by Covid-19 in 2020, our long-term focus on deliveringremained to deliver high-quality growth and, as in prior years, Directors’ Remunerationremuneration for 20192020 was directly related to key aspects of our Strategic Model.strategy. The following indicates which KPIs have impacted Directors’ Remuneration:remuneration:

LOGOThe Annual Performance Plan

LOGO The Annual Performance Plan

 

70% was linked to operating profit from reportable segments

 

30% was linked to strategic measures, of which:

focus on improvements in net System size growth

LOGO The Long Term Incentive Plan

 

15% was linked to improvements in net System size growth

15% was linked to the delivery of our comprehensive efficiency programmea

LOGOThe Long Term Incentive Plan

40% was linked to Total Shareholder Return

 

20% was linked to rooms growth

 

20% was linked to Total Gross Revenuetotal gross revenue growth

 

20% was linked to cash flow generation

 

LOGO   For more information on Directors’ remuneration see pages 96 to 111.

LOGO 

For more information on Directors’

Remuneration see pages 96 to 117

Link to our Strategic Model

Our Strategic Model is at the heart of our success. The five strategic initiatives are represented as follows:

LOGO

1  Build and leverage scale

2  Strengthen loyalty programme

3  Enhance revenue delivery

4

Evolve owner proposition

5

Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests

Link to Responsible Business

We consult with our stakeholders to determine the issues that are most relevant to them and IHG. Based on this feedback there are four priority areas, which are indicated by the following icons:

LOGO

LOGO

Our

people

Environment

LOGO

LOGO

Community

Responsible

procurement

KPIs

2019 status and 2020 priorities

Net rooms supply

Net total number of rooms in the IHG System.

Increasing our rooms supply provides significant advantages of scale, including increasing the value of our loyalty programme. This measure is a key indicator of achievement of our growth agenda (see page 18).

Signings

Gross total number of rooms added to the IHG pipeline.

Continued signings secure the future growth of our System and continued efficiencies of scale. Signings indicate our ability to deliver sustained growth (see page 18).

LOGO

LOGO

2019 status

Increased net System size growth to 5.6%, our highest growth rate in over 10 years and acceleration from ~3% in 2016, taking total rooms supply to 883,563 rooms.

Signings decreased-1%, with a record performance in Greater China and EMEAA offset by a decline in the Americas where 2018 signings were boosted by the launch of avid hotels. We increased our share of signings in key markets globally, driven by the addition of five new brands in the last two years.

2019 performance was driven by:

  Further growth of our established brands:

  Our highest ever number of openings for the Holiday Inn Brand Family.

  InterContinental Hotels & Resorts reinforcing its position as the largest global luxury hotel brand with nine openings in 2019.

  Record openings and signings in Greater China and record signings in EMEAA.

  The acquisition of Six Senses and signing of a further ten deals post-acquisition.

  Launch of new mainstream brand Atwell Suites with ten signings in 2019.

  Scaling of recently launched brands with:

  avid hotels adding six openings and 54 signings in 2019.

  voco hotels growing to 12 hotels opened by the end of 2019, with a total of 33 signed since launch.

2020 priorities

  Continued focus on delivering industry-leading net System size growth.

  Further scale avid hotels in the US and voco hotels globally.

  Grow the footprint of our new luxury brands Regent and Six Senses.

  Expand Kimpton and Hotel Indigo’s international presence.

  Drive Atwell Suites signings and prepare for the first openings in the US.

  

Link to our strategy

In 2020 we evolved some key elements of our strategy (see pages 16 to 20 for more information). This evolution included definition of four strategic priorities, represented as follows:

LOGO

Build loved and

trusted brands

LOGO

Customer centric

in all we do

LOGO

Create digital

advantage

LOGO

Care for our people, communities and planet

42IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Net rooms supply


Net total number of rooms in the IHG System.

 

Increasing our rooms supply provides significant advantages of scale, including increasing the value of our loyalty programme. This measure is a key indicator of achievement of our growth agenda (see page 16).

a

See reorganisation costs on page 72 for further information.

LOGO

2020 status

Grew net System size by 0.3%, impacted by a slower pace of openings due to Covid-19 disruption to non-essential activity and removal of 16.7k rooms (102 hotels) associated with the SVC portfolioa, taking total rooms supply to 886,036 rooms. Net System size grew +2.2% excluding the impact of the SVC portfolio termination.

Signings of 56,146 rooms (360 hotels) represented almost one hotel a day but a decrease of 43% on 2019 levels, as Covid-19 disrupted all regions, particularly impacting Americas and EMEAA. Greater China maintained solid performance throughout 2020 with a reduction of only 21%.

Overall performance was driven by:

 

KPIs

2019 status and 2020 priorities

Growth in underlying fee revenuesa, b

Group revenue from reportable segments excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, stated at constant currency.

Underlying fee revenue growth demonstrates the continued attractiveness to owners and guests of IHG’s franchised and managed business (see page 10).

Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s Systemb

Total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than for owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

The growth in gross revenue from IHG’s System illustrates the value of our overall System to our owners (see page 11).

System contribution to revenue

The percentage of room revenue booked through IHG’s direct and indirect systems and channels.

System contribution is an indicator of IHGvalue-add and the success of our marketing distribution channels (see page 10).

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

2019 status

  Net System size growth of 5.6% supported growth in underlying fee revenue of 2% in a weaker RevPAR environment.

  Grew digital (web and mobile) revenue by 7% to $5.6 billion.

  Revenue Management for hire now adopted in over 3,500 hotels across our estate.

  IHG Connect, our seamless wifi guest login, is now implemented or being installed in over 4,500 hotels globally.

  Continued to innovate through use of technology including initiation of a pilot for attribute pricing through our Guest Reservation System (see page 21).

  Further strengthened loyalty offer with new partnerships including the addition of Mr & Mrs Smith luxury and boutique properties to IHG Rewards Club and sponsorship of the US Open Tennis Championship (see page 20).

  Extended our InterContinental Alliance Resorts and Sands partnership to new hotels in Macau SAR, providing additional opportunities for guests to earn and redeem points in highly desirable locations.

  Conducted pilots of variable points pricing for redemption nights and pay with points for additional services during guest stays.

2020 priorities

  Commence roll out of attribute pricing via IHG Concerto.

  Continue to innovate our loyalty offering includingin-hotel experiences and brand integrations, to provide greater opportunities for our members to earn and redeem IHG Rewards Club points.

  Maintain our focus on increasing contribution from IHG Rewards Club members and through direct bookings via our website or call centres.

  Continue to develop strategic partnerships to enhance the value of our loyalty programme for members.

Signings

Gross total number of rooms added to the IHG pipeline.

Continued signings secure the future growth of our System and continued efficiencies of scale. Signings indicate our ability to deliver sustained growth (see page 16).

LOGO

  Continued strength of the Holiday Inn Brand Family with 47.3k rooms opened and 26.6k signed, representing half of all signings.

  Conversions, representing ~25% of all signings and ~25% of openings.

  Further growth of our recently launched brands with:

–  avid hotels adding 17 openings and 19 signings in 2020 taking the total estate to 24 hotels open with a further 192 in the pipeline;

–  voco hotels growing to 18 hotels opened by the end of 2020, with a total of 37 signed since launch. Openings included the first hotels in the Americas (three signings) and Greater China (two signings); and

–  Atwell Suites growing at pace, with nine further signings and breaking ground on the first hotel in Miami.

  Total removals of 36.9k including 2.1k rooms associated with a previously flagged portfolio in Germany, 16.7k rooms (102 hotels) associated with the SVC portfolioa, and ongoing focus on quality.

2021 priorities

  Continued focus on our ambition to deliver industry-leading net System size growth, whilst protecting our longer-term growth prospects by ensuring the health of our brands and consistent quality of the estate.

  Continue to scale avid hotels in the US and voco hotels globally.

  Open the first Atwell Suites hotels in the US and continue to scale the brand.

  Continue to expand our Luxury & Lifestyle offer through acquired brands Regent, Six Senses and Kimpton.

 

  

 

a

A portfolio of management agreements with Services Properties Trust (‘SVC’) was terminated on 30 November 2020.

LOGO

Key performance indicatorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202043


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Global RevPAR growth

Revenue per available room: rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available.

RevPAR growth indicates the increased value guests ascribe to our brands in the markets in which we operate and is a key measure widely used in our industry (see page 8).

Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement indicator.

Guest satisfaction is fundamental to our continued success and is a key measure to monitor the risk of failing to deliver preferred brands that meet guests’ expectations (see page 49 for details).

LOGO

LOGO

 

 

2019 status

  RevPAR declined slightly in 2019 as industry growth slowed, impacted by macro and geopolitical uncertainties, increased supply growth in some markets, and ongoing unrest in Hong Kong SAR.

  We continued to undertake activities to position our brands for future success:

  Rolled out new prototypes and designs for Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express in Americas and Europe.

  Continued Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme, a multi-year programme to transform Crowne Plaza in the Americas region, including flagship hotels showcasing the reinvention of the brand, with the first opening in Atlanta.

  Modernised Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites brands with launch of new prototypes.

2020 priorities

  Continue to invest in brand innovation, including room design and hotel layout to meet evolving guest needs.

  Ensure that, whilst driving strong rooms supply growth, we maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across our entire portfolio with removals from the System.

  

 

Global RevPAR growth

Revenue per available room: rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available.

 

a

RevPAR growth indicates the increased value guests ascribe to our brands in the markets in which we operate and is a key measure widely used in our industry (see page 8).

LOGO

2020 status

In 2019 the underlying fee revenue calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following a change in the definition of how we calculate constant currency. The 2017 growth figure is not comparable and thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on pages 55 to 59 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 214 to 218. A reconciliation of total gross revenue to owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements can be found on page 61.

c

Changes to the method for calculating IHG’s guest satisfaction scores (previously Guest HeartBeat) were introduced in 2016. The comparative for 2015 has been restated.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Key performance indicators43


Strategic Report  RevPAR declined by an unprecedented level due to the global impact of Covid-19 on domestic and international travel demand, with disruption throughout the year as countries around the world introduced travel restrictions to limit the spread of the pandemic.

 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued  Throughout the crisis we supported owners to maximise revenues by:

 

–  Providing advice and support to help keep hotels open, including how to flex operations and reduce costs, or how to temporarily close and re-open most efficiently and effectively.

KPIs

–  Coordinating Covid-related demand, such as government repurposing of hotels with enhancements made to demand driver mapping, rate loading and centralised booking to manage urgent and bespoke needs.

  Enterprise contribution (previously defined as system contribution) had been growing each year. However in 2020, as a direct result of Covid-19, a greater number of guests chose to phone hotels direct in order to check for the latest updates and availability, or drive straight to hotels without any advanced booking. Our Enterprise Contribution metric therefore declined marginally but the overall strength of our brand equity continued to be reflected in direct to hotel business.

  Enhanced and leveraged our technology and loyalty platforms and services to drive revenue by:

–  Optimising our Revenue Management for Hire (RMH) services using machine learning technology, to provide enhanced capabilities to help owners protect pricing and returns during periods of volatile demand.

–  Commencing rollout of digital check-in, implemented in over 1,000 properties, and digital check-out, implemented in 4,000 hotels worldwide, and piloted other mobile-enabled improvements including in-room dining orders.

–  Expanded pilot of attribute pricing via IHG Concerto platform, across regions and brands, ahead of full roll out in 2021.

–  Enhancing our Owner Engagement Portals to provide real-time scorecard metrics to our global owner community, including Guest Love measures, RevPAR, financial and operational performance with recommendations for action.

–  Commencing roll out of dynamic pricing for Reward Nights, with rates now set daily, enabling more than 80% of hotels to reduce their points pricing to deliver around 25% more value for guests outside of peak times, leading to increased penetration since launch.

  Further strengthened IHG Rewards by completing integration of Mr & Mrs Smith partnership, allowing members access to over 400 Mr & Mrs Smith hotels at which to earn and redeem points.

  Launched a new, sharper, more engaging identity under IHG Hotels & Resorts to strengthen perception, making a clearer connection to our hotels and better promoting the breadth of our portfolio.

2021 priorities

  Apply focused data analytics to drive more efficient and effective marketing to identify and target available demand during the recovery.

  Complete roll out of attribute pricing across the entire estate via IHG Concerto.

  Continue roll out of digital check-in to 4,500 hotels by the end of the year.

  Continue to develop strategic partnerships to enhance the value of our loyalty programme for members.

  Continue to innovate our loyalty offering including in-hotel experiences and brand integrations, to provide greater opportunities for our members to earn and redeem IHG Rewards points.

  Maintain our focus on increasing contribution from IHG Rewards members and through direct bookings via our website or call centres.

Growth in underlying fee revenuesa,b

Group revenue from reportable segments excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, stated at constant currency.

Underlying fee revenue growth demonstrates the continued attractiveness to owners and guests of IHG’s franchised and managed business (see page 13).

LOGO

Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s Systemb

Total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than for owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

The growth in gross revenue from IHG’s System illustrates the value of our overall System to our owners (see page 14).

LOGO

Enterprise contribution to revenuec

The percentage of room revenue booked through IHG managed channels and sources: direct via our websites, apps and call centres; through our interfaces with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and agreements with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs); other distribution partners directly connected to our reservation system; and Global Sales Office business or IHG Reward members that book directly at a hotel.

Enterprise contribution is one indicator of IHG value-add and the success of our technology platforms and our marketing, sales and loyalty distribution channels (see page 13).

LOGO 

2019 status and 2020 priorities

Fee margina,b

Operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding System Fund, reimbursement of costs, revenue and operating profit from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages, the results of the Group’s captive insurance company and exceptional items.

Our fee margin progression indicates the profitability of our fee revenue growth and benefit of our asset-light business model (see page 10).

LOGO

2019 status

  Grew fee margin by 80bps.

  Continued to embed our new operating structures and leverage operational efficiencies.

  Cost efficiency programme to deliver ~$125m in annual savings, including System Fund, by 2020 substantially complete, with savings fully reinvested in growth initiatives.

2020 priorities

  Continuation of our strong cost and efficiency focus.

  Leverage our growth and systems infrastructure to drive economies of scale.

  Continue to leverage AI to drive process efficiency, enhance revenue generation, and improve guest experience.

  Provide procurement solutions to help lower owner cost of sale.

  Continue to look for further operational efficiencies through greater application of technology.

 

  

 

a

In 2019 the underlying fee revenue calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following a change in the definition of how we calculate constant currency. The 2017 and 2016 growth figures are not comparable and thus excluded from comparison.

Free cash flowb,c

Cash flow from operating activities excluding payments of contingent purchase consideration, less purchase of shares by employee share trusts, maintenance capital expenditure and lease payments.
b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on pages 47 to 51 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 212 to 216. A reconciliation of total gross revenue to owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements can be found on page 53.

c

In 2020, changes were made to the calculation of enterprise contribution (previously system contribution) and 2019 was restated. This followed an enhanced level of analysis enabled by the roll out of the new Guest Reservation System (GRS). Restatement of years prior to the implementation of the GRS is not possible. The 2019 enterprise contribution of 76% is 3% lower than the 79% previously reported as system contribution under the prior calculation. We would not anticipate a material impact of the change in prior years.

44IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



 

Free cash flow provides funds to invest in the business, sustainably grow the dividend and return any surplus to shareholders (see page 12). It is a key component in measuring the ongoing viability of our business (see page 54).

KPIs  LOGO

2019 status

  Free cash flow of $509m was down $102myear-on-year with higher levels of cash tax and working capital offsetting lower levels of exceptional items.

2020 status and 2021 priorities

  Continue to deliver consistent, sustained growth in cash flow.

  Control capital deployment in line with business priorities.

  Continue programme to recycle capital invested in minor equity positions, over time, when conditions are favourable.

 

  

 

a

In 2019 the fee margin calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following implementation of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. The 2016 figure is not comparable and is thus excluded from comparison.

bGuest Love

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 55 to 59 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 214 to 218.

C

Cash flow was introduced as a new measure for the 2017/19 LTIP cycle. Cumulative free cash flow over the three-year performance period forms part of the measure, with some adjustments. The target for each successive cycle is determined annually, taking into account IHG’s long-range business plan, market expectations and circumstances at the time.

44IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement indicator.

 

Guest satisfaction is fundamental to our continued success and is a key measure to monitor the risk of failing to deliver preferred brands that meet guests’ expectations (see page 37 for details).

KPIs

2019 status and 2020 priorities

Responsible Business

IHG® Academy

Number of people participating in IHG Academy programmes.

Sustained participation in the IHG Academy indicates the strength of our progress in creating career building opportunities and engagement with the communities in which we operate (see page 29).

LOGO

2019 status

  Hosted a range of IHG Academy programmes globally throughout the year, including internships and other experiences.

  Formed a global partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide offering young people opportunities to gain skills and experience, empowering them to consider career opportunities in the industry.

  Reviewed and refreshed supporting material to drive greater participation and deliver an engaging candidate experience.

2020 priorities

  Continue to provide skills and improved employability through IHG Academy, ensuring a positive impact for local communities, our owners and IHG. This will enable IHG to achieve our longer-term target of 30,000 – 40,000 IHG Academy participants in 2020.

  Realign focus of the IHG Academy programme, prioritising an increase in the length of the IHG Academy opportunities and placements to drive conversion of participants to permanent employment.

  Build on the IHG Academy programme offering through launching an internship toolkit in 16 hotel-ready languages.

  Continue to drive quality growth in the programme through enabling our regional teams to measure impact through a robust reporting solution and convert IHG Academy hires into employees for 2021 and beyond.

LOGO

2020 status

  Guest satisfaction of 81.6% dropped minimally compared to 2019, a successful outcome given the substantial changes to the guest experience resulting from Covid-19. Additionally, the externally measured Guest Satisfaction Index (GSI) was net positive for IHG in 2020.

  Introduced additional Covid-19 cleanliness-specific guidance to protect our frontline hotel colleagues and enable them in turn to deliver clean and safe hotels for all our guests.

  Rolled out training, information and new equipment including social distancing operating procedures and signage, front desk screens, sanitiser stations and reduced contact at check-in.

  Enhanced IHG Way of Clean programme by partnering with industry leading experts to enhance guest safety and trust in our cleanliness and launched IHG Clean Promise.

  Leveraged our prior investment in the cloud-based Concerto GRS platform, implemented across the entire global estate, to remotely and rapidly deploy further technological developments to support a safe and secure guest experience and reduce unnecessary contact.

  Waived cancellation fees and created a Book Now Pay Later option and allowed members to keep status for 2020 to enhance the flexibility of our loyal guests.

  Launched a special Heroes rate for government workers, healthcare professionals, the military and other frontline worker groups.

2021 priorities

  Continue to invest in brand innovation, including room design and F&B enhancements to meet evolving guest needs.

  Ensure that, whilst driving strong rooms supply growth, we maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across our entire portfolio through a heightened focus on quality and cleanliness standards.

  Continue to invest behind digitisation of the guest journey and improve on-property processes to improve guest satisfaction and streamline hotel operations.

 

 

Fee margina,b

Operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding System Fund, reimbursement of costs, revenue and operating profit from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages, the results of the Group’s captive insurance company and exceptional items.

Our fee margin progression indicates the profitability of our fee revenue growth and benefit of our asset-light business model (see page 12).

LOGO

2020 status

  Fee margin was impacted by the substantial impacts of Covid-19 on fee revenue, however rapid cost actions taken across the business to protect profitability maintained fee margin in excess of 34%, despite the unprecedented disruption.

  Actions taken to reduce salary and incentives and challenge all areas of discretionary spend delivered ~$150m of fee business cost savings.

  Commenced activities to sustainably embed ~50% of 2020 costs savings through ongoing control of discretionary spend and a re-balancing of resources to meet expected demand.

2021 priorities

  Embed 50% of savings generated in 2020 (~$75m), continuing our strong cost and efficiency focus, whilst continuing to invest in growth initiatives.

  Continue to look for further operational efficiencies through greater application of technology.

Free cash flowb

Cash flow from operating activities excluding payments of contingent purchase consideration, less purchase of shares by employee share trusts, maintenance capital expenditure and lease payments.

Free cash flow provides funds to invest in the business, sustainably grow the dividend and return any surplus to shareholders (see page 15). It is a key component in measuring the ongoing viability of our business (see page 42).

LOGO

2020 status

  Free cash flow of $29m was down $480m year-on-year with significant reductions in revenues driven by Covid-19, together with a System Fund outflow, partially offset by cost saving measures taken across the Group and a working capital inflow, following proactive management through the year.

  Impact of Covid-19 on cash flow mitigated through cost saving actions taken across both the P&L and System Fund to reduce salaries and incentives and challenge discretionary spend.

  Gross capex reduced by $117m year-on-year to $148m outflow.

  Sustained focus on accounts receivable, cash management and liquidity through the crisis delivered positive free cash flow in 2020 and resulted in closing liquidity of ~$2.9bn.

2021 priorities

  Continued cost focus, maintaining challenge around all areas of discretionary spend and prioritising investment behind growth.

  Continued focus on accounts receivable to maintain robust cash position.

  Tightly controlled, disciplined capex deployment.

  

 

a

In 2019 the fee margin calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following implementation of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. The 2016 figure is not comparable and is thus excluded from comparison.

Carbon footprint per occupied room

We work with our hotels to drive reductions in carbon emissions to reduce our overall carbon footprint (see page 34).
b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 47 to 51 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 212 to 216.

LOGO

LOGO

2019 status

  Achieved 5.9% reduction in our carbon footprint per occupied room from 2017 baseline.
Key performance indicatorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202045


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

 

2020 priorities

  Continue to reduce our carbon footprint across our entire estate.

  Partner with owners and our hotels to share best practices to help drive greater carbon reductions.

  Work to meet the requirements of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

IHG® Academy

Number of people participating in IHG Academy programmes.

Sustained participation in the IHG Academy indicates the strength of our progress in creating career building opportunities and engagement with the communities in which we operate (see page 29).

LOGO

2020 status

  Covid-19 significantly impacted the vast majority of IHG Academy face-to-face offerings such as internships and work experience. In some locations we pivoted our offering to deliver online events, introducing participants to IHG and the hospitality industry through virtual challenges.

  Evolved our partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, offering young people opportunities to gain skills and experience, empowering them to consider career opportunities in the industry, pivoting to virtual solutions.

2021 priorities

  Continue to provide skills and improved employability through IHG Academy, ensuring a positive impact for local communities, our owners and IHG. We will flex our approach to delivery between face-to-face and virtual solutions depending on regional recovery.

  Launch a Global IHG Academy NGO Portal hosting a variety of resources bespoke to entry level participants. NGOs can use the resource to educate participants about the hospitality industry, increase their awareness of IHG, and develop their skills to ensure a great start in the hospitality industry.

  Drive quality growth in the programme through enabling our regional teams to measure impact through a robust reporting solution and convert IHG Academy hires into employees.

 

Carbon footprint per occupied room (CPOR)a

We work with our hotels to drive energy efficiency and carbon reductions across our estate. In 2017, we set ourselves a target to reduce CPOR by 6-7% by 2020. This is therefore the last reporting year against this target, while we shift our focus towards achieving our science-based carbon reduction targets to 2030 (see page 29).

LOGO

2020 status

  At the end of 2019, we reported a 5.9%a reduction in CPOR against our 2017 baseline, nearly meeting our three-year intensity target a year early.

  CPOR was significantly affected by the impacts of Covid-19 on our industry, and 2020 closed with a 10.2% increase against our 2017 baseline. Over the same period, our absolute carbon emissions fell by 23.6% (see page 29). This was largely due to the impacts of Covid-19, but also in part a result of targeted efforts in our estate to help minimise energy consumption during hotel closures and maximise energy efficiency at re-opening.

2021 priorities

  Continue to work with our hotels to maximise energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.

  Use a bespoke decarbonisation tool, developed with a third party during 2020, to model the possible impacts of different interventions on our carbon footprint and develop a roadmap to 2030.

  Enhance our environmental reporting systems, to continue building more robust and complete datasets, and providing more detailed performance insights and guidance for our hotels to support continuous improvement.

  Assess renewable energy opportunities for IHG to maximise/optimise the role of renewable energy in achieving our carbon reduction targets.

Employee engagement survey scoresb

Revised Colleague HeartBeat survey, completed by our corporate, customer reservations office and managed hotel general managers (excluding our joint ventures).

We measure employee engagement to monitor risks relating to talent (see page 38) and to help us understand the issues that are relevant to our people as we build a diverse and inclusive culture (see page 28).

LOGO

2020 status

  The 2020 score of 79% was 2% higher than external benchmarks.

  In response to the pandemic our priorities pivoted to developing training, tools and support to maintain colleague engagement during remote working and furlough, including flexible learning summits, ‘keeping in touch’ mechanisms and more frequent leadership communications.

  Prioritised support for employee health and wellbeing including:

–  creation of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), containing details of local support services that employees could call on;

–  launch of a resilience and wellbeing newsletter in Greater China plus online resources to assist our support centre employees; and

–  monthly dedicated ‘re-charge days’ from June to August for corporate employees to focus on health, wellbeing or personal development.

  Established ERGs to champion and drive our diverse, inclusive culture.

  Advanced our General Manager talent pipeline by developing new systems and processes to enable visibility of key talent in hotels.

2021 priorities

  Build our future career proposition to remain a leading employer within the industry via a compelling employer value proposition.

  Engage our corporate employees with our new behaviours to support our future strategy and cultural shifts.

  Continue to purposefully grow and develop our corporate Senior Leaders and General Managers to help lead our recovery strategy and future growth.

  Continue to build an inclusive culture and increase the diversity of our leadership and talent pipelines to enable IHG to maximise the talents and contributions of all employees.

  

 

Employee Engagement survey scores

Average of our revisedbbi-annual Colleague HeartBeat survey, completed by our corporate, customer reservations office and managed hotel employees (excluding our joint ventures).

 

We measure employee engagement to monitor risks relating to talent (see page 28) and to help us understand the issues that are relevant to our people as we build a diverse and inclusive culture (see page 30).

LOGO

2019 status

  CommencedNon-ExecutiveDirector-led employee interface sessions across geographies to better understand workforce engagement (Voice of the Employee, see pages 32 and 33 for further information).
a

Carbon intensity figures for 2017 to 2019 have been restated in a move to calendar reporting in 2020. Prior reported growth based on previous methodology. The 2016 figure could not be restated.

 

b  Launched starters and leavers survey with employees (in managed hotels and corporate offices) to understand their feedback on these critical employee life cycle events.

2020 priorities

  Improve our talent acquisition systems and services to position IHG as a leading employer and deliver a great hiring experience for candidates.

  Continue to drive a high-performance culture across IHG through embedding performance and reward practices.

  Further drive the adoption of improvement to our human resources systems, to further our ability to attract, develop and retain talent.

  Support the recruitment and development of General Managers for our managed hotels.

  Embed a diverse and inclusive culture across our places of work, through key initiatives such as RISE and ERGs, to further our promise to provide True Hospitality for everyone.

a

In 2018 the carbon reduction measure was restated in line with a new baseline for the 2018-2020 target. The 2018 and 2019 impacts from the 2017 baseline year have been restated, aligned to annual changes to IHG’s System size and increase in number of hotels reporting data to the IHG Green Engage system, to enable comparisons to be made for our 2018-2020 target. The 2016 and 2015 figures could not be restated and are not comparable.

b

In 2017 the employee engagement survey was revised and relaunched as the Colleague HeartBeat survey. The 2016 and 2015 figures relate to previous survey results, which could not be restated and are not comparable.Due to the complexity of survey administration in hotels during the pandemic the employee engagement survey process was amended. The 2020 score reflects the results of a single survey and includes employees in corporate, reservations offices and general managers (in managed hotels). Prior results from 2017 to 2019 have been restated for comparability to exclude the results of surveys from the managed estate, other than general managers. The 2016 survey results could not be restated.

 

LOGO

Please seewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

for our 2018-2020 Responsible Business targets.

46
IHGIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Key performance indicators45


Strategic Report

Our risk management

Our growth ambition in a fast-moving and innovative business environment means that we must consider risk as a central part of the definition and execution of our strategy. The Board and Executive Committee have collaborated closely throughout 2019 to ensure that risk assessment, mitigation strategies and plans are integrated into broader consideration of our short-term goals and longer-term strategic initiatives and key projects.

The Board’s role in risk management – stewardship and partnership

The Board is ultimately accountable for the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control systems, and is supported by the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and delegated committees. Our regional and functional leaders, supported by the Risk & Assurance team, conduct strategic planning and business performance reviews throughout the year which monitor emerging risks – new or changing factors which require further consideration to determine the potential significance to our business. Our governance framework and committee agendas establish procedures for Board members to receive information from the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders and a range of other internal and external sources on emerging risks. More detail on the topics covered by the Board and committees is available in the Corporate Governance section, pages 78 to 117.

During 2019 the topics have included:

many long-term industry and macroeconomic risk factors (within Board strategy meeting and committee discussions), often alongside management’s own presentations of plans and projects;

discussion of risks relating to longer-term sustainability, shifting societal expectations, human rights and our evolving responsibilities across our supply chain (Corporate Responsibility Committee);

emerging tax, treasury and regulatory risks, for example relating to privacy and data protection (Audit Committee);

cultural, succession and retention risks and the competitiveness of director and executive remuneration (Remuneration and Nomination Committees).

While the Board oversees the risk management system to ensure that risks and opportunities are appropriately identified and managed to an acceptable level, it works in partnership with the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders to maintain and, where necessary, accelerate the understanding of key risk topics. This is particularly relevant in relation to cybersecurity, where the Board have met regularly with management outside of formal meetings to enable a more detailed appreciation of the risks and risk management strategies available to us to manage them.

Our enterprise risk management framework adopts a mitigate/transfer/accept approach, taking into account the potential impact on the ability of the Group to execute and deliver our objectives and strategy.

Risk appetite

IHG’s risk appetite is visible through the nature and extent of risk taken by the Board in pursuit of strategic and other business objectives. We cascade this appetite through the goals and targets we set, our Code of Conduct and other global policies, our formal Delegation of Authority policy including the governance structure of approval committees, decisions we make and how we allocate resources. It evolves with the IHG strategy. Our  Annual Report and Form20-F 2020 describes risk appetite in a number of places. For example, our appetite for financial risk is described in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements, see page 182. As aday-to-day example, decision makers in the business can refer to guidelines which articulate parameters for new hotel development deals.

LOGOThis section should be read together with the rest of the Strategic Report, Governance on pages 78 to 117, the going concern statement on page 224, and Risk Factors on pages 226 to 230.


    

 

Risk management supports decision making

Our risk management and internal control system is fully integrated with the way we run the business and how we create and protect value in pursuit of our objectives.

Ourculture, values and behaviours, see pages 26 and 27, establish authorities, capabilities and appropriate incentives for empowered and agile decision-making across our portfolio of risks by teams across IHG, supported by functional expertise.

Performance

Key performance measures (including Non-GAAP measures) used by management

The Annual Report and Form 20-F presents certain financial measures when discussing the Group’s performance which are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In management’s view these measures provide investors and other stakeholders with an enhanced understanding of IHG’s operating performance, profitability, financial strength and funding requirements. These measures do not have standardised meanings under IFRS, and companies do not necessarily calculate these in the same way. Accordingly, they should be viewed as complementary to, and not as a substitute for, the measures prescribed by IFRS and as included in the Group Financial Statements (see pages 126 to 132).

 

Formal and informalmonitoring, reporting and assurance arrangements, see page 27, enable the Board and Executive Committee to maintain ongoing oversight of key areas of uncertainty and the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control arrangements.

LOGO

46
 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019
Linkage of performance measures to Directors’ remuneration and KPIsLOGO

See pages 96 to 111 for more


information on Directors’

remuneration and pages

43 to 46 for more

IHG’s principal risks and uncertainties

Our risk profile is structurally similar to that of a year ago, although the context within which we operate is highly dynamic reflecting the cyclical nature of our industry and global macroeconomic uncertainties.

Our discussions of risk also take place within a context of increasing scrutiny of the impact of our businessinformation on our stakeholders, and our longer-term sustainability. We have therefore split out our consideration of external factors to recognise both the risks relating to political and economic headwinds on our growth ambitions (for example disruption in key markets and trade wars) and also the requirement to anticipate and respond appropriately to the risks and opportunities relating to our environmental and social responsibilities.

We have also refreshed our crisis and incident management procedures during 2019, with the Executive Committee and many regional and functional leadership teams working through training and tabletop crisis scenarios to review and practice ways of working. The Risk and Assurance team provides support and intelligence on emerging threats and will continue to provide advice to management on procedures for risk identification and mitigation and control. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation relating toCovid-19 and its impact on both our business and the industry as a whole, and we are working closely with relevant authorities. The Group’s asset-light business model, diverse brand portfolio and wide geographical spread contribute to IHG’s overall resilience to events that could affect specific segmental or geographical areas.

Our programme to realise savings for reinvestment has led to a range of changes to organisation, accountabilities and processes, and a wide portfolio of initiatives is in place to pursue growth opportunities.

Our approach to risk management has therefore also evolved as part of our organisational focus on growth and how we take informed decisions in a fast moving environment. The Risk and Assurance team has continued to coordinate assessments of the principal risks facing the Group, including those which would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity and reputation. These risks are formally reviewed with the Group’s Directors on abi-annual basis and considered in more detail through the activities of the Board and committees, however risks are also discussed as an integral part of decision making across the year. In addition, focus on the behaviours necessary to drive growth has included cross-business participation in virtual learning summits, including how to make decisions at pace with the right governance and structure to maintain control.

Our strategy requires us to work increasingly with partners, intermediaries and other third parties, and access expertise and services which enable us to anticipate and respond to the needs of our owners, guests and colleagues, and to work efficiently and at scale. Many of our risks therefore reflect the changing nature of our extended enterprise and our responsibilities to our stakeholders. Some of these responsibilities, particularly in relation to our stewardship of data, are subject to significant changes in law and therefore highlighted as dynamic and demanding regular attention by senior management and the Board.

We continue to conclude that the potential impact of Brexit on IHG is not likely to have a material impact on our overall strategy or operations although, as with other external factors, this is considered as part of operational risk management and resilience planning, and a standing group reviews our preparedness for operational disruption. The impact of a potential movement in the value of sterling is articulated in note 24 of the Group Financial Statements, see pages 182 to 185.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Risk management47


Strategic Report

Risk management continued

Risk trend and speed of impact

We assess whether the risk area is stable or dynamic in its impact and/or likelihood (inherent risk trend), and the rate at which there could be a material impact on IHG. The trend and speed of impact are summarised in the diagram with further detail on activities to manage each of these risks in the table below.

LOGOKPIs.

 

Principal risks descriptions

Inherent risk trend Risk impact – link to our strategic priorities

LOGO

Dynamic/Rapid

LOGO

Build and leverage scale

LOGO

Strengthen loyalty programmeLOGOEnhance revenue delivery

LOGO

Dynamic/Gradual

LOGO

Evolve owner proposition

LOGO

Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests
LOGOStable/Rapid      

LOGOThe Annual Performance PlanLOGOThe Long Term Incentive PlanLOGOKey Performance Indicators

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

Inherent threats tocybersecurity and information governanceremain significant and dynamic. We are aware of our responsibilities in relation to a range of high-value assets (critical systems & guest, employee and other sensitive data) which may be targeted by various threat ‘actors’ (including organised criminals, third parties and ‘threat actor-employees’), and rapid evolution in societal, regulatory and media scrutiny of privacy arrangements mean that the potential impact of data loss to IHG financially, reputationally or operationally remains a dynamic risk factor.LOGOLOGO

  Effective and appropriate leveraging of data that we have a right to use is a key aspect of the interface between our marketing and our commercial and technology activity. We take account of regulatory and ethical factors as part of the decision-making processes in relation to marketing and technological initiatives, and we also rely on appropriate governance and control arrangements to mitigate risks that the validity of data that we use is undermined by cyber-attacks or operational failures.

 

MeasureCommentary  Our 2019 focus has been on progressing a Board-endorsed roadmap of the highest priority and highest-value initiatives to build and maintain core elements of our cybersecurity posture.

  During the year our Chief Information Security Officer has worked with teams across IHG to increase sophistication in how we identify, protect, detect, respond and recover in relation to cyber risks. This has involved developments in our security governance and risk tracking, including discussion and assessment of an approach to high-value assets with the Executive Committee.

  We have continued to drive awareness of cybersecurity risk, including an anti-phishing campaign which tested corporate employees on phishing attacks. We also developed a cybersecurity incident response playbook which is aligned with wider IHG resilience and incident preparation protocols.

  The nature of our operating model means that significant amounts of IHG’s confidential information assets are also held by or shared with third-party suppliers and owners, and we review those risks as part of our broader supply chain risk management arrangements.

  Our information security programme is supported and reviewed by internal and external assurance activities, including our Internal Audit and SOX teams and PCI assessments.

  During 2019 we have reported regularly to the Board and the Executive Committee on the information security roadmap using key risk indicators to track trends in risk and mitigation initiatives. We also continue to work closely with our insurers to review the adequacy of protection for our risks and have assessed potential cyber incident scenarios, including quantification of value at risk, to better aid in risk-based discussions on remediation investment against risk acceptance and available risk transfer opportunities.

 

 

 

 

48IHGGlobal revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


LOGO

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancy statistics are disclosed on pages 217 to 218.

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry.

 

RevPAR comprises IHG’s System (see Glossary, page 249) rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

 

References to RevPAR, occupancy and ADR are presented on a comparable basis, comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels (including those acquired), hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. These measures include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

 

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

Failure to deliverpreferred brands and loyalty could impact our competitive positioning, our growth ambitions and our reputation with guests and owners. Competitor and intermediation activity creates inherent risks and opportunities for the hospitality industry and is relevant to the longer-term value of IHG’s franchised/managed proposition and our ability to deliver returns to current and potential owners of our various brands.LOGOLOGO

  To enable our growth ambitions, we need to continuously strengthen our portfolio of brands to build an industry-leading offer which delivers leading-edge guest preference, and competitive owner returns. For a description of our brands and brand initiatives see pages 14 to 17, and page 23.RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

 

  We are building the underlying capabilities to achieve our vision by: strengthening our new brand development; enhancing our marketing capability; refining our brand portfolio strategy; building improved data analytics capabilities; and scaling the production and efficiency of our global marketing assets.

  During 2019, our Global Marketing team has continued to evolve an operating framework to provide additional clarity and alignment on prioritisation and focus areas. We have also implemented changes to several ways of working between our global functions and regional operations teams to drive commercial performance, supported by learning events and engagement sessions.

  We are also executing a loyalty roadmap that includes tactical improvements to drive short-term performance and foundational levers to enable a longer-term step change to improve member benefits, owner economics and programme technology. See page 20 for more details on our 2019 initiatives.

 

 

In a fast growth environment, it is essential that we attract, develop and retainleadership and talentand failure to do this could impact our ability to achieve growth ambitions and execute effectively. Our people are essential to delivering our objectives, and our ability to develop talent is a key way we can deliver value to our existing and potential owners of both managed and franchised hotels. It is also essential that we retain key executive talent, both at the corporate and hotel levels, in the face of attractive roles and competitive rewards available in the global markets where we operate and compete.LOGOLOGO

  Our approach to managing our people is outlined in detail on pages 28 to 31 and our annual business planning process includes a review of workforce risks. We consider workforce risks when designing business initiatives and we regularly review talent and succession across the organisation. Our Human Resources team partners across IHG, and performs regular reviews including in relation to the diversity of our talent and competitiveness of our compensation and benefits plan.

  IHG has the ability to manage the risk directly in relation to IHG employees but relies on owners and third-party suppliers to manage the risk in related activities. Our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams also consider more indirect workforce risks relating to our third-party relationships.

  During 2019, we have continued to refine and streamline our performance management systems and embed a common set of leadership behaviours across IHG through employee participation in various virtual learning summits.

  Several policies supporting our Code of Conduct (for example our Human Rights Policy which is reviewed annually) relate to the management of our people, describing our intolerance for inappropriate behaviours, and appropriate adherence to those helps manage our risk.

  As our business expands through mergers and acquisition, we also undertake due diligence prior to transactions, and as part of integration activities, to evaluate and adapt relevant people practices.    

 

 

Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s System

LOGO

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to total gross revenue on page 53.

Total gross revenue is revenue not wholly attributable to IHG, however, management believes this measure is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as it provides a measure of System performance, giving an indication of the strength of IHG’s brands and the combined impact of IHG’s growth strategy and RevPAR performance.

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Risk management49

Total gross revenue refers to revenue which IHG has a role in driving and from which IHG derives an income stream. IHG’s business model is described on pages 12 to 15. Total gross revenue comprises:


Strategic Report  total rooms revenue from franchised hotels;

 

Risk management continued  total hotel revenue from managed hotels including food and beverage, meetings and other revenues and reflects the value IHG drives to managed hotel owners by optimising the performance of their hotels; and

 

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

The global business regulatory and contractual environment and societal expectations continue to evolve. Failure to ensurelegal, regulatory and ethical compliance would impact IHG operationally and reputationally. Regulators are moving to impose significant fines fornon-compliance, most notably in relation to privacy obligations and data security, and there is increasing attention on environmental, social and governance matters (for example relating to consumer protection, human rights including modern slavery, human trafficking and labour laws, and financial crime) from a range of external stakeholders such as corporate sales clients, investors and NGOs. With trading headwinds in some markets, increased pressure can be placed on compliance programmes, and a heightened risk of liabilities relating to our franchise model both in relation to brand reputation issues as well as litigation.LOGOLOGO

  Our global Ethics and Compliance team (E&C team) are focused on ensuring IHG has a globally coordinated approach to material ethical and compliance risks, taking into account the regulatory environment, stakeholder expectations and IHG’s commitment to a culture of responsible business.  total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Other than total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, total gross hotel revenue is not revenue attributable to IHG as these managed and franchised hotels are owned by third parties.

 

  The overarching framework for Ethics and Compliance is the IHG Code of Conduct (Code), (see pages 26 and 27). In addition to the Code, the E&C team manage the global compliance programmes for Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Antitrust/Competition Law, Sanctions and Human Rights.

  A number of processes and initiatives are used by the E&C team to manage ethical and compliance risks. For example, IHG is a member of Transparency International UK’s Business Integrity Forum and participates in its annual Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. The findings from the Benchmark assessment are utilised predominantly by the E&C team to identify improvements to the design of the IHG Anti-Bribery and Corruption programme.

  The E&C team are also responsible for, and have oversight of, the owner legal due diligence process. This is designed to ensure that risk-based due diligence is carried out on third-parties with whom IHG enters into hotel relationships. This includes sanctions monitoring, third-party screening and internal communications – for example, an annual update is communicated to the Legal, Development and Strategy teams and other relevant colleagues providing a reminder of ‘No Go’ countries and sanctions issues that may restrict IHG.

  The E&C team currently monitor training completions, gifts & entertainment reporting and owner due diligence escalations. These areas help demonstrate whether the design of the Ethics & Compliance framework and core processes of the underlying programmes are operating effectively. The E&C team monitor activity of the Confidential Disclosure Channel and have regular discussions with regional Legal teams to help identify emerging issues. In addition, the E&C team receive informal queries/escalation of issues via an Ethics and Compliance email channel, which is publicised in training and awareness materials, and directly from employees, for example inface-to-face training sessions.

  The Board receives regular reports on the Confidential Reporting Channel and matters directly related to our responsible business agenda.

 

 

Failure to capitalise on innovation in booking technology and to maintain and enhance the functionality and resilience of ourchannel management and technology platforms (including those of third-parties on which we rely directly or indirectly), and to respond to changing guest and owner needs remains a dynamic risk to IHG’s revenues and growth ambitions. The pace of change in the hospitality industry continues to accelerate and IHG must evolve to effectively grow and compete in the marketplace. Technology is crucial to our strategy as we face increasing competition from both existing and new players in the travel space.LOGOLOGO

  Our comprehensive channels strategy is a key driver and enabler of accelerated growth. We continue to seek opportunities to align and innovate our channels and technology platforms (see page 21). Our IHG Concerto platform is operating at all IHG hotels, and we are continuing to add more capabilities to the platform to enhance revenue delivery.

  Our Guest Reservation System (GRS) is hosted by a third-party vendor, Amadeus, in the cloud and supported by infrastructure which serves to decrease the likelihood of downtime. Availability of GRS and other key systems continues to be monitored on a 24/7 basis by the Network Operations Centre. Metrics are regularly reported to Commercial and Technology leaders so they can monitor performance.

  As our industry evolves, and with our acquisition of new brands, we have continued to review the capabilities of our systems in relation to market trends and expectations.

  In 2019, we also introduced regional revenue forums to focus on forecasting future business and determining integrated commercial plans to address challenges.

 

 

50IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

IHG’s continuing agenda toaccelerate growthgives rise to inherent risks, for example as we transition systems, operating models and processes. The potential exists to impact commercial performance and financial loss, and undermine stakeholder confidence. As we move towards larger, more strategic outsourcing relationships for business-critical services, inherent risk levels are also raised.LOGOLOGO

  The progress of our Group-wide efficiency programme has been tracked by the Board and Executive Committee, and the majority of our centrally driven transformation activity has now transitioned to Senior Leaders.

  Following the changes to our organisational structure in 2018, in 2019 we conducted corporate-wide virtual learning summits and we maintain a central digital hub for process and learning materials to enable our employees to find details about processes, learning content and key process owners.

  Our focus on accelerating growth has included review of risks relating to offshoring and outsourcing by Senior Leaders and the Board. Our Strategic Supplier Management Office has been established to manage existing critical supplier relationships as well as new outsourcing and/or business-critical relationships driving our strategic objectives. Our legal teams review contracts and provide advice on litigation, where required, and our insurance programme also provides a degree of protection in the event of supplier failure.

  Oversight teams, including our finance experts, have evolved governance and control frameworks and we also regularly review delegated approval authorities and processes to enable decisions on investments to be made quickly and efficiently with consideration of the risks involved. HR Business Partners continue to work with Senior Leaders to identify and retain key individuals across the business, and succession planning practices are in place to ensure continuity of key initiatives and business operations.

  During 2019 we reviewed our financial governance and controls relating to the integration of our acquisitions. For example, the integration of Six Senses into IHG’s financial control environment has been overseen by a dedicated governance committee.

  We have an established approach to System Development Lifecycle, and specific risks to delivery of the Global Reservations System have been managed throughout the programme of implementation (including those relating to technical delivery, business process testing and operation readiness testing).

Macro external factors such as political and economic disruption, the emerging risk of infectious diseases, actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, natural orman-made disasters could have an impact on our ability to perform and grow. Heightening of macroeconomic tensions could lead to a downturn impacting our ability to grow.LOGOLOGO

  While these factors are mostly outside our direct control, we track uncertainties which may impact the hospitality industry and which need to be considered in our strategic and financial planning. These types of risks are addressed in strategic review, including our market participation choices, particularly in emerging and key growth markets.

  During 2019, many leadership teams have used formal and informal scenario planning to anticipate the potential impact of these risks. The Board and Executive Committee receive regular updates on these types of factors from both operational and subject matter experts so that possible implications for IHG can be considered.

  Ourin-house threat intelligence capability, supplemented by third-party expertise and methodology, supports development, hotel operations and customer-facing sales teams with planning and response to macro factors, for example concerns relating to terrorism, extreme weather events, or infectious diseases such asCovid-19. We are also increasingly able to complement more traditional sources with digital intelligence to anticipate potential impacts on IHG’s interests.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Risk management51


Strategic Report

Risk management continued

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

As a global business, we are conscious of greater focus from a wider range of stakeholders onenvironmental and social mega-trends. These include regulators and investor groups (such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and emerging risks presented by climate change which have the potential to impact performance and growth in key markets.LOGOLOGO

  During 2019, our Corporate Responsibility team worked collaboratively with teams across IHG (including Human Resources, Business Reputation and Responsibility and Procurement) to consider the broader environmental and social risks associated with our business. These risks and opportunities are considered as an integral part of Board strategy discussions in relation to our commitment to responsible business. In 2019, this culminated with the approval of a science-based target relating to carbon reduction.

  As part of our responsible business strategy refresh work, we are also working with third-party experts to develop our responsible business targets for post 2020 and have made a formal commitment to implement the recommendations of the TCFD. In 2020 we will be developing a disclosure roadmap for the coming years. More broadly we recognise that continued collaboration across the wider industry is required to collectively combat climate change. We are taking an active role in this via our membership and active participation in several industry bodies, including the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

  Our values and behaviours, underpinned by our Code of Conduct, inform our decision-making at all levels. For example, specific elements of our Code of Conduct define expectations for IHG employees in relation to human rights and the environment. Our Supplier Code of Conduct and Human Rights Policy have been updated during 2019 and our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams monitor supply chain and human rights risks, see pages 26 and 27.

Failure to maintain an effectivesafety and securitysystem and to respond appropriately in the event of disruption or incidents affecting our operations more broadly could result in an adverse impact to IHG, such as reputational and/ or financial damage and undermining confidence from our colleagues, guests, major sales accounts and wider stakeholders. This risk relates both to our direct operations in hotels and other locations where we have management responsibility, and also to outsourced activities and others with whom we collaborate and trade, including the owners of our franchised hotels which operate as independent businesses.LOGOLOGO

  The environment in which IHG develops and operates hotels continues to evolve and impacts the safety and security risks faced by IHG. These risks are assessed as stable overall, but our approach is reviewed continuously to ensure that it remains fit for purpose, and able to anticipate and respond to the risk of an incident damaging the Group’s reputation.

  Our design and engineering, hotel opening and operations teams work together with our risk management experts to evaluate standards and develop capability to respond to an incident via training, intelligence tracking and standard operating procedures, and also deploy crisis management procedures where required for less predictable events.

  For example, the risks of epidemics such asCovid-19, earthquakes and extreme weather events continue to pose a threat to IHG’s operations, and are managed through refresher training, advanced monitoring and warning and standard operating procedures.

  In relation to geopolitical and terrorism risks, we deploy external industry benchmarking to allocate all pipeline and operational hotels a threat category. The category definitions are designed to guide hotels to make their own risk-based decisions on how to mitigate local security threats. Categories are reviewed regularly to adjust to the dynamic threat environment in which IHG develops and operates hotels.

  We continue to monitor UK Government and Local Authority investigations into the Grenfell tragedy. We will review our own fire and safety requirements once any changes and/or recommendations to building regulations and best practice are published, and will work with owners and operators of IHG branded hotels to provide appropriate support and guidance.

  IHG has also created a toolkit and resources for hotels to use to provide guests with menu allergen information, making it easier for them to identify ingredients they need to avoid.

52IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

A material breakdown infinancial management and control systems would lead to increased public scrutiny, regulatory investigation and litigation. This risk includes our ongoing (and stable) operational risks relating to our financial management and control systems; the continuing expectations of IHG’s management decision making and financial judgements, in response to evolving accounting standards, which have added complexity to our control responsibilities; and our own business model and transactions.LOGOLOGO

  We continue to operate an established set of processes across our financial control systems, which is verified through testing relating to our Sarbanes-Oxley compliance responsibilities. See pages 73 and 160 to 163 for details of our approach to taxation, page 73 for details of our approach to internal financial control, and pages 182 to 185 for specific details on financial risk management policies. These processes and our financial planning continue to evolve to reflect the changes in our management structure and business targets.

  To mitigate risks from adoption of the new accounting standard, IFRS 16 ‘Leases’, existing controls were modified and new controls added. Controls are revisited at least once a year for modification or addition.

  As our hotel estate evolves and grows, we also adapt our approach to financial control. Given the differences in the culture and ways of working across our regions, we apply globally and/or regionally consistent policies and procedures to manage the risks, such as fraud and reporting risks, wherever possible.

  Our Group insurance programmes are also maintained to support financial stability.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Risk management53


Strategic Report

Risk management continued

Viability statement

The Group’s annual planning process builds a robust three-year plan. The detailed three-year plan takes into consideration the principal risks, the Group’s strategy,Revenue and current market conditions. That plan then forms the basis for strategic actions taken across the business. The plan is approved annually by the Directors. Once approved, the plan is then cascaded to the business and used to set performance metrics and objectives. Performance against those

metrics and objectives is then regularly reviewed by the Directors. The key assumptions included in the three-year plan relate to RevPAR, System size, no change to our stated dividend policy and existing debt facilities are being renewed as they mature.

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have reviewed a number of scenarios, weighting downside risks that would threaten the business model, future

performance, solvency and liquidity of the Group more heavily than opportunities. The scenarios modelled and their link to our principal risks outlined on pages 48 to 53 are set out below:

Scenarios Modelled

Link to Principal Risk(s)

Widespread cybersecurity breach

This scenario models the impact of a specific material incident, which could relate to cybersecurity or an alternative material impact on the cash flow and income statement.

  Cybersecurity and information governance

  Legal, regulatory and ethical compliance

  Accelerate growth

Changes in RevPAR

This scenario models a prolonged decrease in RevPAR, which may be driven by external or internal factors.

  Preferred brands and loyalty

  Leadership and talent

  Channel management and technology

  Accelerate growth

  Environmental and social mega-trends

  Safety and security system

  Financial management and control systems

2008-2009 Financial Crisis

This represents the downturn that occurred from 2008 to 2009 (when the Board maintained the dividend despite the severity of the downturn in trading).

  Macro external factors

A reverse stress test of the business starting from the presumption of the Group having insufficient liquidity to continue trading was also modelled.

In each of the scenarios, the Directors also considered actions that would be taken if such events became a reality. These actions include a reduction in capital expenditure, salary freezes and suspension of bonus plans and the ordinary dividend. The results confirmed that the Group would be able to withstand the impact of each scenario.

The Directors have determined that the three-year period to 31 December 2022 is an appropriate period to be covered by the viability statement. Although hospitality industry business cycles are on average longer than three years, the end of those cycles has only resulted in declining RevPAR when that has been caused by exogenous shocks, and the decline in RevPAR has only lasted two years. The Board has therefore determined that no additional insight can be gained from assessing these scenarios over a longer period.

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period to 31 December 2022, taking account of the Group’s current position, the Group’s strategy and the principal risks documented in the Strategic Report. Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2022.

54IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Performance

Key performanceoperating profit measures (includingNon-GAAP measures) used by management

The Annual Report and Form20-F presents certain financial measures when discussingreconciliation of the Group’s performance which are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In management’s view these measures provide investors and other users with an enhanced understanding of IHG’s operating performance, profitability, financial strength and funding requirements. These measures do not have standardised meanings under IFRS, and companies do not necessarily calculate these in the same way. Accordingly, they should be viewed as complementary to, and not as a substitute for, the measures prescribed by IFRS and as included inmost directly comparable line item within the Group Financial Statements (see(i.e. total revenue and operating profit, accordingly) to the non-IFRS revenue and operating profit measures is included on pages 132212 to 138).215.

Linkage of performance measuresRevenue and operating profit from (1) fee business and (2) owned, leased and managed lease hotels, are described as ‘revenue from reportable segments’ and ‘operating profit from reportable segments’, respectively, within note 2 to Directors’ remuneration and KPIs
LOGOThe Annual Performance PlanLOGOThe Long Term Incentive PlanLOGOKey Performance Indicators

LOGO

See pages 96 to 117 for more information on Directors’ remuneration and pages 42 to 45 for more information on KPIs.

Measure

Commentary

Global revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth

LOGO

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancy statistics are disclosed on pages 219 to 220.

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry.

RevPAR comprises IHG’s System (see Glossary, page 249) rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and ADR are presented on a comparable basis, comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels (including those acquired), hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years.

RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System

LOGOLOGOLOGO

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to total gross revenue on page 61.

Total gross revenue is revenue not wholly attributable to IHG, however, management believes this measure is meaningful to investors and other users as it provides a measure of System performance, giving an indication of the strength of IHG’s brands and the combined impact of IHG’s growth strategy and RevPAR performance.

Total gross revenue refers to revenue which IHG has a role in driving and from which IHG derives an income stream. IHG’s business model is described on pages 10 to 13. Total gross revenue comprises:

  total rooms revenue from franchised hotels;

  total hotel revenue from managed hotels including food and beverage, meetings and other revenues and reflects the value IHG drives to managed hotel owners by optimising the performance of their hotels; and

  total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Other than total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, total gross hotel revenue is not revenue attributable to IHG as these managed and franchised hotels are owned by third-parties.

Revenue and operating profit measures

The reconciliation of the most directly comparable line item within the Group Financial Statements (i.e. total revenue and operating profit, accordingly) to the non-IFRS revenue and operating profit measures are included on pages 214 to 216.

Revenue and operating profit from (1) fee business and (2) owned, leased and managed lease hotels, are described as ‘revenue from reportable segments’ and ‘operating profit from reportable segments’, respectively, within note 2 to the Group’s Financial Statements. These measures are presented for each of the Group’s regions.

 

Management believes revenue and operating profit from reportable segments is meaningful to investors and other users as it excludes the following elements and reflects how management monitors the business:

  System Fund – the Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, but is managed for the benefit of the hotels within the IHG System. As described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 144), the System Fund is operated to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System and hotel loyalty programme.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance55


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Revenue and operating profit measurescontinued

 Revenues related to the reimbursement of costs – as described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 144), there is a cost equal to these revenues so there is no profit impact. Cost reimbursements are not applicable to all hotels and growth in these revenues is not reflective of growth in the performance of the Group. As such, management do not include these revenues in their analysis of results.

 Exceptional items are identified by virtue of either their size or nature and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and reorganisation costs. As each item is different in nature and scope, there will be little continuity in the detailed composition and size of the reported amounts which affect performance in successive periods. Separate disclosure of these amounts facilitates the understanding of performance including and excluding such items.

In further discussing the Group’s performance in respect of revenue and operating profit, additionalnon-IFRS measures are used and explained further below:

  Underlying revenue;

  Underlying operating profit;

  Underlying fee revenue; and

  Fee margin.

Operating profit measures are, by their nature, before interest and tax. Management believes such measures are useful for investors and other users when comparing performance across different companies as interest and tax can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be highly dependent on a company’s capital structure, debt levels and credit ratings. In addition, the tax positions of companies can vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the various jurisdictions in which they operate.

Although management believe these measures are useful to investors and other users in assessing the Group’s ongoing financial performance and provide improved comparability between periods, there are limitations in their use as compared to measures of financial performance under IFRS. As such, they should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for IFRS measures. In addition, these measures may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

These measures adjust revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, respectively, to exclude revenue and operating profit generated by owned, leased and managed lease hotels which have been disposed and significant liquidated damages, which are not comparable year-on-year and are not indicative of the Group’s ongoing profitability. The revenue and operating profit of current year acquisitions are also excluded as these obscure underlying business results and trends when comparing to the prior year. In addition, in order to remove the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange, which would distort the comparability of the Group’s operating performance, prior year measures are restated at constant currency using current year exchange rates.

Management believe these are meaningful to investors and other users to better understand comparableyear-on-year trading and enable assessment of the underlying trends in the Group’s financial performance.

Underlying fee revenue growth

LOGO

Underlying fee revenue is used to calculate underlying fee revenue growth. Underlying fee revenue is calculated on the same basis as underlying revenue as described above but for the fee business only.

Management believes underlying fee revenue is meaningful to investors and other users as an indicator of IHG’s ability to grow the corefee-based business, aligned to IHG’s asset-light strategy.

56IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Measure

Commentary

Fee margin

LOGO

Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates and is a measure of the profit arising from fee revenue. Fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profit are calculated from the revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, as defined above, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the Group’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages.

In addition, fee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to match the expected claims (see page 144 to the Group Financial Statements), and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to better depict the profitability of the fee business.

Management believes fee margin is meaningful to investors and other users as an indicator of the sustainable long-term growth in the profitability of IHG’s corefee-based business, as the scale of IHG’s operations increases with growth in IHG’s System size.

Adjusted interest

Financial income and financial expenses as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted interest on page 218.

Adjusted interest excludes the following items of interest which are recorded within the System Fund:

  IHG records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards Club programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG.

  The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System.

As the Fund is included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses, reducing the Group’s effective interest cost. Given results related to the System Fund are excluded from adjusted measures used by management, these are excluded from adjusted interest and adjusted earnings per share (see below).

Management believes adjusted interest is a meaningful measure for investors and other users as it provides an indication of the comparableyear-on-year expense associated with financing the business including the interest on any balance held on behalf of the System Fund.

Tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund

A reconciliation of the tax charge as recorded in the Group Financial Statements to tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund can be found in note 8 to the Group Financial Statements on page 161.

As outlined above, exceptional items can varyyear-on-year and, where subject to tax at a different rate than the Group as a whole, they can therefore impact the current year’s tax charge. The System Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG over the long term and is, in general, not subject to tax either.

Management believes removing these provides a better view of the Group’s underlying tax rate on ordinary operations and aids comparabilityyear-on-year, thus providing a more meaningful understanding of the Group’s ongoing tax charge.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted earnings per ordinary share in note 10 to the Group Financial Statements on page 164.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share adjusts the profit available for equity holders used in the calculation of basic earnings per share to remove System Fund revenue and expenses, the items of interest related to the System Fund as excluded in adjusted interest (above), change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration, exceptional items, and the related tax impacts of such adjustments.

Management believes that adjusted earnings per share is a meaningful measure for investors and other users as it provides a more comparable earnings per share measure aligned with how management monitors the business.

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Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Net debt

Net debt is included in note 23 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net debt is used in the monitoring of the Group’s liquidity and capital structure and is used by management in the calculation of the key ratios attached to the Group’s bank covenants and in maintaining an investment grade credit rating (see page 12 for further discussion). Net debt is used by investors and other users to evaluate the financial strength of the business.

Net debt comprises loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

Gross capital expenditure, net capital expenditure, free cash flow

The reconciliation of the Group’s statement of cash flows (i.e. net cash from investing activities, net cash from operating activities, accordingly) to thenon-IFRS capital expenditure and cash flow measures are included on page 217.

These measures have limitations as they omit certain components of the overall cash flow statement. They are not intended to represent IHG’s residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, nor do they reflect the Group’s future capital commitments. These measures are used by many companies, but there can be differences in how each company defines the terms, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. Therefore, it is important to view these measures only as a complement to the Group statement of cash flows.

Gross capital expenditure

Gross capital expenditure represents the consolidated capital expenditure of IHG inclusive of System Fund capital investments (see page 13 for a description of System Fund capital investments and recent examples).

Gross capital expenditure is defined as net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (key money). In order to demonstrate the capital outflow of the Group, cash flows arising from any disposals or distributions from associates and joint ventures are excluded. The measure also excludes any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions.

Gross capital expenditure is reported as either maintenance, recyclable, or System Fund. This disaggregation provides useful information as it enables users to distinguish between:

  System Fund capital investments which are strategic investments to drive growth at hotel level;

  recyclable investments (such as investments in associates and joint ventures), which are intended to be recoverable in the medium term and are to drive the growth of the Group’s brands and expansion in priority markets; and

  maintenance capital expenditure (including contract acquisition costs), which represents a permanent cash outflow.

Management believe gross capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates how the Group continues to invest in the business to drive growth. It also allows for comparisonyear-on-year.

Net capital expenditure

Net capital expenditure provides an indicator of the capital intensity of IHG’s business model. Net capital expenditure is derived from net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (net of repayments) and to exclude any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions. Net capital expenditure includes the inflows arising from any disposal receipts, or distributions from associates and joint ventures.

In addition, System Fund depreciation and amortisation relating to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, respectively, is added back, reducing the overall cash outflow. This reflects the way in which System Funded capital investments arere-charged to the System Fund, over the life of the asset (see page 13).

Management believes net capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates the net capital investment by IHG, after taking into account capital recycling through asset disposal and the funding of strategic investments by the System Fund. It provides investors and other users with visibility of the cash flows which are allocated to long-term investments to drive the Group’s strategy.

58IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Measure

Commentary

Free cash flow

LOGO

Free cash flow is net cash from operating activities adjusted to exclude: (1) the cash outflow arising from the purchase of shares by employee share trusts reflecting the requirement to satisfy incentive schemes which are linked to operating performance; (2) maintenance capital expenditure (excluding contract acquisition costs); (3) the principal element of lease payments; and (4) payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within net cash from operating activities.

In 2016, free cash flow was also adjusted for the cash receipt arising from the renegotiation of a long-term partnership agreement.

Management believe free cash flow is a useful measure for investors and other users, as it represents the cash available to invest back into the business to drive future growth and pay the ordinary dividend, with any surplus being available for additional returns to shareholders.

LOGO

The performance review should be read in conjunction with theNon-GAAP

reconciliations on pages 214 to 220 and the glossary on pages 248 to 249.

The following definitions have been amended and the prior year comparatives restated accordingly:

The adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ (see pages 146 to 149 for further information) has impacted all but the revenue derivedNon-GAAP measures. Prior year measures have therefore been restated to provide year on year comparability. The definitions of free cash flow and net debt have been amended following the adoption of IFRS 16:

Free cash flow: has been amended to include the principal element of lease payments, reflecting thenon-discretionary nature of these lease payments.

Net debt: has been amended to include lease liabilities, providing consistency with metrics used by investors and rating agencies.

The application of constant currency which impacts underlying revenue, underlying operating profit and underlying fee revenue has been amended so that prior period results are now restated using current year exchange rates, rather than restating current year results at prior period exchange rates. Management considers this to be a simplified approach and provides consistency between underlying results and the associated revenue and operating profit from reportable segments from which they are derived.is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as it excludes the following elements and reflects how management monitors the business:

 

Fee margin has been amended  System Fund – the Fund is not managed to exclude the results of the Group’s captive insurance company. Overgenerate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, premiums are intended to match the expected claims, and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin in order to provide a more comparable analysis of IHG’syear-on-year fee margin progression.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share have been amended to exclude the change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration. Since the changes in fair value are prone to volatility and are not necessarily reflective of the performance of the Group, excluding these amounts provides a more comparableyear-on-year measurebut is managed for investors and other users, aligned to how management monitor the business.

Gross capital expenditure, net capital expenditure and free cash flow have been amended to adjust for payments of contingent and deferred purchase consideration, as applicable. As payments relate to prior year acquisitions the exclusion of these amounts provides a more representativeyear-on-year measure for investors and other users, aligned to how management monitor the business.

Net capital expenditure has been amended to treat repayment of contract acquisition costs consistently with how this is reported internally.

The followingNon-GAAP measure has been removed:

Underlying earnings per ordinary share. This measure has been removed in order to rationalise the number ofnon-IFRS earnings per share measures.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |    Strategic Report  |    Performance59


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group

Group results

                             12 months ended 31 December 
                               2019
$m
     

                         2018
Restated

$m

                     2019 vs 2018
% change
     

                         2017
Restated

$m

                     2018 vs 2017
% change
 
Revenuea                              
Americas    1,040     1,051     (1.0    999     5.2 
EMEAA    723     569     27.1     457     24.5 
Greater China    135     143     (5.6    117     22.2 
Central    185     170     8.8     157     8.3 
Revenue from reportable segments    2,083     1,933     7.8     1,730     11.7 
System Fund revenues    1,373     1,233     11.4     1,242     (0.7
Reimbursement of costs    1,171     1,171          1,103     6.2 
Total revenue    4,627     4,337     6.7     4,075     6.4 
Operating profita                              
Americas    700     673     4.0     648     3.9 
EMEAA    217     206     5.3     175     17.7 
Greater China    73     70     4.3     53     32.1 
Central    (125    (117    6.8     (102    14.7 
Operating profit from reportable segments    865     832     4.0     774     7.5 
System Fund result    (49    (146    (66.4    (34    329.4 
Operating profit before exceptional items    816     686     19.0     740     (7.3
Operating exceptional items    (186    (104    78.8     4     (2700.0
Operating profit    630     582     8.2     744     (21.8
Net financial expenses    (115    (96    19.8     (91    5.5 
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration    27     (4    (775.0          
Profit before tax    542     482     12.4     653     (26.2
Earnings per ordinary share                              
Basic    210.4¢     183.7¢     14.5%     276.7¢     (33.6
Adjusted    303.3¢     293.2¢     3.4%     243.0¢     20.7% 
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate    $1:     $1:        $1:    
     £0.78     £0.75     4.0     £0.78     (3.8

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2019

During the year ended 31 December 2019, total revenue increased by $290m (6.7%) to $4,627m, whilst revenue from reportable segments increased by $150m (7.8%) to $2,083m, primarily resulting from 5.6% rooms growth and the annualised benefit of an addition of a portfolio of hotels in the UK inmid-2018. Operating profit and profit before tax increased by $48m (8.2%) and $60m (12.4%) respectively, due in part to a $97m lowerin-year System Fund deficit, partially offset by an $82m increase in operating exceptional items, driven by $131m impairment charges ($81m recognised in relation to the UK leased portfolio and $50m in relation to Kimpton management agreements) as described in note 13 to the Group Financial Statements and on pages 139 and 140. Operating profit from reportable segments increased by $33m (4.0%) to $865m.

Underlyingb revenue and underlyingb operating profit increased by $123m (6.5%) and $47m (5.8%) respectively.

Comparable RevPAR decreased by 0.3% (including a decrease in average daily rate of 0.4%). IHG System size increased by 5.6% to 883,563 rooms, whilst underlying fee revenueb increased by 2.0%.

Fee marginb increased by 0.8% percentage points to 54.1%.

Basic earnings per ordinary share increased by 14.5% to 210.4¢, whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by 3.4% to 303.3¢.

For discussion of 2018 results, and the changes compared to 2017, prior to the restatements of those years in 2019 to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16, refer to the 2018 Annual Report and Form20-F.

The 2018 and 2017 results have been restated for IFRS 16 in the current year (see pages 146 to 149).

On a restated basis, profit before tax decreased by 26.2% from 2017 to 2018 (as previously reported: a decrease of 26.1%).

a

Americas and EMEAA include revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Greater China includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from fee business.

b

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 55 to 59.

Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items with the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 214 to 216.

60IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Accounting principles

The Group results are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and following the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ the 2018 comparatives have been restated. The application of IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions, and those considered critical to the preparation of the Group results are set out on pages 139 to 140 of the Group Financial Statements.

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. For comparability of the periods presented, some of the performance indicators in this performance review are calculated after eliminating these exceptional items. An analysis of exceptional items is included in note 6 on page 158 of the Group Financial Statements.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System

             12 months ended 31 December 
                                             2019
$bn
                                            2018
$bn
     

%

                               change

 
Analysed by brand                  
InterContinental    5.1     5.1      
Kimpton    1.4     1.3     7.7 
HUALUXE    0.1     0.1      
Crowne Plaza    4.3     4.5     (4.4
Hotel Indigo    0.6     0.5     20.0 
EVEN Hotels    0.1     0.1      
Holiday Inn    6.3     6.5     (3.1
Holiday Inn Express    7.3     7.1     2.8 
Staybridge Suites    1.0     0.9     11.1 
Candlewood Suites    0.9     0.8     12.5 
Other    0.8     0.5     60.0 
Total    27.9     27.4     1.8 
Analysed by ownership type                  
Fee business    27.3     27.0     1.1 
Owned, leased and managed lease    0.6     0.4     50.0 
Total    27.9     27.4     1.8 

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System increased by 1.8% (3.3% increase at constant currency) to $27.9bn, driven by a RevPAR decline of 0.3% more than offset by IHG System size growth.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |    Strategic Report  |    Performance61


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group continued

Total number of hotels

5,903

Total number of rooms

883,563

During 2019, the global IHG System (the number of hotels and rooms which are franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease) increased by 300 hotels (47,022 rooms) to 5,903 hotels (883,563 rooms).

Openings of 411 hotels (65,220 rooms) were 13.5% higher than in 2018. Openings in the Americas included 150 hotels (16,993 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family. 90 hotels (15,335 rooms) were opened in EMEAA in 2019, with the Greater China region also contributing openings of 88 hotels (23,764 rooms). 111 hotels (18,198 rooms) left the IHG System in 2019, compared to 107 hotels (17,877 rooms) in 2018.

a

Includes 46 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,502 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms), (2018: 45 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,301 rooms) and 27 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,927 rooms)).

Group hotel and room count

             Hotels             Rooms 
At 31 December                        2019     Change
               over 2018
                         2019     Change
               over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    18     18     1,448     1,448 
Regent    6          2,003     (2
InterContinental    212     8     70,981     1,700 
Kimpton    66          13,046     131 
HUALUXE    9     1     2,710     375 
Crowne Plaza    431     2     120,582     414 
Hotel Indigo    118     16     14,574     1,825 
EVEN Hotels    13     3     1,949     398 
voco    12     10     4,293     3,762 
Holiday Inna    1,284     33     239,894     6,042 
Holiday Inn Express    2,875     149     299,234     19,718 
avid hotels    7     6     635     548 
Staybridge Suites    300     24     32,633     2,416 
Candlewood Suites    410     14     38,332     1,122 
Other    142     16     41,249     7,125 
Total    5,903     300     883,563     47,022 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    4,870     255     614,974     37,995 
Managed    1,007     42     262,253     8,687 
Owned, leased and managed lease    26     3     6,336     340 
Total    5,903     300     883,563     47,022 

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

1,918

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

283,043

At the end of 2019, the global pipeline totalled 1,918 hotels (283,043 rooms), an increase of 59 hotels (12,095 rooms) on 31 December 2018. The IHG pipeline represents hotels where a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid.

Group signings decreased from 691 hotels in 2018 to 623 hotels and rooms decreased from 98,814 rooms to 97,754 rooms. This included 295 hotels (43,856 rooms) signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, 42.6% of which were contributed by Greater China (108 hotels, 18,667 rooms).

Active management of the pipeline to remove deals that have become dormant or no longer viable reduced the pipeline by 153 hotels (20,439 rooms), compared to 125 hotels (15,669 rooms) in 2018.

a

Does not include three open hotels and one pipeline hotel that will bere-branded to voco.

b

Includes 29 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,335 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations property (110 rooms), (2018: 19 Holiday Inn Resort properties (5,229 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms)).

Group pipeline

             Hotels             Rooms 
At 31 December                        2019     Change
               over 2018
                         2019     Change
               over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    25     25     1,770     1,770 
Regent    5     2     944     430 
InterContinental    65     5     17,018     1,223 
Kimpton    33     6     6,203     1,729 
HUALUXE    22     1     6,180     81 
Crowne Plaza    88     9     24,506     2,372 
Hotel Indigo    101     9     15,148     2,070 
EVEN Hotels    26     8     4,342     1,158 
vocoa    17     9     6,220     4,710 
Holiday Innb    275     (13    52,909     (2,742
Holiday Inn Express    754     (30    95,874     (2,550
avid hotels    207     36     19,068     3,257 
Staybridge Suites    182          20,734     (115
Candlewood Suites    91     (11    8,186     (935
Atwell Suites    10     10     1,000     1,000 
Other    17     (7    2,941     (1,363
Total    1,918     59     283,043     12,095 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    1,411     13     166,641     5,298 
Managed    506     46     116,247     6,797 
Owned, leased and managed lease    1          155      
Total    1,918     59     283,043     12,095 

62IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Americas

LOGO

“2019 was a year of growth for IHG’s largest region as we marked our highest number of new hotel openings in eight years. We also strengthened our established brands, drove continued growth of avid hotels including the first new property in Mexico, and launched the Atwell Suites brand, which now has projects signed across the US.”

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Americas revenue 2019($1,040m)

        LOGO

Americas number of rooms(524,647)

        LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on

previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2019)

Fee business
InterContinental0.7%
Kimpton2.2%
Crowne Plaza(1.6%)
Hotel Indigo0.2%
EVEN Hotels(5.3%)
Holiday Inn(0.7%)
Holiday Inn Express0.1%
Staybridge Suites0.1%
Candlewood Suites(1.1%)
All brands(0.1%)
Owned, leased and managed lease
InterContinental3.0%
EVEN Hotels0.9%
Holiday Inn6.2%
All brands4.1%

Regional priorities

Strengthen our established brands through the adoption of the Formula Blue design for Holiday Inn Express and the introduction of new design prototypes for multiple other mainstream brands.

Deliver on our upscale and luxury proposition with growth across brands, including adding 17 hotels to our pipeline in 2019. We’re also looking forward to bringing Six Senses to the region, with locations coming soon to New York City and the Galapagos Islands.

Continue transformation of the Crowne Plaza brand with the Accelerate Ahead programme.

Continue momentum for avid hotels with new hotels opened across the US in 2019, the first property under construction in Mexico and more than 200 in the pipeline.

Industry performance in 2019

Industry RevPAR in the Americas increased by 1.0%, driven by 1.3% average daily rate growth that was partially offset by a 0.2ppt decline in occupancy. Occupancy levels remain high, falling just below the record set in 2018. Room demand grew 1.7%, a lower rate of growth than 2018. Supply growth remained broadly in line with 2018 at 2.0%.

US lodging industry room demand advanced 2.0% in 2019, whilst supply growth also increased 2.0%, remaining the highest it has been in ten years. US industry RevPAR increased by 0.9% in 2019, driven by average daily rate growth of 1.0%. RevPAR in the US upper midscale chain scale, where the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands operate, declined by 0.2%, impacted by supply growth.

In Canada, industry RevPAR declined by 0.2%, driven by a 0.9ppt occupancy decline, and in Mexico, RevPAR declined by 5.1%, led by a 2.6% decline in average daily rate.

Regional highlights

Launch of Atwell Suites

Atwell Suites was created to target an estimated $18 billion industry segment which has grown by 70 percent over the last four years and is a complement to IHG’s established brands. The prototype for theall-suites hotel brand features 96 guest rooms with distinct zones for living and sleeping, public spaces such as a double-height, open lobby that suits guests’ transition from work to leisure, and inspiring food and beverage options.

Atwell Suites has received strong owner interest with 10 signings in Q4 2019. The first hotels are expected to begin construction in 2020 and open in 2021.

IHG’s regional performance in 2019

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in the Americas declined by 0.1%, driven by a 0.2ppt occupancy decline, impacted by lower group business, despite growth in average daily rate. The region is predominantly represented by the US, where comparable RevPAR declined by 0.2%. In the US, we are most represented by our mainstream brands Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. RevPAR in our mainstream brands declined, due to increased supply in the upper midscale segment, whilst outperforming the segment overall. US RevPAR for the Holiday Inn Express brand increased by 0.4%, whilst the Holiday Inn brand declined by 1.1%.

Canada RevPAR declined by 1.4%, whilst Mexico RevPAR declined by 2.2%, led by occupancy declines.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance63


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas continued

Americas results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

            2019

$m

                 2018
Restated
$m
     

          2019 vs

2018

% change

               2017
Restated
$m
     

          2018 vs
2017

% change

 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    853     853          811     5.2  
Owned, leased and managed lease    187     198     (5.6    188     5.3  
Total    1,040     1,051     (1.0    999     5.2  
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    663     638     3.9     613     4.1%  
Owned, leased and managed lease    37     35     5.7     35     –  
     700     673     4.0     648     3.9  
Operating exceptional items    (62    (36    72.2     37     (197.3) 
Operating profit    638     637     0.2     685     (7.0) 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2019

With 4,307 hotels (524,647 rooms), the Americas represented 60% of the Group’s room count. The key profit-generating region is the US, although the Group is also represented in Latin America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 89% of rooms in the region are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our mainstream brands (including the Holiday Inn Brand Family). In the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised whereas, in the luxury market segment, InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under both franchise and management agreements, whilst Kimpton is predominantly managed. 12 of the Group’s 16 hotel brands are represented in the Americas.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $11m (1.0%) to $1,040m, whilst operating profit increased by $1m (0.2%) to $638m, impacted by a $26m increase in operating exceptional items. Operating profit from the reportable segment increased by $27m (4.0%) to $700m. On an underlyingb basis, revenue decreased by $9m (0.9%), as growth from net room additions was held back by $9m ofone-off marketing assessments in the prior year, whilst underlying operating profit increased by $29m (4.3%), benefiting from a continued focus on maintaining an efficient cost base.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segment are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenueb remained in line with 2018 at $853m, partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangec ($2m), whilst fee business operating profitb increased by $25m (3.9%) to $663m, also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangec ($2m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenueb decreased by $11m (5.6%) to $187m, whilst operating profitb increased by $2m (5.7%) to $37m, benefiting from strong trading across a number of hotels and the mitigation of losses by business interruption insurance at one hotel. There was no material impact of foreign exchangec on either revenue or operating profit.

For discussion of 2018 results, and the changes compared to 2017, prior to the restatements of those years in 2019 to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16, refer to the 2018 Annual Report and Form20-F.

The 2018 and 2017 results have been restated for IFRS 16 in the current year (see pages 146 to 149).

On a restated basis, operating profit decreased by 7.0% from 2017 to 2018 (as previously reported: a decrease of 7.1%).

a

Americas reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 55 to 59. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items with the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 214 to 216.

c

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2019.

64IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Americas hotel and room count

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                            2019     

Change

               over 2018

                             2019     Change
              over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
InterContinental    51     –      17,896     143  
Kimpton    61     (3)     11,997     (310) 
Crowne Plaza    149     (7)     39,875     (1,624) 
Hotel Indigo    64          8,267     772  
EVEN Hotels    13          1,949     398  
Holiday Inna    783          135,286     794  
Holiday Inn Express    2,368     79      214,993     8,373  
avid hotels    7          635     548  
Staybridge Suites    283     22      30,244     2,212  
Candlewood Suites    410     14      38,332     1,122  
Other    118     16      25,173     2,090  
Total    4,307     146      524,647     14,518  
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    4,008     155      465,265     15,163  
Managed    292     (9)     57,160     (644) 
Owned, leased and managed lease    7     –      2,222     (1) 
Total    4,307     146      524,647     14,158  
Percentage of Group hotel and room count    73.0     (1.3)ppt      59.4     (1.6)ppt  

a

Includes 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms), (2018: 23 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,184 rooms) and 27 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,927 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

4,307

Total number of rooms

524,647

Americas System size increased by 146 hotels (14,518 rooms) to 4,307 hotels (524,647 rooms) during 2019. 233 hotels (26,121 rooms) opened in the year, compared to 208 hotels (22,248 rooms) in 2018. Openings included 150 hotels (16,993 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family, representing 64.4% of the region’s hotel openings.

87 hotels (11,603 rooms) were removed from the Americas System in 2019, demonstrating our continued commitment to quality, compared to 76 hotels (9,579 rooms) in 2018.

Americas pipeline

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                            2019     Change
               over 2018
                             2019     Change
               over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    5     5     422     422 
InterContinental    7     1     1,549     72 
Kimpton    21     5     3,459     1,124 
Crowne Plaza    5     (1    1,093     (170
Hotel Indigo    37     2     5,172     649 
EVEN Hotels    15     5     1,866     570 
Holiday Innb    98     (28    12,506     (3,546
Holiday Inn Express    448     (51    43,103     (4,517
avid hotels    206     35     18,853     3,042 
Staybridge Suites    162     (1    16,874     (28
Candlewood Suites    91     (11    8,186     (935
Atwell Suites    10     10     1,000     1,000 
Other    16     (6)     2,779     (1,103) 
Total    1,121     (35    116,862     (3,420
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    1,077     (38    109,986     (3,671
Managed    44     3     6,876     251 
Total    1,121     (35    116,862     (3,420

b

Includes three Holiday Inn Resort property (490 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations property (110 rooms), (2018: one Holiday Inn Resort property (165 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms)).

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

1,121

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

116,862

At 31 December 2019, the Americas pipeline totalled 1,121 hotels (116,862 rooms), representing a decrease of 35 hotels (3,420 rooms) over the prior year. Signings of 305 hotels (32,956 rooms) were behind last year by 111 hotels (9,810 rooms). The majority of 2019 signings were within our mainstream brands including the Holiday Inn Brand Family (117 hotels, 12,982 rooms), our extended stay brands, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites (61 hotels, 5,856 rooms) and avid hotels (53 hotels, 4,819 rooms), which continues to make good progress towards becoming IHG’s next brand of scale.

107 hotels (10,255 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2018 compared to 94 hotels (9,340 rooms) in 2018.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance65


Strategic Report

Performance continued

EMEAA

LOGO

“2019 was another year of strong growth for EMEAA, setting new records for hotel openings and signings through the expansion of both our established and newer brands in high-potential markets. Our agile business unit model continues to bring our teams closer to market and deliver benefits for guests and owners.”

Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

EMEAA revenue 2019($723m)

LOGO

EMEAA number of rooms(223,370)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on

previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2019)

Fee business
InterContinental1.5%
Crowne Plaza(0.6%)
Hotel Indigo1.5%
Holiday Inn(0.5%)
Holiday Inn Express1.2%
Staybridge Suites(3.9%)
All brands0.3%
Owned, leased and managed lease
InterContinental1.5%
Holiday Inn2.6%
All brands1.6%

Regional priorities

Accelerate levels of growth across both our core and newly expanded brand portfolio, with a focus on luxury, lifestyle and resorts and our new upscale brand voco.

Continue successful execution of our strategic plan in the UK and Germany, two economically mature markets where we are building on existing scale positions.

Further embed our EMEAA operating model, which is key to unlocking growth in some of the world’s most established and mature travel markets. Investment in General Manager talent programmes and recruitment.

Continue to embed Regent and Six Senses into a strengthened luxury offer in what is an important segment for EMEAA – home to 18 of the top 25 luxury travel destinations.

Continue toroll-out our Holiday Inn Open Lobby concept across Europe, as part of our strategic focus on improving guest satisfaction and owner returns through enhanced hotel designs.

Industry performance in 2019

Industry RevPAR in EMEAA increased by

2.0%, driven by 1.5% average daily rate growth. In Europe room demand grew 1.9% and average daily rate advanced 2.6%, resulting in RevPAR growth of 3.2%. UK industry RevPAR increased 0.4% driven by 0.8% average daily rate growth. UK room demand was up 2.0%, slower growth than last year due to Brexit concerns, while supply growth was up from last year at 2.4% growth. In Germany, industry RevPAR was up 1.2%, driven by 0.7% growth in average daily rate and a 3.1% increase in demand.

RevPAR declined 1.8% in the Middle East. Excluding Egypt, RevPAR declined 5.3% in the Middle East, as supply increased 6.1%. India saw RevPAR increase 4.1%.

Elsewhere in EMEAA, several major markets saw RevPAR declines in 2019, including Japan (0.2%), Australia (1.9%), and Thailand (5.9%), driven by occupancy declines.

Regional highlights

Achieved another year of strong growth, with net system size increasing 5.8% and a record 29.1k rooms signed, an 8.2%year-on-year increase. Holiday Inn Brand Family continues to be our engine of growth representing 45% of rooms openings.

Excellent response from owners for our new upscale brand voco, with 33 hotels (11.1k rooms) now open or signed within 18 months of the brand’s creation. Signed world’s largest voco (4.2k rooms) and opened first tower (1.9k rooms) in 2019; remainder in 2020.

Built great momentum for InterContinental, with 10 signings up 67% on the previous year and flagship openings in Lyon, Beppu, Maldives, Hayman Island and Phuket.

Relaunched flagship Crowne Plaza hotels in Paris and Hamburg.

Adoption of our Europe-wide Holiday Inn Open Lobby transformation programme by more than 90% of hotels.

IHG’s regional performance in 2019

EMEAA RevPAR grew 0.3%, driven by a 0.7ppt growth in occupancy. In the UK, where IHG has the largest regional presence, RevPAR increased 0.6%, led by growth in London of 2.5%. Germany achieved RevPAR growth of 2.2% driven by average daily rate and occupancy growth, whilst France declined by 0.7%, impacted by social unrest in Paris.

RevPAR in the Middle East declined 2.8%, due to increased supply. Excluding Egypt, RevPAR declined by 3.1%. India RevPAR grew 6.1% driven by average daily rate.

Japan RevPAR grew 1.2% driven by average daily rate whilst Australia RevPAR declined 1.2% due to oversupply in certain cities.

66IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


EMEAA continued

EMEAA results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                2019
$m
     2018
      Restated
$m
     

2019 vs
2018

      % change

     2017
        Restated
$m
     

2018 vs
2017

      % change

 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    337     320     5.3     294     8.8 
Owned, leased and managed lease    386     249     55.0     163     52.8 
Total    723     569     27.1     457     24.5 
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    202     202          167     21.0 
Owned, leased and managed lease    15     4     275.0     8     (50.0
     217     206     5.3     175     17.7 
Operating exceptional items    (109    (12    808.3     (4    200.0 
Operating profit    108     194     (44.3    171     13.5 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2019

Comprising 1,126 hotels (223,370 rooms) at the end of 2019, EMEAA represented 25% of the Group’s room count. Revenues are primarily generated from hotels in the UK and gateway cities in continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The largest portion of rooms in the UK and continental Europe are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our mainstream brands (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express). Similarly, in the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised, whereas, in the luxury market segment, the majority of InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under management agreements. The majority of hotels in markets outside of Europe are operated under the managed business model.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta increased by $154m (27.1%) to $723m and operating profit decreased by $86m (44.3%) to $108m, impacted by a $97m increase in operating exceptional items, whilst both included the benefit of $11m significant liquidated damages (2018: $7m). Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $11m (5.3%) to $217m. On an underlying basisb, revenue increased by $112m (20.5%), and underlying operating profit increased by $19m (9.8%), driven by increases in net rooms supply and the annualisation of the UK portfolio transaction, that completed in July 2018.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segment are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenueb increased by $17m (5.3%) to $337m, partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangec ($8m), whilst fee business operating profitb remained in line with 2018 at $202m, but was also impacted by adverse foreign exchangec ($6m). Comparable RevPAR increased by 0.3%, driven by gains in occupancy.

Owned, leased and managed lease revenueb increased by $137m (55.0%) to $386m, due to the annualisation of the UK portfolio transaction, that completed in July 2018, and was partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangec ($7m). Owned, leased and managed lease operating profitb increased by $11m to $15m, (foreign exchangec impact $nil), driven by solid trading conditions outside the UK for a number of hotels and benefiting from partial usage of the IFRS 16 lease liability for the German lease hotels. Trading conditions in the UK in the second half of the year resulted in $17m of rental guarantee lease payments being charged against the IFRS 16 lease liability.

For discussion of 2018 results, and the changes compared to 2017, prior to the restatements of those years in 2019 to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16, refer to the 2018 Annual Report and Form20-F.

The 2018 and 2017 results have been restated for IFRS 16 in the current year (see pages 146 to 149).

On a restated basis, operating profit increased by 13.5% from 2017 to 2018 (as previously reported: an increase of 13.8%).

a

EMEAA reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 55 to 59. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items with the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 214 to 216.

c

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2019.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance67


Strategic Report

Performance continued

EMEAA continued

EMEAA hotel and room count

             Hotels              Rooms 
At 31 December                       2019     Change
            over 2018
                        2019     Change
            over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    17     17     1,326     1,326 
Regent    3          771     2 
InterContinental    113     7     33,515     1,216 
Kimpton    4     2     920     312 
Crowne Plaza    186     4     46,411     152 
Hotel Indigo    41     6     4,439     691 
voco    12     10     4,293     3,762 
Holiday Inna    394     9     73,432     2,079 
Holiday Inn Express    324     20     46,454     2,722 
Staybridge Suites    17     2     2,389     204 
Other    15     (2    9,420     (195
Total    1,126     75     223,370     12,271 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    773     47     126,455     8,333 
Managed    334     25     92,801     3,597 
Owned, leased and managed lease    19     3     4,114     341 
Total    1,126     75     223,370     12,271 
Percentage of Group hotel and room count    19.1     0.3ppt     25.3     0.1ppt 

a

Includes 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,604 rooms), (2018: 16 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,391 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

1,126

Total number of rooms

223,370

During 2019, EMEAA System size increased by 75 hotels (12,271 rooms) to 1,126 hotels (223,370 rooms). 90 hotels (15,335 rooms) opened in EMEAA in 2019, compared to 77 hotels (15,283 rooms) in 2018.

15 hotels (3,064 rooms) left the EMEAA System in the period, compared to 17 hotels (3,260 rooms) in the previous year.

EMEAA pipeline

             Hotels              Rooms 
At 31 December                       2019     Change
            over 2018
                        2019     Change
            over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    17     17     1,179     1,179 
Regent    4     1     664     150 
InterContinental    31     2     7,507     588 
Kimpton    7          1,247     7 
Crowne Plaza    35     1     9,415     399 
Hotel Indigo    40          5,652     (109
EVEN Hotels         (1         (200
vocoa    17     9     6,220     4,710 
Holiday Innb    119     13     25,936     1,597 
Holiday Inn Express    112     (2    19,049     (105
avid hotels    1     1     215     215 
Staybridge Suites    20     1     3,860     (87
Other    1          162     19 
Total    404     42     81,106     8,363 
Analysed by ownership type            
Franchised    165     6     27,331     1,650 
Managed    238     36     53,620     6,713 
Owned, leased and managed lease    1          155      
Total    404     42     81,106     8,363 

a

Does not include three open hotels and one pipeline hotel that will bere-branded to voco.

b

Includes 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,662 rooms), (2018: 10 Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,353 rooms)).

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

404

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

81,106

The EMEAA pipeline totalled 404 hotels (81,106 rooms) at 31 December 2019, representing an increase of 42 hotels (8,363 rooms) over 31 December 2018. Signings of 160 hotels (29,125 rooms), represented an increase of 27 hotels (2,207 rooms) from the prior year.

28 hotels (5,427 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2019, compared to 13 hotels (2,250 rooms) in the previous year.

68IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Greater China

LOGO

“2019 marked IHG’s 35th anniversary of operating in Greater China with 800 opened and pipeline hotels. We continue our growth strategy focusing on quality and disciplined execution to build an ‘in China for China’ business, leveraging the benefit of IHG’s expertise and global scale.”

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Greater China revenue 2019($135m)

LOGO

Greater China number of rooms(135,546)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2019)

Fee business
InterContinental(4.6%) 
HUALUXE6.6
Crowne Plaza(4.9%) 
Hotel Indigo(8.1%) 
Holiday Inn(4.0%) 
Holiday Inn Express(4.7%) 
All brands(4.5%) 

Regional priorities

Align the region’s development plans with the China Government’s 5 and 10 year plans to build and accelerate long-term growth in key target markets.

Accelerate Franchise growth across our mainstream and upscale brands based on a solid franchise owner offer and performance support operating foundation.

Continuous improvement in our portfolio of 10 brands in improving guest preference, delivering local brand experiences and a focus on hotel performance and optimising our owners’ return on investment.

Strengthen our IHG Rewards Club programme with localised member benefits, strategic partnership programmes andmobile-led digital solutions through well-established local digital platforms.

Continue our investment in talent and learning to attract people to our industry throughwithin the IHG Academy, grow future leaders and build competencies required to support our future growth.

Industry performance in 2019

Industry RevPAR in Greater China declined by 4.9% due to both average daily rate and occupancy declines. The rate of supply growth reduced compared with 2018 but weaker demand growth drove occupancy declines for the first time since 2015. Tier 1 cities RevPAR declined 5.3% led by a decline in average daily rate. Tiers 2, 3 and 4 also saw RevPAR declines. Tier 4 saw the largest increase in demand (5.4%) while tier 1 saw the smallest (0.0%). Demand in Mainland China was dampened by trade disputes and a broader economic slowdown, whilst ongoing unrest resulted in Hong Kong SAR RevPAR declining 25.7%. Macau SAR RevPAR marginally declined, with modest gains in average daily rate.

Regional highlights

Opened our 400th hotel in Greater China, within-year milestones including our growth in Holiday Inn Express from 100 to 150 open hotels in just 18 months, opened our 100th Holiday Inn, and opened the first Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant in Asia Pacific, Kimpton Da’an Taipei.

Achieved record new hotel signings and openings, with over 800 open and pipeline hotels.

Announced the InterContinental Alliance with Sands Macao including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao and the soon to be launched Londoner Hotel.

Launched partnerships with China Southern and regional digital and distribution partners.

Launched next generation People strategy that supports accelerated growth, the franchise model, and digital and technology roadmaps.

Recognition as a “Best Employer” for the eighth year in succession.

IHG’s regional performance in 2019

IHG’s regional comparable RevPAR in Greater China decreased by 4.5% in 2019, driven by a 4.7% decline in average daily rate, significantly impacted by political unrest in Hong Kong SAR with RevPAR declining 27.1%.

Mainland China outperformed the industry, with RevPAR decreasing only 0.6%, due to lower corporate and meetings business. RevPAR declined in Macau SAR by 1.3%.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance69


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China continued

Greater China results

     12 months ended 31 December 
                  2019
$m
     2018
    Restated
$m
     2019 vs
2018
    % change
     2017
    Restated
$m
     2018 vs
2017
    % change
 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    135     143     (5.6    117     22.2 
Total    135     143     (5.6    117     22.2 
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    73     70     4.3     53     32.1 
Operating exceptional items         (1               
Operating profit    73     69     5.8     53     30.2 

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2019

Comprising 470 hotels (135,546 rooms) at 31 December 2019, Greater China represented approximately 15% ofSystem. As described within the Group’s room count. The majority of rooms in Greater China operate underaccounting policies (page 139), the managed business model.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $8m (5.6%) to $135m and operating profit increased by $4m (5.8%) to $73m, both impacted by a reduction in significant liquidated damages to $nil (2018: $6m). Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $3m (4.3%) to $73m. On an underlyingb basis, revenue increased by $3m (2.3%), and underlyingb operating profit increased by $10m (15.9%), driven by 17.5% net rooms growth and cost efficiencies partially offset by a 4.5% decline in comparable RevPAR, impacted by ongoing unrest in Hong Kong SAR.

For discussion of 2018 results, and the changes compared to 2017, prior to the restatements of those years in 2019 to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16, refer to the 2018 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

The 2018 and 2017 results have been restated for IFRS16 in the current year (see pages 146 to 149).

On a restated basis, operating profit increased by 30.2% from 2017 to 2018 (as previously reported: an increase of 30.8%).

a

Greater China reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for the fee business.

b

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 55 to 59. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items with the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 214 to 216.

70IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Greater China hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
At 31 December                2019     Change
          over 2018
                 2019     Change
          over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    1     1     122     122 
Regent    3          1,232     (4
InterContinental    48     1     19,570     341 
Kimpton    1     1     129     129 
HUALUXE    9     1     2,710     375 
Crowne Plaza    96     5     34,296     1,886 
Hotel Indigo    13     3     1,868     362 
Holiday Inna    107     15     31,176     3,169 
Holiday Inn Express    183     50     37,787     8,623 
Other    9     2     6,656     5,230 
Total    470     79     135,546     20,233 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    89     53     23,254     14,499 
Managed    381     26     112,292     5,734 
Total    470     79     135,546     20,233 
Percentage of Group hotel and room count    8.0     1.0ppt     15.3     1.5ppt 

a

Includes seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,895 rooms), (2018: six Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,726 rooms)).

Greater China pipeline

     Hotels     Rooms 
At 31 December                2019     Change
          over 2018
                 2019     Change
          over 2018
 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    3     3     169     169 
Regent    1     1     280     280 
InterContinental    27     2     7,962     563 
Kimpton    5     1     1,497     598 
HUALUXE    22     1     6,180     81 
Crowne Plaza    48     9     13,998     2,143 
Hotel Indigo    24     7     4,324     1,530 
EVEN Hotels    11     4     2,476     788 
Holiday Innb    58     2     14,467     (793
Holiday Inn Express    194     23     33,722     2,072 
Other         (1         (279
Total    393     52     85,075     7,152 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    169     45     29,324     7,319 
Managed    224     7     55,751     (167
Total    393     52     85,075     7,152 

b

Includes eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,183 rooms), (2018: eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,711 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

470

Total number of rooms

135,546

The Greater China System size increased by 79 hotels (20,233 rooms) in 2019 to 470 hotels (135,546 rooms). 88 hotels (23,764 rooms) opened, our highest ever and 11 hotels (4,952 rooms) higher than 2018. Recent growth in the region has focused on tier 2 and 3 cities, which now represent approximately 54% of our open rooms. 70 Holiday Inn Brand Family hotels (14,130 rooms) were added in the year, compared to 47 hotels (9,090 rooms) in 2018.

9 hotels (3,531 rooms) were removed in 2019 compared to 14 hotels (5,038 rooms) in 2018.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

393

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

85,075

At 31 December 2019, the Greater China pipeline totalled 393 hotels (85,075 rooms) compared to 341 hotels (77,923 rooms) at 31 December 2018. Signings (158 hotels, 35,673 rooms) were the highest ever, representing an increase of 22% (6,543 rooms) from the prior year. 108 hotels (18,667 rooms) were signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, including 76 franchised Holiday Inn Express hotels.

18 hotels (4,757 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2019, compared to 18 hotels (4,079 rooms) in 2018.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance71


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Central

Central results                                   
     12 months ended 31 December 
                  2019
$m
     2018
    Restated
$m
     2019
vs 2018
    % change
     2017
    Restated
$m
     2018
vs 2017
    % change
 
Revenue    185     170     8.8     157     8.3 
Gross costs    (310    (287    8.0     (259    10.8 
     (125    (117    6.8     (102    14.7 
Operating exceptional items    (15    (55    (72.7    (29    89.7 
Operating loss    (140    (172    (18.6    (131    31.3 

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2019

Net operating loss decreased by $32m (18.6%) compared to 2018, driven by a $40m (72.7%) decrease in operating exceptional items. Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, increased by $15m (8.8%) to $185m, driven by IHG System size growth (5.6%) and partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangea ($2m). Gross costs increased by $23m (8.0%), driven by reinvestment of a

substantial portion of growth investment funded by savings elsewhere in the business, also benefiting from the impact of $5m foreign exchangea.

Net operating loss before exceptional items increased by $8m (6.8%) to $125m, benefiting from the impact of $3m foreign exchangea, as an increase in central revenues was offset by continued investments in growth initiatives.

a

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average rates in 2019.

Other financial information

System Fund

The Group operates a System Fund is operated to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System and hotel loyalty programme, programme.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG Rewards Club. The Fund also receives proceeds from  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202047


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Revenue and operating profit measures continued

  Revenues related to the salereimbursement of loyalty points under third-partyco-branding arrangements. The Fundcosts – as described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 139), there is a cost equal to these revenues so there is no profit impact. Cost reimbursements are not applicable to all hotels and growth in these revenues is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, although anin-year surplus or deficit can arise. The Fund is managed for the benefitreflective of hotelsgrowth in the IHG System withperformance of the objectiveGroup. As such, management do not include these revenues in their analysis of driving revenues for the hotels.results.

In the year to 31 December 2019, System Fund revenue increased by $140m (11.4%) to $1,373m. The primary driver was a favourable adjustment relating to a change in the actuarial assumptions around the ultimate rate of consumption of IHG Rewards Club points (‘breakage’) leading to increased revenue recognition year-over-year. The increase innon-loyalty  revenue was driven by increased assessment fees and contributions from hotels, reflecting increased System size.

Reimbursement of costs

In the year to 31 December 2019, reimbursable revenue remained in line with 2018 at $1,171m.

Cost reimbursements revenue represents reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed and franchised properties and relates, predominantly, to payroll costs at

managed properties where we are the employer. As we record cost reimbursements based upon costs incurred with no added mark up, this revenue and related expenses has no impact on either our operating profit or net income.

Exceptional items

Pre-tax exceptional items – these are treated as exceptionalidentified by reasonvirtue of either their size, nature, or nature and are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share as well as otherNon-GAAP measures (see pages 55 to 59) in order to provide a more meaningful comparison of performanceincidence and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and restructuring costs (for more information see page 158).reorganisation costs. As each item is different in nature and scope, there will be little continuity in the detailed composition and size of the reported amounts which affect performance in successive periods. Separate disclosure of these amounts facilitates the understanding of performance including and excluding such items.

2019pre-tax exceptional items totalled a charge of $148m. The charge included: $28m relating to management’s best estimate of a settlementIn further discussing the Group’s performance in respect of revenue and operating profit, additional non-IFRS measures are used and explained further below:

  Underlying revenue;

  Underlying operating profit;

  Underlying fee revenue; and

  Fee margin.

Operating profit measures are, by their nature, before interest and tax. Management believes such measures are useful for investors and other stakeholders when comparing performance across different companies as interest and tax can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be highly dependent on a lawsuit filed againstcompany’s capital structure, debt levels and credit ratings. In addition, the Grouptax positions of companies can vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the various jurisdictions in which they operate.
Although management believes these measures are useful to investors and other stakeholders in assessing the Group’s ongoing financial performance and provide improved comparability between periods, there are limitations in their use as compared to measures of financial performance under IFRS. As such, they should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for IFRS measures. In addition, these measures may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the Americas region, together withmethods of calculation.

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

These measures adjust revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, respectively, to exclude revenue and operating profit generated by owned, leased and managed lease hotels which have been disposed, and significant liquidated damages, which are not comparable year-on-year and are not indicative of the costGroup’s ongoing profitability. The revenue and operating profit of an arbitration award made againstcurrent year acquisitions are also excluded as these obscure underlying business results and trends when comparing to the Groupprior year. In addition, in order to remove the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange, which would distort the comparability of the Group’s operating performance, prior year measures are restated at constant currency using current year exchange rates.

Management believes these are meaningful to investors and other stakeholders to better understand comparable year-on-year trading and enable assessment of the underlying trends in the EMEAA regionGroup’s financial performance.

Underlying fee revenue growth

LOGO

Underlying fee revenue is used to calculate underlying fee revenue growth. Underlying fee revenue is calculated on the same basis as underlying revenue as described above but for the fee business only.
Management believes underlying fee revenue is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as an indicator of IHG’s ability to grow the core fee-based business, aligned to IHG’s asset-light strategy.

48IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Measure

Commentary

Fee margin

LOGO

Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates and is a measure of the profit arising from fee revenue. Fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profit are calculated from the revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, as defined above, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the Group’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages.
In addition, fee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to match the expected claims over the longer term (see note 6page 138 to the Group Financial Statements); $20m, and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to better depict the profitability of the fee business.
Management believes fee margin is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as an indicator of the sustainable long-term growth in the profitability of IHG’s core fee-based business, as the scale of IHG’s operations increases with growth in IHG’s System size.

Adjusted interest

Financial income and financial

expenses as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted interest on page 216.

Adjusted interest is presented before exceptional items and excludes the following items of interest which are recorded within the System Fund:

  IHG records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to reorganisation coststhe IHG Rewards programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG.

  The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System.

As the Fund is included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses, reducing the Group’s effective interest cost. Given results related to the System Fund are excluded from adjusted measures used by management, these are excluded from adjusted interest and adjusted earnings per ordinary share (see below); $131m arising from impairment charges further discussed below,.

Management believes adjusted interest is a meaningful measure for investors and other stakeholders as it provides an indication of the comparable year-on-year expense associated with financing the business including the interest on any balance held on behalf of the System Fund.

Tax excluding the impact of which was partially offset by a corresponding fair value gain on contingent purchase considerationexceptional items and System Fund

A reconciliation of $38m,the tax charge as recorded in the Group Financial Statements to tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and $7m relating to acquisition and integration costs arising from the Group’s recent acquisitions.

Impairment

Impairment of $131m comprises a $50m impairment on the Kimpton management agreements and an $81m impairment relating to the UK portfolio, comprising $49m related to goodwill and $32m related toright-of-use assets (seeSystem Fund can be found in note 138 to the Group Financial Statements on page 158.

As outlined above, exceptional items can vary year-on-yearand, pages 139where subject to tax at a different rate than the Group as a whole, they can therefore impact the current year’s tax charge. The System Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term and 140 for further details). The impactis, in general, not subject to tax either.

Management believes removing these provides a better view of the impairment arisingGroup’s underlying tax rate on the UK portfolio is partially offset by the fair value gainordinary operations and aids comparability year-on-year, thus providing a more meaningful understanding of $38m, see note 25 to the Group Financial Statements.

Reorganisation costs

In September 2017, the Group launched a comprehensive efficiency programme funding a series of new strategic initiatives to drive an acceleration in IHG’s future growth. The programme is centred around strengthening the Group’s organisational structure to redeploy resources to leverage scale in the highest opportunity markets and segments.

The programme was completed in 2019. The programme is expected to realise c.$125m in annual savings by 2020, of which c.$75m will benefit the System Fund. These savings, primarily in administrative expenses, are planned to be reinvested as they are realised to accelerate medium-term revenue growth.

Costs incurred since 2017 to achieve these savings, including amounts charged to the System Fund, total $196m. The exceptional cost charged to the Group income statement in 2019 of $20m includes severance costs of $8m and consultancy fees of $6m.

72IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Performance continued

Other financial information

Net financial expenses

Net financial expenses, which were restated for IFRS 16, increased by $19m to $115m and adjusted interest, as reconciled on page 164, increased by $18m to $133m. The increase is primarily due to interest on the500m bond issued in November 2018, and related currency swaps.

Financial expenses included $63m (2018: $48m) of interest costs on the public bonds, which are fixed rate debt. Interest expense on lease liabilities was $41m (2018: $39m).

Fair value gains / losses on contingent purchase consideration

Contingent purchase consideration arose on the acquisitions of Regent, the UK portfolio and Six Senses (see note 25 to the Group Financial Statements). The net gain of $27m (2018: loss of $4m) comprises an exceptional gain of $38m in respect of the UK portfolio (see above), offset by a loss of $11m in respect of Regent. The total contingent purchase consideration liability at 31 December 2019 is $91m.

Taxation

The effective rate ofongoing tax on profit before exceptional items and System Fund was 24% (2018: 22%). Excluding the impact of prior year items, the equivalent tax rate would be 26% (2018: 24%). The effective rate is higher than the UK Corporation Tax rate of 19% (2018: 19%), due mainly to certain overseas profits (particularly in the US) being subject to statutory tax rates higher than the UK statutory rate, unrelieved foreign taxes and disallowable expenses.

Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $20m (2018: credit of $27m). This predominantly included a current tax credit of $4m on reorganisation costs, a $6m deferred tax credit in respect of future tax relief available on litigation costs and a $12m deferred tax credit in respect of impairment and adjustments to contingent purchase consideration (see above).

Net tax paid in 2019 totalled $141m (2018: $68m). The 2019 tax paid was more than 2018 principally due to material amounts of tax recovered in 2018.

IHG pursues an approach to tax that is consistent with its business strategy and its overall business conduct principles. The approach seeks to ensure full compliance with all tax filing, payment and reporting obligations on the basis of communicative and transparent relationships with tax authorities. Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee.

LOGO

The Group’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-businesscharge.

Tax liabilities or refunds may differ from those anticipated, in particular as a result of changes in tax law, changes in the interpretation of tax law, or clarification of uncertainties in the application of tax law. Procedures to minimise risk include the preparation of thorough tax risk assessments for all transactions carrying material tax risk and, where appropriate, material tax uncertainties are discussed and resolved with tax authorities in advance. As a result of its business profile as a hotel manager, and also as a residual legacy from prior acquisitions, IHG does have a small number of subsidiaries in jurisdictions commonly portrayed as tax havens. IHG manages such subsidiaries on a basis consistent with its business principles (for example, by making some foreign incorporated companies UK tax resident or by operating others so that local profits are commensurate with local activity).

IHG’s contribution to the jurisdictions in which it operates includes a significant contribution in the form of taxes borne and collected, including taxes on its revenues and profits and in respect of the employment its business generates. IHG earns over 70% of its revenues in the form of franchise, management or similar fees, with

over 80%of IHG-branded hotels being franchised. In jurisdictions in which IHG does franchise business, the prevailing tax law will generally provide for IHG to be taxed in the form of local withholding taxes based on a percentage of fees rather than based on profits. Costs to support the franchise business are normally incurred regionally or globally, and therefore profits for an individual franchise jurisdiction cannot be separately determined.

Dividends

The Board has proposed a final dividend per ordinary share of 85.9¢. With the interim dividend per ordinary share of 39.9¢, the full-year dividend per ordinary share for 2019 will total 125.8¢, an increase of 10% over 2018.

On 19 October 2018, the Group announced a $500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. The special dividend (262.1¢ per ordinary share) was paid on 29 January 2019.

IHG pays its dividends in pounds sterling and US dollars. The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 24 April 2020 using the average of the daily exchange rates for the three working days commencing 21 April 2020. See page 12 for details of IHG’s dividend policy.

EarningsAdjusted earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share increased by 14.5%as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to 210.4¢ from 183.7¢ in 2018 whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increasedin note 10 to the Group Financial Statements on page 163.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share adjusts the profit available for equity holders used in the calculation of basic earnings per share to remove System Fund revenue and expenses, the items of interest related to the System Fund as excluded in adjusted interest (above), change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration, exceptional items, and the related tax impacts of such adjustments.

Management believes that adjusted earnings per share is a meaningful measure for investors and other stakeholders as it provides a more comparable earnings per share measure aligned with how management monitors the business.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202049


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Net debt

Net debt is included in note 23 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net debt is used in the monitoring of the Group’s liquidity and capital structure and is used by 3.4%management in the calculation of the key ratios attached to 303.3¢the Group’s bank covenants and with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating (see page 14 for further discussion). Net debt is used by investors and other stakeholders to evaluate the financial strength of the business.
Net debt comprises loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

Adjusted EBITDA

Operating profit recorded in the

Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted EBITDA on page 216.

Adjusted EBITDA has been added as a measure in 2020 as it has become an increasingly useful measure to investors for comparing the performance of different companies.

Share priceOne of the key measures used by the Group in monitoring its debt and market capitalisationcapital structure is the net debt: adjusted EBITDA ratio, which is managed with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating. The Group has a stated aim of maintaining this ratio at 2.5-3.0x. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses, exceptional items and depreciation and amortisation.
Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and other stakeholders for comparing the performance of different companies as depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items are eliminated. It can also be used as an approximation of operational cash flow generation. This measure is relevant to the Group’s banking covenants, which have been waived until 31 December 2021. Details of covenant levels and performance against these is provided in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements. The leverage ratio uses a Covenant EBITDA measure which is calculated on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis, which excludes the effect of IFRS 16.

Gross capital expenditure, net capital expenditure, free cash flow

The reconciliation of the Group’s statement of cash flows (i.e. net cash from investing activities, net cash from operating activities, accordingly) to the non-IFRS capital expenditure and cash flow measures are included on pages 215 to 216.

These measures have limitations as they omit certain components of the overall cash flow statement. They are not intended to represent IHG’s residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, nor do they reflect the Group’s future capital commitments. These measures are used by many companies, but there can be differences in how each company defines the terms, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. Therefore, it is important to view these measures only as a complement to the Group statement of cash flows.

Gross capital expenditureGross capital expenditure represents the consolidated capital expenditure of IHG share price closed at £52.08 on 31 December 2019, upinclusive of System Fund capital investments (see page 15 for a description of System Fund capital investments and recent examples).
Gross capital expenditure is defined as net cash from £42.49 on 31 December 2018. The market capitalisationinvesting activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (key money). In order to demonstrate the capital outflow of the Group, cash flows arising from any disposals or distributions from associates and joint ventures are excluded. The measure also excludes any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions.
Gross capital expenditure is reported as either maintenance, recyclable, or System Fund. This disaggregation provides useful information as it enables users to distinguish between:

  System Fund capital investments which are strategic investments to drive growth at thehotel level;

year-end  was £9.5bn.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance73


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Liquidityrecyclable investments (such as investments in associates and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

In November 2018,joint ventures), which are intended to be recoverable in the Group issued a500m, 2.125% euro bond repayable in May 2027. The bond extendsmedium term and are to drive the maturity profilegrowth of the Group’s debt. Currency swaps were transacted atbrands and expansion in priority markets; and

  maintenance capital expenditure (including contract acquisition costs), which represents a permanent cash outflow.

Management believes gross capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates how the same timeGroup continues to invest in the bonds were issuedbusiness to drive growth. It also allows for comparison year-on-year.

50IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Measure

Commentary

Net capital expenditureNet capital expenditure provides an indicator of the capital intensity of IHG’s business model. Net capital expenditure is derived from net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (net of repayments) and to exclude any material investments made in orderacquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions. Net capital expenditure includes the inflows arising from any disposal receipts, or distributions from associates and joint ventures.
In addition, System Fund depreciation and amortisation relating to swapproperty, plant and equipment and intangible assets, respectively, is added back, reducing the proceedsoverall cash outflow. This reflects the way in which System Funded capital investments are recharged to the System Fund, over the life of the asset (see page 15).
Management believes net capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates the net capital investment by IHG, after taking into account capital recycling through asset disposal and interestthe funding of strategic investments by the System Fund. It provides investors and other stakeholders with visibility of the cash flows into pounds sterling. The currency swaps fix the bond debt at £436m, with interest payable semi-annually at a rate of 3.5%. This is in addition to £400m of public bonds which are repayableallocated to long-term investments to drive the Group’s strategy.

Free cash flow

LOGO

Free cash flow is net cash from operating activities adjusted for: (1) the inclusion of the cash outflow arising from the purchase of shares by employee share trusts reflecting the requirement to satisfy incentive schemes which are linked to operating performance; (2) the inclusion of maintenance capital expenditure (excluding contract acquisition costs); (3) the inclusion of the principal element of lease payments; and (4) the exclusion of payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within net cash from operating activities.
In 2016, free cash flow was also adjusted for the cash receipt arising from the renegotiation of a long-term partnership agreement.
Management believes free cash flow is a useful measure for investors and other stakeholders, as it represents the cash available to invest back into the business to drive future growth and pay the ordinary dividend, with any surplus being available for additional returns to shareholders.

LOGOThe performance review should be read in conjunction with the Non-GAAP
reconciliations on 28 November 2022, £300m repayablepages 212 to 218 and the Glossary on 14 August 2025pages 248 to 249.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and £350m repayable on 24 August 2026.Form 20-F 202051


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group

Group results

                             12 months ended 31 December 
                                   2020
$m
                                  2019
$m
                     2020 vs 2019
% change
                                  2018
$m
                     2019 vs 2018 
% change 
Revenuea                            
Americas    512     1,040     (50.8    1,051    (1.0)
EMEAA    221     723     (69.4    569    27.1 
Greater China    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Central    182     185     (1.6    170    8.8 
Revenue from reportable segments    992     2,083     (52.4    1,933    7.8 
System Fund revenues    765     1,373     (44.3    1,233    11.4 
Reimbursement of costs    637     1,171     (45.6    1,171    – 
Total revenue    2,394     4,627     (48.3    4,337    6.7 
Operating profita                            
Americas    296     700     (57.7    673    4.0 
EMEAA    (50    217     (123.0    206    5.3 
Greater China    35     73     (52.1    70    4.3 
Central    (62    (125    (50.4    (117   6.8 
Operating profit from reportable segments    219     865     (74.7    832    4.0 
System Fund result    (102    (49    108.2     (146   (66.4)
Operating profit before exceptional items    117     816     (85.7    686    19.0 
Operating exceptional items    (270)     (186    45.2     (104   78.8 
Operating (loss)/profit    (153)     630     (124.3    582    8.2 
Net financial expenses    (140)     (115    21.7     (96   19.8 
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration    13     27     (51.9    (4   (775.0)
(Loss)/profit before tax    (280)     542     (151.7    482    12.4 
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share                            
Basic    (142.9)¢     210.4¢     (167.9    183.7¢    14.5 
Adjustedb    31.3¢     303.3¢     (89.7    293.2¢    3.4 
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate    $1: £0.78     $1: £0.78          $1: £0.75    4.0 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2020

Covid-19 significantly impacted IHG’s financial performance in 2020, resulting in large RevPAR declines in all regions, commencing in the first quarter as governments across the globe successively imposed significant and wide-reaching restrictions on mobility between and within countries. The peak impact to the Group was witnessed at the beginning of the second quarter at the point where travel and movement restrictions were in place across much of the US and Europe, whilst domestic travel restrictions were starting to be lifted in China. Many hotels were temporarily closed during the height of the first wave of the pandemic with ~15% of IHG’s global estate shut by the end of April. Performance improved into the third quarter, driven by increases in domestic travel in countries that had lifted restrictions, including the US, where our performance has been ahead of

the industry. As Covid-19 cases rose through the fourth quarter, particularly in the US and Europe, varying levels of restrictions were reintroduced in several countries, resulting in a slowing in the pace of RevPAR recovery.

Overall, Group comparable RevPARc declined 25% in the first quarter, 75% in the second quarter, 53% in the third quarter, 53% in the fourth quarter and 53% in the full year, all compared to the prior year.

During the year ended 31 December 2020, total revenue decreased by $2,223m (48.3%) to $2,394m, whilst revenue from reportable segments decreased by $1,091m (52.4%) to $992m, due to the significant and wide-ranging impacts of Covid-19 on both fee revenue and revenues from owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Operating profit decreased by $783m (124.3%) to a loss of $153m and profit before tax decreased by $822m (151.7%) to a loss of $280m, driven predominantly by materially lower fee

revenues, significantly lower revenues in the owned, leased and managed lease estate, coupled with a $53m decrease the System Fund result to a $102m deficit, a $84m net increase in operating exceptional charges, and an increase in expected credit losses. These reductions in revenue and increases in charges were partially offset by rapid and decisive action by management to mitigate against the scale and speed of trading disruption through limiting discretionary spend, reducing salaries and incentives, and other targeted cost reductions. The $270m operating exceptional charge was driven principally by: $274m of impairment charges including $48m recognised in relation to trade deposits and loans, $53m recognised in relation to contract assets, $48m recognised in relation to acquired management agreements and $90m recognised in relation to property, plant and equipment, substantially all relating to owned and leased hotel assets. Additionally,

a

The Group is further financed by a $1.275bn revolving syndicated bank facility (the Syndicated Facility)Americas and a $75m revolving bilateral facility (the Bilateral Facility) which mature in March 2022, under which $125m was drawn at 31 December 2019 (31 December 2018: $nil). The SyndicatedEMEAA include revenue and Bilateral Facilities contain the same terms and two financial covenants: interest cover; and net debt divided by operating profit before exceptional items depreciationfrom both fee business and amortisationowned, leased and System Fundmanaged lease hotels. Greater China includes revenue and expenses. The Group is in compliance with all of the financial covenants in its loan documents, none of which are expected to present a material restriction on funding in the near future.operating profit before exceptional items from fee business.

b

The Group has started to reviewDefinitions for Non-GAAP revenue and plan for the expected discontinuation of LIBOR after 2021. The Group’s main exposure to LIBOR is the underlying reference rate in the Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities. The terms of this agreement will need to be renegotiated to address the discontinuation of LIBOR. The replacement of LIBOR with alternative reference rates is not expected to have a material impact on the group at this stage.

Additional funding is provided by other uncommitted bank facilities (see note 22 to the Group Financial Statements). In the Group’s opinion, the available facilities are sufficient for the Group’s present liquidity requirements.

Borrowings included bank overdrafts of $87m (2018: $104m), which were matched by an equivalent amount of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution, and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used forday-to-day cash management purposes and are managed daily as closely as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position, with the most significant balances in the US, and the matching overdrafts are held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

Net debt of $2,665m (2018: $1,965m restated) is analysed by currency as follows:

                2019
$m
     2018
    Restated
$m
 
Borrowings            
Sterling*    2,022     1,956 
US dollar    721     620 
Euros    44     37 
Other    73     56 
Cash and cash equivalents            
Sterling    (25    (479
US dollar    (91    (91
Euros    (13    (23
Canadian dollar    (7    (12
Chinese renminbi    (17    (58
Other    (42    (41
Net debt    2,665     1,965 
Average debt level    2,720     2,174 

*

Including the impact of currency swaps.

Cash and cash equivalents include $16m (2018: $2m) that is not available for use by the Group due to local exchange controls.

Information on the maturity profile and interest structure of borrowings is included in notes 22 and 24 to the Group Financial Statements.

Information on the Group’s approach to allocation of capital resourcesoperating profit measures can be found on pages 12 and 13.

The47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group had net liabilities of $1,465m at 31 December 2019, (2018: $1,131m restated).

Cash from operating activities

Net cash from operating activities totalled $653m for the year ended 31 December 2019, a decrease of $56m on the previous year, reflecting an increase of $75m in tax paid.

Cash flow from operations is the principal source of cash used to fund the ongoing operating expenses, interest payments, maintenance capital expenditure and normal dividend payments of the Group. The Group believes that the requirements of its existing business and future investmentFinancial Statements can be met from cash generated internally, dispositionfound on pages 212 to 215.

c

Comparable RevPAR includes the adverse impact of assets,hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

52IHG  |  Annual Report and external finance expected to be available to it.

Cash from investing activities

Net cash outflows from investing activities increased by $296m to $493m, primarily reflecting the acquisition of Six Senses. Other movements in investing activities include property, plant and equipment refurbishment works involved inre-branding the UK portfolio hotels in 2019.

The Group had committed contractual capital expenditure of $197m at 31 December 2019, (2018: $137m restated), including $3m of commitments for leases.

74IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019Form 20-F 2020



a $52m credit was recognised in related to the derecognition or termination of certain leases. Detail of impairments is described in note 6 of the Group Financial Statements and on pages 135 to 137.

Operating profit from reportable segments decreased by $646m (74.7%) to $219m.

Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit decreased by $1,071m (52.0%) and $635m (74.7%) respectively.

IHG System size increased by 0.3% to 886,036 rooms, increasing by 2.2% excluding the impact of the exit of hotels associated with the SVC portfolio, whilst underlying fee revenuea decreased by 45.0%.

Fee margina decreased by 20.0 percentage points to 34.1%, impacted by the significant reduction in fee revenue driven by Covid-19, partially offset by targeted cost reductions.

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by (167.9)% to a loss per ordinary share of (142.9)¢, whilst adjusteda earnings per ordinary share decreased by 89.7% to 31.3¢.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

Accounting principles

The Group results are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The application of IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions, and those considered critical to the preparation of the Group results are set out on pages 134 to 137 of the Group Financial Statements.

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. For comparability of the periods presented, some of the performance indicators in this performance review are calculated after eliminating these exceptional items. An analysis of exceptional items is included in note 6 on page 154 of the Group Financial Statements.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System

     12 months ended 31 December 
    

 

 

 

                2020

$bn

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

                2019

$bn

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

%

           change

 

 

b 

Analysed by brand                         
InterContinental    2.0      5.1      (60.2
Kimpton    0.4      1.4      (71.2
HUALUXE    0.1      0.1      5.3 
Crowne Plaza    1.8      4.3     ��(57.3
Hotel Indigo    0.3      0.6      (56.9
EVEN Hotels    0.0      0.1      (66.8
Holiday Inn    2.8      6.3      (55.0
Holiday Inn Express    4.2      7.3      (42.4
Staybridge Suites    0.7      1.0      (32.8
Candlewood Suites    0.7      0.9      (22.3
Other    0.5      0.8      (41.1
Total    13.5      27.9      (51.5
Analysed by ownership type                    
Fee business    13.3      27.3      (51.1
Owned, leased and managed lease    0.2      0.6      (70.6
Total    13.5      27.9      (51.5

b  Year-on-year percentage movement calculated from source figures, to provide better illustration of relative impact of Covid-19 on brands and on fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System decreased by 51.5% (51.4% decrease at constant currency) to $13.5bn, due to the significant RevPAR decline of 52.5% driven by the global impact of Covid-19.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202053


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group continued

Group hotel and room count

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December                 2020          over 2019                 2020          over 2019 
Analysed by brand                               
Six Senses     16      (2    1,129      (319
Regent     7      1     2,190      187 
InterContinental     205      (7    69,941      (1,040
Kimpton     73      7     13,085      39 
HUALUXE     12      3     3,433      723 
Crowne Plaza     429      (2    118,879      (1,703
Hotel Indigo     125      7     15,604      1,030 
EVEN Hotels     16      3     2,410      461 
voco     18      6     5,077      784 
Holiday Inna     1,276      (8    236,554      (3,340
Holiday Inn Express     2,966      91     309,487      10,253 
avid hotels     24      17     2,156      1,521 
Staybridge Suites     303      3     32,895      262 
Candlewood Suites     366      (44    32,435      (5,897
Otherb     128      (14    40,761      (488
Total     5,964      61     886,036      2,473 
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     5,005      135     627,348      12,374 
Managed     936      (71    253,288      (8,965
Owned, leased and managed lease     23      (3    5,400      (936
Total     5,964      61     886,036      2,473 

During 2020, the global IHG System (the number of hotels and rooms which are franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease) increased by 61 hotels (2,473 rooms) to 5,964 hotels (886,036 rooms).

Openings of 285 hotels (39,392 rooms) was 30.7% lower than in 2019, impacted by large periods of restriction on non-essential activity in major markets. Openings in the Americas included 96 hotels (8,945 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family. 61 hotels (11,288 rooms) were opened in EMEAA in 2020, with the Greater China region also

contributing openings of 57 hotels (11,358 rooms). 224 hotels (36,919 rooms) left the IHG System in 2020, of which 102 hotels (16,655 rooms) related to SVC and 13 hotels (2,118 rooms) related to a portfolio of hotels in Germany. This compared to 111 hotels (18,198 rooms) that left the IHG System in 2019.

a

Includes 47 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,446 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,679 rooms), (2019: 46 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,502 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms)).

b

Includes three open hotels that will be re-branded to voco.

Total number of hotels

5,964

Total number of rooms

886,036

54IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020




Group pipeline

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December                 2020        over 2019                 2020          over 2019 
Analysed by brand                               
Six Senses     31      6     2,239      469 
Regent     6      1     1,535      591 
InterContinental     69      4     17,774      756 
Kimpton     32      (1    6,265      62 
HUALUXE     25      3     6,907      727 
Crowne Plaza     89      1     24,228      (278
Hotel Indigo     104      3     15,704      556 
EVEN Hotels     31      5     5,046      704 
voco     29      12     8,179      1,959 
Holiday Inna     262      (13    51,163      (1,746
Holiday Inn Express     683      (71    87,152      (8,722
avid hotels     192      (15    17,526      (1,542
Staybridge Suites     155      (27    17,490      (3,244
Candlewood Suites     73      (18    6,369      (1,817
Atwell Suites     19      9     1,849      849 
Otherb     15      (2    2,631      (310
Total     1,815      (103    272,057      (10,986
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     1,310      (101    159,068      (7,573
Managed     504      (2    112,834      (3,413
Owned, leased and managed lease     1           155       
Total     1,815      (103    272,057      (10,986

At the end of 2020, the global pipeline totalled 1,815 hotels (272,057 rooms), a decrease of 103 hotels (10,986 rooms) on 31 December 2019. The IHG pipeline represents hotels where a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid.

Group signings decreased from 623 hotels in 2019 to 360 hotels and rooms decreased from 97,754 rooms to 56,146 rooms, as movement restrictions, enforced hotel closures and the shock to the global economy caused by Covid-19 reduced the pace of signings across the hospitality industry. Signings in 2020 included 180

hotels (26,600 rooms) signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, over half of which were contributed by Greater China (94 hotels, 16,692 rooms). Conversions represented 25.2% of Group signings in 2020.

Active management of the pipeline to remove deals that have become dormant or no longer viable reduced the pipeline by 178 hotels (27,740 rooms), compared to 153 hotels (20,439 rooms) in 2019.

a

Includes 34 Holiday Inn Resort properties (7,251 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms), (2019: 29 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,335 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (110 rooms)).

b

Includes one hotel to be branded as a voco.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

1,815

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

272,057

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202055


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Regional review

The performance, plans and priorities of each of our regions have been impacted to a different extent by Covid-19, in terms of both the length and severity of disruption.

IHG’s response was shaped by our purpose of True Hospitality for Good, with each region implementing the IHG Clean Promise and developing policies, operating procedures, brand standards and training programmes to protect the health and safety of guests and colleagues. In each region, plans were developed to support owners to reduce costs and protect cash flow by relaxing brand standards, temporarily reducing fees and helping owners meet the challenge of closing and reopening hotels safely. At the same time, each region developed commercial and operational plans to support their recovery to benefit all stakeholders. These measures continue into 2021 regional priorities, with a focus on customer centricity, maximising owner returns by making sustainable savings in hotel operating costs and driving improved guest satisfaction through quality improvements. The information set out below describes each region’s delivery against our strategic priorities and measures taken to respond to Covid-19, the following pages describe each region’s 2020 performance.

2020 review

Americas

 Ensured hotels were delivering on Covid-19 health and safety measures and the IHG Clean Promise by developing a virtual process to monitor compliance to our new standards; audited over 4,000 hotels in the region in a few short months.

 Worked with the highest levels of the US government to advocate for small business funding and assisted our owners with resources to apply for federal funds.

 Assisted communities by partnering with #FirstRespondersFirst and donated 50 million IHG Rewards points to provide free accommodation at hotels across the United States for frontline Covid-19 first responders.

 Captured domestic travel demand and achieved strong share gains across our brands in the midscale segments, which demonstrated resilience during the crisis.

 Strengthened the overall portfolio with 137 new signings and 167 openings driven by Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, and our Suites brands.

 Achieved several brand milestones with the opening of the first voco in the Americas (New York City), first avid in Mexico, and first Kimpton in Mexico.

EMEAA

 Supported hotel owners and colleagues throughout Covid-19, focusing on the health and safety of our hotel colleagues and providing cost management solutions for our owners.

 EMEAA’s operating model continued to unlock high-value growth opportunities, opening 61 hotels and signing 82. Highlights included the expansion of Kimpton to eight open hotels, voco to 16 and Hotel Indigo to 46, as well as eight InterContinental signings. The total EMEAA estate reached 1,149 hotels with 389 in the pipeline.

 Continued focus on delivering operations efficiency for our owners, simplifying brand standards, reducing procurement costs, and continuously strengthening our approach to commercial and operational hotel support.

 Built great momentum behind critical guest experience initiatives, with a focus on quality, service and cleanliness (IHG Way of Clean programme), resulting in increased Guest Love scores across EMEAA.

 Engaged and supported employees through a wide range of pan-regional initiatives focused on mental and physical wellbeing; continued to develop and prioritise our diversity and inclusion agenda.

Greater China

 Responding to the outbreak of Covid-19, we successfully implemented the IHG Clean Promise measured through improvements in guest satisfaction scores, and developed data driven commercial and operational plans to drive business recovery.

 Achieved brand milestones with opening of our 100th franchise hotel, 200th Holiday Inn Express, 100th Crowne Plaza, 50th InterContinental and launch of EVEN and voco brands.

 Strengthened market presence of IHG brand portfolio in Greater China, with 141 signings and 57 openings, including many iconic properties in key markets such as the Regent Shanghai Pudong, InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City, voco Hangzhou Binjiang Minghao and Hualuxe Shanghai Twelve at Hengshan.

 Launched mobile booking and payment solutions, a corporate travel portal and an industry first tri-party credit card.

 Developed and implemented a Franchise Performance Support platform that delivers owner and hotel solutions, focused on driving operating performance with revenue tools and support.

 Received the Magnolia Award in recognition of IHG’s contribution to Shanghai’s development and international cooperation.

56IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

Staybridge, Washington DC, US  Hotel Indigo, Bath, UK            Holiday Inn Express, Macau City
            Centre, Macau SAR

2021 priorities

Americas

 Continue to lead our hotels through recovery to capture share from industries that are seeing increased demand including construction, engineering, technology, communications, education and medical services.

 Build on the momentum of our most recent brand launches and targeted transformations:

–  continue the growth of avid hotels, Atwell Suites and EVEN Hotels;

–  expand voco to capture the opportunity of increased hotel conversions in the coming years;

–  sustain focus on quality and consistency of estate, including established brands Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza; and

–  expand our luxury and lifestyle footprint and open our first Six Senses in the region.

 Maximise owner returns by identifying opportunities for efficiencies in hotel construction and operations.

 Expand contactless check-in and check-out, and explore additional technology solutions to improve the guest experience.

 Strengthen our focus on diversity and inclusion by increasing representation of ethnically diverse employees, rolling out mandatory unconscious bias training, and enhancing our partnerships in the community.

EMEAA

 Continue to support our owners, guests and colleagues through Covid-19 recovery, focused on driving domestic demand, generating best-in-class returns for our owners and developing capabilities within our teams.

 Execute and deliver the EMEAA growth strategy, expanding our market-leading, loved and trusted brands with a continued focus on quality and guest satisfaction.

 Continue to maximise owner returns on investment across EMEAA by focusing on labour efficiency, energy, procurement, technology and brand standards.

 Deliver value throughout the region with the execution of an innovative digital strategy which utilises the data, insights, technology and platforms required to make us attractive to guests and drive performance for owners.

 Refresh our talent management process to ensure we attract the best talent into critical roles throughout EMEAA, whilst ensuring our region is more diverse, inclusive and supportive for everyone.

 Extend leadership pipeline to support growth and our future state operating model, including strengthening at the hotel level (General Manager and hotel Senior Leadership teams).

Greater China

 Deploy and deliver the Greater China Covid-19 recovery plan, focusing on providing a safe and clean environment for our guests and communities and generating best-in-class returns for our owners.

 Continue to execute the growth strategy across midscale segments and penetrate fast growing cities and leisure destinations in South and East China.

 Deliver the Greater China digital strategy, focused on mobile digital solutions across the end-to-end guest journey.

 Scale our franchise model, strengthen owner and hotel support that delivers customised brand learning and certification programmes, revenue dashboards and insights, and proactive deployment support.

 Adapt our owner offer across the hotel lifecycle in response to changing market dynamics and owner needs.

 Continue to strengthen IHG Rewards programme through strategic partner alliances and market relevant membership benefits that drive loyalty contribution.

 Continue our talent development momentum to support growth.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202057


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas

LOGO

“During the most challenging time in our industry’s history we are focused on the health and safety of our guests and colleagues, and supporting our owners. We’ve continued to see confidence in our established brands and maintained the momentum of our newest brands, avid® hotels and Atwell Suites, as well as introducing the voco brand to the Americas.”

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Americas revenue 2020 ($512m)

LOGO

Americas number of rooms (514,012)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business
InterContinental(71.0%)
Kimpton(69.7%)
Crowne Plaza(65.1%)
Hotel Indigo(57.0%)
EVEN Hotels(74.2%)
Holiday Inn(52.0%)
Holiday Inn Express(41.6%)
Staybridge Suites(36.0%)
Candlewood Suites(23.0%)
All brands(48.5%)
Owned, leased and managed lease
EVEN Hotels(62.0%)
Holiday Inn(62.2%)
All brands(62.1%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in the Americas declined by 51.5%, driven by a 25.3 percentage point (ppt) decline in occupancy coupled with a 20.6% decline in average daily rate. Occupancy was impacted to an unprecedented extent by Covid-19, falling to a record low in April, as most international travel halted, and countries introduced varying levels of domestic restrictions. Room demand fell by 38.1%, whilst supply growth slowed to 1.3% as some projects were delayed or cancelled.

US lodging industry room demand declined by 35.7% in 2020, whilst supply growth slowed to 1.4%, the lowest in four years. US industry RevPAR declined by 50.1% in 2020, driven by a 24.1ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 21.3% decline in average daily rate. The impact of Covid-19 was felt most strongly in the luxury and upper upscale segments, which declined 67.2% and 67.5% respectively, due to a greater distribution in urban markets and a greater reliance on corporate and group business. The US upper midscale chain scale, where the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands operate, was more resilient to the impact of Covid-19, declining by 43.8%.

In Canada, industry RevPAR declined by 62.6%, driven by a 33.8ppt occupancy decline, and a 21.5% decline in average daily rate. In Mexico, RevPAR declined by 57.1%, led by a 33.6ppt occupancy decline and a 4.6% decline in average daily rate.

Holiday Inn Cheshire –

Southington, US

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in the Americas declined by 48.5%, driven by a 26.5ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.2% decline in average daily rate. The region is predominantly represented by the US, where comparable RevPAR declined by 46.9%, a lower rate of decline than the industry. In the US, we are most represented by our upper midscale brands Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. US RevPAR for the Holiday Inn Express brand declined by 40.3%, whilst the Holiday Inn brand declined by 50.0%.

Canada RevPAR declined by 62.2%, whilst Mexico RevPAR declined by 57.2%, led by occupancy declines.

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58IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Americas results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

          2020

$m

     

            2019

$m

     2020 vs
2019
    % change
     

          2018

$m

     

2019 vs 

2018 
    % change 

Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    457     853     (46.4    853    –  
Owned, leased and managed lease    55     187     (70.6    198    (5.6)
Total    512     1,040     (50.8    1,051    (1.0)
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    323     663     (51.3    638    3.9 
Owned, leased and managed lease    (27    37     (173.0    35    5.7 
     296     700     (57.7    673    4.0 
Operating exceptional items    (118    (62    90.3     (36   72.2 
Operating profit    178     638     (72.1    637    0.2 

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

With 4,298 hotels (514,012 rooms), the Americas represents 58% of the Group’s room count. The key profit-generating region is the US, although the Group is also represented in Latin America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 92% of rooms in the region are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our brands in the midscale segments (including the Holiday Inn Brand Family). In the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised whereas, in the luxury market segment, InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under both franchise and management agreements, whilst Kimpton is predominantly managed. 12 of the Group’s 16 hotel brands are represented in the Americas.

Following solid trading in the first two months of 2020, Covid-19 rapidly impacted the Americas region from March leading to sharp declines in RevPAR across the region. Occupancy levels dropped to historic lows in April, as physical distancing and travel restrictions came into effect across the region, with ~10% of hotels closed in the US by the end of April. In the US, occupancyb was ~20% at the lowest point.

As the second quarter progressed and restrictions began to be lifted, the beginnings of a recovery were seen in both RevPAR and occupancy. By the end of June the majority of hotels had reopened with just ~3% of US hotels closed and occupancyb in the US of ~42%. The initial recovery continued into the third quarter, led by the US franchised estate, which benefits from a weighting towards hotels in the midscale segments. Those hotels derive the majority

of their business from domestic demand and have a lower reliance on large group business and higher distribution in non-urban markets. The recovery continued into the fourth quarter at a slower pace, as a resurgence in Covid-19 cases led to the reinstatement of restrictions in a number of locations across the US. By the end of the year only ~1% of hotels were closed in the US.

Comparable RevPARb in the Americas declined 19% in the first quarter of 2020, 71% in the second quarter, 50% in the third quarter and 50% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 49% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $528m (50.8%) to $512m, driven by the impacts of Covid-19. Operating profit decreased by $460m (72.1%) to $178m, driven by the reduction in revenue, and a $56m net increase in operating exceptional charges, partially offset by cost saving measures. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $404m (57.7%) to $296m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue decreased by $523m (50.5%), whilst underlyingc operating profit decreased by $400m (57.5%).

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segmenta are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenuec decreased by $396m (46.4%) to $457m, driven by the significant impact of Covid-19 from March onwards on RevPAR and consequently fee revenues, including an $8m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees, and was also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($5m). Fee business operating profitc decreased by $340m

(51.3%) to $323m, due to reductions in fee revenue and an increase in expected credit losses, partially offset by cost savings commencing in the second quarter. Fee business operating profitc also benefited from a $4m favourable litigation settlement relating to one hotel, and the recognition of an $8m payroll tax credit, and was also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($4m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenuec decreased by $132m (70.6%) to $55m, as the majority of hotels were closed during much of the second quarter, whilst owned, leased and managed lease operating profitc decreased by $64m (173.0%) to a loss of $27m, driven by the impact of lower occupancy and closures, partially offset by the implementation of cost savings and the benefit of $4m business interruption insurance at one hotel. There was no material impact of foreign exchanged on either revenue or operating profit.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Americas reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2020.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202059


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas continued

Americas hotel and room count

      Hotels     Rooms 
At 31 December             2020      Change
over 2019
     2020      Change
over 2019
 
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental         46          (5        16,789          (1,107
Kimpton     64      3     11,097      (900
Crowne Plaza     136      (13    35,405      (4,470
Hotel Indigo     67      3     8,793      526 
EVEN Hotels     15      2     2,239      290 
voco     1      1     49      49 
Holiday Inna     766      (17    130,942      (4,344
Holiday Inn Express     2,425      57     220,342      5,349 
avid hotels     24      17     2,156      1,521 
Staybridge Suites     285      2     30,057      (187
Candlewood Suites     366      (44    32,435      (5,897
Otherb     103      (15    23,708      (1,465
Total     4,298      (9    514,012      (10,635
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     4,105      97     471,802      6,537 
Managed     187      (105    40,391      (16,769
Owned, leased and managed lease     6      (1    1,819      (403
Total     4,298      (9    514,012      (10,635

a

Includes 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,679 rooms), (2019: 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms)).

b

Includes one open hotel that will be re-branded to voco.

Americas pipeline

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December             2020      over 2019     2020      over 2019 
Analysed by brand                           
Six Senses     7      2     519      97 
InterContinental         7          –           1,724          175 
Kimpton     20      (1    3,483      24 
Crowne Plaza     6      1     1,250      157 
Hotel Indigo     31      (6    4,155      (1,017
EVEN Hotels     16      1     1,975      109 
Holiday Innc     80      (18    10,446      (2,060
Holiday Inn Express     386      (62    37,355      (5,748
avid hotels     191      (15    17,311      (1,542
Staybridge Suites     135      (27    14,061      (2,813
Candlewood Suites     73      (18    6,369      (1,817
Atwell Suites     19      9     1,849      849 
Other     13      (3    1,986      (793
Total     986      (135    102,757      (14,105
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     944      (133    96,528      (13,458
Managed     42      (2    6,229      (647
Total     986      (135    102,757      (14,105

c

Includes three Holiday Inn Resort properties (490 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms), (2019: three Holiday Inn Resort properties (490 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations property (110 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

4,298

Total number of rooms

514,012

Americas System size decreased by nine hotels (10,635 rooms) to 4,298 hotels (514,012 rooms) during 2020. 167 hotels (16,476 rooms) opened in the year, compared to 233 hotels (26,121 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 resulted in periods of restriction on activities that temporarily slowed the pace of construction in some locations. Openings included 96 hotels (8,945 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family, representing 57.5% of the region’s hotel openings.

176 hotels (27,381 rooms) were removed from the Americas System in 2020, of which 102 hotels (16,655 rooms) related to SVC, driving the increase compared to 2019, when 87 hotels (11,603 rooms) were removed.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

986

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

102,757

At 31 December 2020, the Americas pipeline totalled 986 hotels (102,757 rooms), representing a decrease of 135 hotels (14,105 rooms) over the prior year. Signings of 137 hotels (14,039 rooms) were behind last year by 168 hotels (18,917 rooms), as the economic uncertainty and restrictions on movement due to Covid-19 temporarily impacted investment into the broader hospitality industry. The majority of 2020 signings were within our midscale and upper midscale brands including the Holiday Inn Brand Family (60 hotels, 6,229 rooms), our Suites brands, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Atwell Suites, (31 hotels, 2,777 rooms) and avid hotels (19 hotels, 1,651 rooms), which continues to make good progress towards becoming IHG’s next brand of scale.

105 hotels (11,398 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020 compared to 107 hotels (10,255 rooms) in 2019.

60IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



EMEAA

LOGO                                 

“In EMEAA, the impact of Covid-19 was profound. With domestic restrictions and international borders closed, we focused on what we could control – growing our estate and strengthening brands, protecting our guests and colleagues, supporting owners, and positioning IHG® Hotels & Resorts in the best way possible.”

Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

EMEAA revenue 2020 ($221m)

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EMEAA number of rooms (227,849)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business

InterContinental

(64.8%)

Crowne Plaza

(64.5%)

Hotel Indigo

(73.7%)

Holiday Inn

(64.3%)

Holiday Inn Express

(64.5%)

Staybridge Suites

(46.6%)

All brands

(64.6%)

Owned, leased and managed lease

InterContinental

(66.7%)

All brands

(74.2%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in EMEAA declined by 64.8%, as Covid-19 drove a 41.1ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.4% decline in average daily rate. Many major conferences and events were cancelled or postponed, including the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament, set to be held in destinations across Europe, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Domestic leisure travel became the main driver of demand in periods where restrictions were lifted. In Europe occupancy declined by 45.0ppts and average daily rate declined by 16.6%, resulting in a RevPAR decline of 69.0% as the majority of countries introduced tough restrictions on international and domestic travel from March, lasting several months in many instances. UK industry RevPAR declined 68.6%, driven by a 46.2ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 21.5% decline in average daily rate. UK room demand was down 59.8%, as much of the year was impacted by national or local tiered movement restrictions and quarantine restrictions on inbound travellers. UK supply growth slowed to 0.6%, the lowest in six years. In Germany, industry RevPAR declined 64.4%, driven by a 42.8ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 11.0% decline in average daily rate. France saw RevPAR decline by 68.4%.

RevPAR declined 49.7% in the Middle East, driven by a 25.9ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.8% decline in average daily rate, as restrictions had a heavy impact on inbound travel. India saw RevPAR decline 63.0%.

Elsewhere in EMEAA, all major markets saw RevPAR declines in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including Japan (61.6%), Australia (49.6%), and Thailand (70.3%), driven by large declines in occupancy.

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

EMEAA RevPAR declined 64.8%, driven by a 41.9ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 18.4% decline in average daily rate. In the UK, where IHG has the largest regional presence, RevPAR declined by 65.2%, led by a decline in London of 74.1%, as inbound international travel was limited for much of the year. Germany saw a RevPAR decline of 70.5% as occupancy declined 47.2ppts whilst average daily rate declined 13.3%. France declined by 70.7%.

RevPAR in the Middle East declined 53.4%, due to the impact of Covid-19. India RevPAR declined by 59.3% driven by occupancy.

Japan RevPAR declined by 62.0%, Australia RevPAR declined by 55.5%, and Thailand RevPAR declined by 70.2%, all due to occupancy declines following Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Kimpton Shinjuku, Tokyo

LOGO

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202061


Strategic Report

Performance continued

EMEAA

EMEAA results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

          2020

$m

     

            2019

$m

     2020 vs
2019
    % change
     

          2018

$m

     

2019 vs 

2018 
    % change 

Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    107     337     (68.2    320    5.3 
Owned, leased and managed lease    114     386     (70.5    249    55.0 
Total    221     723     (69.4    569    27.1 
Operating (loss)/profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    (18    202     (108.9    202    –  
Owned, leased and managed lease    (32    15     (313.3    4    275.0 
     (50    217     (123.0    206    5.3 
Operating exceptional items    (128    (109    17.4     (12   808.3 
Operating (loss)/profit    (178    108     (264.8    194    (44.3)

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

Comprising 1,149 hotels (227,849 rooms) at the end of 2020, EMEAA represented 26% of the Group’s room count. Revenues are primarily generated from hotels in the UK and gateway cities in continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The largest proportion of rooms in the UK and continental Europe are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our upper midscale brands (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express). Similarly, in the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised, whereas, in the luxury market segment, the majority of InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under management agreements. The majority of hotels in markets outside of Europe are operated under the managed business model.

Covid-19 impacted EMEAA from the second half of February onwards as government-mandated international and domestic travel restrictions progressed across the region, resulting in a significant drop in RevPAR in the first quarter and culminating in ~50% of IHG’s hotels in the region being closed by April, with occupancyb dropping to ~11% in the month. Restrictions remained in place through much of the second quarter, severely impacting travel, particularly in Europe. The rate of RevPAR decline improved in the third quarter as government-mandated closures and travel restrictions were partially eased, with demand largely leisure-related. Demand began to weaken again in September and the fourth quarter was further impacted by the reinstatement of restrictions in many countries following a second wave of Covid-19 cases building through the autumn. By the end of the year ~80% of hotels were open across EMEAA.

Comparable RevPARb declined 26% in the first quarter, 88% in the second quarter, 70% in the third quarter and 71% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 65% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $502m (69.4%) to $221m as the impact of Covid-19 resulted in a significant reduction in fees as well as temporary closure of many owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Operating profit decreased by $286m (264.8%) to an operating loss of $178m, driven by the reduction in revenue and a $19m net increase in operating exceptional charges, partially offset by planned cost saving measures. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $267m (123.0%) to a loss of $50m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue decreased by $486m (69.0%) and underlyingc operating profit decreased by $260m (126.2%) to a loss of $54m.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segmenta are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenuec decreased by $230m (68.2%) to $107m, driven by the significant impact of Covid-19 on RevPAR and consequently fee revenues, including a $76m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees. There was no material impact of foreign exchanged. Fee business operating profitc decreased by $220m (108.9%) to an operating loss of $18m, driven by lower fee revenue and an increase in expected credit losses, partially offset by cost savings commencing in the second quarter, and partly benefiting from the impact of foreign exchanged ($1m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenuec decreased by $272m (70.5%) to $114m (foreign exchanged benefit $4m), as occupancy dropped rapidly through March and the majority of hotels were closed for a large proportion of the year. Owned, leased and managed lease operating profitc reduced by $47m (313.3%) to an operating loss of $32m, (foreign exchanged benefit $1m), driven by the impact of lower occupancy and closures, partially offset by the implementation of cost reduction measures undertaken across the estate, together with rent reductions received; there was also the benefit of a $3m gain from the sale of the lease on the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

EMEAA reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s actual exchange rates and average rates in 2020.

62IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



EMEAA continued

EMEAA hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    15     (2    1,007     (319
Regent    3          771      
InterContinental    108     (5    32,474     (1,041
Kimpton    8     4     1,859     939 
Crowne Plaza    188     2     46,524     113 
Hotel Indigo        46         5         5,066         627 
voco    16     4     4,880     587 
Holiday Inna    401     7     74,984     1,552 
Holiday Inn Express    329     5     47,356     902 
Staybridge Suites    18     1     2,838     449 
Otherb    17     2     10,090     670 
Total    1,149     23     227,849     4,479 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    774     1     125,720     (735
Managed    358     24     98,548     5,747 
Owned, leased and managed lease    17     (2    3,581     (533
Total    1,149     23     227,849     4,479 

a

Includes 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,330 rooms), (2019: 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,604 rooms)).

b

Includes two open hotels that will be re-branded to voco.

EMEAA pipeline

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    21     4     1,551     372 
Regent    5     1     1,255     591 
InterContinental    33     2     7,485     (22
Kimpton    6     (1        1,128     (119
Crowne Plaza        35              9,101     (314
Hotel Indigo    41     1     6,047         395 
voco    26     9     7,774     1,554 
Holiday Inna    108     (11    22,554     (3,382
Holiday Inn Express    92     (20    15,233     (3,816
avid hotels    1          215      
Staybridge Suites    20          3,429     (431
Other    1          348     186 
Total       389     (15      76,120     (4,986
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    155     (10    25,652     (1,679
Managed    233     (5    50,313     (3,307
Owned, leased and managed lease    1          155      
Total    389     (15    76,120     (4,986

a

Includes 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,553 rooms), (2019: 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,662 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

1,149

Total number of rooms

227,849

During 2020, EMEAA System size increased by 23 hotels (4,479 rooms) to 1,149 hotels (227,849 rooms). 61 hotels (11,288 rooms) opened in EMEAA in 2020, compared to 90 hotels (15,335 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 resulted in periods of restriction on activities that temporarily slowed the pace of construction in some locations.

38 hotels (6,809 rooms) left the EMEAA System in the period, including 13 hotels (2,118 rooms) related to a portfolio of hotels in Germany, driving the increase compared to 2019, when 15 hotels (3,064 rooms) left the EMEAA System.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

389

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

76,120

The EMEAA pipeline totalled 389 hotels (76,120 rooms) at 31 December 2020, representing a decrease of 15 hotels (4,986 rooms) over 31 December 2019. Signings of 82 hotels (13,903 rooms) were behind last year by 78 hotels (15,222 rooms), as the economic uncertainty and restrictions on movement generated by Covid-19 temporarily impacted investment into the broader hospitality industry.

36 hotels (7,601 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020, compared to 28 hotels (5,427 rooms) in the previous year.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202063


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China

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“With the outbreak of Covid-19, the increased health and safety of our guests and colleagues was made a top priority, alongside supporting our hotels, owners and communities. As China contained the pandemic, we deployed a business recovery strategy to drive revenue through to profit, and focused on continued growth through new hotel openings and signings.”

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Greater China revenue 2020 ($77m)

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    Greater China number of rooms (144,175)

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Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business

InterContinental

(36.8%)

HUALUXE

(20.4%)

Crowne Plaza

(38.4%)

Hotel Indigo

(44.0%)

Holiday Inn

(46.9%)

Holiday Inn Express

(40.6%)

All brands

(40.5%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in Greater China declined sharply by 43.1% as Covid-19 impacted from early in the year resulting in declines in occupancy and average daily rate. Supply growth reduced marginally compared with 2019 but significantly weaker demand growth due to travel restrictions resulted in a 19.7ppt decline in occupancy, whilst average daily rate declined by 19.1% as international inbound travel and corporate business were particularly hard hit. Tier 1 cities’ RevPAR declined 47.2% led by declines in both occupancy and average daily rate. Tiers 2, 3 and 4 also saw RevPAR declines, with Tier 2 seeing the largest decline and Tier 4 the smallest. Occupancy in Mainland China was dampened by the impact of Covid-19, whilst Hong Kong SAR was similarly impacted, coupled with ongoing political uncertainty resulting in RevPAR declining 71.6%. Macau SAR RevPAR also declined significantly due to limitations in travel from the mainland, resulting in large occupancy declines.

Crowne Plaza

Yading, China

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

IHG’s regional comparable RevPAR in Greater China decreased by 40.5% in 2020, driven by a 19.2ppt decline in occupancy and a 13.3% decline in average daily rate.

In Mainland China IHG outperformed the industry, with RevPAR decreasing 36.7%, due to the significant impact of Covid-19. RevPAR in Hong Kong SAR declined 78.4%, impacted by political uncertainty and Covid-19 restrictions, whilst RevPAR in Macau SAR declined by 76.0%.

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64IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Greater China results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                     2020
$m
                    2019
$m
        2020 vs
2019
% change
                    2018
$m
        2019 vs 
2018 
% change 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Total    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    35     73     (52.1    70    4.3 
Operating exceptional items    (5              (1   – 
Operating profit    30     73     (58.9    69    5.8 

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

Comprising 517 hotels (144,175 rooms) at 31 December 2020, Greater China represented approximately 16% of the Group’s room count. The majority of rooms in Greater China operate under the managed business model.

Covid-19 impacted Greater China earliest of IHG’s three regions as government measures were introduced rapidly from the end of January to contain the spread of the virus. At the lockdown period trough, 40% of the region’s hotels were temporarily closed. Occupancyb dropped to single digits and comparable RevPARb declined by 89% in February, the month most impacted by Covid-19. Domestic travel restrictions started to ease through the second quarter and travel slowly started to recover. The recovery continued through the summer and into the third quarter, boosted by domestic leisure demand, with some resort destinations seeing absolute year-on-year growth in RevPAR, despite continued overall decline across the region. The recovery in RevPAR continued into the fourth quarter but at a slower pace and less than 1% of hotels remained closed by the end of December. Hong Kong SAR was impacted by uncertainty posed by political disputes throughout 2020, as well as by Covid-19.

Comparable RevPARb declined by 65% in the first quarter, 59% in the second quarter, 23% in the third quarter and 18% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 41% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $58m (43.0%) to $77m, driven by the impact of Covid-19 on fee revenues, partially offset by 6.4% net rooms growth. Operating profit decreased by $43m (58.9%) to $30m as revenue reductions, including a $32m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees, and a $5m net increase in operating exceptional charges were partially offset by cost savings. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $38m (52.1%) to $35m. Underlyingc revenue decreased by $60m (43.8%) to $77m and underlyingc operating profit decreased by $38m (52.1%) to $35m.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Greater China reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for the fee business.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202065


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China continued

Greater China hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses        1                  122          
Regent    4     1     1,419     187 
InterContinental    51     3     20,678     1,108 
Kimpton    1          129      
HUALUXE    12     3     3,433     723 
Crowne Plaza    105     9     36,950     2,654 
Hotel Indigo    12     (1    1,745     (123
EVEN Hotels    1     1     171     171 
voco    1     1     148     148 
Holiday Inna    109     2     30,628     (548
Holiday Inn Express    212     29     41,789     4,002 
Other    8     (1    6,963     307 
Total    517     47     144,175     8,629 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    126     37     29,826     6,572 
Managed    391     10     114,349     2,057 
Total    517     47     144,175     8,629 

a

Includes eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,113 rooms), (2019: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,895 rooms)).

Greater China pipeline

     Hotels      Rooms 
           Change            Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019      2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                         
Six Senses        3                   169          
Regent    1           280      
InterContinental    29     2      8,565     603 
Kimpton    6     1      1,654     157 
HUALUXE    25     3      6,907     727 
Crowne Plaza    48           13,877     (121
Hotel Indigo    32     8      5,502     1,178 
EVEN Hotels    15     4      3,071     595 
voco    1     1      131     131 
Holiday Innb    74     16      18,163     3,696 
Holiday Inn Express    205     11      34,564     842 
Otherc    1     1      297     297 
Total    440     47        93,180     8,105 
Analysed by ownership type                         
Franchised    211     42      36,888     7,564 
Managed    229     5      56,292     541 
Total    440     47      93,180     8,105 

b

Includes 12 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,208 rooms), (2019: eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,183 rooms)).

c

Includes one hotel to be branded as voco.

Total number of hotels

517

Total number of rooms

144,175

The Greater China System size increased by 47 hotels (8,629 rooms) in 2020 to 517 hotels (144,175 rooms). 57 hotels (11,358 rooms) opened, compared to 88 hotels (23,764 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 temporarily slowed the pace of construction in the first half of the year.

Recent growth in the region has focused on Tier 2 and 3 cities, which now represent approximately 54% of our open rooms. 39 Holiday Inn Brand Family hotels (5,780 rooms) were added in the year, compared to 70 hotels (14,130 rooms) in 2019.

10 hotels (2,729 rooms) were removed in 2020 compared to nine hotels (3,531 rooms) in 2019.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

440

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

93,180

At 31 December 2020, the Greater China pipeline totalled 440 hotels (93,180 rooms) compared to 393 hotels (85,075 rooms) at 31 December 2019. Signings of 141 hotels (28,204 rooms) compared with 158 hotels (35,673 rooms) in 2019, as the significant travel restrictions introduced in the early part of the year to combat Covid-19 temporarily slowed activity. 94 hotels (16,692 rooms) were signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, including 64 franchised Holiday Inn Express hotels.

37 hotels (8,741 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020, compared to 18 hotels (4,757 rooms) in 2019.

66IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Central

Central results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                 2020
$m
                2019
$m
        2020
vs 2019
% change
                2018
$m
        2019 
vs 2018��
% change 
Revenue    182     185     (1.6    170    8.8 
Gross costs    (244    (310    (21.3    (287   8.0 
     (62    (125    (50.4    (117   6.8 
Operating exceptional items    (19    (15    26.7     (55   (72.7)
Operating loss    (81    (140    (42.1    (172   (18.6)

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

The net operating loss decreased by $59m (42.1%), benefiting from a reduction in gross costs, partially offset by a $4m (26.7%) increase in operating exceptional charges.

Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, decreased by $3m (1.6%) to $182m, driven by the impacts of Covid-19 and temporary fee discounts on technology fees, being largely offset by the $20m net benefit of movement in recognition of some items between System Fund and reportable segments (see note 3 to the Group Financial Statements for further information). Revenue was also

partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangea ($1m).

Gross costs decreased by $66m (21.3%), driven by cost saving measures introduced from the second quarter. Gross costs also partly benefited from the impact of foreign exchangea ($1m).

The operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $63m, benefiting from the net movement in recognition of some revenues and expenses between the System Fund and reportable segments ($21m), see note 3 to the Group Financial Statements for further information. There was no material impact of foreign exchangea.

a

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2020.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202067


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Other financial information

System Fund

The Group operates a System Fund to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System, and hotel loyalty programme, IHG Rewards. The System Fund also benefits from proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-party co-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, although an in-year surplus or deficit can arise, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels.

In the year to 31 December 2020, System Fund revenue decreased by $608m (44.3%) to $765m, largely due to lower assessment fees reflecting the level of reduction in hotel revenues resulting from Covid-19, as well as fee reliefs given, and lower loyalty revenue due to lower redemption activity. This was partially offset by a favourable adjustment relating to a change in the actuarial assumptions around the ultimate rate of consumption of IHG Rewards points (‘breakage’) leading to increased revenue recognition year-over-year. A System Fund income statement deficit of $102m was recorded over the year, resulting from lower revenues, partly offset by actions targeted to lower costs including a reduction in marketing spend. System Fund expenses included $24m of expected credit losses, $20m reorganisation costs and $41m impairment principally relating to the US corporate headquarters (see page 136 for further information).

Reimbursement of costs

In the year to 31 December 2020, reimbursable revenue decreased by $534m (45.6%) to $637m. The reduction reflects the significant impact from Covid-19 on our hotels including hotel closures and staff furloughs, meaning the overall scale of reimbursements fell.

Cost reimbursements revenue represents reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed and franchised properties and relates, predominantly, to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. As we record cost reimbursements based upon costs incurred with no added mark up, this revenue and related expenses have no impact on either our operating profit or net income.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are identified by virtue of their size, nature, or incidence and are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share as well as other Non-GAAP measures (see Use of Non-GAAP measures, pages 47 to 51) in order to provide a more meaningful comparison of performance and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and reorganisation costs.

Pre-tax exceptional items totalled a net charge of $263m (2019: $148m net charge). The charge included: $22m net gain relating to derecognition of lease assets and liabilities; $30m gain on lease termination; $10m provision for onerous contractual expenditure relating to the UK portfolio; $27m reorganisation costs (2019: $20m); $6m acquisition and integration costs due to the Six Senses acquisition (2019: $7m); $5m net litigation costs (2019: $28m); $48m impairment of financial assets; $226m impairment charges of non-current assets (2019: $131m) of which $113m relates to Americas, $100m to EMEAA, $4m to Greater China and $9m to Central; $14m exceptional financial expenses; and $21m fair value gain on contingent purchase consideration relating to the UK portfolio. Further information on exceptional items can be found in note 6 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net financial expenses

Net financial expenses increased by $25m to $140m, primarily due to $14m exceptional financial expenses relating to the partial repayment of the 2022 bonds (see below), $8m interest on the new bonds issued and $3m relating to commercial paper. Adjusted interest, as reconciled on page 216, and which excludes exceptional finance expenses and adds back interest relating to the System Fund, decreased by $3m to $130m. The lower interest payable to the System Fund largely resulted from lower interest rates in 2020.

In October 2020 the Group issued a tender offer for its £400m 3.875% 2022 bonds resulting in a repayment of £227m. The Group concurrently issued 500m 1.625% 2024 bonds and £400m 3.375% 2028 bonds to strengthen liquidity and extend the maturity profile of the Group’s debt. The $14m premium on repayment and associated write-off of fees and discount are classified as exceptional costs due to their size and nature.

Excluding amounts classified as exceptional, financial expenses includes $69m (2019: $63m) of total interest costs on the public bonds, which are fixed rate debt. Interest expense on lease liabilities was $37m (2019: $41m).

Fair value gains/losses on contingent purchase consideration

Contingent purchase consideration arose on the acquisitions of Regent, the UK portfolio and Six Senses (see note 25 to the Group Financial Statements). The net gain of $13m (2019: $27m) comprises an exceptional gain of $21m in respect of the UK portfolio (see exceptional items above), offset by a loss of $8m in respect of Regent driven by a reduction in US corporate bond rates. The total contingent purchase consideration liability at 31 December 2020 is $79m (2019: $91m).

Taxation

The effective rate of tax on profit before exceptional items and System Fund was 38% (2019: 24%) which included the recognition of tax credits on one-off items, predominantly in connection with adjustments to deferred taxes following an internal group restructuring, UK law change and prior year items. Excluding these one-off items, the effective tax rate would be 69%, elevated compared to prior years due to the distortive impact of unrelieved foreign taxes, the Group’s geographic profit mix and other non-tax deductible expenses against the low profit base. The Group also suffered significant US minimum profit taxes and could not recognise the benefit for tax purposes of losses arising in certain territories in the year.

Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $52m (2019: credit of $20m) and relates to the tax impact of the exceptional items set out above. Further information on tax within exceptional items can be found in note 6 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net tax paid in 2020 totalled $41m (2019: $141m). The 2020 tax paid was less than 2019 principally due to refunds in respect of prior year periods of $24m, as well as lower ‘in-year’ corporate tax payments required as a result of the deterioration in global trading.

IHG pursues an approach to tax that is consistent with its business strategy and its overall business conduct principles. The approach seeks to ensure full compliance with all tax filing, payment and reporting obligations on the basis of communicative and transparent relationships with tax authorities. Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee.

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The Group’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

68IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Dividends

On 20 March 2020, IHG’s Board withdrew its recommendation of a final dividend in respect of 2019 of 85.9¢ per share, a payment of which would have had a cash outflow of approximately $150m in the first half of 2020.

A final dividend in respect of 2020 is not proposed and there was no interim dividend for the year. The Board will consider future dividends once visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

Earnings per ordinary share

Given the impact of Covid-19 on operations and the exceptional items charged this year, the Group’s basic loss per ordinary share is 142.9¢ (2019: basic earnings per ordinary share: 210.4¢). Adjusted earnings per ordinary share decreased by 89.7% to 31.3¢.

Share price and market capitalisation

The IHG share price closed at £46.90 on 31 December 2020, down from £52.08 on 31 December 2019. The market capitalisation of the Group at the year-end was £8.6bn.

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Liquidity

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and capital resources Form 20-F 202069


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

As at 31 December 2020 the Group had total liquidity of $2,925m, comprising $1,350m of undrawn bank facilities and $1,575m of cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts and restricted cash).

The Group currently has $2,898m of sterling and euro bonds outstanding. The current bonds mature in November 2022 (£173m), October 2024 (500m), August 2025 (£300m), August 2026 (£350m), May 2027 (500m) and October 2028 (£400m).

In October 2020 the Group issued a 500m 1.625% bond repayable in October 2024 and a £400m 3.375% bond repayable in October 2028. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time as the 500m bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into pounds sterling. The currency swaps fix the bond debt at £454m, with interest payable semi-annually at a rate of 2.65%. The Group also repaid £227m of the £400m 3.875% bond maturing in November 2022. The Group currently has a senior unsecured long-term credit rating of BBB- from Standard and Poor’s. In the event this rating was downgraded below BBB- there would be an additional step up coupon of 125bps payable on the bonds which would result in an additional interest cost of approximately $36m per year.

In April 2020, the Group issued £600m of commercial paper under the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). This will be repaid on 16 March 2021 when it matures.

The Group is further financed by a $1,275m revolving syndicated bank facility (the Syndicated Facility) and a $75m revolving bilateral facility (the Bilateral Facility). During the year the maturity of these facilities was extended by 18 months from March 2022 to September 2023. The facilities were undrawn at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: $125m). The Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities contain the same terms and two financial covenants: interest cover and a leverage ratio. Covenants are monitored on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis excluding the impact of IFRS 16 and are tested at half year and full year on a trailing 12-month basis. The interest cover covenant requires a ratio of Covenant EBITDA to Covenant interest payable above 3.5:1 and

the leverage ratio requires Covenant net debt to Covenant EBITDA of below 3.5:1. Covenant EBITDA is calculated (on a frozen GAAP basis) as operating profit before exceptional items, depreciation and amortisation and System Fund revenues and expenses. See note 24 to the Group Financial Statements for further information.

These covenants have been waived from 30 June 2020 through 31 December 2021 and have been relaxed for test dates in 2022. A minimum liquidity covenant of $400m has been introduced which will be tested at each test date up to and including 31 December 2022. The amended leverage ratio and interest cover covenant test levels for the facilities are as follows:

 

Cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities totalled $660m, which was $711m higher than 2018, primarily due to a cash outflow from the $500m special dividend paid in 2019, and the issue of the long-term bonds in 2018.

Off-balance sheet arrangementsJune &

At 31 December 2019, the Group had nooff-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Group’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contingent liabilities2021

June 2022

December

Contingent liabilities include guarantees over2022

Leverage

ratio

Waived

Less than

7.5x

Less than

6.5x

Interest

cover

Waived

Greater

than 1.5x

Greater

than 2.0x

The Group is in compliance with all of the applicable financial covenants in its loan documents, none of which are expected to present a material restriction on funding in the near future.

The Group has started to review and plan for the expected discontinuation of LIBOR after 2021. The Group’s main exposure to LIBOR is the underlying reference rate in the Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities. The terms of this agreement will need to be renegotiated to address the discontinuation of LIBOR. The replacement of LIBOR with alternative reference rates is not expected to have a material impact on the Group at this stage.

Borrowings included bank overdrafts of $51m (2019: $87m), which were matched by an equivalent amount of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution, and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used for day-to-day cash management purposes and are managed daily as closely

as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position, with the most significant balances in the US, and the matching overdrafts are held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

Net debt of $2,529m (2019: $2,665m) is analysed by currency as follows:

        2020
$m
      2019
$m
 
Borrowings             
Sterling*     3,716     2,022 
US dollar     416     721 
Euros     20     44 
Other     52     73 

Cash and cash

equivalents

             
Sterling     (1,305    (25
US dollar     (261    (91
Euros     (12    (13
Canadian dollar     (8    (7
Chinese renminbi     (60    (17
Other     (29    (42
Net debt     2,529     2,665 
Average debt level     2,554     2,720 

*

Including the debtimpact of equity investments of $55mcurrency swaps.

Cash and cash equivalents include $44m (2019: $16m) that is not available for use by the Group due to local exchange controls.

Information on the maturity profile and interest structure of borrowings is included in notes 22 and 24 to the Group Financial Statements.

In the Group’s opinion, the available facilities are sufficient for the Group’s present liquidity requirements. However, the Group continues to assess its liquidity position, financing options and covenant position and will take further actions as necessary.

Information on the Group’s approach to allocation of capital resources can be found on pages 14 and 15.

The Group had net liabilities of $1,849m at 31 December 2020 (2019: $1,465m).

70IHG  |  Annual Report and outstanding letters of credit of $33m.Form 20-F 2020



Cash from operating activities

Net cash from operating activities totalled $137m for the year ended 31 December 2020, a decrease of $516m on the previous year, reflecting the decrease in operating profit.

Cash flow from operations is the principal source of cash used to fund the ongoing operating expenses, interest payments, maintenance capital expenditure and normal dividend payments of the Group. The Group believes that the requirements of its existing business and future investment can be met from cash generated internally, disposition of assets, and external finance expected to be available to it.

Cash from investing activities

Net cash outflows from investing activities decreased by $432m to $61m, primarily reflecting the acquisition of the Six Senses business in 2019. Other movements in investing activities include a reduction of investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of $103m to $76m.

The Group had committed contractual capital expenditure of $19m at 31 December 2020.

Cash used in financing activities

Net cash from financing activities totalled $1,354m, which was $2,014m higher than 2019. This was primarily due to the cash inflow from the 500m and £400m bond issuances and the £600m commercial paper issuance under the CCFF. These inflows were offset by £227m of bond repayments and $125m repayment of other borrowings. No dividends were paid in 2020 compared to $721m in 2019.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

At 31 December 2020, the Group had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Group’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities include guarantees over loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels of up to $56m and

outstanding letters of credit of $43m. The Group may also be exposed to additional liabilities resulting from litigation and security incidents. See note 31 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

Contractual obligations

The Group had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of 31 December 2020. See table below.

      

Total amounts

committed

$m

      

Less than

1 year

$m

      

1–3

years

$m

      

3–5

years

$m

      

After

5 years

$m

 
Commercial papera    819      819                   
Long-term debt obligationsb,c    2,896            236      1,023      1,637 
Interest payablec    435      76      143      124      92 
Derivatives    57      14      28      28      (13
Lease liabilities    3,505      57      104      87      3,257 
Agreed pension scheme contributions    6      6                   
Capital contracts placedd    19      19                   
Deferred and contingent purchase consideratione    112      13      5      13      81 
Totalf    7,849      1,004      516      1,275      5,054 

a

Issued under the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility, maturing on 16 March 2021.

b

Repayment period classified according to the related facility maturity date.

c

Excluding bank overdrafts.

d

See note 30 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

Contractual obligations

The Group had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of 31 December 2019. See table opposite.

      

Total amounts
committed

$m

   

  Less than
1 year

$m

   1–3
      years
$m
   3–5
      years
$m
   After
      5 years
$m
 
Long-term debt obligationsa,b    2,074        654        1,420 
Interest payableb    315    58    114    73    70 
Derivatives    70    7    16    17    30 
Lease liabilities    3,857    97    188    121    3,451 
Agreed pension scheme contributions    6    6             
Capital contracts placedc    197    197             
Deferred and contingent purchase considerationd    162    3    22    17    120 
Total    6,681    368    994    228    5,091 

ae

Repayment period classified according to the related facility maturity date.

b

Excluding bank overdrafts.

c

See note 30 to the Group Financial Statements for futher details. Also includes $3m related to leases that have not yet commenced.

d

Relates to the acquisitions of Six Senses the UK portfolio and Regent (see note 11 to the Group Financial Statements for further details).

f

The Group also has future commitments for key money payments which are contingent upon future events and may reverse.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202071



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GovernanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202073

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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance75



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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance77


Governance

 

Chair’s overview

 

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The Covid-19 pandemic has presented the hospitality industry and our business with unprecedented challenges. It has also provided an acute test of the Group’s strategy, business model, governance, crisis and risk management capabilities and leadership.

In 2020, the Board sought to guide, support and challenge management as appropriate through the crisis, recognising the need for management to have a clear mandate to allow for swift prioritisation and decision-making in light of the rapidly changing and uncertain environment.

Throughout the pandemic, the Board played an active oversight and support role whilst keeping the long-term growth strategy of the Company in focus and ensuring that actions taken were in keeping with our purpose and values. The Board also ensured that an effective governance and oversight framework remained in place as the Group responded to the crisis.

Responding to the pandemic also meant changes to the Board and its Committees’ operation, requiring a sharper, Covid-19 dominated agenda, virtual meetings, more frequent interaction and collaboration between the Board and management, a revised information flow and increased time commitment notably from the Committee Chairs and the Chair.

I would like to thank the Board and the management team for their commitment, determination and perseverance in striving to protect the business and our stakeholders through the toughest challenge in the industry’s history, whilst remaining true to our purpose and values.

Focus areas and activities

In addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board focused on the actions taken by management to support employees (at both the corporate and hotel level), with emphasis on organisational resilience, mental health and wellbeing. The Board also reviewed proposed measures to support owners, guests and the communities in which we operate and ensured that the interests of the Group’s stakeholders were balanced.

Another key theme throughout the year was the protection of the Group’s financial position, with particular focus on cost containment and cash preservation. The Board also undertook detailed review of the Group’s going concern and viability assessments.

The Board also focused on adapting and evolving our strategy and purpose whilst renewing our commitment to addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

Cybersecurity was an area of particular focus, because of the increased threats and risks associated with an increase in remote working. The Board received regular updates on cyber threats to the hospitality sector and IHG, and engaged with management on plans to strengthen the Group’s threat-detection and response to malicious activity, as well as raising awareness among colleagues.

The continuation of the Board’s dialogue and engagement with the Group’s workforce and other stakeholders was also a notable feature of the Board agenda.

Governance framework

The Board delegates certain responsibilities to the Audit, Remuneration, Responsible Business (previously Corporate Responsibility) and Nomination Committees to assist in ensuring that effective corporate governance pervades the business.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of the Committees’ delegated remit and activities during the year:

The Audit Committee focused on the pandemic’s impact on material judgements and estimates, risks, internal controls and business continuity, and going concern and viability;

The Remuneration Committee focused on the remuneration challenges presented by the pandemic and decisions on executive pay, including reductions to salaries and fees, awarding of LTIP grants, and retention issues, all while considering the impact on employees. It also continued to engage with shareholders on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy;

The Responsible Business Committee focused on how IHG continued to operate as a responsible business during the pandemic, the delivery of ongoing targets and the development of the Group’s 2030 responsible business commitments; and

The Nomination Committee progressed the implementation of Board refreshment plans, and continued to review and consider Executive Committee talent and succession plans.

Board composition

Board composition and succession featured prominently on the Board agenda to ensure that we continue to have around the table the right mix of skills, experience, behaviours and knowledge as well as gender and geographical representation to add value as the Company pursues its strategic objectives.

We determined that the Board would benefit from enhanced representation in the US market as well as from further expertise in brands, franchising and business strategy and innovation, including in relation to ESG issues. We also sought to further drive diversity on the Board and prepare for the retirements of Malina Ngai and Luke Mayhew, who left the Board in May and December respectively. These objectives were successfully achieved with the appointment of Sharon Rothstein, Graham Allan and Duriya Farooqui, who joined the Board in June, September and December respectively. Details of their biographies, including their skills and experience, are included on pages 77 to 79.

Additionally, with the retirement of Luke Mayhew, the Board approved Jill McDonald as the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement (Voice of the Employee). Further details regarding this transition are included on page 92.

Board performance review

During the year, we implemented the recommendations of the external Board evaluation carried out in 2019 and conducted an internal evaluation. I am pleased to report that the evaluation concluded that the Board continues to operate effectively. Further details of the evaluation can be found on page 85. We also conducted individual Director feedback discussions, details of which can be found on page 85.

 

At
74IHG we recognise the critical role that strong corporate governance plays in achieving long-term sustainable success. Our purpose, culture, values and strategy are all underpinned by our commitment to conducting business responsibly. The Board oversees the long-term strategic aims of the Group and is responsible for the leadership of the Group, ensuring our actions are in keeping with the strong ethics and values that shape our culture and deliver long-term, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

Focus areas and activities

During 2019, the Board monitored and reviewed progress against strategic and operational objectives, with particular focus on growth. The Board had regard to levels of risk taken and shareholder and stakeholder interests in its decision making.

The ongoing challenge of cybersecurity was a particular area of focus, with the Board engaging with, and receiving regular presentations and updates from, management on the Group’s approach to cybersecurity risk management. The Board also assessed the progress of the cybersecurity action plan put in place in 2018.

Culture and talent continued to feature prominently on the Board agenda, reflecting the Board’s belief that continuing to evolve our culture in support of our purpose, values and strategic objectives, and continuing to focus on diversity and the talent pipeline, is essential for the long-term success of the Group.

The Board recognises the importance of setting the tone of IHG’s culture. The Board’s engagement and dialogue with the Group’s workforce and other stakeholders was a further key area of focus during the year. The Board appointed a designatednon-executive director to lead and coordinate its engagement with the workforce, approved an engagement plan, and actively engaged with employees through various forums (see pages 32 and 33 for further details).

Governance framework

The Board delegates certain responsibilities to the Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees to assist in ensuring that effective corporate governance pervades the business.

We have considered our governance framework in light of the evolving governance landscape and to ensure that our governance structure and processes align with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and the Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018.

During the year, the composition of the Nomination Committee was reviewed and adjusted so that it now consists of only one representative from each of the Board Committees as well as the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director, allowing for more focused discussion on Board composition, performance and succession.

A key area of focus for the Audit Committee this year has been overseeing the external audit tender process and the ongoing assessment of the Group’s governance and risk control processes; the Corporate Responsibility Committee has been focused on the refresh of the Group’s Corporate Responsibility strategy and the delivery of ongoing targets; the Nomination Committee has been focused on the approach to Board engagement with the workforce, the composition (including diversity) of the Board and succession planning, and the continuing development of our diversity and inclusion framework; and the Remuneration Committee has been

focused on developing a new Remuneration Policy and approval of the Colleague Share Plan.

Board culture and composition

We have a disciplined approach to Board composition and succession to ensure that we continue to have around the table the right mix of skills, experience, behaviours and knowledge as well as gender and geographical representation to add value as the Company pursues its strategic objectives.

In December 2019, we announced in this respect the appointment of Arthur de Haast as an independentNon-Executive Director. Previously a Senior Director of Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., Arthur brings more than 30 years’ experience of capital markets and the hotel and hospitality sectors. Arthur joined the Board with effect from 1 January 2020 and serves on the Remuneration and Corporate Responsibility Committees.

Training, development and Board performance review

The training and development needs of each Director continue to be reviewed regularly. During 2019, Directors received training on a variety of topics, further details of which can be found on page 86.

An external Board evaluation was carried out during the year. I am pleased to report that the key conclusion of the review was that the Board is well-functioning and operates effectively. Further details of the evaluation can be found on page 86. We also conducted anotherpeer-to-peer Chair andNon-Executive Director assessment, where Directors provide structured feedback on each of their fellow Directors. Further details can be found on page 87.

Compliance and our dual listing

IHG continues to operate as a dual-listed company with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. As such, we are required to file an Annual Report in the UK and a Form20-F in the US. To ensure consistency of information provided to both UK and US investors, we have again produced a combined  |  Annual Report and Form20-F. 20-F 2020 Our statement of compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) is located on pages 94 and 95. I am pleased to report that, during 2019, we complied in all material respects with all principles and provisions of the Code. A statement outlining the differences between the Group’s UK corporate governance practices and those followed by US companies can be found on page 240.

Looking forward

In 2020, the Board will continue to progress the actions arising from the external evaluation and we look forward to continuing to engage with, and foster our regard for the interests of, shareholders, the workforce and other key stakeholders. We see this as essential to building and maintaining a successful and sustainable business.

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Compliance and our dual listing

IHG continues to operate as a dual-listed company with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. As such, we are required to file an Annual Report in the UK and a Form 20-F in the US. To ensure consistency of information provided to both UK and US investors, we have again produced a combined Annual Report and Form 20-F. Our statement of compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) is located on pages 94 and 95. I am pleased to report that, during 2020, we complied in all material respects with all principles and provisions of the Code. A statement outlining the differences between the Group’s UK corporate governance practices and those followed by US companies can be found on page 239.

Looking forward

In 2021, the Board will focus on the Group’s long-term strategic objectives and ensure that a robust governance framework remains in place so that IHG is well positioned as we emerge from a post-Covid environment.

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Patrick Cescau

Patrick Cescau

Chair

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Chair’s statementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20205


Strategic Report

Chief Executive

Officer’s review

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“Globally, we’ve worked

as a team with such

speed and compassion

– leading, learning and

listening to keep

colleagues and guests

feeling safe, protect IHG

and our owners, and

support our industry”.

LOGO

e arrived in 2020 on the back of a record year of openings and real momentum behind the growth of our brands in a thriving industry. Our clear strategy and the changes made in recent years were enabling us to move faster, accelerate our growth and take advantage of new opportunities. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic has since presented enormous challenges for travel and tourism, and for IHG. Yet, in spite of this, the thoughtful, swift and decisive actions of so many dedicated colleagues have helped us emerge a stronger company.

The enormity of this crisis means very little has escaped its impact. From socioeconomic challenges to mental and physical health, it has touched everyone’s life, and as a company, it has shifted how we’ve worked together, partnered with our owners, and looked after our guests and communities.

Globally, we’ve worked as a team with such speed and compassion – leading, learning and listening to help keep colleagues, guests and communities feeling safe, protect IHG and our owners, and support our industry. We’ve seen past the barriers of remote working and physical distancing to find ways to work together closer than ever before. I am immensely proud of how everyone from our leadership, corporate teams and reservation offices, to our owners and hotel colleagues have helped IHG and those around us through such difficult times, including our frontline workers and people in need. Collectively, we provided not just hospitality but True Hospitality for Good.

Our 2020 journey

People’s appetite to explore, rest or work on their travels hasn’t changed, but understandably their confidence in when it’s safe to do so has, and we’ve had to respond. To help keep colleagues and guests feeling safe, we quickly aligned new training and operating procedures with guidance from world health bodies. We further enhanced our IHG Way of Clean programme with new science-led protocols, backed by an IHG Clean Promise and Meet with Confidence offer. We also accelerated the rollout of technology enhancements such as digital check-in, introduced flexible cancellation and booking options, and protected points and status for our loyalty members.

Working with governments and authorities, some of our hotels switched focus to accommodate nurses, doctors and other frontline workers. Others supported the

6IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



homeless, and many have provided meals and care packages for the vulnerable in their communities.

Our hotels have also needed IHG’s care. Many are small businesses, whose owners have faced real hardship as occupancies have fallen and created significant cost and cash flow pressures. We’ve supported them by reducing operating costs, redefining brand standards, renegotiating with suppliers, temporarily reducing fees and offering flexible payment terms. Knowing a recovery will take time, much of that work continues, in partnership with the IHG Owners Association and individual owners. In parallel, we’re collaborating with peers and governments to ensure continued financial support for our industry and to increase the pace at which travel safely resumes and plays its vital part in economic growth.

Ensuring there is business continuity amid so much change has been crucial, requiring both the right technology and a commitment to work with greater agility and decisiveness. As many of our corporate and reservation teams have worked remotely, we’ve supported them with mental health and wellbeing resources, flexible working arrangements and regular communication. Speaking more often to all employees and in smaller virtual circles has allowed me to answer questions and understand challenges in a way that’s brought us closer as an organisation and must be maintained.

In an environment where RevPAR more than halved in the year, IHG’s financial health has been a key focus too, balancing what’s needed to protect the business, while continuing to invest in future growth. We moved quickly to adjust existing debt agreements, access increased liquidity and protect our cash flow by suspending dividend payments, controlling capital expenditure and reducing fee business costs by $150m. It is a measure of the resilience of IHG’s business model that we were able to generate positive cash flows in this most challenging of years. Looking ahead, around half of the cost savings are expected to be sustained into 2021.

While we prioritised savings in non job-related areas, difficult choices were also made to reduce teams and operations in line with demand. Support sites and a hardship fund were set up for employees who unfortunately had their hours reduced or went on furlough, and we launched an alumni network with access to like-minded employers for employees sadly leaving us.

There have been some hard moments, but we’ve tried to ensure we can look back on our decisions knowing we had the best intentions. It means so much that in our November survey, 88% of corporate employees felt we had made responsible choices in our response to the pandemic, and 86% felt we’ve looked after their wellbeing. Equally, many owners have told me how much they’ve valued the way in which we’ve stood beside them.

Business strength

The shape of recovery continues to differ by market. Structurally, we’ve benefitted from several factors, including being principally domestic focused in key markets like the US; having less exposure to heavily hit groups and meetings business; and having leading brands like our Holiday Inn Brand Family in the upper midscale segment, where demand has historically been more resilient during a downturn. With this foundation, we’ve used data and analytics to target pockets of ongoing leisure and business demand, and worked closely with our hotels to deliver safe and consistent experiences, which has led to industry outperformance in key markets.

We’ve worked hard to drive performance, however, the impact of such a significant fall in demand is reflected in operating profit from reportable segments declining 75% to $219m. After taking into account the System Fund result and exceptional items, we reported an operating loss of $153m. Looking longer-term, the confidence we share with our owners is illustrated in another 285 hotel openings in 2020 and an average of almost one signing a day into our pipeline, with an increasing number of conversions. Our Holiday Inn® Brand Family remains a growth engine, accounting for half of all signings and ~60% of openings in the year. More broadly, our global pipeline of 1,815 hotels represents an 11% share of the total industry, showing the significant growth potential ahead. Other achievements include taking voco to the US and Greater China, our first Atwell Suites property breaking ground, and bringing avid® to Mexico and Canada.

Evolving our strategy

Prior to 2020, we had step-changed the pace of our growth and, with a recovery in mind, we must resume what was working successfully, retain valuable lessons from this period, and ensure our future growth plans reflect what’s important to our stakeholders and brands. To this end, we’ve refreshed both our corporate and responsible business strategies.

From how we build demand for our brands and deliver seamless digital experiences, to always putting ourselves in the shoes of a guest or owner, or the way we care for our people, communities and planet – our refreshed strategy puts a sharper focus on our services, products, returns and reputation. In a competitive marketplace, it’s vital we operate with this clarity and ensure that what we prioritise helps better leverage our scale and systems to grow our customer base, increase signings and in turn drive high-quality, industry-leading net rooms growth.

Critical to the work we do to care for our people, communities and planet will be ambitious 10-year targets in our new responsible business plan, Journey to Tomorrow. This builds on our achievements from our 2018-2020 programme and will push us further as an employer, within our communities and in minimising our environmental impact.

The future

The rollout of vaccines is extremely encouraging for everyone and of course vital to our industry’s recovery, but we know it will take time. I’m confident that our business model and strategy, which builds on the investments made in recent years to expand our brand portfolio and enhance our ways of working, puts IHG in a strong position to outperform the industry as it returns to full strength.

In my more than 20 years with IHG, I cannot recall a time of such togetherness, which is all the more remarkable when considering the pressure everyone has been under. On behalf of the Executive Committee and myself, I want to express our sincere gratitude to all our corporate and hotel colleagues for their hard work, energy and understanding, and to our owners for their partnership and commitment.

I know everyone at IHG passionately believes the world is there to be explored, and as a company and alongside our owners, we will continue to work hard towards better times.

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Keith Barr

Chief Executive Officer

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Chief Executive Officer’s reviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20207


Strategic Report

Industry overview

T

he Covid-19 pandemic led to hotel occupancy across the globe falling to historic lows in 2020, as lockdowns,

travel bans and physical distancing measures were introduced to limit the spread of the Boardvirus. The impact on hospitality has been severe, though longer-term, the fundamental desire to travel for business or leisure continues to underpin the industry’s growth prospects, illustrated by sustained new hotel openings and signings.

17 February The ~$240 billion hotel industry remains fragmented, with 53% of rooms affiliated with a global or regional chain. Branded hotel penetration is expected to continue to grow. Conversions from independent to branded hotels typically increased following the last downturn as owners sought the

benefits of a branded system. Consumer expectations in key areas such as technology, cleanliness and sustainability increased during the pandemic and looking forwards, hotel groups and third-party owners are adapting to meet changing demands while ensuring they optimise returns.

2020 industry performance

There are two key performance metrics: room supply and RevPAR. Room supply reflects how attractive the hotel industry is as an investment from an owner’s perspective. RevPAR indicates the value guests ascribe to a given hotel, brand or market, and grows when they stay more often or pay higher rates.

Following a decade of consecutive growth, global industry RevPAR dropped 54% in

2020, largely due to falling occupancy rates. The pandemic’s impact led to millions of job losses globally and the temporary closure of thousands of hotels. As has been the case in previous downturns, domestic travel across the midscale segments (midscale and upper midscale) has proved the most resilient, with occupancy at these hotels falling less than the overall industry. Underscoring the sector’s positive fundamentals, global rooms supply still grew by 2% in 2020.

The hotel industry is cyclical: long term fluctuations in RevPAR tend to reflect the interplay between industry demand, supply and the macroeconomic environment. At a local level, political, economic and factors such as terrorism, oil market conditions, pandemics and hurricanes can impact demand and supply in the short term.

Overview of global hotel industry

Geography

The US is the largest hotel market, while Greater China continues to growa

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Branded hotels

The top fivec hotel groups have increased their market share by 5 percentage pointsa

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Segment

The branded hotel industry can be categorised by price levela

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Hotel industry growth drivers:

10-year annual growth rate (2010-20)

Global GDP

+2.3%

CAGRb

Indicator of economic growth – hotel performance correlates with GDP

Global household disposable income

+1.9%

CAGRb

Growing consumer spending and leisure travel, supported by cheaper air travel

Global corporate profits

+3.6%

CAGRb

Good indicator of business travel

a Source: Latest STR, Inc     b Source: Oxford Economics

Global hotel industry performance

Global industry RevPAR ($)a

RevPAR movements are illustrative of lodging demand

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Global rooms supply (m rooms)a

Supply growth reflects the attractiveness of the hotel industry

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c

IHG, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc., Accor S.A.

Branded hotel business models

There are two principal business models:

A fee-based, asset-light model

Franchised: owned and operated by parties distinct from the brand, who pay fees to the hotel company for use of their brand.

Managed: operated by a party distinct from the hotel owner. The owner pays management fees and, if the hotel uses a third-party brand name, fees to that third-party too.

An owner-operated, asset-heavy model

Owned: operated and branded by owner who benefits from all the income.

Leased: similar to owned, except the owner-operator does not have outright ownership of the hotel but leases it from the ultimate owner.

Asset-heavy models allow tighter control over operations, while asset-light models enable faster growth with lower capital investment.

 

 

788 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


 

Corporate Governance

Our Board and Committee governance structure


 

We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Our governance framework is led and directed by the Board, which in turn delegates certain responsibilities to its Committees to support IHG’s purpose, values and strategy, as well asTrends shaping our commitment to conducting business responsibly.

The Board and its Committees

The Board establishes the Group’s purpose, values and strategy, and is responsible for promoting the long-term sustainable success of the Group. A number of key decisions and matters are reserved for the Board and are not delegated to management. The schedule of matters reserved was reviewed for the Board at the February 2020 Board meeting and is available on our website. The Board has responsibility for reviewing the means for the workforce to raise concerns in confidence and the reports arising from its operation, which was previously undertaken by the Audit Committee.

The Board is supported by its Principal Committees, namely the Audit Committee, Corporate Responsibility Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee, to assist it in carrying out its functions, overseeing the delivery of strategic objectives and driving sustainable value for shareholders and considering the impacts on, and interests of, other stakeholders. Details of how the Board spent its time during 2019 can be found on pages 84 and 85.

Management Committees

Operational matters, routine business and information disclosure procedures are delegated by the Board to Management Committees.

The Executive Committee is chaired by the CEO and considers and manages a range ofday-to-day strategic and operational issues facing the Group, including the development of the Group’s strategy and budget for the Board’s approval, executing the strategic plan once agreed by the Board, monitoring the Group’s performance and providing assurance to the Board in relation to overall performance and risk management.

The General Purposes Committee is chaired by an Executive Committee member and attends to business of a routine nature and to the administration of matters, the principles of which have been agreed previously by the Board or an appropriate Committee.

The Disclosure Committee is chaired by the Group’s Financial Controller and ensures that proper procedures are in place for statutory and listing requirements. This Committee reports to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee.industry

 

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Case study: Resilience of US midscale segments in downturns

  During periods of weak economic demand, the midscale segments (midscale and upper midscale) have historically proven more resilient than other chain scales, with RevPAR falling less than the overall industry.

  During the Covid-19 pandemic, hotels that remained open were more likely to be in the branded midscale segments, helped by their lower-cost operating model. These hotels could meet demand from those who needed a safe place to stay, including key workers and those travelling on essential business. Hotels in non-urban areas (where the majority of midscale and upper midscale hotels are located) outperformed their urban counterparts, which have a greater reliance on inbound international travel.

  Throughout the year, domestic leisure was the first segment to return. It is likely that large group travel and events will be the last to recover. This should favour midscale/upper midscale hotels, which have lower exposure to groups, meetings and events business.

 

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MoreLong-term trends in travel

  Population growth, an emerging middle class and lower cost to travel have meant global travel has consistently grown over 4% per year, save for one-off impacts on demand (e.g. 9/11).

  Covid-19 saw travel largely restricted to domestic markets, with air travel down 60%. According to McKinsey, recovery is likely to be gradual, though could be achieved within five years from virus containment and rebounding economies.

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Evolving customer expectations

  As the market recovers, customer focus is likely to be needed in areas such as reinforcing guest confidence through higher standards of cleanliness and new operating procedures.

  Technology will continue to be key in driving guest demand to hotels. This includes greater levels of personalisation, digital booking and service delivery, the ability to choose

room attributes and a loyalty programme that provides added value to guests.

  Guests and other stakeholders are paying closer attention to the commitment of companies to operate responsibly. Many businesses, including IHG, have aligned their efforts to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which range from wiping out poverty to climate action. For further information onsee pages 20-21 and our Board and Committees is available on our website atResponsible Business Report.www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

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Industry overviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20209


BoardStrategic Report

Our brands

T

o drive growth at scale in high-value markets globally, we invest in an attractive portfolio of distinct brands

that generate strong demand from both guests and Committeeowners. We have a relentless focus on the quality of our estate, efficiency of our hotel operations and investment in digital innovation, design and service trends.

In parallel to growing our established brands, we have launched or acquired five new brands in the past three years and are focused on taking them to scale in fast-growing and underserved segments.

Each of our brands is well positioned to grow, leveraging the power of IHG’s people, systems, technology and loyalty programme. To support this growth, we have adopted a more intuitive way of presenting the breadth of our portfolio to customers, as part of a refreshed approach to use our IHG® Hotels & Resorts masterbrand to enhance our brand

perception, sharpen our marketing and capture more demand. Linked to this, our loyalty programme has been refreshed to become IHG® Rewards, as we focus on growing membership and attendancedriving more business directly to our hotels.

Reflecting continued demand for our brands, we opened 285 hotels in 20192020 and signed on average almost one property a day into our pipeline. This took our share of the industry pipeline to 11%, versus our current market share of 4%.

                 Meetings 
            Appointment
date
     Committee
    appointments
                   Board     Audit
        Committee
     Corporate
    Responsibility
Committee
     Nomination
          Committee
           Remuneration
Committee
 
Total meetings held                7     5     3     6     6 
Chair                                          
Patrick Cescaua    01/01/13     LOGO     7/7               6/6      
Chief Executive Officer                                          
Keith Barr    01/07/17           7/7                     
Executive Directors                                          
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    01/01/14           7/7                     
Elie Maalouf    01/01/18           7/7                     
Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director                                          
Dale Morrison    01/06/11     LOGO     7/7     5/5          6/6     6/6 
Non-Executive Directors                                          
Anne Busquet    01/03/15     LOGO     7/7     5/5     3/3     2/6b      
Ian Dyson    01/09/13     LOGO     7/7     5/5          2/6b     6/6 
Jo Harlow    01/09/14     LOGO     7/7               6/6     6/6 
Luke Mayhew    01/07/11     LOGO     7/7     5/5     2/3c     6/6      
Jill McDonald    01/06/13     LOGO     7/7     5/5     3/3     6/6      
Malina Ngai    01/03/17     LOGO     6/7d          3/3     2/6b     5/6d 

 

a

Masterbrand

and Loyalty

In principle the Chair attends all Committee meetings, and the full Board attends the relevant sections of the Audit Committee meetings when results, and risk management processes and controls are discussed and considered.

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HOTELS & RESORTS

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REWARDS

 

Luxury & Lifestyle

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOTimeless legacy bound together by distinctive design and unforgettable service. Making every journey a celebration of extraordinary experiences, each in their unique way.

b16 open

31 pipeline

The composition of the Nomination Committee was adjusted during the year to comprise one member of each Board Committee and the Senior Independent7 open

Non-Executive Director. Accordingly Anne Busquet, Ian Dyson and Malina Ngai resigned from the Nomination Committee in July 2019.6 pipeline

c

Luke Mayhew was unable to attend a Corporate Responsibility Committee meeting due to prior engagement.205 open

69 pipeline

d

Malina Ngai was unable to attend a Board meeting and a Remuneration Committee meeting due to a prior commitment.73 open

32 pipeline

125 open

104 pipeline

 

Premium

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

Making travel personal and purposeful. Giving guests a sense of belonging and wellbeing, with the thoughtful details to make every trip matter.

18 open

29 pipeline

12 open

25 pipeline

429 open

89 pipeline

16 open

31 pipeline

Essentials

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2,966 open

683 pipeline

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1,248 open

262 pipeline

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24 open

192 pipeline

Always there, always just what you need. With the warmth and trusted experience that has come to define True Hospitality.

Suites

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0 open

19 pipeline

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303 open

155 pipeline

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28 open

0 pipeline

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366 open

73 pipeline

When you’re not at home, be here. We invite guests to settle in for longer stays, knowing the comforts of home are always within reach.

10IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


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Our BrandsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202011


Strategic Report

Our business model

We predominantly franchise our

brands and manage hotels on

behalf of third-party hotel owners.

Revenue from reportable segmentsa

Our revenue is directly linked to the revenue generated by the hotels in our system.

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Total rooms

886,036

rooms

Composition of rooms

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Our brands are presented as intuitive collections for consumers. For industry segmentation, the collections fall into the following categories: Suites (midscale, upper midscale and upscale), Essentials (predominantly in midscale and upper midscale); Premium (upscale); Luxury & Lifestyle (upper upscale and luxury).

a Excludes System Fund and hotel cost reimbursements.

We have 16 brands operating across more than 100 countries in the Suites, Essentials, Premium and Luxury & Lifestyle categories.

Supported by a leading loyalty programme, our brands meet clear consumer and corporate demand, and generate strong returns for our owners, which in turn attracts further hotel investment and drives the growth of our estate.

As an asset-light business, we focus on growing our fee revenues and fee margins, with limited requirements for capital. This enables us to grow our business whilst generating high returns on invested capital.

Whether we franchise or manage hotels is largely determined by market maturity, owner preference and, in certain cases, the particular brand. For instance, in more developed markets such as the US and Europe, ~90% of IHG hotels are franchised. These hotels tend to be limited service.

In emerging markets such as Greater China, ~80% of our hotels are managed by IHG, where we look after the day-to-day running of the property on behalf of the owner. Over time, we expect the Chinese market to move towards a franchise model. We launched the first tailored franchise offer for Holiday Inn Express® in 2016, and have since extended this to include Holiday Inn® and Crowne Plaza®.

Our asset-light business model means that we do not employ colleagues in franchised hotels, nor do we control their day-to-day operations, policies or procedures. That being said, IHG and our franchised hotels are committed to delivering a consistent brand experience, conducting business responsibly and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good. See Our culture and responsible business section from page 24.

The weighting of our hotel estate towards the midscale segments and the location of our hotels in non-urban locations provides a degree of resilience to cyclical and exogenous events. A weighting to domestic demand also provides resilience.

IHG owner proposition

We focus on ensuring our brand portfolio, loyalty proposition, systems and expertise provide a highly valued and distinctive offer that stands out to consumers and is attractive to owners.

To keep our brands relevant to guests and evolving trends, we commit to developing our established brands with new designs, service enhancements and operational support that drives demand and owner returns.

Through our investments in development resources, we can provide outstanding operational support to owners. We have embedded new processes to help reduce the time taken from hotel signing to ground break and opening. Our hotels also have access to a suite of applications designed to help them manage and improve performance, with the aim of further boosting owner returns.

We have also developed state-of-the-art technology to drive hotel demand, be it through our mobile booking app or cloud-based hotel solutions. Our distribution channels (booking sites, GDS relationships, and call centres through which hotel rooms are marketed and booked) allow hotel owners to reach potential guests at lower costs of sale.

While historically, the vast majority of our signings and openings have come from new-build properties, we see the potential for branded hotel penetration to increase through conversions, given the attractiveness of our scale and brands, and value proposition to owners.

12IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Why owners choose to work with IHG

Hotel owners choose to work with IHG to either franchise or manage their hotels, driven by the trust they have in our brands and our track record in delivering strong returns.

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How we generate revenue

Franchised hotels

We receive a fixed percentage of rooms revenue when a guest stays at one of our hotels. This is our fee revenue.

Managed hotels

From our managed hotels, we generate revenue through a fixed percentage of the total hotel revenue and a proportion of hotel profit.

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Owned, leased and managed lease hotels

For hotels which we own or lease, we record the entire revenue and profit of the hotel in our financial statements. Our owned, leased and managed lease hotels have reduced from over 180 hotels 19 years ago, to 23 hotels at 31 December 2020.

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Our business modelIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202013


Strategic Report

Our business model continued

IHG revenue from reportable segmentsa and the System Fund

System Fund

IHG manages a System Fund on behalf of our third-party hotel owners, who pay contributions into it. This includes a marketing and reservation assessment and a loyalty assessment.

The System Fund also benefits from proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards points under third-party co-branding arrangements.

The System Fund is managed by IHG for the benefit of hotels within the IHG system.

In 2020, IHG recognised $765 million of System Fund revenue, down from $1.4bn in 2019, reflecting lower assessments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Disciplined approach to capital allocation and managing liquidity

Our asset-light business model is highly cash generative through the cycle and enables us to invest in our brands and strengthen our enterprise. We have a disciplined approach to capital allocation which ensures that the business is appropriately invested in, whilst looking to maintain an efficient and conservative balance sheet. This approach placed our business in a strong position as the depth and scale of the global pandemic became apparent.

Managing liquidity through the pandemic

With occupancies at hotels reaching historic lows, we moved quickly to preserve cash through cost reductions across all our main areas of spend, including capital expenditure and operating expenditure. This meant that during the year the business generated free cash flow of $29m.

We also took rapid action to strengthen our liquidity, building on our conservative balance sheet approach and the measures we took to reduce costs and preserve cash.

a

Excludes System Fund and hotel cost reimbursements.

This included withdrawing the 2019 final dividend recommendation, and the issuance of £600m of commercial paper maturing in March 2021 under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). Furthermore, we issued 500m and £400m bonds maturing in 2024 and 2028 respectively. We concurrently repaid early £227m of our bonds maturing in November 2022. Our next bond maturity is £173m in November 2022, with no further bond maturities until October 2024. As a result, as at 31 December 2020, IHG had available liquidity of $2.9bn.

In addition, we secured covenant waivers up to and including 31 December 2021 for our $1.35bn syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (RCF), further covenant relaxations in 2022 and extended the maturity of the facilities by 18 months to September 2023 (see page 70).

Despite the comprehensive actions we have taken to reduce costs and preserve cash, due to the impact of the pandemic on the

profitability of the Group, our net debt: adjusted EBITDA ratio of 7.7x as at 31 December 2020 is outside of our previously stated aim to maintain a ratio of 2.5-3.0x.

Looking forwards, our approach remains unchanged. As the business recovers, our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent: ensure the business is appropriately invested in to drive growth; target sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend and return surplus funds to shareholders, and do this whilst considering our stated aim of a leverage ratio of 2.5-3.0x, and our objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

Bond maturity profile ($m)

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14IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Consistent uses of cash

Our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent with previous years and comprise three pillars:

Shareholder returns (2003-20) ($bn)

Source of returns

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1   Invest in the business to drive growth

Whilst having strict control on investments and our day-to-day capital expenditures, we look to strategically drive growth.

2   Target sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend

IHG has a dividend policy where, whilst balancing all our stakeholder interests and ensuring the long-term success of IHG, we would look to maintain or grow the ordinary dividend each year. However, during 2020, as part of our actions to preserve cash and protect the business, a dividend was not paid.

3   Return surplus funds to shareholders

The Group has a strong track record of returning surplus cash to shareholders. Since 2003, including the ordinary dividend, the Group has returned $13.6bn.

Capital expenditure
Spend incurred by IHG can be summarised as follows:

Type

What is it?

Recent examples

Maintenance capital expenditure, key money and selective investment to access strategic growth.

Maintenance capital expenditure is devoted to the maintenance of our systems and corporate offices along with our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Key money is expenditure used to access strategic opportunities, particularly in high-quality and sought-after locations when returns are financially and/or strategically attractive.

Examples of maintenance spend include maintenance of our offices, systems and our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Examples of key money include investments to secure representation for our brands in prime city locations.

Recyclable investments to drive the growth of our brands and our expansion in priority markets.

Recyclable investments are capital used to acquire real estate or investment through joint ventures or equity capital. This expenditure is strategic to help build brand presence.

We would look to divest these investments at an appropriate time and reinvest the proceeds across the business.

Examples of recyclable investments in prior years include our EVEN Hotels brand, where we used our capital to develop three hotel properties in the US to showcase the brand. Over time, we expect to divest our interest in these hotels.

System Fund capital investments for strategic investment to drive growth at hotel level.The development of tools and systems that hotels use to drive performance. This is charged back to the System Fund over the life of the asset.We continue to develop our new pioneering cloud-based Guest Reservation System (GRS), one of IHG Concerto’s comprehensive set of capabilities, which we developed with Amadeus.

Dividend policy

The Board consistently reviews the Group’s approach to capital allocation and seeks to maintain an efficient balance sheet and investment grade credit rating. IHG has an excellent track record of returning funds to shareholders through ordinary and special dividends, and share buybacks, with the ordinary dividend seeing 11% CAGR between 2003 and 2019.

When reviewing dividend recommendations, the Directors take into account the long-term consequences of any recommendation. The Board looks to ensure that any recommendation does not harm the sustainable success of the Company and that there are sufficient distributable reserves to pay any recommended dividend. The Board will assess the Group’s ability to pay a dividend

bearing in mind its responsibilities to its stakeholders and its objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

For 2020, given the impact of the pandemic, the Group is not proposing to pay a final dividend. The Board will consider future dividends once the visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

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Our business modelIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202015


Strategic Report

Our strategy

I

n 2020, we evolved key elements of our strategy to further strengthen our ability to drive future growth.

Our ambition to deliver high-quality industry-leading net rooms growth is unchanged, driven by continued investment in enhancing our guest and owner offer and developing our brands at scale in high-value markets. Over the long term, with disciplined execution, this drives sustained growth in cash flows and profits, which can be reinvested in our business and returned to shareholders.

What has evolved is how we execute against our strategy, in terms of what we prioritise, the behaviours we champion, and the purpose that guides us. Listening to stakeholders, we’ve evaluated what’s most important, not just to IHG’s growth, but how we grow, taking into account all we’ve learnt from dealing with Covid-19 and planning for a strong recovery over time.

Our evolved priorities put our brands at the heart of our business, and our owners and guests at the heart of our thinking. They

recognise the crucial role of a sophisticated, well-invested digital approach, and ensure we meet our growing responsibility to care for our people and make a positive difference to our communities and planet.

Uniting our efforts as a company behind our four priorities will help create competitive advantage, build stronger guest and owner relationships, and enhance a culture that brings the best out of our talented teams.

OUR PURPOSE

True Hospitality

for Good

OUR AMBITION

To deliver

industry-leading

net rooms growth

OUR STRATEGY

Use our scale and expertise to create the exceptional guest experiences and owner returns needed to grow our brands in the industry’s most valuable markets and segments. Delivered through a culture that retains and attracts the best people and embraces opportunities to positively impact the world around us.

PRIORITIES

LOGO

Build loved

and trusted

brands

LOGO

Customer
centric in all

we do

LOGO

Create digital

advantage

LOGO

Care for
our people, communities and planet

BEHAVIOURS

LOGO

Move

fast

LOGO

Solutions    

focused

LOGO

Think

return

LOGO

Build one

team

16IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

    Build loved

    and trusted

    brands

We focus on building and nurturing a leading portfolio of brands that offer exceptional quality and create meaningful guest connections with every stay. By striving for industry outperformance, effective hotel lifecycle management and strong returns, we aim to make our brands a leading choice for owners. Our outstanding loyalty programme enriches our entire offering.

Where we’re coming from

We’ve transformed the depth and breadth of our brand portfolio, with investment in quality, design and service, plus the launch and acquisition of new brands. It’s a portfolio designed to meet a range of needs for guests and owners, and in a fast-changing industry, we continue to evolve and enhance each brand to strengthen both consumer preference and owner returns.

What’s next?

We’re focused on several areas to accelerate both hotel performance and growth. To create a clearer connection to our hotel brands, better showcase the breadth of our portfolio to consumers and drive more business to our hotels, we’ve evolved our masterbrand to become IHG® Hotels & Resorts. Embedding this in our marketing, loyalty offer and digital channels is a key priority.

Continuing to take our newer brands – avid®, voco and Atwell Suites – to scale in key markets remains vital to future growth. With a low cost to build and attractive operating economics, we expect avid to be our next brand of scale in the midscale segment. We’ve signed more than 200 hotels since 2017 and the brand expanded beyond the US to Mexico and Canada in 2020. In three years, voco has reached more than 50 openings and signings and is tracking well against our aim of 200 hotels within 10 years; and Atwell Suites has 19 signings since launching in September 2019, with the first hotel now under construction.

Ensuring we capitalise on growing our transformed Luxury & Lifestyle offer is also a priority, and we will continue to add to – and open – an attractive pipeline of outstanding hotels and destinations.

Across all our brands, we understand the importance of ensuring our hotels deliver high-quality, consistent service and guest experiences, with a particular focus on cleanliness, and this will continue to be a top priority as we enhance performance and brand reputation.

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Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202017


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Customer

centric in

all we do

We have two types of customers: our guests – business and leisure – and our owners, and it’s critical that we put them at the heart of every plan. Consistently acting with this mindset and insight will allow us to create the tailored services and solutions that increase demand for our brands, strengthen consumer preference, deliver stronger owner returns and drive industry-leading rooms net growth.

Where we’re coming from

We’ve invested heavily in recent years in ensuring IHG works even more closely and effectively with our owners. This customer-centric mindset came to the fore more than ever in 2020 – not just for our owners but for our guests, corporate clients and loyalty members, too.

The importance of this approach was illustrated by the Guest Satisfaction Index measure being net positive for IHG throughout the year, outperforming competitors.

What’s next

With a greater customer focus, we will refine elements of our offer for guests, loyalty members and owners to deepen brand loyalty, drive revenue and create more value.

Priority areas for our guests include: maintaining an increased focus on cleanliness; developing a hybrid meetings offer for corporate customers; and continuing to enhance our loyalty offer, building on improved member marketing in 2020 and features such as dynamic pricing for Reward Nights, which offers members more value outside of peak times.

For our owners, we know the importance of managing costs to build, open and operate, and we continue to collaborate and innovate to develop new services and solutions that both increase revenue and deliver more efficient and sustainable operations. Key programmes include: the roll out of our Owner Engagement Portal, which gives owners real-time oversight of performance metrics; and expansion of our central procurement services to use our scale to create additional savings for owners.

18IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

Create

digital

advantage

A digital-first approach is vital to enabling seamless experiences, driving direct bookings, saving time and money, and delivering the right data, insights, technology and platforms needed to connect with guests and drive performance for owners.

Where we’re coming from

Our investment in cloud-based technology allows us to develop and roll out performance-driving tools and new guest-facing products further and faster than ever before.

What’s next

We will create more sophisticated and targeted ways to transform the guest experience at every stage of the journey, while also ensuring our hotels can operate more efficiently, manage greater demand and drive stronger performance.

Key focus areas include continuing to increase the value our technology platforms, marketing, sales and loyalty distribution channels deliver for owners. We will also continue to create a first-class booking experience through our industry-leading Guest Reservation System on IHG Concerto. The roll-out of room attribute pricing is expected to be live across the estate by the end of 2021, enabling tailoring of stays and selection of add-ons. In 2020, initial pilots were conducted in each region, demonstrating to owners the ability to generate maximum value from their hotel’s unique attributes.

In 2020, we developed several new digital enhancements to keep everyone connected and in control, and ensuring we successfully roll these out at scale is a top priority. Digital check-in is now implemented in more than 1,000 hotels, with strong guest satisfaction scores and continues to expand across the estate. Digital check-out is live in 4,000 hotels.

In 2020, we also launched our first flagship store on the leading Chinese Online Travel Agent (OTA) platform, as part of IHG’s partnership with Ctrip. We expect to grow other partnerships in the future to continue providing enriching experiences and benefits for our loyalty members.

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Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202019


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Care for

our people, communities

and planet

We are passionate about working and growing together within a culture that respects and invests in our people, and embraces opportunities to contribute positively to local communities and operate responsibly and sustainably in the world around us.

Where we’re coming from

We have ambitious growth plans, but equally important to us is how we grow. We’re proud to be a business that invests in a highly engaged workforce, supports its communities and looks after our planet. However, we recognise that to deliver on those things requires a commitment to constantly reflect on evolving expectations around what it means to operate as a responsible business.

What’s next

We enter 2021 with a determination to go even further – whether that’s in how we work or grow as individuals, how we build more diverse teams and a more inclusive culture, or how we operate around the world in ways that positively impact people and protect the environment.

Journey to Tomorrow, our new responsible business plan, starts a decade of action. Working with colleagues and those who stay and partner with us, together we will help shape the future of responsible travel. We’ll continue the work we’ve done so far on employee wellbeing and respect for human rights; supporting communities through skills training and disaster relief; and working with our hotels to reduce their environmental impact. We also made important strides in diversity and inclusion in 2020, and must now deliver on our commitment to listen and learn, advocate and act, as part of a pledge to create a more inclusive, equitable IHG for all.

Alongside Journey to Tomorrow, to keep everyone performing at their best and to attract more talented people, we are focusing on how we create a more flexible and dynamic working environment among our corporate teams, taking into account all we have learnt as a business by operating remotely for much of 2020.

We will also continue to work to the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and remain focused on collaborating with owners, partners, peers and governments to achieve a sustainable recovery.

20IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Introducing Journey to Tomorrow

A

t IHG Hotels & Resorts, we touch people’s lives around the world every day, whether that’s in our

teams, in our hotels or as a valued part of our local communities.

Caring for our guests and colleagues, giving back to society, and making sure we protect the environment are all part of how we deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good – and we want to make an even bigger impact with a fresh, ambitious 10-year plan.

We call it Journey to Tomorrow. A decade of commitments to ensure we grow in a responsible way and make sure travel has a beautiful future for everyone.

To develop this plan, we’ve looked at the changing world around us, listened to our owners, and got closer to shifting consumer expectations to help build a picture of what’s most important to our stakeholders and IHG.

How companies perceive their role in the environmental, social and governance agenda continues to gain much greater

prominence with all stakeholders, and each of our commitments will ensure we stretch ourselves in areas where we feel we can make the greatest impact.

The plan will also help ensure we play our part in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all – something organisations all over the world are working toward to collectively tackle some of the biggest global challenges we face.

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See our Responsible Business Report on our website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

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Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202021


Strategic Report

Section 172 statement

The impact of Covid-19 during 2020 presented an unprecedented challenge for the Board, with the Company’s response to the pandemic dominating decisions and considerations. The Directors guided, supported and challenged management, giving them, where appropriate, a clear mandate to take short-term decisions at pace whilst still keeping focus on long-term strategic impact, helping to weigh competing priorities, and ensuring that all factors and stakeholders were taken into consideration. In their deliberations they focused on IHG’s values, business ethics, purpose, other stakeholders, risks, post-pandemic strategy and the financial and organisational resilience of the Company.

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires a director of a company to act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole. In doing this, Section 172 requires directors to have regard, amongst other matters to: the likely consequences of any decision in the longer term; the interests of the company’s employees; the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others; the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment; the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and the need to act fairly between members of the company.

IHG’s Directors give careful consideration to the factors set out above in discharging their duties under Section 172 including in taking decisions of strategic importance to the Group. The information set out on pages 22 and 23 below describes the importance of each factor set out in Section 172(1)(a) – (f) to IHG and gives examples of how the Directors have had regard to each of those factors in certain decisions taken during 2020.

FactorOur engagement and commitment2020 examples of key decisions and considerations

The likely consequences of any decisions in the long-term

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LOGO  See pages 14

        and16 to 21

  As set out in the Schedule of Matters reserved for the Board, there are a number of key decisions and matters the Board is responsible for, including the Group’s overall business and commercial strategy, annual operating and capital expenditure budget and financial plans. The Board, through its schedule of meetings, focuses on strategic and operational matters, corporate governance, investor relations and risk management. Board papers, reports and presentations are structured to include relevant stakeholder considerations and the likely consequences of each decision for the long-term success of the Company.

  As detailed on pages 2, 7 and 14, the Board, in the face of the pandemic and its impact on the business, took decisions throughout 2020 to protect the Company and position the business for recovery by reducing costs, strengthening liquidity and preserving cash. All discretionary costs were challenged, and salary and incentive reductions were made, including substantial remuneration decreases for Board and Executive Committee members. The Board withdrew its recommendation for a final 2019 dividend of 85.9¢ (~$150m), deferred consideration of further dividends until visibility improved, and took other decisions in relation to IHG’s financing arrangements to bolster IHG’s liquidity. In taking these decisions, the Board considered both the short and long term impact on its people, owners and investors.

  During the course of the year, the Board, having taken into consideration the impact of Covid-19, changing guest and societal expectations, and considering the long-term success of the Company, approved a refreshed strategy and purpose. See pages 16 to 21 for further information.

The interests of the company’s employees

LOGO

LOGO See page 26

  IHG’s direct workforce is made up of employees working in corporate offices, reservation centres and owned, managed, leased and managed lease hotels. Our employees are key to delivering both our purpose of True Hospitality for Good and our strategic initiatives. The Board acknowledges that their key concerns include continued employment, remuneration, diversity and inclusion and career development.

  The designated non-executive director with responsibility for workforce engagement provides a vital portal for the Board to hear employee views and receive their feedback, alongside regular Board and Committee agenda items relating to employee matters and Company culture. In addition, wherever and whenever possible all Directors directly engage with employees.

  During 2020, the Board made decisions and supported management to ensure employee engagement methods were prioritised and effective for working remotely during the pandemic, and concentrated on employee wellbeing and business cohesion. Regular internal communications and Staying In Touch forums were put in place to make sure employees were kept up to date on business performance and developments. Tools and resources were also selected to aid flexible and remote working, as well as the extension of our Employee Assistance Programme to cover mental health and wellbeing.

  The Board took key decisions to temporarily reduce compensation, furlough a large proportion of employees and implement a programme of redundancies. When considering these decisions, the Board balanced the immediate impact on the affected employees with the broader implications for all stakeholders. Measures to temporarily reduce compensation were taken quickly in recognition of the immediate and severe impact on revenues. Decisions on the scale and extent of furlough and redundancies were deferred until informed by a greater understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on the business. The Board kept all measures under regular review, and with growing confidence in the delivery of cost savings and successful management of cash flows, was able to reverse salary reductions ahead of original expectations.

The need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

LOGO

LOGO See page 31

  Building and maintaining relationships with both new and long-standing hotel owners, managing connections with critical suppliers and others within our supply chain, and focusing on guest experiences and loyalty are vital to our continued success. These stakeholders in turn look to IHG and rely on our trusted reputation, the advantages of our scale, our owner proposition, consistent guest experiences and rewards for loyalty.

  The Board maintains oversight and fosters relationships through focusing on strategic and operational matters as part of its regular meeting agendas and interactions with owners, either through the IHG Owners Association or in one to one meetings. It also reviews Guest and Owner HeartBeat surveys to understand the needs and interests of guests and owners. In addition, the Responsible Business Committee keeps under review the Group’s approach to its supply chain and our Supplier Code of Conduct.

  During the first quarter of the year the Board supported decisions to put Covid-19 health and safety operating procedures into place globally, including the IHG’s Way of Clean programme and IHG Clean Promise, protecting both guests and hotel colleagues. Decisions also allowed for revised flexible booking and cancellation options to be implemented, and protection of guest loyalty membership status.

  With Board review and support, IHG worked with owners to balance the need to keep hotels open with reduced occupancy, and reduce costs, advising them on adjusting operations, providing fee relief and payment flexibility, delaying renovation requirements, and relaxing brand standards to conserve owner funds. In addition, the Board supported the repurposing of many hotels to provide essential services including accommodation to frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society. The Company, including Executive Directors, supported hotel owners and lobbied to secure broad government support for the industry, including reliefs and other hospitality-related incentives.

  The Board reviewed and supported management in engaging with strategic suppliers to adjust service levels, anticipate continuity risks, and address payment terms.

22IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



FactorOur engagement and commitment2020 examples of key decisions and considerations

The impact of the company’s operations on the community and planet

LOGO

  The Responsible Business Committee supports the Board by reviewing and advising on the Group’s objectives and strategy in relation to its environmental and social impact.

  IHG’s awareness of the impact it has on the environment, and the impact the environment has on IHG is vitally important to IHG’s reputation and long-term viability. We take active steps to help our hotels measure and manage their environmental impact. We advise and assist hotel owners with making sustainable choices to tackle issues such as climate change, water scarcity and waste management.

  Our success and the wellbeing of those who work in and around our hotels are closely linked. With nearly 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries, we are proud to be at the heart of local communities and recognise the opportunity we have to make a real difference to others. IHG forms strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charities that can help to make a difference in communities and wider society, with a focus on providing assistance in times of need and boosting economic empowerment through skills building.

  In 2020, the Responsible Business Committee reviewed and approved a new set of responsible business commitments and a 10-year strategy, covering areas such as diversity and inclusion, carbon reduction, waste and water. As the pandemic spread across the globe, these commitments continued to be refined to address the changing nature of operating responsibly.

  Despite the short-term challenges IHG faced in 2020, it was important for IHG to commence a project, in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), to understand the risks and opportunities climate change poses for the business. With oversight from the Board and Responsible Business Committee, a readiness review was undertaken to understand where gaps to full TCFD alignment were, and a climate risk assessment framework tailored to our business was initiated. At the end of the year, the Board and third-party experts on climate change reviewed progress made and next steps for 2021, including financial qualification of climate-related risks and opportunities.

LOGO  See page 29

The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct

LOGO

  IHG’s culture is based on its commitments to strong values and its Code of Conduct. Company culture promotes integrity and transparency, gives confidence to stakeholders and makes IHG a desirable company to work with and for. The Board directly, and through its Committees, has responsibility for the Company’s adherence to its values, policies and procedures relating to business conduct, and has a number of standing agenda items to ensure it reviews policies for continued relevance.

  In 2020, the Directors, through the Responsible Business Committee, reviewed and approved the Group’s fifth Modern Slavery Statement, which includes information on our response to the pandemic, including monitoring its impact on modern slavery and human rights risks and where we have adapted our activities and priorities to respond to these. To affirm its importance and visibility within IHG, the statement is signed by the CEO and published externally.

  The Audit Committee oversaw enhancements made to enable effective and efficient management of risk in a crisis environment. This included updates to the Global Delegation of Authority Policy and reinforcement of key policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Information Security and other entity level control arrangements). The Board and the Audit Committee also reviewed continuity arrangements for key corporate offices and critical processes underpinning financial control.

LOGO  See page 24

The need to act fairly between members of the company

LOGO

  IHG’s clear purpose, strong culture, resilient business model and evolved strategy are vital to attracting investment in the Company. Shareholders look to IHG to provide consistent shareholder returns, be committed to robust business ethics, have a strong, diverse, innovative and inclusive culture, and respect the environment and local communities.

  The Chair and Committee Chairs engage directly with investors on several matters including executive remuneration, diversity and inclusion and environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. In addition, they receive formal reviews of investor perceptions and regular shareholder updates to ensure the Board is cognisant of their views and interest.

  The Board commitment to engagement with investors and shareholders was particularly pertinent during 2020 as the pandemic unfolded. The Board received an increased number of business updates in relation to IHG’s liquidity and financing position, and further reviewed and approved an increased number of external trading updates. In addition, the Chair, Executive Directors, and Jo Harlow, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, held a series of meetings with investors in relation to a range of issues, including executive remuneration and IHG’s response to Covid-19, and responded to and acknowledged investor communications.

LOGO  See page 33

   

LOGO  The above statement should be read in conjunction with the rest of the Strategic Report and the Governance Report, including the Committee Reports and Board meeting focus areas.

LOGO  The Schedule of Matters reserved for the Board and the Terms of Reference for each of the Board Committees are available on our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

LOGO

LOGO

LOGOSection 172 statement Audit Committee memberIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 LOGO23


Strategic Report

Our culture

Our success and reputation are dependent on our commitment to our values, Code of Conduct, principles, policies, and monitoring and assurance processes. Combined they ensure that we continue to build trust with all our stakeholders, and deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

LOGO

T 

he Board is committed to ensuring that IHG’s culture supports its purpose and strategy. The Board oversees and monitors culture through direct

engagement and regular agenda items, including employee engagement survey results, employee resource groups, diversity and inclusion reports, and updates from the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement. Board discussions focus on defining the culture needed to drive IHG’s strategy and embedding it, including through the Code of Conduct, procedures and controls, training programmes, employee communications and tone from the top. These mechanisms ensure that the desired Company culture is promoted and IHG’s purpose and strategy are aligned.

LOGOSee also Board meetings on pages 83 and 84.

Our behaviours

IHG’s behaviours are aligned to our purpose and strategy, encouraging employees to Move fast, be Solutions focused, Think return and Build one team. Our behaviours were brought into sharp focus in 2020, and we lived them in a range of ways, such as prioritising enhanced operational procedures, including the IHG Way of Clean programme to protect our guests and hotel colleagues, and creating hotel re-opening guides to deliver timely support and training for the re-opening of hotels under enhanced cleanliness and safety measures.

IHG values

Our values, led by the Board, Executive Committee and Senior Leaders, underpin our behaviours, guide how we deliver our strategy, make decisions and live our purpose.

LOGO

Do the right thing

LOGO

Show we care

LOGO

Aim higher

LOGO

Celebrate difference

LOGO

Work better together

Code of Conduct

IHG’s Code of Conduct (Code) sets out IHG’s key principles and policies and is fundamental in supporting employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels to make the right decisions, in compliance with the law and our high ethical standards. It provides information on our key principles and global policies, including human rights, diversity and inclusion, accurate reporting, information security, anti-bribery and the environment. It also provides employees with guidance on where to go if they are faced with a difficult issue and need further help. The Code is supported by mandatory e-learnings on Anti-Bribery, Antitrust and Handling Information Responsibly.

The Board, Executive Committee and all employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels must comply with the Code. Each year, they are asked to reaffirm their commitment to it. The principles, spirit and purpose of the Code are relevant to all of IHG and we expect those we do business with, including our franchisees, to uphold similar standards.

The Code is reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis to ensure it reflects and responds to changes in the external environment and continues to support IHG’s purpose and strategy.

We continuously evolve our Code training, including our engagement and measurement approaches. During 2020, the Code provided a critical framework for responding to the challenges of Covid-19, and we focused on raising awareness, through targeted internal communications, of the annual Code e-learnings requirement.

The following policies and principles are key areas of the Code, each of which are supported by their own guidance and training materials.

Human rights and modern slavery

IHG is committed to respecting the human rights of all our colleagues, guests and the communities we operate in, and we continue to encourage those we do business with, including our suppliers and hotels owners, to prevent, mitigate and address adverse impacts on human rights, including modern slavery. We seek to advance human rights through our business activities and by working together with others to identify challenges and effective solutions.

A key focus of our human rights programme in 2020 has been on addressing risks relating to migrant workers, who may be increasingly vulnerable during the Covid-19 crisis. This work has included development of internal guidance, particularly in relation to staff accommodation for hotel colleagues.

LOGO

Further information is provided in our Modern Slavery Statement, which is available on our website www.ihgplc.com/modernslavery

Bribery and financial crime

IHG does not permit any form of bribery or financial crime, including improper payments, money laundering and tax evasion, under any circumstances. This also applies to any agents, consultants and other service providers who work on IHG’s behalf.

Our Anti-Bribery Policy sets out our zero-tolerance approach and is applicable to all Directors, Executive Committee members, employees and managed hotels, and is accompanied by a mandatory Anti-Bribery e-learning module. In addition, our Gifts and Entertainment Policy supports our approach to anti-bribery and corruption.

IHG is a member of Transparency International UK’s Business Integrity Forum and participates in its annual Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. Each year, the results from this benchmark help to measure the effectiveness of our anti-bribery and corruption programme and identify areas for continuous improvement.

24IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Handling information responsibly

IHG is committed to ensuring that the way we manage data and information received from the following is trusted and that we address cybersecurity threats: guests booking via our reservation channels, members of our loyalty programmes, colleagues, shareholders, and other stakeholders. We have standards, policies and procedures in place to manage how personal data can be used and protected. Our e-learning training for employees on handling information responsibly is a mandatory annual requirement, and covers topics such as password and email security, using personal data in accordance with our policies and privacy commitments, how to work with vendors and transferring data securely.

In 2020 we carried out additional awareness campaigns with communications to employees on a variety of topics such as phishing, passwords and security when working from home.

We continue to develop our privacy and security programmes to address evolving requirements and take account of developing best practice. The Board and Audit Committee regularly receive updates, and review our privacy and information security programmes.

LOGO

IHG’s Code of Conduct is available
in 10 languages on our website
www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business
and also the Company intranet.

IHG is a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and is committed to alignment of IHG’s operations, culture and strategies with the UNGC’s 10 universally accepted principles in relation to human rights, environment and anti-corruption.

Our monitoring and assurance processes

In addition to our Code e-learnings, we monitor and assess our culture through employee engagement surveys, feedback from employee forums, tracking of e-learning completion, our confidential reporting hotline, and third-party consultant surveys.

As a result of the pandemic, 2020 Executive Committee meetings were increased to a weekly cadence, in order to respond to the fast-moving industry and IHG environment. This increased frequency enabled regular performance and risk reviews, and allowed for rapid decision-making. The Executive Committee closely monitored high and trending risks, reviewed the status of hotel closures due to Covid-19, and tracked corporate and reservation employee sentiment aligned to our core values and behaviours.

Within IHG, various functions consider where additional guidance, learning materials or adjustments to existing controls are required. For example, during 2020 we enhanced our processes for handling information responsibly and our Information Security Team implemented additional monitoring to respond to heightened risks of data loss from stresses that Covid-19 placed on processes, people and supplier arrangements. The Board and Audit Committee received regular updates from key risk and control functions and considered the appropriateness of risk management and internal control arrangements.

In relation to our key business ethics, principles and policies, we carry out risk-based due diligence and compliance checks on new third-party hotel owners with whom we enter into hotel management or licence agreements. This includes the use of screening and monitoring tools and the provision of guidance for our Legal, Franchise Administration, and Development teams. In 2020, we successfully trialled and launched an enhanced version of our due diligence risk management platform, resulting in increased automation of internal escalation processes, faster counterparty searches and improved adverse media screening.

A central committee of senior IHG decision-makers considers and reviews any material issues identified in our due diligence, such as concerns or allegations of human rights violations, financial crime including bribery and corruption, or other activities which may have a reputational, legal or ethical impact on IHG. Contingent on any risks or concerns identified, external legal or consultancy expertise may also be utilised, including with respect to entry into new markets.

To help manage and monitor our corporate supply chain, an automated procurement system is used across many of our large corporate offices. In addition to acknowledging adherence to IHG’s Supplier Code of Conduct, new suppliers onboarded to the system are required to complete due

diligence questionnaires, which include questions on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption relevant to suppliers’ own operations and supply chains.

Our Internal Audit team provides objective and insightful assurance that we have appropriate controls in place to support our growth ambitions. Throughout 2020, Internal Audit focused on both specific reviews of processes and controls, and ongoing discussions with management, while considering the dynamic inherent risks created by the crisis and the organisational and process changes which have resulted from it. Internal Audit also provides independent oversight of the mechanisms in place for confidential reporting across IHG, including the design and operation of the reporting hotline, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with employees from Human Resources, Ethics and Compliance and Finance to monitor:

the volume of reports received;

the source and nature of allegations received; and

the overall environment across the Group to promote a ‘speak-up’ culture.

Non-financial information statement

Non-financial information, including a description of policies, due diligence processes in pursuit of policies, outcomes and risks and opportunities are set out as follows:

 Impact of the Company’s activities on the environment on page 29

 Social matters on page 29

 Anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters on pages 24 and 25

 Employee matters on pages 26 to 28

 Respect for human rights on page 24

 A description of the Group’s business model on pages 12 to 15

 The Group’s principal risks on pages 34 to 41

 The Group’s KPIs on pages 43 to 46

Our key stakeholders and factors affecting IHG

The following pages describe the importance of our key stakeholders and factors

affecting IHG, and our consideration for them during 2020.

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

Our

people

see page 26

Communities

and planet

see page 29

Our guests, owners

and suppliers

see page 31

Shareholders

and investors

see page 33

LOGO

Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202025


Strategic Report

Our people

Our people are fundamental to IHG achieving its purpose and strategic goals. IHG’s business model means that we do not employ all colleagues. We directly employ individuals in our corporate offices, reservation centres, and managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. However, not all individuals in managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels are directly employed, and we do not employ any individuals in franchised hotels (nor do we control their day-to-day operations, policies or procedures).

LOGO

W

e do not underestimate the immense amount of hard work, commitment and sacrifice that was shown by our

people over the course of last year. The Board and Executive Committee are immensely proud of all our employees around the world as teams adapted and responded to such an unprecedented challenge – their determination demonstrated the very best of IHG and our industry, living up to our values and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

Attracting, developing and retaining talent

To achieve our strategic priorities, we know we need to attract, develop and retain a diverse and talented workforce. This commitment is emphasised throughout our global hiring guidelines and initiatives, such as unconscious bias training, and is backed up by our D&I Policy, which ensures we

consider diverse attributes, perspectives, cultures and experiences. Our global flexible working guidelines are aimed at making IHG an attractive company to work for and we advocate work/life balance.

During 2020, our recruitment activities reduced significantly as a result of Covid-19. However, we are committed to securing future talent pipelines and our candidate relationship management tool has 184,000 subscriptions from over 81,000 potential candidates.

As the impact of Covid-19 deepened, steps were taken to curtail people-related costs in both corporate offices and the managed hotel estate. The Board was consulted and a global plan was created to reduce costs and help employees, including supporting the re-deployment of hotel colleagues into other work opportunities. In the Americas and EMEAA, we launched the ‘IHG Hotel

Colleague Job Center’ to connect those impacted with organisations recruiting at scale. We also implemented IHG Alumni sites to stay connected with furloughed and former employees, sharing news and job opportunities.

In the mid to long term, we are focused on implementing features of our Talent Acquisition Programme, with a priority focus on our Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Our aim is to make IHG an employer of choice, and we launched the refreshed EVP in February 2021, including a new consolidated careers website which brings together multiple careers sites and key messaging around opportunities to belong, develop and make a difference. The website features job alert functionality where potential candidates will receive email notifications of any recently posted jobs that match their predefined criteria.

Employee engagement statement

Our statement relates to only IHG’s directly employed individuals and should be read in conjunction with our S172 statement.

At IHG we foster a culture of open and honest engagement and feedback. We have a wide range of engagement forums including an engagement survey, management-led performance updates and a designated non-executive director for workforce engagement. Through these forums we hear from and talk to employees about IHG’s performance, key metrics, values, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

With the shift to remote working, we implemented virtual solutions to ensure employees kept in touch, maintained working relationships and were provided with Company updates. This included video meetings, podcasts and regular global calls with the CEO and other Executive Committee members. Global calls covered performance and other metric updates, alongside a wide range of other topics, as well as live Q&As.

The Board and Executive Committee were kept updated of employee interest and concern areas, and this influenced, for example, the set up of an emergency support fund to provide immediate help for employees facing financial hardship. The Company provided nearly $1.3m and assisted 2,134 employees across 10 countries.

The health and wellbeing of employees was a priority concern, and the Board and Executive Committee reviewed actions to help counter potential physical and mental effects of the pandemic and remote working, including re-charge days and no meeting Fridays. All corporate employees have access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which was extended to 31 countries. Other measures included a flexible learning summit, which more than 4,000 employees accessed, as well as surveys on employee remote working experiences, initiatives to raise mental health awareness, and HR and manager training programmes.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, our employee engagement survey, completed by employees in corporate and reservations offices and General Managers in managed hotels, was only conducted once during the year. The survey provided employees the opportunity to share their views on key issues relating to Company culture, IHG’s Covid-19 response, working from home, and health and wellbeing. Overall engagement remained stable at 79%, above external top quartile benchmarks. There were significant engagement improvements in relation to employees having the right tools and resources to carry out their jobs, work collaboration and decision-making speed. The main area for improvement was career development opportunities. Short pulse surveys carried out during the year also showed significant positive responses to the transparent and open nature of communications from Senior Leaders.

LOGO

Further information about the activities of the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement can be found on page 92.

26IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


LOGO

$1.3m

Emergency support fund

The Company provided $1.3m and

assisted 2,134 employees across 10

countries

79%

Employee engagement survey

Overall engagement remained stable

at 79%, above external top quartile

benchmarks

152

Future Leaders

Greater China successfully screened,

recruited and onboarded 152 Future

Leaders during 2020

49%

Our employee share plan

49% of eligible employees took up

the plan in 2020, its first year of

operation, with just over 82% opting

to pay the maximum contribution

Early talent development

Our Early Careers Programme offers work experience, internships and graduate opportunities to individuals looking to have a career in the hospitality industry, and helps attract talent into our managed hotel estate. The vast majority of face-to-face offerings were impacted as a result of the global pandemic, however in Greater China we successfully screened, recruited and onboarded 152 Future Leaders during 2020, which will support IHG’s continuing recovery in the region during 2021.

Ongoing talent development

We are firmly committed to investing in our employees and have various toolkits to help plan for and shape their development. We believe in having conversations that count. Employees engage in quarterly check-in conversations with line leaders to plan personal development and discuss career aspirations. Our leadership teams regularly discuss talent pipeline pools to identify and develop succession groups for roles with similar characteristics.

We also invest in individuals who work in and support our managed hotels, and have developed and delivered new learning modules during 2020 to help hotel teams adapt during Covid-19. Examples of new training topics include how to conduct a virtual sales call, how to implement an evolved food and beverage offering, and the IHG Way of Clean programme.

As at 31 December 2020    Male  Female  Total 
Directors   8   5   13 
Executive Committee   7   3   10 
Executive Committee direct reports   37   23   60 
Senior managers    
(including subsidiary directors)   73   27   100 
All employees    
((whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund)   5,748   7,084   12,832 

Reward culture

IHG’s reward culture aims to attract, retain and motivate top talent, and is centred around a set of core principles, managed through robust governance, including being recognised and paid competitively for contribution to the Group’s success. Our principles ensure that reward and recognition practices are fair and consistent across our employee population, regardless of gender and other aspects of diversity, and that there is alignment between the wider direct workforce and executive remuneration. We regularly review our approach externally, ensuring we meet the needs of employees by offering market-driven rewards packages.

Our employee share plan is available to around 98% of our corporate employees below the senior/mid-management level (who receive LTIP and restricted stock units awards). IHG matches the number of shares bought by employees through the plan. 49% of eligible employees took up the plan in 2020, its first year of operation, with just over 82% opting to pay the maximum contribution rate each month. Registration for the 2021 plan took place in December 2020, with a take up of 50%.

In response to Covid-19, IHG made difficult decisions in relation to pay, furloughs, reduced hours and redundancies to protect the Company’s long-term future. In March, the 2020 salary merit increase was cancelled, and at the end of Q1 reductions in salary and Company retirement contributions were implemented. However, bonuses earned over 2019 were honoured. In Q2, decisions to furlough and implement partial working hours were taken, and to further manage costs and set the business up for recovery, global redundancies were made from July. Though our recovery is still in progress, our efforts to manage our liquidity allowed us to return employees to full salaries ahead of schedule in October 2020.

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See pages 98 and 100 for more information about our wider remuneration policies.

LOGO

Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202027


Strategic Report

Our people continued

LOGO

Diversity and inclusion (D&I)

IHG is a global business, and our D&I Policy and approach are designed to represent our people and the guests who stay in our hotels, who are made up of multiple nationalities, cultures, races, sexual orientation, backgrounds and beliefs. We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture. It underpins our purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, and is crucial to who we are, how we work together and how we grow our business.

Our D&I Policy supports our recruitment, development and reward practices. Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for the Board, which, through the Responsible Business Committee, has assessed and realigned our priorities and commitments in 2020 to meet changing expectations and societal concerns. We bring our D&I Policy to life through a Global D&I Board and regional D&I Councils, who focus on locally relevant initiatives. Our diversity and inclusion framework is built on three core focus areas.

Strengthening a culture of inclusion:

We know we need to do more to support, nurture and strengthen our diverse and inclusive culture. During 2020, we made a number of commitments such as doubling ethnic minority representation in leadership, particularly to support our Black employees and communities in the Americas, which is helping to shape our response in other regions.

We continue to deliver ongoing inclusive leadership learning programmes and resources for leaders and managers, and we are developing an inclusion index to track perceptions of culture and behaviour in our employee engagement survey. We also are committed to supporting education, employability and empowerment in the community through partnerships with the National Urban League and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have continued to expand and play a crucial role

in supporting our diversity and inclusion commitments. The BERG (Black Employee Resource Group) was instrumental in steering IHG’s response to racial inequality issues in the US.

Our drive to celebrate difference and contribute to making sustainable changes in our organisation also led to the creation of several new ERGs to support other facets of diversity and inclusion, including the Family Network which launched globally in the first half of 2020, and a new ethnic minority diversity network for UK-based employees, EMbrace. Similarly, our Hype ERG, focusing on early career opportunities and networking, is expected to debut in UK in the first half of 2021, after successfully launching in Greater China, the Americas and wider EMEAA. The importance of IHG’s ERGs can be seen in activities such as awareness campaigns for Black History Month, Diwali celebrations, and Senior Leaders sharing their experiences with Lean In circles.

Other activities in 2020 included celebrating International Women’s Day across our managed hotels and corporate offices, under the global theme of #eachforequal. A series of events was produced to celebrate equality throughout IHG and how we are supporting female progression and equality at work.

In June we committed globally to recognising and celebrating Pride month. Like many other companies, our approach in 2020 changed, initially to reflect the limitations of Covid-19 and then more significantly to support the fight against racism and inequality, particularly in the US. In collaboration with Senior Leaders, the BERG and Out & Open members, we adapted our celebration activities to emphasise the importance of inclusivity more broadly. We switched our visual support for Pride month from the traditional rainbow to a more inclusive Pride flag that reflected the rights of both people of colour and the transgender community.

Increasing the diversity of our leadership talent:

As part of our refreshed responsible business plan, we aim to drive gender and ethnicity balance in particular in our leadership teams.

We will continue to deliver talent programmes, such as the Rise programme, which is focused on increasing the number of women in General Manager and Operations roles. During 2020, this programme played a critical role in developing and retaining key female talent across all regions through mentoring sessions, career development workshops, high-impact learning modules, and empowering conversations. In October 2020 we launched a monthly series of ‘conversations with Leaders’ for the RISE cohort and their mentors in the EMEAA managed estate hotels. This inspiring platform connects the group virtually and continues to grow and develop critical leadership experiences.

In Greater China, a series of ERGs known as the ‘Rose Alliance’ was created for existing female General Managers to support further professional development and encourage networking.

In the Americas, as part of the commitments we announced in 2020, we are launching a bespoke programme to develop Black leadership talent and build partnerships with organisations dedicated to supporting Black employees.

Putting the right decision-making around our actions:

IHG recognises that decision-making must be inclusive and take into consideration diverse viewpoints. In the Americas, we are rolling out mandatory unconscious bias training for more than 10,000 US corporate and managed hotel employees. We are also implementing processes to ensure that our recruitment initiatives include a diverse candidate shortlist and interview panel process. In the UK, we signed the UK Race at Work charter with the BITC (Business in the Community) in July 2020. We are committed to using the key focus areas outlined in the charter to further drive our race and ethnicity diversity and inclusion actions.

We will continue to build on our diversity and inclusion practices over the year ahead, with a refreshed set of commitments to ensure we continue to expand access to conscious inclusion training for employees, and strengthen our data capture alongside piloting new diverse talent programmes.

LOGOSee also our Governance Report and statement on disability in the Directors’ Report.
LOGOSee our D&I Policy on our website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

28IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Communities and planet

The Board’s Responsible Business Committee oversees and agrees IHG’s environment and community strategy and commitments, and our Responsible Business targets underpin both. We recognise changing expectations around environment and community matters, and as our 2018-2020 targets come to an end, we look ahead to our new 10-year responsible business plan and ambitious targets.

LOGO

Community

Our community policy promotes and guides us to support local communities, partner with global charities, assist communities impacted by disasters, and help build employment skills among the disadvantaged.

During our 2018-2020 target reporting period we contributed $3.4m to charitable causes, supporting more than 400,000 people. Over the same period, 328,000 colleagues supported community projects across the globe. Our annual Giving for Good month was transformed in 2020 into our Giving for Good awards, in honour of the UN International Day of Volunteering, to reflect the efforts of our colleagues. We celebrated more than 28,000 colleague stories, who collectively spent 212,580 hours supporting people in need.

As a result of the pandemic, we saw social disparities and inequalities exacerbated. We assisted local communities by working with existing charity partners and building new partnerships with NGOs:

We supported frontline workers by repurposing hotels to provide accommodation for frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society.

We partnered with #FirstRespondersFirst in the US, donating accommodation through IHG Rewards point donations; and launched a ‘heroes’ rate for first responders and key workers.

We supported foodbank infrastructure and services across 70 countries. Key partners included ‘No Kid Hungry’ (US), ‘Trussell Trust’ (UK), Global FoodBanking Network and European Food Banks Federation. Our partner, the Global FoodBanking network, provided meals to more than 27 million people, across a network of 900 foodbanks in 44 countries.

In 2020, we supported 1,428 colleagues impacted by disasters; we continued to work with CARE International UK, the British Red Cross, American Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and enabled point donations to these organisations from IHG Rewards members.

IHG® Academy and Change 100

IHG is committed to increasing the number of young people coming through the IHG Academy, a collaboration between our hotels, corporate offices, local education providers and community organisations. It provides local people with the opportunity to develop skills and improve their employment prospects. Despite having to pause the majority of programmes in 2020, we were able to support 3,277 participants, and achieved our target of supporting over 31,000 people between 2018 and 2020. We also have a partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, helping young people build hospitality skills. In 2020 we moved our offerings online.

Change 100 is a programme that takes place each summer and provides paid work placements and mentoring for students and recent graduates with disabilities. During 2020, in partnership with Leonard Cheshire, we held a virtual summer internship for 13 participants in the UK, that included a project focused on creating innovative ideas for IHG’s sustainable hotel room concept.

Planet

Our environment policy sets out our approach to measuring and managing our environmental impact, and supports and guides us to find ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Our Group-wide environmental management system, IHG Green Engage, helps hotels measure, manage and reduce energy, carbon, water and waste consumption, and recommends green solutions.

Waste management

Across the hospitality industry there is a significant amount of waste created. It is essential that we find ways to reduce this by reusing, recycling or designing out items at scale. IHG is committed to working with others to find innovative solutions.

Examples of this include:

removing single-use plastic miniature bathroom amenities and switching to bulk-size products;

partnering with organisations and innovators to help reduce food waste. In Australia, we partner with OzHarvest to

help donate food to local communities. We’re also working with Winnow Solutions to use technology to track, measure and reduce food waste at a number of our EMEAA hotels; and

working with suppliers to repurpose single-use plastic bottles into fillings for duvets and pillows in our voco hotels. To date, more than three million bottles have been diverted from landfill this way.

As a result of Covid-19, hygiene and cleaning measures are likely to have an impact on the environment. Whilst short-term allowances have been made, we have considered and implemented ways to reduce our impact, such as fewer printed items across hotels.

Biodiversity

Through IHG Green Engage, we provide guidance aimed at preserving and protecting on-site local flora and fauna, and the wider regional ecosystems affected by hotel operations. This includes advice on management of green spaces and long-term strategies for protecting local habitats.

Carbon footprint

Hotel energy consumption across the industry represents around 1% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2012 we have tracked carbon reduction per occupied room (CPOR), and our 2018-2020 target was to reduce CPOR by 6-7%. At the end of 2019 we reported a 5.9% reduction. As a result of reduced occupancy levels during 2020, we ended the target period with a 10.2% increase, meaning we did not achieve our target. However, over the same period we reduced our absolute carbon emissions by 23.6%.

In 2020, we had our carbon science-based target approved by the Science-Based Target Initiative, which requires we achieve a 15% absolute carbon footprint reduction in our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels; and a 46% per m2 carbon intensity reduction in our franchised estate by 2030, (from a 2018 base). From 2021 onwards we will be reporting in line with these targets.

Water stewardship

In relation to previous risks identified and our stewardship action plan, we worked with the Alliance for Water Stewardship during 2020, and launched projects in China and Australia, taking our total to six projects, meeting our commitment in this area. As signatories of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate we communicate progress each year against six core commitment areas. Water stress is a local issue, which varies considerably between markets. To ensure we collaborate at a local level, we have become members of the Water Resilience Coalition.

LOGO

Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202029


Strategic Report

TCFD

We are committed to doing our part to address climate change by reducing our carbon emissions, and in early 2020 we announced new 2030 science-based targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Accord. While we have an
asset-light business model, with the majority of IHG hotels owned by a third party, our commitments cover the operations of all our hotels globally, whether managed, owned, leased, managed lease or franchised.

The Board recognises the importance of understanding and managing the impact of potential climate-related risks and opportunities on

IHG’s business and strategy. In early 2020 we made a formal commitment to support the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and have engaged a third-party expert to support with the more technical elements of the project. During the year we completed a ‘readiness review’ to understand IHG’s gaps to full TCFD alignment and developed a climate risk assessment framework tailored to our business which was used to conduct a qualitative risk assessment including scenario planning. This will be used as the basis for an in-depth quantitative risk assessment in 2021, which will enable detailed reporting against the TCFD recommendations in our 2021 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

Governance

The IHG Board has collective responsibility for managing climate-related risks and opportunities and is advised by the Board’s Responsible Business Committee on the Group’s corporate responsibility strategy, including our approach to climate-related risks and opportunities. Committee meetings are regularly attended by our Chair, CEO, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs and VP, Global Corporate Responsibility.

Our CFO, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs and EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary co-lead executive level management of climate-related risks and opportunities and report to our CEO. Our regional CEOs for the Americas, EMEAA and Greater China lead the implementation of environmental programmes at an operational level, supported by IHG’s Global Corporate Responsibility team.

During 2020, we established an internal TCFD Steering Group, with senior representation from Finance, Risk and Assurance, Strategy, Corporate Responsibility, and the Legal, Compliance and Company Secretariat team, who are responsible for leading the project.

Strategy

Led by our TCFD Steering Group and working with specialist consultants, during 2020 we carried out over 30 Senior Leader stakeholder interviews to identify key value drivers for the business and completed a global qualitative risk assessment to understand where and how climate change may affect these value drivers over the short, medium and long term.

We held two scenario planning workshops with cross-functional Business Unit leaders, to review potential risks at 2°C and 4°C scenarios over one, five, 10, 15 and 30 year time horizons. Our analysis covered acute and chronic physical risks, including droughts or floods, water stress, wildfires and rising sea levels, as well as transition risks, such as changes in stakeholder expectations, travel patterns, climate policy and regulation.

This work culminated in a dedicated TCFD session with our Board in December 2020, to discuss climate change as a strategic resilience issue, review actions already completed and identify priorities for 2021 to close any gaps to TCFD alignment. The focus for next year will be an in-depth financial evaluation of key risks identified during the qualitative analysis, as well as an assessment of potential impacts on IHG’s growth strategy and financial planning.

Risk management

We consider climate change within the context of environmental and social megatrends as one of our principal risks. To reduce our carbon footprint and manage our exposure to climate-related risks, in 2019 we made carbon reduction a metric for all hotels globally (see below) and in 2020 we launched our science-based targets and started more formal implementation of the TCFD recommendations.

Our Risk Management team is part of our core TCFD working group and as such is closely involved in the work to assess in more detail IHG’s potential exposure to both physical and transition risks over the short, medium and long term. This will facilitate further embedding of climate-related risks into our global risk management and mitigation procedures, as appropriate, to support the long-term resilience of the business.

Metrics and targets

The IHG Green Engage system is our global environmental management platform and is critical to our ability to identify, assess and mitigate climate-related risks. As part of our brand standards, all IHG hotels globally are required to use the platform and report their monthly utility use on the platform, which in turn provides hotels with trend data, benchmarking information, green building solutions and return on investment information, to help them identify key opportunities for maximising carbon, energy, water and waste efficiency and reducing their overall utility costs.

Carbon reduction is one of IHG’s 10 global metrics, with both Group and hotel level targets set on an annual basis. Achievement of the global metrics is one of the criteria used in the annual performance plan calculations for corporate employees and General Managers of managed hotels.

In 2020, we launched our science-based carbon reduction targets – to reduce absolute carbon emissions from our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels by 15% by 2030, and to reduce carbon emissions per square metre from our franchised hotels by 46% by 2030, both against a 2018 base year. For more information on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and our performance against our targets, please see page 221.

As we complete our financial impact assessment of climate-related risks, this will inform the development of any additional metrics and targets around the management and mitigation of risks and the strengthening of IHG’s business resilience against climate change.

Management objectives for 2021

  Complete financial quantification of key climate-related risks and opportunities.

  Analysis of the relative importance of these climate-related risks compared to our wider enterprise risks.

  Develop roadmap for embedding climate-related risks and opportunities into IHG strategy, financial planning and decision-making.

  Present findings and proposals for discussion at our annual Board strategy day.

  Embed findings into 2021 Annual Report disclosures, to demonstrate full alignment with TCFD recommendations.

LOGO

Please see further information in the preceding pages of the

Strategic Report, as well as risk management and Governance

and Directors’ Reports.

LOGO

See our Responsible Business Report on our website at

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

30IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Our guests, owners & suppliers

LOGO

Business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

As set out in our S172 statement, our business relationships with our guests, hotel owners and suppliers are fundamental to our commercial success.

During the year, the Board and Executive Committee focused on what was critical for guests, hotel owners and suppliers. They considered and agreed operational procedures, cost management solutions and payment terms to support these stakeholders through the pandemic.

The Board has standing agenda items to consider strategic and operational matters that include guests, owners and suppliers, and receives reports, presentations and feedback from management. Through the Responsible Business Committee, it monitors targets in relation to responsible procurement and reviews the Supplier Code of Conduct. In addition, the Chair and Executive Directors engage directly with hotel owners.

The following information sets out more detail about our relationships with our guests, hotel owners and suppliers, and describes how our relationships with these key stakeholders have been maintained and strengthened in 2020.

LOGO   See also our business relationships disclosure on page 222.

8

guest relations contact centres in 5 countries

1,700+

guest relations agents speaking 12 languages

12 m+

lines of enquiry dealt with during 2020

2.5 m

Guest HeartBeat surveys completed in 2020

2.5 m

social reviews received in 2020

Hotel guests

Operating with a clear focus on what’s important to customers is key to ensuring consumer preference for our brands. Important to them is a consistent and safe stay experience, reward for their loyalty, and brands that can be trusted. In 2020, this came to the forefront more than ever with the need to provide clean and safe hotels, and flexibility in relation to hotel stays and the IHG Rewards programme.

Day to day accountability for ensuring that IHG’s strategy relating to guests is prioritised lies with the Executive Committee, including the Executive Directors, who regularly receive guest data and insights including updates on guest satisfaction, Guest Heartbeat survey results, and loyalty contributions. To provide oversight, the Board also receives regular operational presentations and updates, including delivery against relevant metrics and KPIs.

During 2020, with Board agreement, IHG enhanced and drove implementation of the IHG Way of Clean programme and IHG’s Clean Promise into all regions to protect guests, and also implemented a flexible cancellation policy, temporary loyalty

programme changes, including reducing stay qualification, and revised operational procedures in relation to food and beverage offerings. These decisions balanced local government guidelines, owner costs and guest expectations. In addition, 1,500 guest relations agents switched to remote working, ensuring we continued to provide quality service to our guests.

Positive guest sentiment is vital to our customer-centric strategy. Apart from Guest Love we have other metrics in relation to loyalty, sales and guest relation interactions. Measures put in place during 2020, such as the flexible cancellation policy, were in direct response to guest requests to cancel and rearrange their bookings because of the pandemic.

LOGO    See page 18 for more information on our

          customer-centric strategy.

Hotel owners

IHG predominantly franchises its brands, but also manages hotels on behalf of third- party hotel owners, and has a global network of hotel owners. Our success is reliant on our effective execution of our corporate strategy, a strong owner proposition, our shared commitment to delivering our purpose and desire to maintain high business standards.

We predominantly measure our relationship with hotel owners through the Owner HeartBeat survey, which the Board and Executive Committee receive and review, but other metrics, such as the Signings KPI, indicates the attractiveness of our owner proposition.

We engage with hotel owners in a variety of ways, depending on whether their hotels are franchised or managed. For example, we engage with franchised hotel owners through annual portfolio and hotel reviews, and also through the IHG Owners Association (IHGOA). The IHGOA represents the interests of more than 4,500 hotel owners and operators worldwide. We work with them

IHG complies with the statutory reporting duty on payment practices and performance and is a signatory of the Prompt Payment Code.

LOGO

Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202031


Strategic Report

Our guests, owners & suppliers continued

LOGO

to obtain feedback on IHG standards, programmes and initiatives, including our System Fund.

During 2020, with the hospitality industry significantly impacted by Covid-19, the Board, through the Executive Committee, agreed and put in place a range of measures to help protect owner cash flow including supplier discounts, fee relief and flexible payment options. Decisions were reviewed against the impact on IHG’s own cash flow and revenue requirements, hotel operational costs and what was needed to be done to protect guests. For example, the costs of implementing the IHG Way of Clean programme were balanced against reductions in other operational and brand standard costs, such as delaying planned refurbishments.

Further support for owners included provision of tailored recovery toolkits and targeted marketing campaigns to drive hotel demand. Our regional CEOs lobbied at the highest levels of government (including with the President of the United States and the speaker of the US House of Representatives), as well as through trade bodies, to gain support for the hospitality industry. In the UK, Keith Barr worked with other Executive Committee members to ensure that appropriate support was provided by the UK Government to help owners through the difficult trading period caused by restrictions and government lockdowns.

Suppliers

Working with suppliers is vital for our operations and for driving our responsible business commitments. Our supply chain activities are split into two categories: corporate and hotel supply chains. Our corporate supply chain covers items such as

technology and professional services, and includes a number of strategic suppliers, identified for their contractual and operational value. For example, we have a technology agreement with Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc. for the development and hosting of the Group’s Guest Reservation System.

Procurement of goods and services at hotel level covers items required for opening, renovating and operating a hotel, such as food and beverages, furniture, linen and electrical goods. However, most of our hotels are owned by independent third-party owners, who are responsible for managing their own independent supply chains.

During 2020, IHG considered and responded to the impact of Covid-19 on suppliers, taking actions such as renegotiating payment schedules across key vendors and increasing engagement with strategic suppliers on service levels and continuity risks.

The Procurement function drives IHG’s responsible business agenda into our supply chains, which is agreed with the Responsible Business Committee. The responsible procurement agenda was significantly impacted by Covid-19 in 2020. However, the function was instrumental in supporting owners and hotels with sourcing PPE and other emergency supplies, and used IHG’s scale to provide support to supplier negotiations.

Despite much otherwise reduced sourcing activity, the function, supported by the Responsible Business Committee, focused on the core elements of responsible procurement through (i) our supply chain risk assurance programme, (ii) our IHG Green Supplier programme, (iii)

improving employee awareness of responsible procurement, and (iv) ongoing collaboration with key suppliers bringing innovation, smarter choices and business efficiency for our hotels and owners.

We made good progress with our supplier risk assurance programme. Following the previous launch of desktop-based risk assessment questionnaires and risk profiling suppliers based on their responses, we requested additional information from a number of suppliers to better understand their practices in certain areas. We paused the programme during the year to focus on addressing the challenges of the pandemic, but are expecting to recommence the programme in 2021.

We were also able to introduce a new set of responsible procurement criteria for prospective suppliers. The pre-contract assessment is part of IHG’s tendering process and includes questions about suppliers’ governance, human rights and environmental practices relevant to suppliers’ own operations and supply chains.

Supply chain mapping

During the year, in partnership with CARE International UK and our key suppliers, we continued our programme focused on the textiles supply chain, aimed at creating a more gender-inclusive workplace, leading to more productive, resilient and secure value chains. Recognising the environmental impact of textiles, we also partnered with the University of Exeter to carry out an environmental assessment of IHG’s textiles value chain in support of identifying opportunities for IHG to transition towards circularity.

32IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Our shareholders

LOGO

W

e are committed to maintaining

an open dialogue and a comprehensive programme of

investor relations activities, and pride ourselves on keeping up-to-date

with best practice and market views

through independent advice and guidance

from a number of agencies and brokers.

The Chair and Committee Chairs actively engage with investors to ensure they are aware and understand the views and perceptions of our major shareholders, and the Board receives formal external reviews of investor perceptions. In addition, our Registrar, EQ, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., custodians of our American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme, have teams set up to deal with shareholder and ADR holder queries.

During 2020 both Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson presented IHG’s 2019 year-end and 2020 interim results to institutional investors, analysts and media. Telephone conferences were held following first and third-quarter trading updates, including Q&A sessions with sell-side analysts.

The Chair and other Board members continued with their annual cycle of investor meetings with major institutional shareholders during 2020, albeit meetings were held virtually and the usual range of meetings was adjusted as a result of the pandemic. Patrick Cescau engaged with our largest shareholders to discuss broader governance matters and the Company’s situation and response to Covid-19. Jo Harlow, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, held a series of investor consultation meetings with major shareholders, in relation to Executive Directors’ remuneration. In addition, following Sharon Rothstein’s appointment

to the Board she undertook an introductory meeting with a major shareholder, and Dale Morrison, our Senior Independent Director, was and remains available to shareholders if they have concerns they wish to discuss.

As in previous years, significant engagement occurred with sell-side analysts and investors. The market was kept updated of IHG’s business situation during the year through a number of stock exchange announcements, including updates on its financing and liquidity. Individual investor meetings and conferences were hosted, and both Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson hosted virtual fire-side meetings. Below Board level, various business leaders including representatives from Corporate Responsibility and Ethics and Compliance, held meetings with shareholders to discuss responsible business focus areas.

AGM

The 2020 AGM was held in constrained circumstances, following UK Government lockdown measures and advice from IHG’s external legal advisors. Our belief is that AGMs are an invaluable forum for communicating with investors and shareholders. With the likelihood of continued constraints in place, due to UK Government Covid-19 physical distancing measures, we continue to evaluate how our AGM on Friday 7 May will be held. The notice of meeting, including details of the conditions of admission, will be sent to shareholders and be available at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section. If any changes to the meeting details are required due to UK Government Covid-19 guidance, they will be published in the aforementioned website section.

Dividend

As the impact of Covid-19 became apparent the Board, after balancing the considerations of managing liquidity due to low hotel occupancy, with the expectations of investors and shareholders, withdrew its 2019 final dividend recommendation of 85.9¢ per share, a payment which would have had a cash outflow of ~$150m in the first half of 2020, and did not pay an interim dividend in respect of 2020. The decision to suspend dividends was not made lightly, and the Board is not proposing to pay a final dividend. They will consider future dividends once the visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

LOGOSee also page 15 for information about our dividend policy.
LOGOPlease see www.ihgplc.com/investors for further information.

LOGO

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Strategic Report

Our risk management

The Board’s role in risk management – stewardship and active partnership

The Board is ultimately accountable for establishing a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risk to be assessed and managed, and is supported by the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and delegated committees. Our governance framework and Committee agendas establish procedures for Board members to receive information on risk from the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders and a range of other internal and external sources.

In 2020, our Board and management team, supported by the Risk and Assurance team, have reviewed our risk profile with increased frequency, and evaluated the appropriateness and resilience of our risk management and internal control arrangements. Throughout the management of the Covid-19 crisis, the Board has also considered the longer-term impact of the pandemic and other external and internal factors on our risk profile.

Emerging risks

During 2020, alongside the close focus on responding to Covid-19, Board and Committee discussions have allowed for consideration of other emerging and evolving risks, including:

 competitor and macroeconomic risk factors within the Board’s discussion of strategy and key management presentations (e.g. for Brand strategies, Commercial & Technology, Loyalty, Corporate Governance and Regulatory Developments);

 workforce related risks at the Remuneration and Nomination Committees, including the impact of Covid-19 on attraction, retention and succession arrangements; and risks relating to the competitiveness of Executive remuneration and Board composition;

 regulatory and financial governance risks at the Audit Committee member(e.g. tax risks relating to digital businesses, treasury and liquidity risks linked to volatility and sentiment in the capital markets, and financial control risks in a cost-constrained environment);

 risks relating to people and culture at the Responsible Business Committee, including updates on employee engagement and well-being; diversity and inclusion; community impact; sustainability; human rights; and our continuing responsibilities across our supply chain; and

 potential risks relating to the impact of climate change on IHG in the future at a dedicated Board briefing on our progress to comply with the TCFD reporting requirements.

The most prominent emerging risk we face is a sustained downturn caused by further waves of the pandemic and/or a slower than anticipated industry recovery. This could create further volatility in our risk factors and also challenging conditions in the capital markets, making it more difficult to obtain additional funding if required and manage our liquidity, potentially impacting financial performance. Our financial planning includes identifying levers which could be pulled to enable flexibility and adaptability to changes to our financial assumptions and circumstances. More detail on the topics covered by the Board and Committees is available in the Governance Report, pages 74 to 95.

Procedures for identifying, discussing and escalating emerging risks

Many topics and potential risks to longer term viability and sustainability are considered as part of our ongoing management decision making, as well as Board and Committee agendas and presentations, enabling escalation of emerging risks where appropriate. These combined elements have also enabled us to react to uncertainties and changing circumstances as the Covid-19 crisis evolved.

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34IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



How risk management and our appetite for risk have supported decision making in 2020

Our risk management and internal control systems remain fully integrated with the way we run the business, and IHG’s risk appetite is visible through the nature and extent of risk taken by the Board in pursuit of strategic and other business objectives. We cascade this appetite through our culture, values and behaviours, see pages 24 and 25, the goals and targets we set, and our Code of Conduct and other global policies, all of which are further reinforced by frequent leadership communications to guide behaviours and set priorities.

The short- and medium-term uncertainties created by Covid-19 led to active ‘real time’ consideration of acceptable risk tolerances and whether any adjustments were required to financial and operational controls. Enhancements were made to controls to enable effective and efficient management of risk throughout the crisis, including the decentralisation of decisions to front line crisis teams within a framework of agreed

principles. This was balanced with updates to the Global Delegation of Authority Policy, reinforcement of policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Information Security) and updates to other entity level control arrangements.

After the initial operational disruption of Covid-19, additional adjustments to controls were required to maintain acceptable risk levels during IHG-initiated changes to the workforce and to safeguard continuity across our supply chain. These changes were guided by principles developed by the Executive Committee to ensure that any actions taken were not disproportionately de-stabilising, and supported by communications plans.

Formal and informal monitoring, reporting and assurance arrangements, also described on pages 24 and 25 have been reinforced during 2020 to enable the Board and Executive Committee to maintain ongoing oversight of key areas of uncertainty and the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control arrangements.

As we move into 2021 the Board will continue to focus on whether levels of risk in the business are managed or controlled to an acceptable level (either individually or in total) and whether we are appropriately balancing opportunities for efficiency or investment with the need to build in resiliency in the short and longer term. Many leadership teams, including the Executive Committee, plan to continue to meet more frequently than pre-pandemic, which will also enable more active consideration and reaction to changing risks.

Our Annual Report and Form 20-F provide more detail on formal risk appetite and tolerance in a number of places. For example, our appetite for financial risk is described in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements, see page 179.

LOGOThis section should be read together with the rest of the Strategic Report, Governance on pages 74 to 111, the going concern statement on page 223, and Risk Factors on pages 224 to 229.

A practical illustration of IHG’s risk management system in action during 2020:

The wider primary public health concerns of Covid-19 created several secondary impacts for IHG, including rapidly emerging risks relating to customer demands, how we operate our hotels and the standards required of our franchisees.

The table below illustrates how we managed these risks in a systemic way across IHG, working with our owners and third-party experts to develop and deliver enhancements to our “IHG Way of Clean” brand standards to reassure our guests, colleagues and owners of our response to Covid-19 risks across all our hotels globally.

Policies, procedures and principles...applied by our people within key processes......with close monitoring and reporting

 
LOGO Corporate Responsibility Committee member

Executive, regional and functional leadership formed a Cleanliness Board to provide a clear “tone from the top” of the importance of safety and cleanliness, and to engage third-party expertise.

Communications were coordinated centrally to ensure consistency of internal and external messaging, including with owners.

Regional teams quickly mobilised to adopt and communicate the global policy to operational teams and hotel colleagues.

 LOGO Chair

We created a suite of a Board Committeeguidance including:

 enhanced standards and supporting guidance for the IHG Way of Clean programme;

 training for colleagues on how to wear face coverings and gloves;

 physical distancing and hand washing best practice;

 procedures for colleague symptom screening; and

 appropriate signage to be used throughout the hotels.

Our Procurement team worked with regional Operations and Safety teams to source protective items ranging from masks and gloves to hand sanitiser machines and brand appropriate signage.

 

We implemented a frequent and effective monitoring system to ensure that these cleanliness standards are upheld throughout our hotel portfolio.

This includes new virtual hotel audits allowing us to monitor the implementation of the IHG Way of Clean standards despite travel and restrictions on face-to-face interactions.

In addition to the hotel audits, we also track the completion levels of training materials and monitor social media to enable us to respond to guest or colleague feedback.

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202035


Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

IHG’s principal risks and uncertainties

While the Covid-19 crisis has not fundamentally changed the principal risks to our business and strategy, it has heightened the uncertainty we face in the short term and also created the potential for longer term impacts based on trade-offs that have been required to protect liquidity in 2020. The crisis has also accentuated the increasingly interconnected nature of risk.

We have not managed Covid-19 as a separate risk during the year, as the pandemic has increased the risk profile across many of our existing principal risks as we look forwards. This is most obvious in relation to the continuing significance of the safety and security of our colleagues and guests, government regulations impacting domestic and international travel, consumer

confidence and appetite to travel internationally in the longer term, how we operate our hotels and the overall impact on our business resilience.

The necessary response to Covid-19 safety concerns has also created several secondary impacts and the potential for disruption and additional stress on our risk management and internal control arrangements. In addition, continued scrutiny of the social performance of major corporates may also lead to any incident or failure to manage risk receiving significant and rapid attention.

All the risks on the grid below meet the definition of ‘principal’, however we have reviewed the trends carefully to more accurately reflect the current behaviour of these risks. In relative terms, some risks continue to trend upwards as we move into

2021 while other risks remain more stable on 2020 levels. Where we have indicated changes on the grid this is typically because of something we have noted in the nature of the risk itself, for example as a result of changes in the external environment, our extended enterprise, or a specific internal initiative.

By distributing the risks across the grid in this way based on their behaviour, it allows the Board and management to consider what different responses may be required to individual factors (for example, rapid factors which may require continuity planning), or the overall level of risk we are facing and what it means for governance of the whole portfolio.

Risk trend and speed of impact

We assess whether the risk area is stable or dynamic in its impact and/ or likelihood (inherent risk trend), and the rate at which there could be a material impact on IHG. The trend and speed of impact are summarised in the diagram with further detail on activities to manage each of these risks in the following pages.

Principal risk – assessment of trend and speed of impact

LOGO

Principal risks descriptions

  Inherent risk trendRisk impact – link to our strategic priorities
LOGO Nomination Committee memberLOGODynamic/RapidLOGOBuild loved and trusted brands
LOGODynamic/GradualLOGOCustomer centric in all we do
LOGOStable/RapidLOGOCreate digital advantage
LOGOStable/GradualLOGOCare for our people, communities and planet
   

 

36IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020



GovernanceRisk description

  |  Corporate GovernanceTrend 79ImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Macro external factors such as political and economic disruption, the emerging risk of infectious diseases, actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, natural or man-made disasters could have an impact on our ability to perform and grow.

Secondary impacts and continuing uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic may also exacerbate these factors across several markets and external sources indicate that these risks are likely to trend upwards in future years with the potential for more rapid impact on IHG.

LOGOLOGO

  Our initial focus for Covid-19, both in China and in other markets, prioritised the safety and security of our colleagues and guests by supporting crisis management teams in our individual business units and global functions. This support included monitoring intelligence from a range of external and internal sources (e.g. government health and travel advice), and developing guidance for hotel and corporate offices on sanitation and cleaning procedures, including for when hotels have been used for quarantine and to house essential workers.

  The Risk and Assurance and Global Corporate Affairs teams have developed guidance and internal and external communications strategies, and coordinated across regional and functional crisis management teams to review business continuity preparations for corporate offices (e.g. business service centres, reservation offices and corporate offices) and key supplier relationships. Furthermore, we established protocols for tracking and reporting on the status of hotels in China early in 2020, which then evolved into monitoring of hotels in other regions.

  We maintain a range of intelligence sources at our disposal to horizon-scan for emerging threats, provide insight to leadership on incidents that impact operations, and analyse future political and economic scenarios to inform the business planning cycle, including at the Board and Executive Committee level. We are also applying lessons learned from Covid-19 and using data analytics to better prepare for future disruption, in particular in relation to other fire safety and security threats that continue to receive industry-wide scrutiny.

  In addition to epidemics and pandemics, the risk of earthquakes and extreme weather events continues to pose a threat to IHG operations. IHG manages these events through training, advanced monitoring and warning, and standard operating procedures. As we moved into the 2020 hurricane season, regional operations teams planned and communicated with hotels, including those operating at reduced capacities, to ensure they were prepared to maintain safe operations for colleagues and guests.

Failure to deliver preferred brands and loyalty could impact our competitive positioning, our growth ambitions and our reputation with guests and owners.

Competition from other hotel brands and third-party intermediaries create inherent risks and opportunities to the longer-term value of IHG’s franchised and managed proposition for our brands. The Covid-19 crisis has also refocused guest expectations in relation to the cleanliness and safety of individual hotels and IHG’s brands. In a potentially lower-demand environment it will also be critical to use our loyalty programme to drive business to our hotels and take share from our competitors.

LOGOLOGO

  The focus of our brands and loyalty teams during the crisis has been on supporting our guests, owners and hotels. This has included adjusting our cancellation policy to allow guests flexibility to change or cancel bookings, rolling over our IHG Rewards Elite membership status to 2021 and reducing the achievement criteria for 2022, extending the deadline for points expiry until July 2021, and launching a suite of solutions to engage members.

  We have implemented enhanced cleanliness and safety measures through the IHG Way of Clean programme to drive customer confidence. Initially established in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme is now a global brand standard that includes deep cleaning processes and operating protocols developed with expertise from third party partners, which reflect the advice of public health authorities. As travel resumes, we have also introduced other enhanced guest experiences such as a contactless journey through the hotel, modified food and beverage offers and ‘Meet with Confidence’ programmes to drive revenue recovery, and we have created new virtual quality audit and compliance processes to reinforce standards and drive consistency.

  We also reduced costs for owners by relaxing brand standards and operational and food and beverage requirements to balance enhanced cleanliness and safety protocols.

  While the focus of our marketing management shifted rapidly to respond to the pandemic and to support regional recovery, we have built on the active transformation already underway with enhancements to our Marketing organisation and processes which enable us to drive efficiency in a financially constrained environment and optimise resources and speed to market. We conduct regular monitoring of indicators, including loyalty member data, to identify emerging trends quickly.

  Throughout 2020, we also have prioritised our commercial spend behind our loyalty programme towards the highest returning marketing investments that drive business to all brands through the loyalty programme umbrella. See page 17 for more details on our priority to Build loved and trusted brands.

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202037


GovernanceStrategic Report

Our risk management continued

    

Corporate Governance

Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Attracting, developing and retaining leadership and talent and failure to do this could impact our ability to achieve growth ambitions and execute effectively.

Risks relating to people underpin the majority of processes and controls across IHG, and our ability to develop talent is critical to delivering value to our brands and hotels in the global markets where we operate and compete. It is essential that we retain key executive, leadership and specialist talent, both at the corporate and hotel levels, in an uncertain hospitality industry and in a resource constrained, highly competitive, and remote working environment.

LOGOLOGO

  At the start of the Covid-19 crisis a cross-functional taskforce was established to guide how we protect our employer reputation and culture. While we have had to take actions to reduce costs at corporate and hotel levels, HR teams have partnered with operations and functional teams to develop guiding principles to protect our reputation as a responsible employer; maintain our culture during the crisis period; and equip teams to bounce back with great talent and people practices. This has enabled us to maintain engagement, avoid burnout and bolster support to leadership. Our approach to managing our people during 2020 is outlined in detail on pages 26 to 28 and our normal business planning process includes a review of workforce risks.

  Due to the Covid-19 crisis, our programme of engagement surveys and HR scorecards adapted to reflect the realities of virtual and remote working and a challenging period of furloughs and reduced hours. We have monitored key workforce indicators, leveraged our existing virtual learning platforms to understand employee sentiment, and utilised short pulse surveys to gather employee feedback throughout the crisis and to shape our thinking on returning to office working.

  The Executive Committee has regularly discussed talent retention risks, and the HR team is focusing on talent plans with each leadership team. We have refined our diversity and inclusion strategy to drive recruitment and retention, and employee resource groups help educate employees and build a culture of inclusion.

  Effective communications have been established for internal audiences, including regular all employee calls with the Chief Executive Officer to provide latest updates, ongoing leadership communications and virtual team meetings at regional and functional levels, and continued development of our flexible learning summits. Through these channels, leaders are able to answer questions from employees at all levels.

  IHG has the ability to manage talent and retention risks directly in relation to IHG employees but relies on owners and third-party suppliers to manage these risks within their own businesses. Our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams also consider more indirect workforce risks relating to our third-party relationships.

  The Remuneration Committee reviews our approach to executive remuneration, aligned with the interests of shareholders and the UK corporate governance environment.

Inherent threats to cybersecurity and information governance remain significant and dynamic and external attacks against the hospitality industry have continued in 2020.

We are aware of our responsibilities in relation to a range of high-value assets (critical systems and employee and other sensitive data) which may be targeted by various threat ‘actors’ (including organised criminals, third parties and colleagues). Rapid societal, regulatory and media scrutiny of privacy arrangements mean that the potential impact of data loss to IHG financially, reputationally or operationally remains a dynamic risk factor. The disrupted working conditions (including increased remote access) caused by the pandemic for our employees and suppliers and advances in attack sophistication also heighten inherent information security risks.

LOGOLOGO

  While Covid-19 has modified the threat profile, our Information Security team has pivoted to implement new solutions and controls to address potential vulnerabilities, and to focus resources on those operational tasks that best protect our sensitive data sets and systems and detect and respond to potentially malicious events in an appropriate way.

  In the early stages of the pandemic, we deployed our Intelligence functions to gain early knowledge of potential new attack campaigns; implemented controls to prevent malicious emails from getting to email inboxes; and educated employees worldwide on the increased dangers from phishing, business email compromise and social engineering. We also accelerated the rollout of multi-factor authentication to limit successful phishing attacks. To respond to heightened inherent risks from remote working, we reviewed controls for remote access solutions and increased monitoring to more quickly identify malicious activity. Our Procurement team engaged key providers on their approach for maintaining operations and fulfilling their contractual obligations for the safety and security of our data and systems.

  We have continued to work with our specialist technology providers to continuously improve key operational security processes and capabilities such as Identity & Access Management, Security Monitoring, Incident Response, and the support and maintenance of technical solutions architecture.

  Preserving security across our complex corporate and hotel estate requires continuous maintenance and enhancement or replacement of hardware and software. With finances at a premium for hotel owners, our Information Security and Technology teams collaborate to provide reliable, scalable and cost-effective solutions, targeted at areas of greatest opportunity for future attacks.

  Our information security programme is supported and reviewed by internal and external assurance activities, including our Internal Audit and Financial Governance teams and PCI assessments. The Board receives regular reports using key risk indicators to track inherent risk trends and mitigation activities. We also continue to work closely with our insurers to ensure we are adequately protecting against our risks, and have assessed and quantified potential cyber incident scenarios to drive risk-based discussions on investing in remediation versus risk acceptance and transfer opportunities.

38IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Failure to capitalise on innovation in booking technology and to maintain and enhance the functionality and resilience of our channel management and technology platforms (including those of third-parties, on which we rely directly or indirectly), and to respond to changing guest and owner needs remains a dynamic and critical risk to IHG’s revenues and growth ambitions.

Increasing personalisation and understanding our guests and their needs will drive return stays and further build loyalty. Despite the pandemic placing cost pressures on our owners, the pace of change in the hospitality industry continues to accelerate and IHG must evolve to effectively grow and compete in the marketplace. It will be key for us to prioritise digital capabilities to drive our channels, actively expanding the breadth and depth of our digital relationships with current and new guests.

LOGOLOGO

  Our comprehensive channels strategy is a key driver and enabler of accelerated growth. Rapidly evolving guest and owner expectations have increased the pressure to deliver commercial and technological change more quickly. We continue to seek opportunities to align and innovate our channels and technology platforms to Create digital advantage (see page 19 for more details). Our IHG Concerto platform is operating at all IHG hotels, and over time future releases will enhance the guest travel journey, deliver efficiencies for hotels, and drive sustainable revenue.

  To respond to the initial disruption from Covid-19, a new Global Revenue Committee was formed across global and regional teams to manage and drive booking activity and revenue. The Committee developed and monitored specific leading indicators on market status, sentiment, search and demand, and loyalty member trends, and further tracked communications penetration, internal pulse surveys and public relations effectiveness. The relatively reduced level of booking activity in 2020 also created the opportunity to reorganise our technology delivery model, moving more development to technology partners and co-sourcing arrangements. We have also engaged with our strategic suppliers during 2020 to adjust service levels and anticipate continuity risks.

In a resource constrained environment, the importance of investment effectiveness and efficiency will be critical to balance short- and longer-term strategic needs (e.g. developing infrastructure, increasing growth, enhancing digital capabilities).

Failure to manage risks associated with investments may impact commercial performance, lead to financial loss, and undermine stakeholder confidence.

LOGOLOGO

  Our oversight and finance teams regularly review and evolve our governance and control frameworks, including delegated approval authorities and processes, to enable decisions on investments to be made quickly and efficiently with consideration of the risks involved. In early 2020 the Delegation of Authority Policy was specifically updated to help drive cost-conscious behaviours and close control of investment expenditure required in the business at that time.

  With on-going uncertainty in the industry outlook, we need to retain flexibility in the extent to which we commit to expenditure until there is improved visibility. Our financial planning balances a disciplined approach to discretionary investments with a need to appropriately reward our people and invest in strategic growth initiatives. There is, and will continue to be, a constant focus on retaining flexibility within our cost base to ensure spend is being prioritised in the right areas given the ever-changing environment. Financial resource allocation is kept under regular review, with decisions taken as part of our quarterly forecasting process.

  We have also sought to protect key functions that are critical for fulfilling our responsibilities as a publicly listed company and in maintaining our reputation across our external stakeholders. For example, we continue to ensure that we have the right level of support in our Legal, Corporate Affairs and Financial Reporting teams.

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202039


Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

Risk descriptionTrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

The global business regulatory and contractual environment and societal expectations have continue to evolve throughout 2020. Failure to ensure legal, regulatory and ethical compliance would impact IHG operationally and reputationally, and non-regulatory stakeholders (including corporate sales clients) and investors continue to focus on IHG’s performance as a corporate entity to uphold ethical and social expectations. Significant fines can be imposed for regulatory non-compliance, most notably in relation to privacy obligations and data security. In an uncertain hospitality industry, there may be increased pressure on compliance programmes, and a heightened risk of liabilities relating to our franchise model both in relation to brand reputation issues as well as litigation.

LOGOLOGO

  Our Ethics and Compliance team focuses on ensuring IHG has a globally coordinated approach to material ethical and compliance risks, taking into account the regulatory environment, stakeholder expectations and IHG’s commitment to a culture of responsible business. The overarching framework for ethics and compliance is the IHG Code of Conduct (see page 24) and we provide e-learning training on an annual basis to all corporate, reservation offices and managed hotel employees and new joiners.

  We continue to monitor changes and advise stakeholders on risks across a range of regulatory issues, including safety, employment, contract, privacy, anti-bribery and anti-trust, while also addressing legal and regulatory issues that have emerged as a result of Covid-19. We also continue to participate in Transparency International UK’s 2020 Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. This is a comprehensive tool that measures and compares the performance of anti-corruption programmes across companies on an anonymous and confidential basis.

  We continue to focus on key human rights risks, particularly those heightened by Covid-19. For example, to address migrant worker staff accommodation risks which may have been heightened by the pandemic, we developed a guidance note on staff living accommodation for hotel teams.

  Monitoring of sanctions continues to be an increasingly important part of our due diligence processes as their use by the US, UK and EU in particular continues to grow. A sanctions update is communicated annually to the Legal, Development and Strategy teams and other relevant employees providing a reminder of ‘No Go’ countries and sanctions issues that may restrict IHG. Our owner legal due diligence process also requires that all new owners are screened against sanctions lists and we utilise due diligence tools for this purpose. Ethics and compliance country-level due diligence is also undertaken for new country entry assessments, taking into account country- specific risks and impacts.

  The Ethics and Compliance team currently monitors training completions, gifts and entertainment reporting and the owner due diligence process, and they receive informal queries/escalation of issues directly from colleagues and via an Ethics and Compliance email channel which is publicised in training and awareness materials. The Board receives regular reports on the Confidential Reporting Channel and matters directly related to our responsible business agenda.

The manner in which IHG responds to operational risk and the steps taken to safeguard the safety and security of colleagues and guests will continue to receive heightened scrutiny, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and could affect IHG’s reputation for high standards of business conduct, result in financial damage, and undermine confidence in our brands.

The rapid progression of Covid-19 has also given rise to significantly increased litigation risk across all markets. These risks relate both to our direct operations in hotels and other locations where we have management responsibility, and also to outsourced activities and others with whom we collaborate and trade, including the owners of our franchised hotels which operate as independent businesses.

LOGOLOGO

  Our Business Reputation and Responsibility team coordinates and monitors IHG’s risk management system, which is designed to anticipate and identify relevant operational safety and security risks and provide appropriate levels of control necessary to mitigate against significant incidents, whether in hotels or corporate offices. Regional and global subject matter experts in safety and security work regularly with relevant stakeholders, including hotels, operations leaders, and operations support teams such as Design & Engineering, Food and Beverage and Human Resources, to review and set operational safety and security policies and procedures.

  The Covid-19 pandemic has led to the enhancement of IHG’s operational safety and crisis management procedures for hotels and corporate offices. In early 2020, our safety experts worked closely with Operations and Global Corporate Affairs to develop a Hotel and Corporate Office Response Toolkit of guidance, processes and procedures for operating a safe work environment in line with the advice issued by government authorities and public health officials. As the pandemic has progressed, this guidance has been revised and expanded to address emerging operational safety issues, and changes in local government requirements or public health advice.

  Alongside Covid-19, subject matter experts in safety and security have continued to monitor external trends that may impact the safe operation of hotels, customer expectations, and development opportunities (e.g. fire safety, food allergens), and we continue to review our relevant standards and guidance as these issues evolve and/or new regulatory requirements and best practices are published.

  Our experts also track a range of internal indicators relating to safety and security to assess their potential impact on the safety of hotels, colleagues and guests as well as the impact on the reputation of IHG and its brands. Despite our best efforts, incidents may occur across our global hotel operations and corporate offices and an assessment of severity and impact is made before the most serious are promptly forwarded to senior management. The Board receives and reviews regular safety reports and monitors safety performance. Through this monitoring, IHG can determine where additional standards or guidance may be necessary or whether existing controls may need to be adjusted.

40IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

A material breakdown in financial management and control systems would lead to increased public scrutiny, regulatory investigation and litigation.

This risk includes our ongoing (and stable) operational risks relating to our financial management and control systems which have been adapted to cope with remote working arrangements during the pandemic; the continuing expectations of IHG’s management decision making and financial judgements; and our own business model and transactions.

LOGOLOGO

  Covid-19 inevitably impacted IHG’s financial control environment, with heightened risks relating to liquidity, business continuity and fraud and a need to adapt and enhance existing processes for employees working remotely and, in some cases, with a reduced workforce. The Finance leadership team regularly monitors the primary risks to the function and to IHG and, as the impact of Covid-19 became clear, reviewed controls and implemented enhancements to provide additional mitigation, including controls over cash disbursements and expenditure, applying data analytics where possible.

  We reviewed our business continuity arrangements, including for our India-based Global Business Service Centre, given the operational importance of processes located there such as accounts payable, billing and cash collection, and financial reporting for both corporate and hotels. In response to decisions to furlough corporate employees during 2020 we evaluated risks, processes and controls relating to accuracy of payroll; access to IT systems and company credit cards; as well as completeness of payment processes.

  Throughout the year we have reinforced policies across the organisation, including particular emphasis on entity level controls. We have continued to operate an established set of processes across our financial control systems, which is verified through testing relating to our Sarbanes-Oxley compliance responsibilities. See pages 68, 144, 157 to 162 for details of our approach to taxation, page 87 for details of our approach to internal financial control, and pages 179 to 183 for specific details on financial risk management policies. These processes and our financial planning will continue to evolve to reflect the changes in our management structure and business targets, including system enhancements and further automation where possible.

  While it remains difficult to assess trading conditions in 2021 with certainty, we will continue to adapt our approach to financial control across our hotel estate. Given the differences in the culture and ways of working across our regions, we apply globally and/or regionally consistent policies and procedures to manage the risks, such as fraud and reporting risks, wherever possible.

  Our Group insurance programmes are also maintained to support financial stability.

As a global business, IHG faces uncertainties relating to evolving environmental and social megatrends and our response to these is subject to scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders.

These stakeholders include regulators and investor groups (such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)), who focus on various environmental, social and governance issues that have the potential to impact performance and growth in key markets. The focus on companies acting responsibly and being true to their purpose has been heightened by the pandemic and will continue into the future.

LOGOLOGO

  Working together with governments and industry associations has been key in ensuring our voice is heard among key stakeholders, as well as being able to advocate for our industry and our owners. As the pandemic has progressed there has been an expectation from governments for companies to do the right thing by their stakeholders. We work with key industry bodies to engage governments and officials to take steps that support our industry and owners across a number of different markets.

  To support our hotels in better understanding, managing and reporting their environmental footprint, while driving operational efficiency and reducing their utility costs, we are replacing IHG’s Green Engage system with a more comprehensive and engaging platform as well as an automated data entry solution to enable much more accurate information capture. See pages 20 and 21, and 29 and 30 for details of our environmental policies and initiatives, including our commitment to support the TCFD recommendations.

  Our long-standing commitment to operating our business responsibly has underpinned the actions we are taking in our local communities see page 29. The Corporate Responsibility team has established core principles to support our local communities, while establishing clear governance for our overall community support strategy in partnership with legal and communications.

  Our values and behaviours, underpinned by our Code of Conduct, inform our decision-making at all levels. For example, specific elements of our Code of Conduct define expectations for IHG employees in relation to human rights and the environment, and our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams monitor supply chain and human rights risks (see pages 24 and 25).

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202041


Strategic Report

Our Board of DirectorsViability statement

    

 

LOGOThe Covid-19 global pandemic has resulted in the worst ever period of trading for the hotel industry. The resilience of the Group’s fee-based model and wide geographic spread has however left it well-placed to manage through these challenging times. Our weighting towards upper midscale hotels in non-urban locations with low reliance on groups business has supported IHG’s performance. In addition to taking decisive action to reduce costs and protect IHG cash flows, we have also used IHG’s scale and expertise to support owners in reducing their costs and managing cash flows. As a result, Group free cash flow was $29m during 2020 and net debt has reduced by $136m through this challenging trading perioda.

We also entered the Covid-19 pandemic with a conservative balance sheet which has been managed with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating. This has supported covenant amendments which have been agreed as required through the year with minimal additional restrictions.

Although previous viability assessments had not considered a plausible scenario as severe as the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic, the resilience of the business has been demonstrated.

Looking forward, the Directors have determined that the three-year period to 31 December 2023 is an appropriate period to be covered by the Viability statement.

The Group’s annual planning process builds a three-year plan. The detailed three-year plan takes into consideration the principal risks, the Group’s strategy and current and emerging market conditions. That plan then forms the basis for strategic actions taken across the business. The plan is reviewed annually by the Directors. Once approved, the plan is then cascaded to the business and used to set performance metrics and objectives. Performance against those metrics and objectives is then regularly reviewed by the Directors.

There remains unusually limited visibility on the pace and scale of market recovery and therefore there are a wide range of possible planning scenarios over the three-year period considered in this review.

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have reviewed a number of scenarios, weighting downside risks that would threaten the business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity of the Group more heavily than opportunities.

Viability scenarios and assumptions

In performing the viability analysis, the Directors have considered a ‘Base Case’ scenario which is based on a gradual improvement in demand during 2021 as vaccines become more widely

available, and a steady but gradual improvement to the end of 2023 by when RevPAR is expected to reach 90% of 2019 levels. The assumptions applied in the viability assessment are consistent with those used for Group planning purposes and for impairment testing (see further detail on page 135).

The Directors have also considered a ‘Downside Case’ scenario, which assumes a slower impact from vaccine rollout and is based on the performance of the second half of 2020 continuing throughout 2021, with the recovery to 2019 levels starting in 2022.

The key assumption included in the three-year plan relates to RevPAR growth which is explained above. The Board has stated that consideration of dividends has been deferred until visibility of the pace and scale of the market recovery improves and for the purposes of this analysis no dividends have been assumed in the period under review.

Principal risks

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have considered the impact of the principal risks as outlined on pages 36 to 41. A large number of the principal risks would result in an impact on RevPAR which is the main scenario modelled in the ‘Downside Case’. These risks include: preferred brands and loyalty, leadership and talent, channel management and technology platforms, investment effectiveness and efficiency, macro external factors, environmental and social megatrends, safety and security and financial management and control systems.

There are other principal risks that could result in a large one-off incident that has a material impact on cash flow and the income statement. These include cybersecurity and information governance and legal, regulatory and ethical compliance. The impact of these has been considered in the viability assessment.

Funding

The Group has taken steps to strengthen its liquidity during 2020. The existing covenants on it’s syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (‘the bank facilities’) have been waived or amended until December 2022. See note 24 for further details.

The other assumptions relating to debt maturities are as follows:

The $1.35bn bank facilities mature in September 2023. It has been assumed that these facilities are renewed as they mature.

£600m of CCFF due in March 2021 is repaid on maturity.

£173m of bonds due in November 2022 are repaid on maturity.

No other new or additional financing has been assumed in the analysis performed.

Viability assessment

Under the Base Case the Group is forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 2021-2023 period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. The principal risks which could be applicable have been considered and are able to be absorbed within the $400m liquidity covenant and amended covenant requirements.

Under the Downside Case the Group is also forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 2021-2023 period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. In this scenario, the Group could be at risk of breaching the covenant requirements in 2023 (which have not been amended at this time). However, additional actions could be taken in order to mitigate this risk such as reductions in discretionary spend.

In the Downside Case, the Group has substantial levels of existing cash reserves available and is not expected to draw on the bank facilities. The Directors reviewed a reverse stress test scenario to determine how much additional RevPAR downside could be absorbed before utilisation of the bank facilities would be required. The Directors concluded that the outcome of the reverse stress test showed it was very unlikely the bank facilities would need to be drawn and therefore the Group does not need to rely on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities. This means that in the event the covenant test was failed, the bank facilities could be cancelled by the lenders but would not trigger a repayment demand which threatened the viability of the Group.

In the event that a further covenant amendment was required, the Directors believe it is reasonable to expect that such an amendment could be obtained based on their prior experience in relation to negotiating the 2020 amendments. The Group also has alternative options to manage this risk including raising additional funding in the capital markets.

In the event of additional or multiple principal risks occurring during the period of review e.g. continued depressed RevPAR and a widespread cybersecurity incident, it is expected that these risks could be absorbed within the liquidity headroom available without relying on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities.

Conclusion

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period to

31 December 2023, taking account of the Group’s current position, the Group’s strategy and the principal risks documented in the Strategic Report. Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2023.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP measures can be found on pages 47 to 51.

42IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Our KPIs are carefully selected to allow us to monitor the delivery of our strategy and long-term success. They remain organised around our refreshed strategy, which articulates our purpose and ambition and our four main priorities, (see page 16). KPIs are reviewed annually by senior management to ensure continued alignment to our strategy and are included in internal reporting and regularly monitored. Measures included are those considered most relevant

in assessing the performance of the business and relate to our growth agenda and commitment to our key stakeholders including owners, guests, employees, shareholders and the communities in which we work. KPIs should be read in conjunction with the other sections of the Strategic Report, and where applicable, references to specific relevant topics are noted against each KPI.

A guide to this KPI section

Link between KPIs and Director remuneration

Whilst performance was impacted by Covid-19 in 2020, our long-term focus remained to deliver high-quality growth and, as in prior years, Directors’ remuneration for 2020 was directly related to key aspects of our strategy. The following indicates which KPIs have impacted Directors’ remuneration:

LOGO The Annual Performance Plan

  70% was linked to operating profit from reportable segments

  30% was linked to strategic focus on improvements in net System size growth

LOGO The Long Term Incentive Plan

  40% was linked to Total Shareholder Return

  20% was linked to rooms growth

  20% was linked to total gross revenue growth

  20% was linked to cash flow generation

LOGO   For more information on Directors’ remuneration see pages 96 to 111.

Link to our strategy

In 2020 we evolved some key elements of our strategy (see pages 16 to 20 for more information). This evolution included definition of four strategic priorities, represented as follows:

LOGO

Build loved and

trusted brands

LOGO

Customer centric

in all we do

LOGO

Create digital

advantage

LOGO

Care for our people, communities and planet

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Net rooms supply

Net total number of rooms in the IHG System.

Increasing our rooms supply provides significant advantages of scale, including increasing the value of our loyalty programme. This measure is a key indicator of achievement of our growth agenda (see page 16).

LOGO

2020 status

Grew net System size by 0.3%, impacted by a slower pace of openings due to Covid-19 disruption to non-essential activity and removal of 16.7k rooms (102 hotels) associated with the SVC portfolioa, taking total rooms supply to 886,036 rooms. Net System size grew +2.2% excluding the impact of the SVC portfolio termination.

Signings of 56,146 rooms (360 hotels) represented almost one hotel a day but a decrease of 43% on 2019 levels, as Covid-19 disrupted all regions, particularly impacting Americas and EMEAA. Greater China maintained solid performance throughout 2020 with a reduction of only 21%.

Overall performance was driven by:

Signings

Gross total number of rooms added to the IHG pipeline.

Continued signings secure the future growth of our System and continued efficiencies of scale. Signings indicate our ability to deliver sustained growth (see page 16).

LOGO

  Continued strength of the Holiday Inn Brand Family with 47.3k rooms opened and 26.6k signed, representing half of all signings.

  Conversions, representing ~25% of all signings and ~25% of openings.

  Further growth of our recently launched brands with:

–  avid hotels adding 17 openings and 19 signings in 2020 taking the total estate to 24 hotels open with a further 192 in the pipeline;

–  voco hotels growing to 18 hotels opened by the end of 2020, with a total of 37 signed since launch. Openings included the first hotels in the Americas (three signings) and Greater China (two signings); and

–  Atwell Suites growing at pace, with nine further signings and breaking ground on the first hotel in Miami.

  Total removals of 36.9k including 2.1k rooms associated with a previously flagged portfolio in Germany, 16.7k rooms (102 hotels) associated with the SVC portfolioa, and ongoing focus on quality.

2021 priorities

  Continued focus on our ambition to deliver industry-leading net System size growth, whilst protecting our longer-term growth prospects by ensuring the health of our brands and consistent quality of the estate.

  Continue to scale avid hotels in the US and voco hotels globally.

  Open the first Atwell Suites hotels in the US and continue to scale the brand.

  Continue to expand our Luxury & Lifestyle offer through acquired brands Regent, Six Senses and Kimpton.

a

A portfolio of management agreements with Services Properties Trust (‘SVC’) was terminated on 30 November 2020.

LOGO

Key performance indicatorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202043


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Global RevPAR growth

Revenue per available room: rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available.

RevPAR growth indicates the increased value guests ascribe to our brands in the markets in which we operate and is a key measure widely used in our industry (see page 8).

LOGO

2020 status

  RevPAR declined by an unprecedented level due to the global impact of Covid-19 on domestic and international travel demand, with disruption throughout the year as countries around the world introduced travel restrictions to limit the spread of the pandemic.

  Throughout the crisis we supported owners to maximise revenues by:

–  Providing advice and support to help keep hotels open, including how to flex operations and reduce costs, or how to temporarily close and re-open most efficiently and effectively.

–  Coordinating Covid-related demand, such as government repurposing of hotels with enhancements made to demand driver mapping, rate loading and centralised booking to manage urgent and bespoke needs.

  Enterprise contribution (previously defined as system contribution) had been growing each year. However in 2020, as a direct result of Covid-19, a greater number of guests chose to phone hotels direct in order to check for the latest updates and availability, or drive straight to hotels without any advanced booking. Our Enterprise Contribution metric therefore declined marginally but the overall strength of our brand equity continued to be reflected in direct to hotel business.

  Enhanced and leveraged our technology and loyalty platforms and services to drive revenue by:

–  Optimising our Revenue Management for Hire (RMH) services using machine learning technology, to provide enhanced capabilities to help owners protect pricing and returns during periods of volatile demand.

–  Commencing rollout of digital check-in, implemented in over 1,000 properties, and digital check-out, implemented in 4,000 hotels worldwide, and piloted other mobile-enabled improvements including in-room dining orders.

–  Expanded pilot of attribute pricing via IHG Concerto platform, across regions and brands, ahead of full roll out in 2021.

–  Enhancing our Owner Engagement Portals to provide real-time scorecard metrics to our global owner community, including Guest Love measures, RevPAR, financial and operational performance with recommendations for action.

–  Commencing roll out of dynamic pricing for Reward Nights, with rates now set daily, enabling more than 80% of hotels to reduce their points pricing to deliver around 25% more value for guests outside of peak times, leading to increased penetration since launch.

  Further strengthened IHG Rewards by completing integration of Mr & Mrs Smith partnership, allowing members access to over 400 Mr & Mrs Smith hotels at which to earn and redeem points.

  Launched a new, sharper, more engaging identity under IHG Hotels & Resorts to strengthen perception, making a clearer connection to our hotels and better promoting the breadth of our portfolio.

2021 priorities

  Apply focused data analytics to drive more efficient and effective marketing to identify and target available demand during the recovery.

  Complete roll out of attribute pricing across the entire estate via IHG Concerto.

  Continue roll out of digital check-in to 4,500 hotels by the end of the year.

  Continue to develop strategic partnerships to enhance the value of our loyalty programme for members.

  Continue to innovate our loyalty offering including in-hotel experiences and brand integrations, to provide greater opportunities for our members to earn and redeem IHG Rewards points.

  Maintain our focus on increasing contribution from IHG Rewards members and through direct bookings via our website or call centres.

Growth in underlying fee revenuesa,b

Group revenue from reportable segments excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, stated at constant currency.

Underlying fee revenue growth demonstrates the continued attractiveness to owners and guests of IHG’s franchised and managed business (see page 13).

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Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s Systemb

Total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than for owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

The growth in gross revenue from IHG’s System illustrates the value of our overall System to our owners (see page 14).

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Enterprise contribution to revenuec

The percentage of room revenue booked through IHG managed channels and sources: direct via our websites, apps and call centres; through our interfaces with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and agreements with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs); other distribution partners directly connected to our reservation system; and Global Sales Office business or IHG Reward members that book directly at a hotel.

Enterprise contribution is one indicator of IHG value-add and the success of our technology platforms and our marketing, sales and loyalty distribution channels (see page 13).

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a

In 2019 the underlying fee revenue calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following a change in the definition of how we calculate constant currency. The 2017 and 2016 growth figures are not comparable and thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on pages 47 to 51 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 212 to 216. A reconciliation of total gross revenue to owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements can be found on page 53.

c

In 2020, changes were made to the calculation of enterprise contribution (previously system contribution) and 2019 was restated. This followed an enhanced level of analysis enabled by the roll out of the new Guest Reservation System (GRS). Restatement of years prior to the implementation of the GRS is not possible. The 2019 enterprise contribution of 76% is 3% lower than the 79% previously reported as system contribution under the prior calculation. We would not anticipate a material impact of the change in prior years.

44IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement indicator.

Guest satisfaction is fundamental to our continued success and is a key measure to monitor the risk of failing to deliver preferred brands that meet guests’ expectations (see page 37 for details).

LOGO

2020 status

  Guest satisfaction of 81.6% dropped minimally compared to 2019, a successful outcome given the substantial changes to the guest experience resulting from Covid-19. Additionally, the externally measured Guest Satisfaction Index (GSI) was net positive for IHG in 2020.

  Introduced additional Covid-19 cleanliness-specific guidance to protect our frontline hotel colleagues and enable them in turn to deliver clean and safe hotels for all our guests.

  Rolled out training, information and new equipment including social distancing operating procedures and signage, front desk screens, sanitiser stations and reduced contact at check-in.

  Enhanced IHG Way of Clean programme by partnering with industry leading experts to enhance guest safety and trust in our cleanliness and launched IHG Clean Promise.

  Leveraged our prior investment in the cloud-based Concerto GRS platform, implemented across the entire global estate, to remotely and rapidly deploy further technological developments to support a safe and secure guest experience and reduce unnecessary contact.

  Waived cancellation fees and created a Book Now Pay Later option and allowed members to keep status for 2020 to enhance the flexibility of our loyal guests.

  Launched a special Heroes rate for government workers, healthcare professionals, the military and other frontline worker groups.

2021 priorities

  Continue to invest in brand innovation, including room design and F&B enhancements to meet evolving guest needs.

  Ensure that, whilst driving strong rooms supply growth, we maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across our entire portfolio through a heightened focus on quality and cleanliness standards.

  Continue to invest behind digitisation of the guest journey and improve on-property processes to improve guest satisfaction and streamline hotel operations.

Fee margina,b

Operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding System Fund, reimbursement of costs, revenue and operating profit from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages, the results of the Group’s captive insurance company and exceptional items.

Our fee margin progression indicates the profitability of our fee revenue growth and benefit of our asset-light business model (see page 12).

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2020 status

  Fee margin was impacted by the substantial impacts of Covid-19 on fee revenue, however rapid cost actions taken across the business to protect profitability maintained fee margin in excess of 34%, despite the unprecedented disruption.

  Actions taken to reduce salary and incentives and challenge all areas of discretionary spend delivered ~$150m of fee business cost savings.

  Commenced activities to sustainably embed ~50% of 2020 costs savings through ongoing control of discretionary spend and a re-balancing of resources to meet expected demand.

2021 priorities

  Embed 50% of savings generated in 2020 (~$75m), continuing our strong cost and efficiency focus, whilst continuing to invest in growth initiatives.

  Continue to look for further operational efficiencies through greater application of technology.

Free cash flowb

Cash flow from operating activities excluding payments of contingent purchase consideration, less purchase of shares by employee share trusts, maintenance capital expenditure and lease payments.

Free cash flow provides funds to invest in the business, sustainably grow the dividend and return any surplus to shareholders (see page 15). It is a key component in measuring the ongoing viability of our business (see page 42).

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2020 status

  Free cash flow of $29m was down $480m year-on-year with significant reductions in revenues driven by Covid-19, together with a System Fund outflow, partially offset by cost saving measures taken across the Group and a working capital inflow, following proactive management through the year.

  Impact of Covid-19 on cash flow mitigated through cost saving actions taken across both the P&L and System Fund to reduce salaries and incentives and challenge discretionary spend.

  Gross capex reduced by $117m year-on-year to $148m outflow.

  Sustained focus on accounts receivable, cash management and liquidity through the crisis delivered positive free cash flow in 2020 and resulted in closing liquidity of ~$2.9bn.

2021 priorities

  Continued cost focus, maintaining challenge around all areas of discretionary spend and prioritising investment behind growth.

  Continued focus on accounts receivable to maintain robust cash position.

  Tightly controlled, disciplined capex deployment.

a

In 2019 the fee margin calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following implementation of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. The 2016 figure is not comparable and is thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 47 to 51 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 212 to 216.

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Key performance indicatorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202045


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

IHG® Academy

Number of people participating in IHG Academy programmes.

Sustained participation in the IHG Academy indicates the strength of our progress in creating career building opportunities and engagement with the communities in which we operate (see page 29).

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2020 status

  Covid-19 significantly impacted the vast majority of IHG Academy face-to-face offerings such as internships and work experience. In some locations we pivoted our offering to deliver online events, introducing participants to IHG and the hospitality industry through virtual challenges.

  Evolved our partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, offering young people opportunities to gain skills and experience, empowering them to consider career opportunities in the industry, pivoting to virtual solutions.

2021 priorities

  Continue to provide skills and improved employability through IHG Academy, ensuring a positive impact for local communities, our owners and IHG. We will flex our approach to delivery between face-to-face and virtual solutions depending on regional recovery.

  Launch a Global IHG Academy NGO Portal hosting a variety of resources bespoke to entry level participants. NGOs can use the resource to educate participants about the hospitality industry, increase their awareness of IHG, and develop their skills to ensure a great start in the hospitality industry.

  Drive quality growth in the programme through enabling our regional teams to measure impact through a robust reporting solution and convert IHG Academy hires into employees.

Carbon footprint per occupied room (CPOR)a

We work with our hotels to drive energy efficiency and carbon reductions across our estate. In 2017, we set ourselves a target to reduce CPOR by 6-7% by 2020. This is therefore the last reporting year against this target, while we shift our focus towards achieving our science-based carbon reduction targets to 2030 (see page 29).

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2020 status

  At the end of 2019, we reported a 5.9%a reduction in CPOR against our 2017 baseline, nearly meeting our three-year intensity target a year early.

  CPOR was significantly affected by the impacts of Covid-19 on our industry, and 2020 closed with a 10.2% increase against our 2017 baseline. Over the same period, our absolute carbon emissions fell by 23.6% (see page 29). This was largely due to the impacts of Covid-19, but also in part a result of targeted efforts in our estate to help minimise energy consumption during hotel closures and maximise energy efficiency at re-opening.

2021 priorities

  Continue to work with our hotels to maximise energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.

  Use a bespoke decarbonisation tool, developed with a third party during 2020, to model the possible impacts of different interventions on our carbon footprint and develop a roadmap to 2030.

  Enhance our environmental reporting systems, to continue building more robust and complete datasets, and providing more detailed performance insights and guidance for our hotels to support continuous improvement.

  Assess renewable energy opportunities for IHG to maximise/optimise the role of renewable energy in achieving our carbon reduction targets.

Employee engagement survey scoresb

Revised Colleague HeartBeat survey, completed by our corporate, customer reservations office and managed hotel general managers (excluding our joint ventures).

We measure employee engagement to monitor risks relating to talent (see page 38) and to help us understand the issues that are relevant to our people as we build a diverse and inclusive culture (see page 28).

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2020 status

  The 2020 score of 79% was 2% higher than external benchmarks.

  In response to the pandemic our priorities pivoted to developing training, tools and support to maintain colleague engagement during remote working and furlough, including flexible learning summits, ‘keeping in touch’ mechanisms and more frequent leadership communications.

  Prioritised support for employee health and wellbeing including:

–  creation of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), containing details of local support services that employees could call on;

–  launch of a resilience and wellbeing newsletter in Greater China plus online resources to assist our support centre employees; and

–  monthly dedicated ‘re-charge days’ from June to August for corporate employees to focus on health, wellbeing or personal development.

  Established ERGs to champion and drive our diverse, inclusive culture.

  Advanced our General Manager talent pipeline by developing new systems and processes to enable visibility of key talent in hotels.

2021 priorities

  Build our future career proposition to remain a leading employer within the industry via a compelling employer value proposition.

  Engage our corporate employees with our new behaviours to support our future strategy and cultural shifts.

  Continue to purposefully grow and develop our corporate Senior Leaders and General Managers to help lead our recovery strategy and future growth.

  Continue to build an inclusive culture and increase the diversity of our leadership and talent pipelines to enable IHG to maximise the talents and contributions of all employees.

a

Carbon intensity figures for 2017 to 2019 have been restated in a move to calendar reporting in 2020. Prior reported growth based on previous methodology. The 2016 figure could not be restated.

b

Due to the complexity of survey administration in hotels during the pandemic the employee engagement survey process was amended. The 2020 score reflects the results of a single survey and includes employees in corporate, reservations offices and general managers (in managed hotels). Prior results from 2017 to 2019 have been restated for comparability to exclude the results of surveys from the managed estate, other than general managers. The 2016 survey results could not be restated.

46IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Performance

Key performance measures (including Non-GAAP measures) used by management

The Annual Report and Form 20-F presents certain financial measures when discussing the Group’s performance which are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In management’s view these measures provide investors and other stakeholders with an enhanced understanding of IHG’s operating performance, profitability, financial strength and funding requirements. These measures do not have standardised meanings under IFRS, and companies do not necessarily calculate these in the same way. Accordingly, they should be viewed as complementary to, and not as a substitute for, the measures prescribed by IFRS and as included in the Group Financial Statements (see pages 126 to 132).

Linkage of performance measures to Directors’ remuneration and KPIsLOGO

See pages 96 to 111 for more

information on Directors’

remuneration and pages

43 to 46 for more

information on KPIs.

LOGOThe Annual Performance PlanLOGOThe Long Term Incentive PlanLOGOKey Performance Indicators

MeasureCommentary

Global revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth

LOGO

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancy statistics are disclosed on pages 217 to 218.

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry.

RevPAR comprises IHG’s System (see Glossary, page 249) rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and ADR are presented on a comparable basis, comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels (including those acquired), hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. These measures include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s System

LOGO

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to total gross revenue on page 53.

Total gross revenue is revenue not wholly attributable to IHG, however, management believes this measure is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as it provides a measure of System performance, giving an indication of the strength of IHG’s brands and the combined impact of IHG’s growth strategy and RevPAR performance.

Total gross revenue refers to revenue which IHG has a role in driving and from which IHG derives an income stream. IHG’s business model is described on pages 12 to 15. Total gross revenue comprises:

  total rooms revenue from franchised hotels;

  total hotel revenue from managed hotels including food and beverage, meetings and other revenues and reflects the value IHG drives to managed hotel owners by optimising the performance of their hotels; and

  total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Other than total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, total gross hotel revenue is not revenue attributable to IHG as these managed and franchised hotels are owned by third parties.

Revenue and operating profit measures

The reconciliation of the most directly comparable line item within the Group Financial Statements (i.e. total revenue and operating profit, accordingly) to the non-IFRS revenue and operating profit measures is included on pages 212 to 215.

Revenue and operating profit from (1) fee business and (2) owned, leased and managed lease hotels, are described as ‘revenue from reportable segments’ and ‘operating profit from reportable segments’, respectively, within note 2 to the Group Financial Statements. These measures are presented for each of the Group’s regions.

Management believes revenue and operating profit from reportable segments is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as it excludes the following elements and reflects how management monitors the business:

  System Fund – the Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, but is managed for the benefit of the hotels within the IHG System. As described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 139), the System Fund is operated to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System and hotel loyalty programme.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202047


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Revenue and operating profit measures continued

  Revenues related to the reimbursement of costs – as described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 139), there is a cost equal to these revenues so there is no profit impact. Cost reimbursements are not applicable to all hotels and growth in these revenues is not reflective of growth in the performance of the Group. As such, management do not include these revenues in their analysis of results.

  Exceptional items – these are identified by virtue of either their size, nature, or incidence and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and reorganisation costs. As each item is different in nature and scope, there will be little continuity in the detailed composition and size of the reported amounts which affect performance in successive periods. Separate disclosure of these amounts facilitates the understanding of performance including and excluding such items.

In further discussing the Group’s performance in respect of revenue and operating profit, additional non-IFRS measures are used and explained further below:

  Underlying revenue;

  Underlying operating profit;

  Underlying fee revenue; and

  Fee margin.

Operating profit measures are, by their nature, before interest and tax. Management believes such measures are useful for investors and other stakeholders when comparing performance across different companies as interest and tax can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be highly dependent on a company’s capital structure, debt levels and credit ratings. In addition, the tax positions of companies can vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the various jurisdictions in which they operate.
Although management believes these measures are useful to investors and other stakeholders in assessing the Group’s ongoing financial performance and provide improved comparability between periods, there are limitations in their use as compared to measures of financial performance under IFRS. As such, they should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for IFRS measures. In addition, these measures may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

These measures adjust revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, respectively, to exclude revenue and operating profit generated by owned, leased and managed lease hotels which have been disposed, and significant liquidated damages, which are not comparable year-on-year and are not indicative of the Group’s ongoing profitability. The revenue and operating profit of current year acquisitions are also excluded as these obscure underlying business results and trends when comparing to the prior year. In addition, in order to remove the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange, which would distort the comparability of the Group’s operating performance, prior year measures are restated at constant currency using current year exchange rates.

Management believes these are meaningful to investors and other stakeholders to better understand comparable year-on-year trading and enable assessment of the underlying trends in the Group’s financial performance.

Underlying fee revenue growth

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Underlying fee revenue is used to calculate underlying fee revenue growth. Underlying fee revenue is calculated on the same basis as underlying revenue as described above but for the fee business only.
Management believes underlying fee revenue is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as an indicator of IHG’s ability to grow the core fee-based business, aligned to IHG’s asset-light strategy.

48IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Measure

Commentary

Fee margin

LOGO

Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates and is a measure of the profit arising from fee revenue. Fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profit are calculated from the revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, as defined above, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the Group’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages.
In addition, fee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to match the expected claims over the longer term (see page 138 to the Group Financial Statements), and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to better depict the profitability of the fee business.
Management believes fee margin is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as an indicator of the sustainable long-term growth in the profitability of IHG’s core fee-based business, as the scale of IHG’s operations increases with growth in IHG’s System size.

Adjusted interest

Financial income and financial

expenses as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted interest on page 216.

Adjusted interest is presented before exceptional items and excludes the following items of interest which are recorded within the System Fund:

  IHG records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG.

  The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System.

As the Fund is included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses, reducing the Group’s effective interest cost. Given results related to the System Fund are excluded from adjusted measures used by management, these are excluded from adjusted interest and adjusted earnings per ordinary share (see below).

Management believes adjusted interest is a meaningful measure for investors and other stakeholders as it provides an indication of the comparable year-on-year expense associated with financing the business including the interest on any balance held on behalf of the System Fund.

Tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund

A reconciliation of the tax charge as recorded in the Group Financial Statements to tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund can be found in note 8 to the Group Financial Statements on page 158.

As outlined above, exceptional items can vary year-on-year and, where subject to tax at a different rate than the Group as a whole, they can therefore impact the current year’s tax charge. The System Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term and is, in general, not subject to tax either.

Management believes removing these provides a better view of the Group’s underlying tax rate on ordinary operations and aids comparability year-on-year, thus providing a more meaningful understanding of the Group’s ongoing tax charge.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted earnings per ordinary share in note 10 to the Group Financial Statements on page 163.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share adjusts the profit available for equity holders used in the calculation of basic earnings per share to remove System Fund revenue and expenses, the items of interest related to the System Fund as excluded in adjusted interest (above), change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration, exceptional items, and the related tax impacts of such adjustments.

Management believes that adjusted earnings per share is a meaningful measure for investors and other stakeholders as it provides a more comparable earnings per share measure aligned with how management monitors the business.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202049


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Net debt

Net debt is included in note 23 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net debt is used in the monitoring of the Group’s liquidity and capital structure and is used by management in the calculation of the key ratios attached to the Group’s bank covenants and with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating (see page 14 for further discussion). Net debt is used by investors and other stakeholders to evaluate the financial strength of the business.
Net debt comprises loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

Adjusted EBITDA

Operating profit recorded in the

Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted EBITDA on page 216.

Adjusted EBITDA has been added as a measure in 2020 as it has become an increasingly useful measure to investors for comparing the performance of different companies.

One of the key measures used by the Group in monitoring its debt and capital structure is the net debt: adjusted EBITDA ratio, which is managed with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating. The Group has a stated aim of maintaining this ratio at 2.5-3.0x. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses, exceptional items and depreciation and amortisation.
Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and other stakeholders for comparing the performance of different companies as depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items are eliminated. It can also be used as an approximation of operational cash flow generation. This measure is relevant to the Group’s banking covenants, which have been waived until 31 December 2021. Details of covenant levels and performance against these is provided in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements. The leverage ratio uses a Covenant EBITDA measure which is calculated on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis, which excludes the effect of IFRS 16.

Gross capital expenditure, net capital expenditure, free cash flow

The reconciliation of the Group’s statement of cash flows (i.e. net cash from investing activities, net cash from operating activities, accordingly) to the non-IFRS capital expenditure and cash flow measures are included on pages 215 to 216.

These measures have limitations as they omit certain components of the overall cash flow statement. They are not intended to represent IHG’s residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, nor do they reflect the Group’s future capital commitments. These measures are used by many companies, but there can be differences in how each company defines the terms, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. Therefore, it is important to view these measures only as a complement to the Group statement of cash flows.

Gross capital expenditureGross capital expenditure represents the consolidated capital expenditure of IHG inclusive of System Fund capital investments (see page 15 for a description of System Fund capital investments and recent examples).
Gross capital expenditure is defined as net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (key money). In order to demonstrate the capital outflow of the Group, cash flows arising from any disposals or distributions from associates and joint ventures are excluded. The measure also excludes any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions.
Gross capital expenditure is reported as either maintenance, recyclable, or System Fund. This disaggregation provides useful information as it enables users to distinguish between:

  System Fund capital investments which are strategic investments to drive growth at hotel level;

  recyclable investments (such as investments in associates and joint ventures), which are intended to be recoverable in the medium term and are to drive the growth of the Group’s brands and expansion in priority markets; and

  maintenance capital expenditure (including contract acquisition costs), which represents a permanent cash outflow.

Management believes gross capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates how the Group continues to invest in the business to drive growth. It also allows for comparison year-on-year.

50IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Measure

Commentary

Net capital expenditureNet capital expenditure provides an indicator of the capital intensity of IHG’s business model. Net capital expenditure is derived from net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (net of repayments) and to exclude any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions. Net capital expenditure includes the inflows arising from any disposal receipts, or distributions from associates and joint ventures.
In addition, System Fund depreciation and amortisation relating to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, respectively, is added back, reducing the overall cash outflow. This reflects the way in which System Funded capital investments are recharged to the System Fund, over the life of the asset (see page 15).
Management believes net capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates the net capital investment by IHG, after taking into account capital recycling through asset disposal and the funding of strategic investments by the System Fund. It provides investors and other stakeholders with visibility of the cash flows which are allocated to long-term investments to drive the Group’s strategy.

Free cash flow

LOGO

Free cash flow is net cash from operating activities adjusted for: (1) the inclusion of the cash outflow arising from the purchase of shares by employee share trusts reflecting the requirement to satisfy incentive schemes which are linked to operating performance; (2) the inclusion of maintenance capital expenditure (excluding contract acquisition costs); (3) the inclusion of the principal element of lease payments; and (4) the exclusion of payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within net cash from operating activities.
In 2016, free cash flow was also adjusted for the cash receipt arising from the renegotiation of a long-term partnership agreement.
Management believes free cash flow is a useful measure for investors and other stakeholders, as it represents the cash available to invest back into the business to drive future growth and pay the ordinary dividend, with any surplus being available for additional returns to shareholders.

LOGOThe performance review should be read in conjunction with the Non-GAAP
reconciliations on pages 212 to 218 and the Glossary on pages 248 to 249.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202051


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group

Group results

                             12 months ended 31 December 
                                   2020
$m
                                  2019
$m
                     2020 vs 2019
% change
                                  2018
$m
                     2019 vs 2018 
% change 
Revenuea                            
Americas    512     1,040     (50.8    1,051    (1.0)
EMEAA    221     723     (69.4    569    27.1 
Greater China    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Central    182     185     (1.6    170    8.8 
Revenue from reportable segments    992     2,083     (52.4    1,933    7.8 
System Fund revenues    765     1,373     (44.3    1,233    11.4 
Reimbursement of costs    637     1,171     (45.6    1,171    – 
Total revenue    2,394     4,627     (48.3    4,337    6.7 
Operating profita                            
Americas    296     700     (57.7    673    4.0 
EMEAA    (50    217     (123.0    206    5.3 
Greater China    35     73     (52.1    70    4.3 
Central    (62    (125    (50.4    (117   6.8 
Operating profit from reportable segments    219     865     (74.7    832    4.0 
System Fund result    (102    (49    108.2     (146   (66.4)
Operating profit before exceptional items    117     816     (85.7    686    19.0 
Operating exceptional items    (270)     (186    45.2     (104   78.8 
Operating (loss)/profit    (153)     630     (124.3    582    8.2 
Net financial expenses    (140)     (115    21.7     (96   19.8 
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration    13     27     (51.9    (4   (775.0)
(Loss)/profit before tax    (280)     542     (151.7    482    12.4 
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share                            
Basic    (142.9)¢     210.4¢     (167.9    183.7¢    14.5 
Adjustedb    31.3¢     303.3¢     (89.7    293.2¢    3.4 
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate    $1: £0.78     $1: £0.78          $1: £0.75    4.0 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2020

Covid-19 significantly impacted IHG’s financial performance in 2020, resulting in large RevPAR declines in all regions, commencing in the first quarter as governments across the globe successively imposed significant and wide-reaching restrictions on mobility between and within countries. The peak impact to the Group was witnessed at the beginning of the second quarter at the point where travel and movement restrictions were in place across much of the US and Europe, whilst domestic travel restrictions were starting to be lifted in China. Many hotels were temporarily closed during the height of the first wave of the pandemic with ~15% of IHG’s global estate shut by the end of April. Performance improved into the third quarter, driven by increases in domestic travel in countries that had lifted restrictions, including the US, where our performance has been ahead of

the industry. As Covid-19 cases rose through the fourth quarter, particularly in the US and Europe, varying levels of restrictions were reintroduced in several countries, resulting in a slowing in the pace of RevPAR recovery.

Overall, Group comparable RevPARc declined 25% in the first quarter, 75% in the second quarter, 53% in the third quarter, 53% in the fourth quarter and 53% in the full year, all compared to the prior year.

During the year ended 31 December 2020, total revenue decreased by $2,223m (48.3%) to $2,394m, whilst revenue from reportable segments decreased by $1,091m (52.4%) to $992m, due to the significant and wide-ranging impacts of Covid-19 on both fee revenue and revenues from owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Operating profit decreased by $783m (124.3%) to a loss of $153m and profit before tax decreased by $822m (151.7%) to a loss of $280m, driven predominantly by materially lower fee

revenues, significantly lower revenues in the owned, leased and managed lease estate, coupled with a $53m decrease the System Fund result to a $102m deficit, a $84m net increase in operating exceptional charges, and an increase in expected credit losses. These reductions in revenue and increases in charges were partially offset by rapid and decisive action by management to mitigate against the scale and speed of trading disruption through limiting discretionary spend, reducing salaries and incentives, and other targeted cost reductions. The $270m operating exceptional charge was driven principally by: $274m of impairment charges including $48m recognised in relation to trade deposits and loans, $53m recognised in relation to contract assets, $48m recognised in relation to acquired management agreements and $90m recognised in relation to property, plant and equipment, substantially all relating to owned and leased hotel assets. Additionally,

a

Americas and EMEAA include revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Greater China includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from fee business.

b

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

c

Comparable RevPAR includes the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

52IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



a $52m credit was recognised in related to the derecognition or termination of certain leases. Detail of impairments is described in note 6 of the Group Financial Statements and on pages 135 to 137.

Operating profit from reportable segments decreased by $646m (74.7%) to $219m.

Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit decreased by $1,071m (52.0%) and $635m (74.7%) respectively.

IHG System size increased by 0.3% to 886,036 rooms, increasing by 2.2% excluding the impact of the exit of hotels associated with the SVC portfolio, whilst underlying fee revenuea decreased by 45.0%.

Fee margina decreased by 20.0 percentage points to 34.1%, impacted by the significant reduction in fee revenue driven by Covid-19, partially offset by targeted cost reductions.

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by (167.9)% to a loss per ordinary share of (142.9)¢, whilst adjusteda earnings per ordinary share decreased by 89.7% to 31.3¢.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

Accounting principles

The Group results are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The application of IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions, and those considered critical to the preparation of the Group results are set out on pages 134 to 137 of the Group Financial Statements.

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. For comparability of the periods presented, some of the performance indicators in this performance review are calculated after eliminating these exceptional items. An analysis of exceptional items is included in note 6 on page 154 of the Group Financial Statements.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System

     12 months ended 31 December 
    

 

 

 

                2020

$bn

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

                2019

$bn

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

%

           change

 

 

b 

Analysed by brand                         
InterContinental    2.0      5.1      (60.2
Kimpton    0.4      1.4      (71.2
HUALUXE    0.1      0.1      5.3 
Crowne Plaza    1.8      4.3     ��(57.3
Hotel Indigo    0.3      0.6      (56.9
EVEN Hotels    0.0      0.1      (66.8
Holiday Inn    2.8      6.3      (55.0
Holiday Inn Express    4.2      7.3      (42.4
Staybridge Suites    0.7      1.0      (32.8
Candlewood Suites    0.7      0.9      (22.3
Other    0.5      0.8      (41.1
Total    13.5      27.9      (51.5
Analysed by ownership type                    
Fee business    13.3      27.3      (51.1
Owned, leased and managed lease    0.2      0.6      (70.6
Total    13.5      27.9      (51.5

b  Year-on-year percentage movement calculated from source figures, to provide better illustration of relative impact of Covid-19 on brands and on fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System decreased by 51.5% (51.4% decrease at constant currency) to $13.5bn, due to the significant RevPAR decline of 52.5% driven by the global impact of Covid-19.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202053


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group continued

Group hotel and room count

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December                 2020          over 2019                 2020          over 2019 
Analysed by brand                               
Six Senses     16      (2    1,129      (319
Regent     7      1     2,190      187 
InterContinental     205      (7    69,941      (1,040
Kimpton     73      7     13,085      39 
HUALUXE     12      3     3,433      723 
Crowne Plaza     429      (2    118,879      (1,703
Hotel Indigo     125      7     15,604      1,030 
EVEN Hotels     16      3     2,410      461 
voco     18      6     5,077      784 
Holiday Inna     1,276      (8    236,554      (3,340
Holiday Inn Express     2,966      91     309,487      10,253 
avid hotels     24      17     2,156      1,521 
Staybridge Suites     303      3     32,895      262 
Candlewood Suites     366      (44    32,435      (5,897
Otherb     128      (14    40,761      (488
Total     5,964      61     886,036      2,473 
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     5,005      135     627,348      12,374 
Managed     936      (71    253,288      (8,965
Owned, leased and managed lease     23      (3    5,400      (936
Total     5,964      61     886,036      2,473 

During 2020, the global IHG System (the number of hotels and rooms which are franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease) increased by 61 hotels (2,473 rooms) to 5,964 hotels (886,036 rooms).

Openings of 285 hotels (39,392 rooms) was 30.7% lower than in 2019, impacted by large periods of restriction on non-essential activity in major markets. Openings in the Americas included 96 hotels (8,945 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family. 61 hotels (11,288 rooms) were opened in EMEAA in 2020, with the Greater China region also

contributing openings of 57 hotels (11,358 rooms). 224 hotels (36,919 rooms) left the IHG System in 2020, of which 102 hotels (16,655 rooms) related to SVC and 13 hotels (2,118 rooms) related to a portfolio of hotels in Germany. This compared to 111 hotels (18,198 rooms) that left the IHG System in 2019.

a

Includes 47 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,446 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,679 rooms), (2019: 46 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,502 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms)).

b

Includes three open hotels that will be re-branded to voco.

Total number of hotels

5,964

Total number of rooms

886,036

54IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020




Group pipeline

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December                 2020        over 2019                 2020          over 2019 
Analysed by brand                               
Six Senses     31      6     2,239      469 
Regent     6      1     1,535      591 
InterContinental     69      4     17,774      756 
Kimpton     32      (1    6,265      62 
HUALUXE     25      3     6,907      727 
Crowne Plaza     89      1     24,228      (278
Hotel Indigo     104      3     15,704      556 
EVEN Hotels     31      5     5,046      704 
voco     29      12     8,179      1,959 
Holiday Inna     262      (13    51,163      (1,746
Holiday Inn Express     683      (71    87,152      (8,722
avid hotels     192      (15    17,526      (1,542
Staybridge Suites     155      (27    17,490      (3,244
Candlewood Suites     73      (18    6,369      (1,817
Atwell Suites     19      9     1,849      849 
Otherb     15      (2    2,631      (310
Total     1,815      (103    272,057      (10,986
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     1,310      (101    159,068      (7,573
Managed     504      (2    112,834      (3,413
Owned, leased and managed lease     1           155       
Total     1,815      (103    272,057      (10,986

At the end of 2020, the global pipeline totalled 1,815 hotels (272,057 rooms), a decrease of 103 hotels (10,986 rooms) on 31 December 2019. The IHG pipeline represents hotels where a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid.

Group signings decreased from 623 hotels in 2019 to 360 hotels and rooms decreased from 97,754 rooms to 56,146 rooms, as movement restrictions, enforced hotel closures and the shock to the global economy caused by Covid-19 reduced the pace of signings across the hospitality industry. Signings in 2020 included 180

hotels (26,600 rooms) signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, over half of which were contributed by Greater China (94 hotels, 16,692 rooms). Conversions represented 25.2% of Group signings in 2020.

Active management of the pipeline to remove deals that have become dormant or no longer viable reduced the pipeline by 178 hotels (27,740 rooms), compared to 153 hotels (20,439 rooms) in 2019.

a

Includes 34 Holiday Inn Resort properties (7,251 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms), (2019: 29 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,335 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (110 rooms)).

b

Includes one hotel to be branded as a voco.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

1,815

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

272,057

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202055


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Regional review

The performance, plans and priorities of each of our regions have been impacted to a different extent by Covid-19, in terms of both the length and severity of disruption.

IHG’s response was shaped by our purpose of True Hospitality for Good, with each region implementing the IHG Clean Promise and developing policies, operating procedures, brand standards and training programmes to protect the health and safety of guests and colleagues. In each region, plans were developed to support owners to reduce costs and protect cash flow by relaxing brand standards, temporarily reducing fees and helping owners meet the challenge of closing and reopening hotels safely. At the same time, each region developed commercial and operational plans to support their recovery to benefit all stakeholders. These measures continue into 2021 regional priorities, with a focus on customer centricity, maximising owner returns by making sustainable savings in hotel operating costs and driving improved guest satisfaction through quality improvements. The information set out below describes each region’s delivery against our strategic priorities and measures taken to respond to Covid-19, the following pages describe each region’s 2020 performance.

2020 review

Americas

 Ensured hotels were delivering on Covid-19 health and safety measures and the IHG Clean Promise by developing a virtual process to monitor compliance to our new standards; audited over 4,000 hotels in the region in a few short months.

 Worked with the highest levels of the US government to advocate for small business funding and assisted our owners with resources to apply for federal funds.

 Assisted communities by partnering with #FirstRespondersFirst and donated 50 million IHG Rewards points to provide free accommodation at hotels across the United States for frontline Covid-19 first responders.

 Captured domestic travel demand and achieved strong share gains across our brands in the midscale segments, which demonstrated resilience during the crisis.

 Strengthened the overall portfolio with 137 new signings and 167 openings driven by Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, and our Suites brands.

 Achieved several brand milestones with the opening of the first voco in the Americas (New York City), first avid in Mexico, and first Kimpton in Mexico.

EMEAA

 Supported hotel owners and colleagues throughout Covid-19, focusing on the health and safety of our hotel colleagues and providing cost management solutions for our owners.

 EMEAA’s operating model continued to unlock high-value growth opportunities, opening 61 hotels and signing 82. Highlights included the expansion of Kimpton to eight open hotels, voco to 16 and Hotel Indigo to 46, as well as eight InterContinental signings. The total EMEAA estate reached 1,149 hotels with 389 in the pipeline.

 Continued focus on delivering operations efficiency for our owners, simplifying brand standards, reducing procurement costs, and continuously strengthening our approach to commercial and operational hotel support.

 Built great momentum behind critical guest experience initiatives, with a focus on quality, service and cleanliness (IHG Way of Clean programme), resulting in increased Guest Love scores across EMEAA.

 Engaged and supported employees through a wide range of pan-regional initiatives focused on mental and physical wellbeing; continued to develop and prioritise our diversity and inclusion agenda.

Greater China

 Responding to the outbreak of Covid-19, we successfully implemented the IHG Clean Promise measured through improvements in guest satisfaction scores, and developed data driven commercial and operational plans to drive business recovery.

 Achieved brand milestones with opening of our 100th franchise hotel, 200th Holiday Inn Express, 100th Crowne Plaza, 50th InterContinental and launch of EVEN and voco brands.

 Strengthened market presence of IHG brand portfolio in Greater China, with 141 signings and 57 openings, including many iconic properties in key markets such as the Regent Shanghai Pudong, InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City, voco Hangzhou Binjiang Minghao and Hualuxe Shanghai Twelve at Hengshan.

 Launched mobile booking and payment solutions, a corporate travel portal and an industry first tri-party credit card.

 Developed and implemented a Franchise Performance Support platform that delivers owner and hotel solutions, focused on driving operating performance with revenue tools and support.

 Received the Magnolia Award in recognition of IHG’s contribution to Shanghai’s development and international cooperation.

56IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

Staybridge, Washington DC, US  Hotel Indigo, Bath, UK            Holiday Inn Express, Macau City
            Centre, Macau SAR

2021 priorities

Americas

 Continue to lead our hotels through recovery to capture share from industries that are seeing increased demand including construction, engineering, technology, communications, education and medical services.

 Build on the momentum of our most recent brand launches and targeted transformations:

–  continue the growth of avid hotels, Atwell Suites and EVEN Hotels;

–  expand voco to capture the opportunity of increased hotel conversions in the coming years;

–  sustain focus on quality and consistency of estate, including established brands Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza; and

–  expand our luxury and lifestyle footprint and open our first Six Senses in the region.

 Maximise owner returns by identifying opportunities for efficiencies in hotel construction and operations.

 Expand contactless check-in and check-out, and explore additional technology solutions to improve the guest experience.

 Strengthen our focus on diversity and inclusion by increasing representation of ethnically diverse employees, rolling out mandatory unconscious bias training, and enhancing our partnerships in the community.

EMEAA

 Continue to support our owners, guests and colleagues through Covid-19 recovery, focused on driving domestic demand, generating best-in-class returns for our owners and developing capabilities within our teams.

 Execute and deliver the EMEAA growth strategy, expanding our market-leading, loved and trusted brands with a continued focus on quality and guest satisfaction.

 Continue to maximise owner returns on investment across EMEAA by focusing on labour efficiency, energy, procurement, technology and brand standards.

 Deliver value throughout the region with the execution of an innovative digital strategy which utilises the data, insights, technology and platforms required to make us attractive to guests and drive performance for owners.

 Refresh our talent management process to ensure we attract the best talent into critical roles throughout EMEAA, whilst ensuring our region is more diverse, inclusive and supportive for everyone.

 Extend leadership pipeline to support growth and our future state operating model, including strengthening at the hotel level (General Manager and hotel Senior Leadership teams).

Greater China

 Deploy and deliver the Greater China Covid-19 recovery plan, focusing on providing a safe and clean environment for our guests and communities and generating best-in-class returns for our owners.

 Continue to execute the growth strategy across midscale segments and penetrate fast growing cities and leisure destinations in South and East China.

 Deliver the Greater China digital strategy, focused on mobile digital solutions across the end-to-end guest journey.

 Scale our franchise model, strengthen owner and hotel support that delivers customised brand learning and certification programmes, revenue dashboards and insights, and proactive deployment support.

 Adapt our owner offer across the hotel lifecycle in response to changing market dynamics and owner needs.

 Continue to strengthen IHG Rewards programme through strategic partner alliances and market relevant membership benefits that drive loyalty contribution.

 Continue our talent development momentum to support growth.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202057


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas

LOGO

“During the most challenging time in our industry’s history we are focused on the health and safety of our guests and colleagues, and supporting our owners. We’ve continued to see confidence in our established brands and maintained the momentum of our newest brands, avid® hotels and Atwell Suites, as well as introducing the voco brand to the Americas.”

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Americas revenue 2020 ($512m)

LOGO

Americas number of rooms (514,012)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business
InterContinental(71.0%)
Kimpton(69.7%)
Crowne Plaza(65.1%)
Hotel Indigo(57.0%)
EVEN Hotels(74.2%)
Holiday Inn(52.0%)
Holiday Inn Express(41.6%)
Staybridge Suites(36.0%)
Candlewood Suites(23.0%)
All brands(48.5%)
Owned, leased and managed lease
EVEN Hotels(62.0%)
Holiday Inn(62.2%)
All brands(62.1%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in the Americas declined by 51.5%, driven by a 25.3 percentage point (ppt) decline in occupancy coupled with a 20.6% decline in average daily rate. Occupancy was impacted to an unprecedented extent by Covid-19, falling to a record low in April, as most international travel halted, and countries introduced varying levels of domestic restrictions. Room demand fell by 38.1%, whilst supply growth slowed to 1.3% as some projects were delayed or cancelled.

US lodging industry room demand declined by 35.7% in 2020, whilst supply growth slowed to 1.4%, the lowest in four years. US industry RevPAR declined by 50.1% in 2020, driven by a 24.1ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 21.3% decline in average daily rate. The impact of Covid-19 was felt most strongly in the luxury and upper upscale segments, which declined 67.2% and 67.5% respectively, due to a greater distribution in urban markets and a greater reliance on corporate and group business. The US upper midscale chain scale, where the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands operate, was more resilient to the impact of Covid-19, declining by 43.8%.

In Canada, industry RevPAR declined by 62.6%, driven by a 33.8ppt occupancy decline, and a 21.5% decline in average daily rate. In Mexico, RevPAR declined by 57.1%, led by a 33.6ppt occupancy decline and a 4.6% decline in average daily rate.

Holiday Inn Cheshire –

Southington, US

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in the Americas declined by 48.5%, driven by a 26.5ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.2% decline in average daily rate. The region is predominantly represented by the US, where comparable RevPAR declined by 46.9%, a lower rate of decline than the industry. In the US, we are most represented by our upper midscale brands Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. US RevPAR for the Holiday Inn Express brand declined by 40.3%, whilst the Holiday Inn brand declined by 50.0%.

Canada RevPAR declined by 62.2%, whilst Mexico RevPAR declined by 57.2%, led by occupancy declines.

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58IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Americas results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

          2020

$m

     

            2019

$m

     2020 vs
2019
    % change
     

          2018

$m

     

2019 vs 

2018 
    % change 

Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    457     853     (46.4    853    –  
Owned, leased and managed lease    55     187     (70.6    198    (5.6)
Total    512     1,040     (50.8    1,051    (1.0)
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    323     663     (51.3    638    3.9 
Owned, leased and managed lease    (27    37     (173.0    35    5.7 
     296     700     (57.7    673    4.0 
Operating exceptional items    (118    (62    90.3     (36   72.2 
Operating profit    178     638     (72.1    637    0.2 

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

With 4,298 hotels (514,012 rooms), the Americas represents 58% of the Group’s room count. The key profit-generating region is the US, although the Group is also represented in Latin America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 92% of rooms in the region are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our brands in the midscale segments (including the Holiday Inn Brand Family). In the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised whereas, in the luxury market segment, InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under both franchise and management agreements, whilst Kimpton is predominantly managed. 12 of the Group’s 16 hotel brands are represented in the Americas.

Following solid trading in the first two months of 2020, Covid-19 rapidly impacted the Americas region from March leading to sharp declines in RevPAR across the region. Occupancy levels dropped to historic lows in April, as physical distancing and travel restrictions came into effect across the region, with ~10% of hotels closed in the US by the end of April. In the US, occupancyb was ~20% at the lowest point.

As the second quarter progressed and restrictions began to be lifted, the beginnings of a recovery were seen in both RevPAR and occupancy. By the end of June the majority of hotels had reopened with just ~3% of US hotels closed and occupancyb in the US of ~42%. The initial recovery continued into the third quarter, led by the US franchised estate, which benefits from a weighting towards hotels in the midscale segments. Those hotels derive the majority

of their business from domestic demand and have a lower reliance on large group business and higher distribution in non-urban markets. The recovery continued into the fourth quarter at a slower pace, as a resurgence in Covid-19 cases led to the reinstatement of restrictions in a number of locations across the US. By the end of the year only ~1% of hotels were closed in the US.

Comparable RevPARb in the Americas declined 19% in the first quarter of 2020, 71% in the second quarter, 50% in the third quarter and 50% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 49% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $528m (50.8%) to $512m, driven by the impacts of Covid-19. Operating profit decreased by $460m (72.1%) to $178m, driven by the reduction in revenue, and a $56m net increase in operating exceptional charges, partially offset by cost saving measures. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $404m (57.7%) to $296m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue decreased by $523m (50.5%), whilst underlyingc operating profit decreased by $400m (57.5%).

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segmenta are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenuec decreased by $396m (46.4%) to $457m, driven by the significant impact of Covid-19 from March onwards on RevPAR and consequently fee revenues, including an $8m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees, and was also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($5m). Fee business operating profitc decreased by $340m

(51.3%) to $323m, due to reductions in fee revenue and an increase in expected credit losses, partially offset by cost savings commencing in the second quarter. Fee business operating profitc also benefited from a $4m favourable litigation settlement relating to one hotel, and the recognition of an $8m payroll tax credit, and was also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($4m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenuec decreased by $132m (70.6%) to $55m, as the majority of hotels were closed during much of the second quarter, whilst owned, leased and managed lease operating profitc decreased by $64m (173.0%) to a loss of $27m, driven by the impact of lower occupancy and closures, partially offset by the implementation of cost savings and the benefit of $4m business interruption insurance at one hotel. There was no material impact of foreign exchanged on either revenue or operating profit.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Americas reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2020.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202059


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas continued

Americas hotel and room count

      Hotels     Rooms 
At 31 December             2020      Change
over 2019
     2020      Change
over 2019
 
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental         46          (5        16,789          (1,107
Kimpton     64      3     11,097      (900
Crowne Plaza     136      (13    35,405      (4,470
Hotel Indigo     67      3     8,793      526 
EVEN Hotels     15      2     2,239      290 
voco     1      1     49      49 
Holiday Inna     766      (17    130,942      (4,344
Holiday Inn Express     2,425      57     220,342      5,349 
avid hotels     24      17     2,156      1,521 
Staybridge Suites     285      2     30,057      (187
Candlewood Suites     366      (44    32,435      (5,897
Otherb     103      (15    23,708      (1,465
Total     4,298      (9    514,012      (10,635
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     4,105      97     471,802      6,537 
Managed     187      (105    40,391      (16,769
Owned, leased and managed lease     6      (1    1,819      (403
Total     4,298      (9    514,012      (10,635

a

Includes 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,679 rooms), (2019: 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms)).

b

Includes one open hotel that will be re-branded to voco.

Americas pipeline

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December             2020      over 2019     2020      over 2019 
Analysed by brand                           
Six Senses     7      2     519      97 
InterContinental         7          –           1,724          175 
Kimpton     20      (1    3,483      24 
Crowne Plaza     6      1     1,250      157 
Hotel Indigo     31      (6    4,155      (1,017
EVEN Hotels     16      1     1,975      109 
Holiday Innc     80      (18    10,446      (2,060
Holiday Inn Express     386      (62    37,355      (5,748
avid hotels     191      (15    17,311      (1,542
Staybridge Suites     135      (27    14,061      (2,813
Candlewood Suites     73      (18    6,369      (1,817
Atwell Suites     19      9     1,849      849 
Other     13      (3    1,986      (793
Total     986      (135    102,757      (14,105
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     944      (133    96,528      (13,458
Managed     42      (2    6,229      (647
Total     986      (135    102,757      (14,105

c

Includes three Holiday Inn Resort properties (490 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms), (2019: three Holiday Inn Resort properties (490 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations property (110 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

4,298

Total number of rooms

514,012

Americas System size decreased by nine hotels (10,635 rooms) to 4,298 hotels (514,012 rooms) during 2020. 167 hotels (16,476 rooms) opened in the year, compared to 233 hotels (26,121 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 resulted in periods of restriction on activities that temporarily slowed the pace of construction in some locations. Openings included 96 hotels (8,945 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family, representing 57.5% of the region’s hotel openings.

176 hotels (27,381 rooms) were removed from the Americas System in 2020, of which 102 hotels (16,655 rooms) related to SVC, driving the increase compared to 2019, when 87 hotels (11,603 rooms) were removed.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

986

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

102,757

At 31 December 2020, the Americas pipeline totalled 986 hotels (102,757 rooms), representing a decrease of 135 hotels (14,105 rooms) over the prior year. Signings of 137 hotels (14,039 rooms) were behind last year by 168 hotels (18,917 rooms), as the economic uncertainty and restrictions on movement due to Covid-19 temporarily impacted investment into the broader hospitality industry. The majority of 2020 signings were within our midscale and upper midscale brands including the Holiday Inn Brand Family (60 hotels, 6,229 rooms), our Suites brands, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Atwell Suites, (31 hotels, 2,777 rooms) and avid hotels (19 hotels, 1,651 rooms), which continues to make good progress towards becoming IHG’s next brand of scale.

105 hotels (11,398 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020 compared to 107 hotels (10,255 rooms) in 2019.

60IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



EMEAA

LOGO                                 

“In EMEAA, the impact of Covid-19 was profound. With domestic restrictions and international borders closed, we focused on what we could control – growing our estate and strengthening brands, protecting our guests and colleagues, supporting owners, and positioning IHG® Hotels & Resorts in the best way possible.”

Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

EMEAA revenue 2020 ($221m)

LOGO

EMEAA number of rooms (227,849)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business

InterContinental

(64.8%)

Crowne Plaza

(64.5%)

Hotel Indigo

(73.7%)

Holiday Inn

(64.3%)

Holiday Inn Express

(64.5%)

Staybridge Suites

(46.6%)

All brands

(64.6%)

Owned, leased and managed lease

InterContinental

(66.7%)

All brands

(74.2%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in EMEAA declined by 64.8%, as Covid-19 drove a 41.1ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.4% decline in average daily rate. Many major conferences and events were cancelled or postponed, including the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament, set to be held in destinations across Europe, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Domestic leisure travel became the main driver of demand in periods where restrictions were lifted. In Europe occupancy declined by 45.0ppts and average daily rate declined by 16.6%, resulting in a RevPAR decline of 69.0% as the majority of countries introduced tough restrictions on international and domestic travel from March, lasting several months in many instances. UK industry RevPAR declined 68.6%, driven by a 46.2ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 21.5% decline in average daily rate. UK room demand was down 59.8%, as much of the year was impacted by national or local tiered movement restrictions and quarantine restrictions on inbound travellers. UK supply growth slowed to 0.6%, the lowest in six years. In Germany, industry RevPAR declined 64.4%, driven by a 42.8ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 11.0% decline in average daily rate. France saw RevPAR decline by 68.4%.

RevPAR declined 49.7% in the Middle East, driven by a 25.9ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.8% decline in average daily rate, as restrictions had a heavy impact on inbound travel. India saw RevPAR decline 63.0%.

Elsewhere in EMEAA, all major markets saw RevPAR declines in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including Japan (61.6%), Australia (49.6%), and Thailand (70.3%), driven by large declines in occupancy.

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

EMEAA RevPAR declined 64.8%, driven by a 41.9ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 18.4% decline in average daily rate. In the UK, where IHG has the largest regional presence, RevPAR declined by 65.2%, led by a decline in London of 74.1%, as inbound international travel was limited for much of the year. Germany saw a RevPAR decline of 70.5% as occupancy declined 47.2ppts whilst average daily rate declined 13.3%. France declined by 70.7%.

RevPAR in the Middle East declined 53.4%, due to the impact of Covid-19. India RevPAR declined by 59.3% driven by occupancy.

Japan RevPAR declined by 62.0%, Australia RevPAR declined by 55.5%, and Thailand RevPAR declined by 70.2%, all due to occupancy declines following Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Kimpton Shinjuku, Tokyo

LOGO

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202061


Strategic Report

Performance continued

EMEAA

EMEAA results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

          2020

$m

     

            2019

$m

     2020 vs
2019
    % change
     

          2018

$m

     

2019 vs 

2018 
    % change 

Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    107     337     (68.2    320    5.3 
Owned, leased and managed lease    114     386     (70.5    249    55.0 
Total    221     723     (69.4    569    27.1 
Operating (loss)/profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    (18    202     (108.9    202    –  
Owned, leased and managed lease    (32    15     (313.3    4    275.0 
     (50    217     (123.0    206    5.3 
Operating exceptional items    (128    (109    17.4     (12   808.3 
Operating (loss)/profit    (178    108     (264.8    194    (44.3)

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

Comprising 1,149 hotels (227,849 rooms) at the end of 2020, EMEAA represented 26% of the Group’s room count. Revenues are primarily generated from hotels in the UK and gateway cities in continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The largest proportion of rooms in the UK and continental Europe are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our upper midscale brands (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express). Similarly, in the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised, whereas, in the luxury market segment, the majority of InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under management agreements. The majority of hotels in markets outside of Europe are operated under the managed business model.

Covid-19 impacted EMEAA from the second half of February onwards as government-mandated international and domestic travel restrictions progressed across the region, resulting in a significant drop in RevPAR in the first quarter and culminating in ~50% of IHG’s hotels in the region being closed by April, with occupancyb dropping to ~11% in the month. Restrictions remained in place through much of the second quarter, severely impacting travel, particularly in Europe. The rate of RevPAR decline improved in the third quarter as government-mandated closures and travel restrictions were partially eased, with demand largely leisure-related. Demand began to weaken again in September and the fourth quarter was further impacted by the reinstatement of restrictions in many countries following a second wave of Covid-19 cases building through the autumn. By the end of the year ~80% of hotels were open across EMEAA.

Comparable RevPARb declined 26% in the first quarter, 88% in the second quarter, 70% in the third quarter and 71% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 65% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $502m (69.4%) to $221m as the impact of Covid-19 resulted in a significant reduction in fees as well as temporary closure of many owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Operating profit decreased by $286m (264.8%) to an operating loss of $178m, driven by the reduction in revenue and a $19m net increase in operating exceptional charges, partially offset by planned cost saving measures. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $267m (123.0%) to a loss of $50m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue decreased by $486m (69.0%) and underlyingc operating profit decreased by $260m (126.2%) to a loss of $54m.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segmenta are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenuec decreased by $230m (68.2%) to $107m, driven by the significant impact of Covid-19 on RevPAR and consequently fee revenues, including a $76m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees. There was no material impact of foreign exchanged. Fee business operating profitc decreased by $220m (108.9%) to an operating loss of $18m, driven by lower fee revenue and an increase in expected credit losses, partially offset by cost savings commencing in the second quarter, and partly benefiting from the impact of foreign exchanged ($1m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenuec decreased by $272m (70.5%) to $114m (foreign exchanged benefit $4m), as occupancy dropped rapidly through March and the majority of hotels were closed for a large proportion of the year. Owned, leased and managed lease operating profitc reduced by $47m (313.3%) to an operating loss of $32m, (foreign exchanged benefit $1m), driven by the impact of lower occupancy and closures, partially offset by the implementation of cost reduction measures undertaken across the estate, together with rent reductions received; there was also the benefit of a $3m gain from the sale of the lease on the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

EMEAA reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s actual exchange rates and average rates in 2020.

62IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



EMEAA continued

EMEAA hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    15     (2    1,007     (319
Regent    3          771      
InterContinental    108     (5    32,474     (1,041
Kimpton    8     4     1,859     939 
Crowne Plaza    188     2     46,524     113 
Hotel Indigo        46         5         5,066         627 
voco    16     4     4,880     587 
Holiday Inna    401     7     74,984     1,552 
Holiday Inn Express    329     5     47,356     902 
Staybridge Suites    18     1     2,838     449 
Otherb    17     2     10,090     670 
Total    1,149     23     227,849     4,479 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    774     1     125,720     (735
Managed    358     24     98,548     5,747 
Owned, leased and managed lease    17     (2    3,581     (533
Total    1,149     23     227,849     4,479 

a

Includes 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,330 rooms), (2019: 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,604 rooms)).

b

Includes two open hotels that will be re-branded to voco.

EMEAA pipeline

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    21     4     1,551     372 
Regent    5     1     1,255     591 
InterContinental    33     2     7,485     (22
Kimpton    6     (1        1,128     (119
Crowne Plaza        35              9,101     (314
Hotel Indigo    41     1     6,047         395 
voco    26     9     7,774     1,554 
Holiday Inna    108     (11    22,554     (3,382
Holiday Inn Express    92     (20    15,233     (3,816
avid hotels    1          215      
Staybridge Suites    20          3,429     (431
Other    1          348     186 
Total       389     (15      76,120     (4,986
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    155     (10    25,652     (1,679
Managed    233     (5    50,313     (3,307
Owned, leased and managed lease    1          155      
Total    389     (15    76,120     (4,986

a

Includes 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,553 rooms), (2019: 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,662 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

1,149

Total number of rooms

227,849

During 2020, EMEAA System size increased by 23 hotels (4,479 rooms) to 1,149 hotels (227,849 rooms). 61 hotels (11,288 rooms) opened in EMEAA in 2020, compared to 90 hotels (15,335 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 resulted in periods of restriction on activities that temporarily slowed the pace of construction in some locations.

38 hotels (6,809 rooms) left the EMEAA System in the period, including 13 hotels (2,118 rooms) related to a portfolio of hotels in Germany, driving the increase compared to 2019, when 15 hotels (3,064 rooms) left the EMEAA System.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

389

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

76,120

The EMEAA pipeline totalled 389 hotels (76,120 rooms) at 31 December 2020, representing a decrease of 15 hotels (4,986 rooms) over 31 December 2019. Signings of 82 hotels (13,903 rooms) were behind last year by 78 hotels (15,222 rooms), as the economic uncertainty and restrictions on movement generated by Covid-19 temporarily impacted investment into the broader hospitality industry.

36 hotels (7,601 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020, compared to 28 hotels (5,427 rooms) in the previous year.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202063


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China

LOGO

“With the outbreak of Covid-19, the increased health and safety of our guests and colleagues was made a top priority, alongside supporting our hotels, owners and communities. As China contained the pandemic, we deployed a business recovery strategy to drive revenue through to profit, and focused on continued growth through new hotel openings and signings.”

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Greater China revenue 2020 ($77m)

LOGO

    Greater China number of rooms (144,175)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business

InterContinental

(36.8%)

HUALUXE

(20.4%)

Crowne Plaza

(38.4%)

Hotel Indigo

(44.0%)

Holiday Inn

(46.9%)

Holiday Inn Express

(40.6%)

All brands

(40.5%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in Greater China declined sharply by 43.1% as Covid-19 impacted from early in the year resulting in declines in occupancy and average daily rate. Supply growth reduced marginally compared with 2019 but significantly weaker demand growth due to travel restrictions resulted in a 19.7ppt decline in occupancy, whilst average daily rate declined by 19.1% as international inbound travel and corporate business were particularly hard hit. Tier 1 cities’ RevPAR declined 47.2% led by declines in both occupancy and average daily rate. Tiers 2, 3 and 4 also saw RevPAR declines, with Tier 2 seeing the largest decline and Tier 4 the smallest. Occupancy in Mainland China was dampened by the impact of Covid-19, whilst Hong Kong SAR was similarly impacted, coupled with ongoing political uncertainty resulting in RevPAR declining 71.6%. Macau SAR RevPAR also declined significantly due to limitations in travel from the mainland, resulting in large occupancy declines.

Crowne Plaza

Yading, China

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

IHG’s regional comparable RevPAR in Greater China decreased by 40.5% in 2020, driven by a 19.2ppt decline in occupancy and a 13.3% decline in average daily rate.

In Mainland China IHG outperformed the industry, with RevPAR decreasing 36.7%, due to the significant impact of Covid-19. RevPAR in Hong Kong SAR declined 78.4%, impacted by political uncertainty and Covid-19 restrictions, whilst RevPAR in Macau SAR declined by 76.0%.

LOGO

64IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Greater China results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                     2020
$m
                    2019
$m
        2020 vs
2019
% change
                    2018
$m
        2019 vs 
2018 
% change 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Total    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    35     73     (52.1    70    4.3 
Operating exceptional items    (5              (1   – 
Operating profit    30     73     (58.9    69    5.8 

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

Comprising 517 hotels (144,175 rooms) at 31 December 2020, Greater China represented approximately 16% of the Group’s room count. The majority of rooms in Greater China operate under the managed business model.

Covid-19 impacted Greater China earliest of IHG’s three regions as government measures were introduced rapidly from the end of January to contain the spread of the virus. At the lockdown period trough, 40% of the region’s hotels were temporarily closed. Occupancyb dropped to single digits and comparable RevPARb declined by 89% in February, the month most impacted by Covid-19. Domestic travel restrictions started to ease through the second quarter and travel slowly started to recover. The recovery continued through the summer and into the third quarter, boosted by domestic leisure demand, with some resort destinations seeing absolute year-on-year growth in RevPAR, despite continued overall decline across the region. The recovery in RevPAR continued into the fourth quarter but at a slower pace and less than 1% of hotels remained closed by the end of December. Hong Kong SAR was impacted by uncertainty posed by political disputes throughout 2020, as well as by Covid-19.

Comparable RevPARb declined by 65% in the first quarter, 59% in the second quarter, 23% in the third quarter and 18% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 41% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $58m (43.0%) to $77m, driven by the impact of Covid-19 on fee revenues, partially offset by 6.4% net rooms growth. Operating profit decreased by $43m (58.9%) to $30m as revenue reductions, including a $32m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees, and a $5m net increase in operating exceptional charges were partially offset by cost savings. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $38m (52.1%) to $35m. Underlyingc revenue decreased by $60m (43.8%) to $77m and underlyingc operating profit decreased by $38m (52.1%) to $35m.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Greater China reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for the fee business.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202065


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China continued

Greater China hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses        1                  122          
Regent    4     1     1,419     187 
InterContinental    51     3     20,678     1,108 
Kimpton    1          129      
HUALUXE    12     3     3,433     723 
Crowne Plaza    105     9     36,950     2,654 
Hotel Indigo    12     (1    1,745     (123
EVEN Hotels    1     1     171     171 
voco    1     1     148     148 
Holiday Inna    109     2     30,628     (548
Holiday Inn Express    212     29     41,789     4,002 
Other    8     (1    6,963     307 
Total    517     47     144,175     8,629 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    126     37     29,826     6,572 
Managed    391     10     114,349     2,057 
Total    517     47     144,175     8,629 

a

Includes eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,113 rooms), (2019: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,895 rooms)).

Greater China pipeline

     Hotels      Rooms 
           Change            Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019      2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                         
Six Senses        3                   169          
Regent    1           280      
InterContinental    29     2      8,565     603 
Kimpton    6     1      1,654     157 
HUALUXE    25     3      6,907     727 
Crowne Plaza    48           13,877     (121
Hotel Indigo    32     8      5,502     1,178 
EVEN Hotels    15     4      3,071     595 
voco    1     1      131     131 
Holiday Innb    74     16      18,163     3,696 
Holiday Inn Express    205     11      34,564     842 
Otherc    1     1      297     297 
Total    440     47        93,180     8,105 
Analysed by ownership type                         
Franchised    211     42      36,888     7,564 
Managed    229     5      56,292     541 
Total    440     47      93,180     8,105 

b

Includes 12 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,208 rooms), (2019: eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,183 rooms)).

c

Includes one hotel to be branded as voco.

Total number of hotels

517

Total number of rooms

144,175

The Greater China System size increased by 47 hotels (8,629 rooms) in 2020 to 517 hotels (144,175 rooms). 57 hotels (11,358 rooms) opened, compared to 88 hotels (23,764 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 temporarily slowed the pace of construction in the first half of the year.

Recent growth in the region has focused on Tier 2 and 3 cities, which now represent approximately 54% of our open rooms. 39 Holiday Inn Brand Family hotels (5,780 rooms) were added in the year, compared to 70 hotels (14,130 rooms) in 2019.

10 hotels (2,729 rooms) were removed in 2020 compared to nine hotels (3,531 rooms) in 2019.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

440

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

93,180

At 31 December 2020, the Greater China pipeline totalled 440 hotels (93,180 rooms) compared to 393 hotels (85,075 rooms) at 31 December 2019. Signings of 141 hotels (28,204 rooms) compared with 158 hotels (35,673 rooms) in 2019, as the significant travel restrictions introduced in the early part of the year to combat Covid-19 temporarily slowed activity. 94 hotels (16,692 rooms) were signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, including 64 franchised Holiday Inn Express hotels.

37 hotels (8,741 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020, compared to 18 hotels (4,757 rooms) in 2019.

66IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Central

Central results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                 2020
$m
                2019
$m
        2020
vs 2019
% change
                2018
$m
        2019 
vs 2018��
% change 
Revenue    182     185     (1.6    170    8.8 
Gross costs    (244    (310    (21.3    (287   8.0 
     (62    (125    (50.4    (117   6.8 
Operating exceptional items    (19    (15    26.7     (55   (72.7)
Operating loss    (81    (140    (42.1    (172   (18.6)

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

The net operating loss decreased by $59m (42.1%), benefiting from a reduction in gross costs, partially offset by a $4m (26.7%) increase in operating exceptional charges.

Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, decreased by $3m (1.6%) to $182m, driven by the impacts of Covid-19 and temporary fee discounts on technology fees, being largely offset by the $20m net benefit of movement in recognition of some items between System Fund and reportable segments (see note 3 to the Group Financial Statements for further information). Revenue was also

partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangea ($1m).

Gross costs decreased by $66m (21.3%), driven by cost saving measures introduced from the second quarter. Gross costs also partly benefited from the impact of foreign exchangea ($1m).

The operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $63m, benefiting from the net movement in recognition of some revenues and expenses between the System Fund and reportable segments ($21m), see note 3 to the Group Financial Statements for further information. There was no material impact of foreign exchangea.

a

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2020.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202067


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Other financial information

System Fund

The Group operates a System Fund to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System, and hotel loyalty programme, IHG Rewards. The System Fund also benefits from proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-party co-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, although an in-year surplus or deficit can arise, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels.

In the year to 31 December 2020, System Fund revenue decreased by $608m (44.3%) to $765m, largely due to lower assessment fees reflecting the level of reduction in hotel revenues resulting from Covid-19, as well as fee reliefs given, and lower loyalty revenue due to lower redemption activity. This was partially offset by a favourable adjustment relating to a change in the actuarial assumptions around the ultimate rate of consumption of IHG Rewards points (‘breakage’) leading to increased revenue recognition year-over-year. A System Fund income statement deficit of $102m was recorded over the year, resulting from lower revenues, partly offset by actions targeted to lower costs including a reduction in marketing spend. System Fund expenses included $24m of expected credit losses, $20m reorganisation costs and $41m impairment principally relating to the US corporate headquarters (see page 136 for further information).

Reimbursement of costs

In the year to 31 December 2020, reimbursable revenue decreased by $534m (45.6%) to $637m. The reduction reflects the significant impact from Covid-19 on our hotels including hotel closures and staff furloughs, meaning the overall scale of reimbursements fell.

Cost reimbursements revenue represents reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed and franchised properties and relates, predominantly, to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. As we record cost reimbursements based upon costs incurred with no added mark up, this revenue and related expenses have no impact on either our operating profit or net income.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are identified by virtue of their size, nature, or incidence and are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share as well as other Non-GAAP measures (see Use of Non-GAAP measures, pages 47 to 51) in order to provide a more meaningful comparison of performance and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and reorganisation costs.

Pre-tax exceptional items totalled a net charge of $263m (2019: $148m net charge). The charge included: $22m net gain relating to derecognition of lease assets and liabilities; $30m gain on lease termination; $10m provision for onerous contractual expenditure relating to the UK portfolio; $27m reorganisation costs (2019: $20m); $6m acquisition and integration costs due to the Six Senses acquisition (2019: $7m); $5m net litigation costs (2019: $28m); $48m impairment of financial assets; $226m impairment charges of non-current assets (2019: $131m) of which $113m relates to Americas, $100m to EMEAA, $4m to Greater China and $9m to Central; $14m exceptional financial expenses; and $21m fair value gain on contingent purchase consideration relating to the UK portfolio. Further information on exceptional items can be found in note 6 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net financial expenses

Net financial expenses increased by $25m to $140m, primarily due to $14m exceptional financial expenses relating to the partial repayment of the 2022 bonds (see below), $8m interest on the new bonds issued and $3m relating to commercial paper. Adjusted interest, as reconciled on page 216, and which excludes exceptional finance expenses and adds back interest relating to the System Fund, decreased by $3m to $130m. The lower interest payable to the System Fund largely resulted from lower interest rates in 2020.

In October 2020 the Group issued a tender offer for its £400m 3.875% 2022 bonds resulting in a repayment of £227m. The Group concurrently issued 500m 1.625% 2024 bonds and £400m 3.375% 2028 bonds to strengthen liquidity and extend the maturity profile of the Group’s debt. The $14m premium on repayment and associated write-off of fees and discount are classified as exceptional costs due to their size and nature.

Excluding amounts classified as exceptional, financial expenses includes $69m (2019: $63m) of total interest costs on the public bonds, which are fixed rate debt. Interest expense on lease liabilities was $37m (2019: $41m).

Fair value gains/losses on contingent purchase consideration

Contingent purchase consideration arose on the acquisitions of Regent, the UK portfolio and Six Senses (see note 25 to the Group Financial Statements). The net gain of $13m (2019: $27m) comprises an exceptional gain of $21m in respect of the UK portfolio (see exceptional items above), offset by a loss of $8m in respect of Regent driven by a reduction in US corporate bond rates. The total contingent purchase consideration liability at 31 December 2020 is $79m (2019: $91m).

Taxation

The effective rate of tax on profit before exceptional items and System Fund was 38% (2019: 24%) which included the recognition of tax credits on one-off items, predominantly in connection with adjustments to deferred taxes following an internal group restructuring, UK law change and prior year items. Excluding these one-off items, the effective tax rate would be 69%, elevated compared to prior years due to the distortive impact of unrelieved foreign taxes, the Group’s geographic profit mix and other non-tax deductible expenses against the low profit base. The Group also suffered significant US minimum profit taxes and could not recognise the benefit for tax purposes of losses arising in certain territories in the year.

Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $52m (2019: credit of $20m) and relates to the tax impact of the exceptional items set out above. Further information on tax within exceptional items can be found in note 6 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net tax paid in 2020 totalled $41m (2019: $141m). The 2020 tax paid was less than 2019 principally due to refunds in respect of prior year periods of $24m, as well as lower ‘in-year’ corporate tax payments required as a result of the deterioration in global trading.

IHG pursues an approach to tax that is consistent with its business strategy and its overall business conduct principles. The approach seeks to ensure full compliance with all tax filing, payment and reporting obligations on the basis of communicative and transparent relationships with tax authorities. Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee.

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The Group’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

68IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Dividends

On 20 March 2020, IHG’s Board withdrew its recommendation of a final dividend in respect of 2019 of 85.9¢ per share, a payment of which would have had a cash outflow of approximately $150m in the first half of 2020.

A final dividend in respect of 2020 is not proposed and there was no interim dividend for the year. The Board will consider future dividends once visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

Earnings per ordinary share

Given the impact of Covid-19 on operations and the exceptional items charged this year, the Group’s basic loss per ordinary share is 142.9¢ (2019: basic earnings per ordinary share: 210.4¢). Adjusted earnings per ordinary share decreased by 89.7% to 31.3¢.

Share price and market capitalisation

The IHG share price closed at £46.90 on 31 December 2020, down from £52.08 on 31 December 2019. The market capitalisation of the Group at the year-end was £8.6bn.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202069


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

As at 31 December 2020 the Group had total liquidity of $2,925m, comprising $1,350m of undrawn bank facilities and $1,575m of cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts and restricted cash).

The Group currently has $2,898m of sterling and euro bonds outstanding. The current bonds mature in November 2022 (£173m), October 2024 (500m), August 2025 (£300m), August 2026 (£350m), May 2027 (500m) and October 2028 (£400m).

In October 2020 the Group issued a 500m 1.625% bond repayable in October 2024 and a £400m 3.375% bond repayable in October 2028. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time as the 500m bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into pounds sterling. The currency swaps fix the bond debt at £454m, with interest payable semi-annually at a rate of 2.65%. The Group also repaid £227m of the £400m 3.875% bond maturing in November 2022. The Group currently has a senior unsecured long-term credit rating of BBB- from Standard and Poor’s. In the event this rating was downgraded below BBB- there would be an additional step up coupon of 125bps payable on the bonds which would result in an additional interest cost of approximately $36m per year.

In April 2020, the Group issued £600m of commercial paper under the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). This will be repaid on 16 March 2021 when it matures.

The Group is further financed by a $1,275m revolving syndicated bank facility (the Syndicated Facility) and a $75m revolving bilateral facility (the Bilateral Facility). During the year the maturity of these facilities was extended by 18 months from March 2022 to September 2023. The facilities were undrawn at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: $125m). The Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities contain the same terms and two financial covenants: interest cover and a leverage ratio. Covenants are monitored on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis excluding the impact of IFRS 16 and are tested at half year and full year on a trailing 12-month basis. The interest cover covenant requires a ratio of Covenant EBITDA to Covenant interest payable above 3.5:1 and

the leverage ratio requires Covenant net debt to Covenant EBITDA of below 3.5:1. Covenant EBITDA is calculated (on a frozen GAAP basis) as operating profit before exceptional items, depreciation and amortisation and System Fund revenues and expenses. See note 24 to the Group Financial Statements for further information.

These covenants have been waived from 30 June 2020 through 31 December 2021 and have been relaxed for test dates in 2022. A minimum liquidity covenant of $400m has been introduced which will be tested at each test date up to and including 31 December 2022. The amended leverage ratio and interest cover covenant test levels for the facilities are as follows:

June &

December

2021

June 2022

December

2022

Leverage

ratio

Waived

Less than

7.5x

Less than

6.5x

Interest

cover

Waived

Greater

than 1.5x

Greater

than 2.0x

The Group is in compliance with all of the applicable financial covenants in its loan documents, none of which are expected to present a material restriction on funding in the near future.

The Group has started to review and plan for the expected discontinuation of LIBOR after 2021. The Group’s main exposure to LIBOR is the underlying reference rate in the Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities. The terms of this agreement will need to be renegotiated to address the discontinuation of LIBOR. The replacement of LIBOR with alternative reference rates is not expected to have a material impact on the Group at this stage.

Borrowings included bank overdrafts of $51m (2019: $87m), which were matched by an equivalent amount of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution, and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used for day-to-day cash management purposes and are managed daily as closely

as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position, with the most significant balances in the US, and the matching overdrafts are held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

Net debt of $2,529m (2019: $2,665m) is analysed by currency as follows:

        2020
$m
      2019
$m
 
Borrowings             
Sterling*     3,716     2,022 
US dollar     416     721 
Euros     20     44 
Other     52     73 

Cash and cash

equivalents

             
Sterling     (1,305    (25
US dollar     (261    (91
Euros     (12    (13
Canadian dollar     (8    (7
Chinese renminbi     (60    (17
Other     (29    (42
Net debt     2,529     2,665 
Average debt level     2,554     2,720 

*

Including the impact of currency swaps.

Cash and cash equivalents include $44m (2019: $16m) that is not available for use by the Group due to local exchange controls.

Information on the maturity profile and interest structure of borrowings is included in notes 22 and 24 to the Group Financial Statements.

In the Group’s opinion, the available facilities are sufficient for the Group’s present liquidity requirements. However, the Group continues to assess its liquidity position, financing options and covenant position and will take further actions as necessary.

Information on the Group’s approach to allocation of capital resources can be found on pages 14 and 15.

The Group had net liabilities of $1,849m at 31 December 2020 (2019: $1,465m).

70IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Cash from operating activities

Net cash from operating activities totalled $137m for the year ended 31 December 2020, a decrease of $516m on the previous year, reflecting the decrease in operating profit.

Cash flow from operations is the principal source of cash used to fund the ongoing operating expenses, interest payments, maintenance capital expenditure and normal dividend payments of the Group. The Group believes that the requirements of its existing business and future investment can be met from cash generated internally, disposition of assets, and external finance expected to be available to it.

Cash from investing activities

Net cash outflows from investing activities decreased by $432m to $61m, primarily reflecting the acquisition of the Six Senses business in 2019. Other movements in investing activities include a reduction of investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of $103m to $76m.

The Group had committed contractual capital expenditure of $19m at 31 December 2020.

Cash used in financing activities

Net cash from financing activities totalled $1,354m, which was $2,014m higher than 2019. This was primarily due to the cash inflow from the 500m and £400m bond issuances and the £600m commercial paper issuance under the CCFF. These inflows were offset by £227m of bond repayments and $125m repayment of other borrowings. No dividends were paid in 2020 compared to $721m in 2019.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

At 31 December 2020, the Group had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Group’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities include guarantees over loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels of up to $56m and

outstanding letters of credit of $43m. The Group may also be exposed to additional liabilities resulting from litigation and security incidents. See note 31 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

Contractual obligations

The Group had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of 31 December 2020. See table below.

      

Total amounts

committed

$m

      

Less than

1 year

$m

      

1–3

years

$m

      

3–5

years

$m

      

After

5 years

$m

 
Commercial papera    819      819                   
Long-term debt obligationsb,c    2,896            236      1,023      1,637 
Interest payablec    435      76      143      124      92 
Derivatives    57      14      28      28      (13
Lease liabilities    3,505      57      104      87      3,257 
Agreed pension scheme contributions    6      6                   
Capital contracts placedd    19      19                   
Deferred and contingent purchase consideratione    112      13      5      13      81 
Totalf    7,849      1,004      516      1,275      5,054 

a

Issued under the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility, maturing on 16 March 2021.

b

Repayment period classified according to the related facility maturity date.

c

Excluding bank overdrafts.

d

See note 30 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

e

Relates to the acquisitions of Six Senses and Regent (see note 11 to the Group Financial Statements for further details).

f

The Group also has future commitments for key money payments which are contingent upon future events and may reverse.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202071



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GovernanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202073

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Governance

Chair’s overview

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The Covid-19 pandemic has presented the hospitality industry and our business with unprecedented challenges. It has also provided an acute test of the Group’s strategy, business model, governance, crisis and risk management capabilities and leadership.

In 2020, the Board sought to guide, support and challenge management as appropriate through the crisis, recognising the need for management to have a clear mandate to allow for swift prioritisation and decision-making in light of the rapidly changing and uncertain environment.

Throughout the pandemic, the Board played an active oversight and support role whilst keeping the long-term growth strategy of the Company in focus and ensuring that actions taken were in keeping with our purpose and values. The Board also ensured that an effective governance and oversight framework remained in place as the Group responded to the crisis.

Responding to the pandemic also meant changes to the Board and its Committees’ operation, requiring a sharper, Covid-19 dominated agenda, virtual meetings, more frequent interaction and collaboration between the Board and management, a revised information flow and increased time commitment notably from the Committee Chairs and the Chair.

I would like to thank the Board and the management team for their commitment, determination and perseverance in striving to protect the business and our stakeholders through the toughest challenge in the industry’s history, whilst remaining true to our purpose and values.

Focus areas and activities

In addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board focused on the actions taken by management to support employees (at both the corporate and hotel level), with emphasis on organisational resilience, mental health and wellbeing. The Board also reviewed proposed measures to support owners, guests and the communities in which we operate and ensured that the interests of the Group’s stakeholders were balanced.

Another key theme throughout the year was the protection of the Group’s financial position, with particular focus on cost containment and cash preservation. The Board also undertook detailed review of the Group’s going concern and viability assessments.

The Board also focused on adapting and evolving our strategy and purpose whilst renewing our commitment to addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

Cybersecurity was an area of particular focus, because of the increased threats and risks associated with an increase in remote working. The Board received regular updates on cyber threats to the hospitality sector and IHG, and engaged with management on plans to strengthen the Group’s threat-detection and response to malicious activity, as well as raising awareness among colleagues.

The continuation of the Board’s dialogue and engagement with the Group’s workforce and other stakeholders was also a notable feature of the Board agenda.

Governance framework

The Board delegates certain responsibilities to the Audit, Remuneration, Responsible Business (previously Corporate Responsibility) and Nomination Committees to assist in ensuring that effective corporate governance pervades the business.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of the Committees’ delegated remit and activities during the year:

The Audit Committee focused on the pandemic’s impact on material judgements and estimates, risks, internal controls and business continuity, and going concern and viability;

The Remuneration Committee focused on the remuneration challenges presented by the pandemic and decisions on executive pay, including reductions to salaries and fees, awarding of LTIP grants, and retention issues, all while considering the impact on employees. It also continued to engage with shareholders on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy;

The Responsible Business Committee focused on how IHG continued to operate as a responsible business during the pandemic, the delivery of ongoing targets and the development of the Group’s 2030 responsible business commitments; and

The Nomination Committee progressed the implementation of Board refreshment plans, and continued to review and consider Executive Committee talent and succession plans.

Board composition

Board composition and succession featured prominently on the Board agenda to ensure that we continue to have around the table the right mix of skills, experience, behaviours and knowledge as well as gender and geographical representation to add value as the Company pursues its strategic objectives.

We determined that the Board would benefit from enhanced representation in the US market as well as from further expertise in brands, franchising and business strategy and innovation, including in relation to ESG issues. We also sought to further drive diversity on the Board and prepare for the retirements of Malina Ngai and Luke Mayhew, who left the Board in May and December respectively. These objectives were successfully achieved with the appointment of Sharon Rothstein, Graham Allan and Duriya Farooqui, who joined the Board in June, September and December respectively. Details of their biographies, including their skills and experience, are included on pages 77 to 79.

Additionally, with the retirement of Luke Mayhew, the Board approved Jill McDonald as the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement (Voice of the Employee). Further details regarding this transition are included on page 92.

Board performance review

During the year, we implemented the recommendations of the external Board evaluation carried out in 2019 and conducted an internal evaluation. I am pleased to report that the evaluation concluded that the Board continues to operate effectively. Further details of the evaluation can be found on page 85. We also conducted individual Director feedback discussions, details of which can be found on page 85.

74IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Compliance and our dual listing

IHG continues to operate as a dual-listed company with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. As such, we are required to file an Annual Report in the UK and a Form 20-F in the US. To ensure consistency of information provided to both UK and US investors, we have again produced a combined Annual Report and Form 20-F. Our statement of compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) is located on pages 94 and 95. I am pleased to report that, during 2020, we complied in all material respects with all principles and provisions of the Code. A statement outlining the differences between the Group’s UK corporate governance practices and those followed by US companies can be found on page 239.

Looking forward

In 2021, the Board will focus on the Group’s long-term strategic objectives and ensure that a robust governance framework remains in place so that IHG is well positioned as we emerge from a post-Covid environment.

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Patrick Cescau

Patrick Cescau

Non-Executive Chair

Appointed

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Chair’s statementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20205


Strategic Report

Chief Executive

Officer’s review

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“Globally, we’ve worked

as a team with such

speed and compassion

– leading, learning and

listening to keep

colleagues and guests

feeling safe, protect IHG

and our owners, and

support our industry”.

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e arrived in 2020 on the back of a record year of openings and real momentum behind the growth of our brands in a thriving industry. Our clear strategy and the changes made in recent years were enabling us to move faster, accelerate our growth and take advantage of new opportunities. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic has since presented enormous challenges for travel and tourism, and for IHG. Yet, in spite of this, the thoughtful, swift and decisive actions of so many dedicated colleagues have helped us emerge a stronger company.

The enormity of this crisis means very little has escaped its impact. From socioeconomic challenges to mental and physical health, it has touched everyone’s life, and as a company, it has shifted how we’ve worked together, partnered with our owners, and looked after our guests and communities.

Globally, we’ve worked as a team with such speed and compassion – leading, learning and listening to help keep colleagues, guests and communities feeling safe, protect IHG and our owners, and support our industry. We’ve seen past the barriers of remote working and physical distancing to find ways to work together closer than ever before. I am immensely proud of how everyone from our leadership, corporate teams and reservation offices, to our owners and hotel colleagues have helped IHG and those around us through such difficult times, including our frontline workers and people in need. Collectively, we provided not just hospitality but True Hospitality for Good.

Our 2020 journey

People’s appetite to explore, rest or work on their travels hasn’t changed, but understandably their confidence in when it’s safe to do so has, and we’ve had to respond. To help keep colleagues and guests feeling safe, we quickly aligned new training and operating procedures with guidance from world health bodies. We further enhanced our IHG Way of Clean programme with new science-led protocols, backed by an IHG Clean Promise and Meet with Confidence offer. We also accelerated the rollout of technology enhancements such as digital check-in, introduced flexible cancellation and booking options, and protected points and status for our loyalty members.

Working with governments and authorities, some of our hotels switched focus to accommodate nurses, doctors and other frontline workers. Others supported the

6IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



homeless, and many have provided meals and care packages for the vulnerable in their communities.

Our hotels have also needed IHG’s care. Many are small businesses, whose owners have faced real hardship as occupancies have fallen and created significant cost and cash flow pressures. We’ve supported them by reducing operating costs, redefining brand standards, renegotiating with suppliers, temporarily reducing fees and offering flexible payment terms. Knowing a recovery will take time, much of that work continues, in partnership with the IHG Owners Association and individual owners. In parallel, we’re collaborating with peers and governments to ensure continued financial support for our industry and to increase the pace at which travel safely resumes and plays its vital part in economic growth.

Ensuring there is business continuity amid so much change has been crucial, requiring both the right technology and a commitment to work with greater agility and decisiveness. As many of our corporate and reservation teams have worked remotely, we’ve supported them with mental health and wellbeing resources, flexible working arrangements and regular communication. Speaking more often to all employees and in smaller virtual circles has allowed me to answer questions and understand challenges in a way that’s brought us closer as an organisation and must be maintained.

In an environment where RevPAR more than halved in the year, IHG’s financial health has been a key focus too, balancing what’s needed to protect the business, while continuing to invest in future growth. We moved quickly to adjust existing debt agreements, access increased liquidity and protect our cash flow by suspending dividend payments, controlling capital expenditure and reducing fee business costs by $150m. It is a measure of the resilience of IHG’s business model that we were able to generate positive cash flows in this most challenging of years. Looking ahead, around half of the cost savings are expected to be sustained into 2021.

While we prioritised savings in non job-related areas, difficult choices were also made to reduce teams and operations in line with demand. Support sites and a hardship fund were set up for employees who unfortunately had their hours reduced or went on furlough, and we launched an alumni network with access to like-minded employers for employees sadly leaving us.

There have been some hard moments, but we’ve tried to ensure we can look back on our decisions knowing we had the best intentions. It means so much that in our November survey, 88% of corporate employees felt we had made responsible choices in our response to the pandemic, and 86% felt we’ve looked after their wellbeing. Equally, many owners have told me how much they’ve valued the way in which we’ve stood beside them.

Business strength

The shape of recovery continues to differ by market. Structurally, we’ve benefitted from several factors, including being principally domestic focused in key markets like the US; having less exposure to heavily hit groups and meetings business; and having leading brands like our Holiday Inn Brand Family in the upper midscale segment, where demand has historically been more resilient during a downturn. With this foundation, we’ve used data and analytics to target pockets of ongoing leisure and business demand, and worked closely with our hotels to deliver safe and consistent experiences, which has led to industry outperformance in key markets.

We’ve worked hard to drive performance, however, the impact of such a significant fall in demand is reflected in operating profit from reportable segments declining 75% to $219m. After taking into account the System Fund result and exceptional items, we reported an operating loss of $153m. Looking longer-term, the confidence we share with our owners is illustrated in another 285 hotel openings in 2020 and an average of almost one signing a day into our pipeline, with an increasing number of conversions. Our Holiday Inn® Brand Family remains a growth engine, accounting for half of all signings and ~60% of openings in the year. More broadly, our global pipeline of 1,815 hotels represents an 11% share of the total industry, showing the significant growth potential ahead. Other achievements include taking voco to the US and Greater China, our first Atwell Suites property breaking ground, and bringing avid® to Mexico and Canada.

Evolving our strategy

Prior to 2020, we had step-changed the pace of our growth and, with a recovery in mind, we must resume what was working successfully, retain valuable lessons from this period, and ensure our future growth plans reflect what’s important to our stakeholders and brands. To this end, we’ve refreshed both our corporate and responsible business strategies.

From how we build demand for our brands and deliver seamless digital experiences, to always putting ourselves in the shoes of a guest or owner, or the way we care for our people, communities and planet – our refreshed strategy puts a sharper focus on our services, products, returns and reputation. In a competitive marketplace, it’s vital we operate with this clarity and ensure that what we prioritise helps better leverage our scale and systems to grow our customer base, increase signings and in turn drive high-quality, industry-leading net rooms growth.

Critical to the work we do to care for our people, communities and planet will be ambitious 10-year targets in our new responsible business plan, Journey to Tomorrow. This builds on our achievements from our 2018-2020 programme and will push us further as an employer, within our communities and in minimising our environmental impact.

The future

The rollout of vaccines is extremely encouraging for everyone and of course vital to our industry’s recovery, but we know it will take time. I’m confident that our business model and strategy, which builds on the investments made in recent years to expand our brand portfolio and enhance our ways of working, puts IHG in a strong position to outperform the industry as it returns to full strength.

In my more than 20 years with IHG, I cannot recall a time of such togetherness, which is all the more remarkable when considering the pressure everyone has been under. On behalf of the Executive Committee and myself, I want to express our sincere gratitude to all our corporate and hotel colleagues for their hard work, energy and understanding, and to our owners for their partnership and commitment.

I know everyone at IHG passionately believes the world is there to be explored, and as a company and alongside our owners, we will continue to work hard towards better times.

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Keith Barr

Chief Executive Officer

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Chief Executive Officer’s reviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20207


Strategic Report

Industry overview

T

he Covid-19 pandemic led to hotel occupancy across the globe falling to historic lows in 2020, as lockdowns,

travel bans and physical distancing measures were introduced to limit the Board: 1 January 2013spread of the virus. The impact on hospitality has been severe, though longer-term, the fundamental desire to travel for business or leisure continues to underpin the industry’s growth prospects, illustrated by sustained new hotel openings and signings.

The ~$240 billion hotel industry remains fragmented, with 53% of rooms affiliated with a global or regional chain. Branded hotel penetration is expected to continue to grow. Conversions from independent to branded hotels typically increased following the last downturn as owners sought the

Skills and experience: From 2005 to 2008, Patrick was Group Chief Executive of Unilever Group, having previously been Chair of Unilever PLC, Vice-Chair of Unilever NV and Foods Director, following a progressive career with the company, which began in France in 1973. Prior to being appointed to the board of Unilever PLC and Unilever NV in 1999, as Finance Director, he was Chairbenefits of a numberbranded system. Consumer expectations in key areas such as technology, cleanliness and sustainability increased during the pandemic and looking forwards, hotel groups and third-party owners are adapting to meet changing demands while ensuring they optimise returns.

2020 industry performance

There are two key performance metrics: room supply and RevPAR. Room supply reflects how attractive the hotel industry is as an investment from an owner’s perspective. RevPAR indicates the value guests ascribe to a given hotel, brand or market, and grows when they stay more often or pay higher rates.

Following a decade of consecutive growth, global industry RevPAR dropped 54% in

2020, largely due to falling occupancy rates. The pandemic’s impact led to millions of job losses globally and the company’s major operating companiestemporary closure of thousands of hotels. As has been the case in previous downturns, domestic travel across the midscale segments (midscale and divisions, includingupper midscale) has proved the most resilient, with occupancy at these hotels falling less than the overall industry. Underscoring the sector’s positive fundamentals, global rooms supply still grew by 2% in 2020.

The hotel industry is cyclical: long term fluctuations in RevPAR tend to reflect the interplay between industry demand, supply and the macroeconomic environment. At a local level, political, economic and factors such as terrorism, oil market conditions, pandemics and hurricanes can impact demand and supply in the US, Indonesia and Portugal. He was formerly a Senior Independent Director andNon-Executive Director of Pearson plc, Tesco PLC and International Airlines Group, and a Director at INSEAD.

Board contribution: Patrick has held board positions for more than 20 years in leading global businesses and brings extensive international experience in strategy, brands, consumer products, and finance. As Chair, Patrick is responsible for leading the Board and ensuring it operates in an effective manner, and promoting constructive relations with shareholders and wider stakeholders. As Chair of the Nomination Committee, he is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the Group’s leadership needs.

Other appointments: Patrick is a trustee of The Leverhulme Trust, Patron of the St Jude India Children’s Charity and Member of the TEMASEK European Advisory Panel.short term.

 

 

Overview of global hotel industry

 

LOGOGeography

Keith BarrThe US is the largest hotel market, while Greater China continues to growa

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Appointed to the Board: 1 July 2017LOGO

SkillsBranded hotels

The top fivec hotel groups have increased their market share by 5 percentage pointsa

LOGO

Segment

The branded hotel industry can be categorised by price levela

LOGO

Hotel industry growth drivers:

10-year annual growth rate (2010-20)

Global GDP

+2.3%

CAGRb

Indicator of economic growth – hotel performance correlates with GDP

Global household disposable income

+1.9%

CAGRb

Growing consumer spending and experience:leisure travel, supported by cheaper air travel

Global corporate profits Keith has spent more than 25 years working in the hospitality industry across a wide range

+3.6%

CAGRb

Good indicator of roles. He started his career in hotel operations and joined IHG in 2000. Since April 2011 he has been business travel

a member of IHG’s Executive Committee. Directly before being appointed CEO, Keith served as Chief Commercial Officer for four years. In this role, he led IHG’s global brand, loyalty, sales and marketing functions, and oversaw IHG’s loyalty programme, IHG® Rewards Club. Prior to this, Keith was CEO of IHG’s Greater China business for four years, setting the foundations for growth in a key marketSource: Latest STR, Inc     b Source: Oxford Economics

and overseeingGlobal hotel industry performance

Global industry RevPAR ($)a

RevPAR movements are illustrative of lodging demand

LOGO

Global rooms supply (m rooms)a

Supply growth reflects the launchattractiveness of the HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts brand.hotel industry

LOGO

c

IHG, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc., Accor S.A.

Branded hotel business models

Board contribution: Keith is responsible for the executive management of the Group and ensuring the implementation of Board strategy and policy.There are two principal business models:

Other appointments:A Keith is aNon-Executivefee-based, Director of Yum! Brands. He also sits on the Board of WiHTL (Women in Hospitality Travel & Leisure). Keith is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for The School of Hotel Administration, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.asset-light model

Franchised: owned and operated by parties distinct from the brand, who pay fees to the hotel company for use of their brand.

Managed: operated by a party distinct from the hotel owner. The owner pays management fees and, if the hotel uses a third-party brand name, fees to that third-party too.

An owner-operated, asset-heavy model

Owned: operated and branded by owner who benefits from all the income.

Leased: similar to owned, except the owner-operator does not have outright ownership of the hotel but leases it from the ultimate owner.

Asset-heavy models allow tighter control over operations, while asset-light models enable faster growth with lower capital investment.

 

 

8IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



 

LOGOTrends shaping our industry

Case study: Resilience of US midscale segments in downturns

  During periods of weak economic demand, the midscale segments (midscale and upper midscale) have historically proven more resilient than other chain scales, with RevPAR falling less than the overall industry.

  During the Covid-19 pandemic, hotels that remained open were more likely to be in the branded midscale segments, helped by their lower-cost operating model. These hotels could meet demand from those who needed a safe place to stay, including key workers and those travelling on essential business. Hotels in non-urban areas (where the majority of midscale and upper midscale hotels are located) outperformed their urban counterparts, which have a greater reliance on inbound international travel.

  Throughout the year, domestic leisure was the first segment to return. It is likely that large group travel and events will be the last to recover. This should favour midscale/upper midscale hotels, which have lower exposure to groups, meetings and events business.

LOGO

Long-term trends in travel

  Population growth, an emerging middle class and lower cost to travel have meant global travel has consistently grown over 4% per year, save for one-off impacts on demand (e.g. 9/11).

  Covid-19 saw travel largely restricted to domestic markets, with air travel down 60%. According to McKinsey, recovery is likely to be gradual, though could be achieved within five years from virus containment and rebounding economies.

LOGO

Evolving customer expectations

  As the market recovers, customer focus is likely to be needed in areas such as reinforcing guest confidence through higher standards of cleanliness and new operating procedures.

  Technology will continue to be key in driving guest demand to hotels. This includes greater levels of personalisation, digital booking and service delivery, the ability to choose

room attributes and a loyalty programme that provides added value to guests.

  Guests and other stakeholders are paying closer attention to the commitment of companies to operate responsibly. Many businesses, including IHG, have aligned their efforts to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which range from wiping out poverty to climate action. For further information see pages 20-21 and our Responsible Business Report.

LOGO

LOGO

Industry overviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20209


Paul Edgecliffe-JohnsonStrategic Report

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)Our brands

T

o drive growth at scale in high-value markets globally, we invest in an attractive portfolio of distinct brands

that generate strong demand from both guests and Group Headowners. We have a relentless focus on the quality of Corporate Strategyour estate, efficiency of our hotel operations and investment in digital innovation, design and service trends.

Appointed

In parallel to growing our established brands, we have launched or acquired five new brands in the Board: 1 January 2014past three years and are focused on taking them to scale in fast-growing and underserved segments.

Each of our brands is well positioned to grow, leveraging the power of IHG’s people, systems, technology and loyalty programme. To support this growth, we have adopted a more intuitive way of presenting the breadth of our portfolio to customers, as part of a refreshed approach to use our IHG® Hotels & Resorts masterbrand to enhance our brand

Skillsperception, sharpen our marketing and experience:capture more demand. Linked to this, our loyalty programme has been refreshed to become IHG® Rewards, as we focus on growing membership and driving more business directly to our hotels. Paul is

Reflecting continued demand for our brands, we opened 285 hotels in 2020 and signed on average almost one property a fellowday into our pipeline. This took our share of the Instituteindustry pipeline to 11%, versus our current market share of Chartered Accountants and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme. He was previously CFO of IHG’s Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions, a position he held since September 2011. He joined IHG in August 2004 and has held a number of senior-level finance positions, including Head of Investor Relations, Head of Global Corporate Finance and Financial Planning & Tax, and Head of Hotel Development, Europe. Paul also

acted as Interim CEO of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (prior to the reconfiguration of our operating regions)4%.

Board contribution: Paul is responsible, together with the Board, for overseeing the financial operations of the Group and for leading Group strategy.

 

 

Masterbrand

and Loyalty

LOGO

HOTELS & RESORTS

LOGO

REWARDS

 

LOGO

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Appointed to the Board: 1 January 2018

Skills and experience: Elie was appointed CEO, Americas at IHG in February 2015 and has 20 years’ experience of working in major global franchise businesses. He joined the Group having spent six years as President and CEO of HMSHost Corporation, where he was also a member of the board of directors. Elie brings broad experience spanning hotel development, branding, finance, real estate and operations management as well as food and beverage expertise. Elie was Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company from 2012 to 2014.

Board contribution: Elie brings a deep understanding of the global hospitality sector to the Board. He is responsible for business development and

performance of all hotel brands and properties in the Americas region and has global responsibility for customer development, providing oversight of the Global Sales organisation, as well as our owner management and services strategy.

Other appointments:Elie is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Executive committee of the Board, and the U.S. Travel Association CEO Roundtable. In addition, Elie serves as a member of the Global Advisory Council at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and is a board member of the Atlanta Committee for Progress.

Luxury & Lifestyle

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOTimeless legacy bound together by distinctive design and unforgettable service. Making every journey a celebration of extraordinary experiences, each in their unique way.

16 open

31 pipeline

7 open

6 pipeline

205 open

69 pipeline

73 open

32 pipeline

125 open

104 pipeline

 

LOGO

Dale Morrison

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director (SID)

Appointed to the Board: 1 June 2011

Skills and experience: Dale is a founding partner of TriPointe Capital Partners and subsequently Twin Ridge Capital, both private equity firms. Dale was previously President and CEO of McCain Foods Limited, President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company andNon-Executive Chair of Marlin 1 (holding company for Young’s Seafood International Holdings Ltd.).

Board contribution: Dale has over 10 years’ experience in sales and marketing positions, and over 25 years’ experience in general management, having held senior positions in the branded foods sector. Dale’s role as Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director is fundamental to the successful operation of the Board.

Other appointments: Currently a Non-Executive Director of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

LOGO

Anne Busquet

Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 March 2015

Skills and experience: Anne began her career at Hilton International in Paris, before joining American Express Company in New York, where she held several executive positions and served for 23 years. Anne was also the CEO of Local and Media Services at InterActiveCorp.

Board contribution: Anne brings more than 20 years’ experience in senior positions in

multinational companies, predominantly in the financial, branded and digital-commerce sectors.

Other appointments: Anne is currently the President of AMB Advisors, an independent consulting firm, and Managing Director at Golden Seeds LLC, an angel investment company. She also serves on the boards of Pitney Bowes, MTBC and Elior Group and on the advisory boards of JEGI and SheSpeaks.

Premium

LOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

Making travel personal and purposeful. Giving guests a sense of belonging and wellbeing, with the thoughtful details to make every trip matter.

18 open

29 pipeline

12 open

25 pipeline

429 open

89 pipeline

16 open

31 pipeline

Essentials

LOGO

2,966 open

683 pipeline

LOGO

1,248 open

262 pipeline

LOGO

24 open

192 pipeline

Always there, always just what you need. With the warmth and trusted experience that has come to define True Hospitality.

Suites

LOGO

0 open

19 pipeline

LOGO

303 open

155 pipeline

LOGO

28 open

0 pipeline

LOGO

366 open

73 pipeline

When you’re not at home, be here. We invite guests to settle in for longer stays, knowing the comforts of home are always within reach.

 

 

 

8010 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


LOGO

Our BrandsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202011


Strategic Report

Our business model

We predominantly franchise our

brands and manage hotels on

behalf of third-party hotel owners.

Revenue from reportable segmentsa

Our revenue is directly linked to the revenue generated by the hotels in our system.

LOGO

Total rooms

886,036

rooms

Composition of rooms

LOGO

Our brands are presented as intuitive collections for consumers. For industry segmentation, the collections fall into the following categories: Suites (midscale, upper midscale and upscale), Essentials (predominantly in midscale and upper midscale); Premium (upscale); Luxury & Lifestyle (upper upscale and luxury).

a Excludes System Fund and hotel cost reimbursements.

We have 16 brands operating across more than 100 countries in the Suites, Essentials, Premium and Luxury & Lifestyle categories.

Supported by a leading loyalty programme, our brands meet clear consumer and corporate demand, and generate strong returns for our owners, which in turn attracts further hotel investment and drives the growth of our estate.

As an asset-light business, we focus on growing our fee revenues and fee margins, with limited requirements for capital. This enables us to grow our business whilst generating high returns on invested capital.

Whether we franchise or manage hotels is largely determined by market maturity, owner preference and, in certain cases, the particular brand. For instance, in more developed markets such as the US and Europe, ~90% of IHG hotels are franchised. These hotels tend to be limited service.

In emerging markets such as Greater China, ~80% of our hotels are managed by IHG, where we look after the day-to-day running of the property on behalf of the owner. Over time, we expect the Chinese market to move towards a franchise model. We launched the first tailored franchise offer for Holiday Inn Express® in 2016, and have since extended this to include Holiday Inn® and Crowne Plaza®.

Our asset-light business model means that we do not employ colleagues in franchised hotels, nor do we control their day-to-day operations, policies or procedures. That being said, IHG and our franchised hotels are committed to delivering a consistent brand experience, conducting business responsibly and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good. See Our culture and responsible business section from page 24.

The weighting of our hotel estate towards the midscale segments and the location of our hotels in non-urban locations provides a degree of resilience to cyclical and exogenous events. A weighting to domestic demand also provides resilience.

IHG owner proposition

We focus on ensuring our brand portfolio, loyalty proposition, systems and expertise provide a highly valued and distinctive offer that stands out to consumers and is attractive to owners.

To keep our brands relevant to guests and evolving trends, we commit to developing our established brands with new designs, service enhancements and operational support that drives demand and owner returns.

Through our investments in development resources, we can provide outstanding operational support to owners. We have embedded new processes to help reduce the time taken from hotel signing to ground break and opening. Our hotels also have access to a suite of applications designed to help them manage and improve performance, with the aim of further boosting owner returns.

We have also developed state-of-the-art technology to drive hotel demand, be it through our mobile booking app or cloud-based hotel solutions. Our distribution channels (booking sites, GDS relationships, and call centres through which hotel rooms are marketed and booked) allow hotel owners to reach potential guests at lower costs of sale.

While historically, the vast majority of our signings and openings have come from new-build properties, we see the potential for branded hotel penetration to increase through conversions, given the attractiveness of our scale and brands, and value proposition to owners.

12IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


 

 

    

 

LOGOWhy owners choose to work with IHG

Hotel owners choose to work with IHG to either franchise or manage their hotels, driven by the trust they have in our brands and our track record in delivering strong returns.

LOGO

How we generate revenue

Franchised hotels

We receive a fixed percentage of rooms revenue when a guest stays at one of our hotels. This is our fee revenue.

Managed hotels

From our managed hotels, we generate revenue through a fixed percentage of the total hotel revenue and a proportion of hotel profit.

LOGO

Owned, leased and managed lease hotels

For hotels which we own or lease, we record the entire revenue and profit of the hotel in our financial statements. Our owned, leased and managed lease hotels have reduced from over 180 hotels 19 years ago, to 23 hotels at 31 December 2020.

LOGO

Our business modelIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202013


Strategic Report

Our business model continued

IHG revenue from reportable segmentsa and the System Fund

System Fund

IHG manages a System Fund on behalf of our third-party hotel owners, who pay contributions into it. This includes a marketing and reservation assessment and a loyalty assessment.

The System Fund also benefits from proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards points under third-party co-branding arrangements.

The System Fund is managed by IHG for the benefit of hotels within the IHG system.

In 2020, IHG recognised $765 million of System Fund revenue, down from $1.4bn in 2019, reflecting lower assessments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

LOGO

Disciplined approach to capital allocation and managing liquidity

Our asset-light business model is highly cash generative through the cycle and enables us to invest in our brands and strengthen our enterprise. We have a disciplined approach to capital allocation which ensures that the business is appropriately invested in, whilst looking to maintain an efficient and conservative balance sheet. This approach placed our business in a strong position as the depth and scale of the global pandemic became apparent.

Managing liquidity through the pandemic

With occupancies at hotels reaching historic lows, we moved quickly to preserve cash through cost reductions across all our main areas of spend, including capital expenditure and operating expenditure. This meant that during the year the business generated free cash flow of $29m.

We also took rapid action to strengthen our liquidity, building on our conservative balance sheet approach and the measures we took to reduce costs and preserve cash.

a

Excludes System Fund and hotel cost reimbursements.

This included withdrawing the 2019 final dividend recommendation, and the issuance of £600m of commercial paper maturing in March 2021 under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). Furthermore, we issued 500m and £400m bonds maturing in 2024 and 2028 respectively. We concurrently repaid early £227m of our bonds maturing in November 2022. Our next bond maturity is £173m in November 2022, with no further bond maturities until October 2024. As a result, as at 31 December 2020, IHG had available liquidity of $2.9bn.

In addition, we secured covenant waivers up to and including 31 December 2021 for our $1.35bn syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (RCF), further covenant relaxations in 2022 and extended the maturity of the facilities by 18 months to September 2023 (see page 70).

Despite the comprehensive actions we have taken to reduce costs and preserve cash, due to the impact of the pandemic on the

profitability of the Group, our net debt: adjusted EBITDA ratio of 7.7x as at 31 December 2020 is outside of our previously stated aim to maintain a ratio of 2.5-3.0x.

Looking forwards, our approach remains unchanged. As the business recovers, our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent: ensure the business is appropriately invested in to drive growth; target sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend and return surplus funds to shareholders, and do this whilst considering our stated aim of a leverage ratio of 2.5-3.0x, and our objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

Bond maturity profile ($m)

LOGO

14IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Consistent uses of cash

Our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent with previous years and comprise three pillars:

Shareholder returns (2003-20) ($bn)

Source of returns

LOGO

1   Invest in the business to drive growth

Whilst having strict control on investments and our day-to-day capital expenditures, we look to strategically drive growth.

2   Target sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend

IHG has a dividend policy where, whilst balancing all our stakeholder interests and ensuring the long-term success of IHG, we would look to maintain or grow the ordinary dividend each year. However, during 2020, as part of our actions to preserve cash and protect the business, a dividend was not paid.

3   Return surplus funds to shareholders

The Group has a strong track record of returning surplus cash to shareholders. Since 2003, including the ordinary dividend, the Group has returned $13.6bn.

Capital expenditure
Spend incurred by IHG can be summarised as follows:

Type

What is it?

Recent examples

Maintenance capital expenditure, key money and selective investment to access strategic growth.

Maintenance capital expenditure is devoted to the maintenance of our systems and corporate offices along with our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Key money is expenditure used to access strategic opportunities, particularly in high-quality and sought-after locations when returns are financially and/or strategically attractive.

Examples of maintenance spend include maintenance of our offices, systems and our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Examples of key money include investments to secure representation for our brands in prime city locations.

Recyclable investments to drive the growth of our brands and our expansion in priority markets.

Recyclable investments are capital used to acquire real estate or investment through joint ventures or equity capital. This expenditure is strategic to help build brand presence.

We would look to divest these investments at an appropriate time and reinvest the proceeds across the business.

Examples of recyclable investments in prior years include our EVEN Hotels brand, where we used our capital to develop three hotel properties in the US to showcase the brand. Over time, we expect to divest our interest in these hotels.

System Fund capital investments for strategic investment to drive growth at hotel level.The development of tools and systems that hotels use to drive performance. This is charged back to the System Fund over the life of the asset.We continue to develop our new pioneering cloud-based Guest Reservation System (GRS), one of IHG Concerto’s comprehensive set of capabilities, which we developed with Amadeus.

Dividend policy

The Board consistently reviews the Group’s approach to capital allocation and seeks to maintain an efficient balance sheet and investment grade credit rating. IHG has an excellent track record of returning funds to shareholders through ordinary and special dividends, and share buybacks, with the ordinary dividend seeing 11% CAGR between 2003 and 2019.

When reviewing dividend recommendations, the Directors take into account the long-term consequences of any recommendation. The Board looks to ensure that any recommendation does not harm the sustainable success of the Company and that there are sufficient distributable reserves to pay any recommended dividend. The Board will assess the Group’s ability to pay a dividend

bearing in mind its responsibilities to its stakeholders and its objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

For 2020, given the impact of the pandemic, the Group is not proposing to pay a final dividend. The Board will consider future dividends once the visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

LOGO

Our business modelIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202015


Strategic Report

Our strategy

I

n 2020, we evolved key elements of our strategy to further strengthen our ability to drive future growth.

Our ambition to deliver high-quality industry-leading net rooms growth is unchanged, driven by continued investment in enhancing our guest and owner offer and developing our brands at scale in high-value markets. Over the long term, with disciplined execution, this drives sustained growth in cash flows and profits, which can be reinvested in our business and returned to shareholders.

What has evolved is how we execute against our strategy, in terms of what we prioritise, the behaviours we champion, and the purpose that guides us. Listening to stakeholders, we’ve evaluated what’s most important, not just to IHG’s growth, but how we grow, taking into account all we’ve learnt from dealing with Covid-19 and planning for a strong recovery over time.

Our evolved priorities put our brands at the heart of our business, and our owners and guests at the heart of our thinking. They

recognise the crucial role of a sophisticated, well-invested digital approach, and ensure we meet our growing responsibility to care for our people and make a positive difference to our communities and planet.

Uniting our efforts as a company behind our four priorities will help create competitive advantage, build stronger guest and owner relationships, and enhance a culture that brings the best out of our talented teams.

OUR PURPOSE

True Hospitality

for Good

OUR AMBITION

To deliver

industry-leading

net rooms growth

OUR STRATEGY

Use our scale and expertise to create the exceptional guest experiences and owner returns needed to grow our brands in the industry’s most valuable markets and segments. Delivered through a culture that retains and attracts the best people and embraces opportunities to positively impact the world around us.

PRIORITIES

LOGO

Build loved

and trusted

brands

LOGO

Customer
centric in all

we do

LOGO

Create digital

advantage

LOGO

Care for
our people, communities and planet

BEHAVIOURS

LOGO

Move

fast

LOGO

Solutions    

focused

LOGO

Think

return

LOGO

Build one

team

16IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

    Build loved

    and trusted

    brands

We focus on building and nurturing a leading portfolio of brands that offer exceptional quality and create meaningful guest connections with every stay. By striving for industry outperformance, effective hotel lifecycle management and strong returns, we aim to make our brands a leading choice for owners. Our outstanding loyalty programme enriches our entire offering.

Where we’re coming from

We’ve transformed the depth and breadth of our brand portfolio, with investment in quality, design and service, plus the launch and acquisition of new brands. It’s a portfolio designed to meet a range of needs for guests and owners, and in a fast-changing industry, we continue to evolve and enhance each brand to strengthen both consumer preference and owner returns.

What’s next?

We’re focused on several areas to accelerate both hotel performance and growth. To create a clearer connection to our hotel brands, better showcase the breadth of our portfolio to consumers and drive more business to our hotels, we’ve evolved our masterbrand to become IHG® Hotels & Resorts. Embedding this in our marketing, loyalty offer and digital channels is a key priority.

Continuing to take our newer brands – avid®, voco and Atwell Suites – to scale in key markets remains vital to future growth. With a low cost to build and attractive operating economics, we expect avid to be our next brand of scale in the midscale segment. We’ve signed more than 200 hotels since 2017 and the brand expanded beyond the US to Mexico and Canada in 2020. In three years, voco has reached more than 50 openings and signings and is tracking well against our aim of 200 hotels within 10 years; and Atwell Suites has 19 signings since launching in September 2019, with the first hotel now under construction.

Ensuring we capitalise on growing our transformed Luxury & Lifestyle offer is also a priority, and we will continue to add to – and open – an attractive pipeline of outstanding hotels and destinations.

Across all our brands, we understand the importance of ensuring our hotels deliver high-quality, consistent service and guest experiences, with a particular focus on cleanliness, and this will continue to be a top priority as we enhance performance and brand reputation.

LOGO

Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202017


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Customer

centric in

all we do

We have two types of customers: our guests – business and leisure – and our owners, and it’s critical that we put them at the heart of every plan. Consistently acting with this mindset and insight will allow us to create the tailored services and solutions that increase demand for our brands, strengthen consumer preference, deliver stronger owner returns and drive industry-leading rooms net growth.

Where we’re coming from

We’ve invested heavily in recent years in ensuring IHG works even more closely and effectively with our owners. This customer-centric mindset came to the fore more than ever in 2020 – not just for our owners but for our guests, corporate clients and loyalty members, too.

The importance of this approach was illustrated by the Guest Satisfaction Index measure being net positive for IHG throughout the year, outperforming competitors.

What’s next

With a greater customer focus, we will refine elements of our offer for guests, loyalty members and owners to deepen brand loyalty, drive revenue and create more value.

Priority areas for our guests include: maintaining an increased focus on cleanliness; developing a hybrid meetings offer for corporate customers; and continuing to enhance our loyalty offer, building on improved member marketing in 2020 and features such as dynamic pricing for Reward Nights, which offers members more value outside of peak times.

For our owners, we know the importance of managing costs to build, open and operate, and we continue to collaborate and innovate to develop new services and solutions that both increase revenue and deliver more efficient and sustainable operations. Key programmes include: the roll out of our Owner Engagement Portal, which gives owners real-time oversight of performance metrics; and expansion of our central procurement services to use our scale to create additional savings for owners.

18IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

Create

digital

advantage

A digital-first approach is vital to enabling seamless experiences, driving direct bookings, saving time and money, and delivering the right data, insights, technology and platforms needed to connect with guests and drive performance for owners.

Where we’re coming from

Our investment in cloud-based technology allows us to develop and roll out performance-driving tools and new guest-facing products further and faster than ever before.

What’s next

We will create more sophisticated and targeted ways to transform the guest experience at every stage of the journey, while also ensuring our hotels can operate more efficiently, manage greater demand and drive stronger performance.

Key focus areas include continuing to increase the value our technology platforms, marketing, sales and loyalty distribution channels deliver for owners. We will also continue to create a first-class booking experience through our industry-leading Guest Reservation System on IHG Concerto. The roll-out of room attribute pricing is expected to be live across the estate by the end of 2021, enabling tailoring of stays and selection of add-ons. In 2020, initial pilots were conducted in each region, demonstrating to owners the ability to generate maximum value from their hotel’s unique attributes.

In 2020, we developed several new digital enhancements to keep everyone connected and in control, and ensuring we successfully roll these out at scale is a top priority. Digital check-in is now implemented in more than 1,000 hotels, with strong guest satisfaction scores and continues to expand across the estate. Digital check-out is live in 4,000 hotels.

In 2020, we also launched our first flagship store on the leading Chinese Online Travel Agent (OTA) platform, as part of IHG’s partnership with Ctrip. We expect to grow other partnerships in the future to continue providing enriching experiences and benefits for our loyalty members.

LOGO

Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202019


Strategic Report

Our strategy continued

LOGO

Care for

our people, communities

and planet

We are passionate about working and growing together within a culture that respects and invests in our people, and embraces opportunities to contribute positively to local communities and operate responsibly and sustainably in the world around us.

Where we’re coming from

We have ambitious growth plans, but equally important to us is how we grow. We’re proud to be a business that invests in a highly engaged workforce, supports its communities and looks after our planet. However, we recognise that to deliver on those things requires a commitment to constantly reflect on evolving expectations around what it means to operate as a responsible business.

What’s next

We enter 2021 with a determination to go even further – whether that’s in how we work or grow as individuals, how we build more diverse teams and a more inclusive culture, or how we operate around the world in ways that positively impact people and protect the environment.

Journey to Tomorrow, our new responsible business plan, starts a decade of action. Working with colleagues and those who stay and partner with us, together we will help shape the future of responsible travel. We’ll continue the work we’ve done so far on employee wellbeing and respect for human rights; supporting communities through skills training and disaster relief; and working with our hotels to reduce their environmental impact. We also made important strides in diversity and inclusion in 2020, and must now deliver on our commitment to listen and learn, advocate and act, as part of a pledge to create a more inclusive, equitable IHG for all.

Alongside Journey to Tomorrow, to keep everyone performing at their best and to attract more talented people, we are focusing on how we create a more flexible and dynamic working environment among our corporate teams, taking into account all we have learnt as a business by operating remotely for much of 2020.

We will also continue to work to the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and remain focused on collaborating with owners, partners, peers and governments to achieve a sustainable recovery.

20IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Introducing Journey to Tomorrow

A

t IHG Hotels & Resorts, we touch people’s lives around the world every day, whether that’s in our

teams, in our hotels or as a valued part of our local communities.

Caring for our guests and colleagues, giving back to society, and making sure we protect the environment are all part of how we deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good – and we want to make an even bigger impact with a fresh, ambitious 10-year plan.

We call it Journey to Tomorrow. A decade of commitments to ensure we grow in a responsible way and make sure travel has a beautiful future for everyone.

To develop this plan, we’ve looked at the changing world around us, listened to our owners, and got closer to shifting consumer expectations to help build a picture of what’s most important to our stakeholders and IHG.

How companies perceive their role in the environmental, social and governance agenda continues to gain much greater

prominence with all stakeholders, and each of our commitments will ensure we stretch ourselves in areas where we feel we can make the greatest impact.

The plan will also help ensure we play our part in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all – something organisations all over the world are working toward to collectively tackle some of the biggest global challenges we face.

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See our Responsible Business Report on our website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

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Our strategyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202021


Strategic Report

Section 172 statement

The impact of Covid-19 during 2020 presented an unprecedented challenge for the Board, with the Company’s response to the pandemic dominating decisions and considerations. The Directors guided, supported and challenged management, giving them, where appropriate, a clear mandate to take short-term decisions at pace whilst still keeping focus on long-term strategic impact, helping to weigh competing priorities, and ensuring that all factors and stakeholders were taken into consideration. In their deliberations they focused on IHG’s values, business ethics, purpose, other stakeholders, risks, post-pandemic strategy and the financial and organisational resilience of the Company.

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires a director of a company to act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole. In doing this, Section 172 requires directors to have regard, amongst other matters to: the likely consequences of any decision in the longer term; the interests of the company’s employees; the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others; the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment; the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and the need to act fairly between members of the company.

IHG’s Directors give careful consideration to the factors set out above in discharging their duties under Section 172 including in taking decisions of strategic importance to the Group. The information set out on pages 22 and 23 below describes the importance of each factor set out in Section 172(1)(a) – (f) to IHG and gives examples of how the Directors have had regard to each of those factors in certain decisions taken during 2020.

FactorOur engagement and commitment2020 examples of key decisions and considerations

The likely consequences of any decisions in the long-term

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        and16 to 21

  As set out in the Schedule of Matters reserved for the Board, there are a number of key decisions and matters the Board is responsible for, including the Group’s overall business and commercial strategy, annual operating and capital expenditure budget and financial plans. The Board, through its schedule of meetings, focuses on strategic and operational matters, corporate governance, investor relations and risk management. Board papers, reports and presentations are structured to include relevant stakeholder considerations and the likely consequences of each decision for the long-term success of the Company.

  As detailed on pages 2, 7 and 14, the Board, in the face of the pandemic and its impact on the business, took decisions throughout 2020 to protect the Company and position the business for recovery by reducing costs, strengthening liquidity and preserving cash. All discretionary costs were challenged, and salary and incentive reductions were made, including substantial remuneration decreases for Board and Executive Committee members. The Board withdrew its recommendation for a final 2019 dividend of 85.9¢ (~$150m), deferred consideration of further dividends until visibility improved, and took other decisions in relation to IHG’s financing arrangements to bolster IHG’s liquidity. In taking these decisions, the Board considered both the short and long term impact on its people, owners and investors.

  During the course of the year, the Board, having taken into consideration the impact of Covid-19, changing guest and societal expectations, and considering the long-term success of the Company, approved a refreshed strategy and purpose. See pages 16 to 21 for further information.

The interests of the company’s employees

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  IHG’s direct workforce is made up of employees working in corporate offices, reservation centres and owned, managed, leased and managed lease hotels. Our employees are key to delivering both our purpose of True Hospitality for Good and our strategic initiatives. The Board acknowledges that their key concerns include continued employment, remuneration, diversity and inclusion and career development.

  The designated non-executive director with responsibility for workforce engagement provides a vital portal for the Board to hear employee views and receive their feedback, alongside regular Board and Committee agenda items relating to employee matters and Company culture. In addition, wherever and whenever possible all Directors directly engage with employees.

  During 2020, the Board made decisions and supported management to ensure employee engagement methods were prioritised and effective for working remotely during the pandemic, and concentrated on employee wellbeing and business cohesion. Regular internal communications and Staying In Touch forums were put in place to make sure employees were kept up to date on business performance and developments. Tools and resources were also selected to aid flexible and remote working, as well as the extension of our Employee Assistance Programme to cover mental health and wellbeing.

  The Board took key decisions to temporarily reduce compensation, furlough a large proportion of employees and implement a programme of redundancies. When considering these decisions, the Board balanced the immediate impact on the affected employees with the broader implications for all stakeholders. Measures to temporarily reduce compensation were taken quickly in recognition of the immediate and severe impact on revenues. Decisions on the scale and extent of furlough and redundancies were deferred until informed by a greater understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on the business. The Board kept all measures under regular review, and with growing confidence in the delivery of cost savings and successful management of cash flows, was able to reverse salary reductions ahead of original expectations.

The need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

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  Building and maintaining relationships with both new and long-standing hotel owners, managing connections with critical suppliers and others within our supply chain, and focusing on guest experiences and loyalty are vital to our continued success. These stakeholders in turn look to IHG and rely on our trusted reputation, the advantages of our scale, our owner proposition, consistent guest experiences and rewards for loyalty.

  The Board maintains oversight and fosters relationships through focusing on strategic and operational matters as part of its regular meeting agendas and interactions with owners, either through the IHG Owners Association or in one to one meetings. It also reviews Guest and Owner HeartBeat surveys to understand the needs and interests of guests and owners. In addition, the Responsible Business Committee keeps under review the Group’s approach to its supply chain and our Supplier Code of Conduct.

  During the first quarter of the year the Board supported decisions to put Covid-19 health and safety operating procedures into place globally, including the IHG’s Way of Clean programme and IHG Clean Promise, protecting both guests and hotel colleagues. Decisions also allowed for revised flexible booking and cancellation options to be implemented, and protection of guest loyalty membership status.

  With Board review and support, IHG worked with owners to balance the need to keep hotels open with reduced occupancy, and reduce costs, advising them on adjusting operations, providing fee relief and payment flexibility, delaying renovation requirements, and relaxing brand standards to conserve owner funds. In addition, the Board supported the repurposing of many hotels to provide essential services including accommodation to frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society. The Company, including Executive Directors, supported hotel owners and lobbied to secure broad government support for the industry, including reliefs and other hospitality-related incentives.

  The Board reviewed and supported management in engaging with strategic suppliers to adjust service levels, anticipate continuity risks, and address payment terms.

22IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



FactorOur engagement and commitment2020 examples of key decisions and considerations

The impact of the company’s operations on the community and planet

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  The Responsible Business Committee supports the Board by reviewing and advising on the Group’s objectives and strategy in relation to its environmental and social impact.

  IHG’s awareness of the impact it has on the environment, and the impact the environment has on IHG is vitally important to IHG’s reputation and long-term viability. We take active steps to help our hotels measure and manage their environmental impact. We advise and assist hotel owners with making sustainable choices to tackle issues such as climate change, water scarcity and waste management.

  Our success and the wellbeing of those who work in and around our hotels are closely linked. With nearly 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries, we are proud to be at the heart of local communities and recognise the opportunity we have to make a real difference to others. IHG forms strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charities that can help to make a difference in communities and wider society, with a focus on providing assistance in times of need and boosting economic empowerment through skills building.

  In 2020, the Responsible Business Committee reviewed and approved a new set of responsible business commitments and a 10-year strategy, covering areas such as diversity and inclusion, carbon reduction, waste and water. As the pandemic spread across the globe, these commitments continued to be refined to address the changing nature of operating responsibly.

  Despite the short-term challenges IHG faced in 2020, it was important for IHG to commence a project, in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), to understand the risks and opportunities climate change poses for the business. With oversight from the Board and Responsible Business Committee, a readiness review was undertaken to understand where gaps to full TCFD alignment were, and a climate risk assessment framework tailored to our business was initiated. At the end of the year, the Board and third-party experts on climate change reviewed progress made and next steps for 2021, including financial qualification of climate-related risks and opportunities.

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The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct

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  IHG’s culture is based on its commitments to strong values and its Code of Conduct. Company culture promotes integrity and transparency, gives confidence to stakeholders and makes IHG a desirable company to work with and for. The Board directly, and through its Committees, has responsibility for the Company’s adherence to its values, policies and procedures relating to business conduct, and has a number of standing agenda items to ensure it reviews policies for continued relevance.

  In 2020, the Directors, through the Responsible Business Committee, reviewed and approved the Group’s fifth Modern Slavery Statement, which includes information on our response to the pandemic, including monitoring its impact on modern slavery and human rights risks and where we have adapted our activities and priorities to respond to these. To affirm its importance and visibility within IHG, the statement is signed by the CEO and published externally.

  The Audit Committee oversaw enhancements made to enable effective and efficient management of risk in a crisis environment. This included updates to the Global Delegation of Authority Policy and reinforcement of key policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Information Security and other entity level control arrangements). The Board and the Audit Committee also reviewed continuity arrangements for key corporate offices and critical processes underpinning financial control.

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The need to act fairly between members of the company

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  IHG’s clear purpose, strong culture, resilient business model and evolved strategy are vital to attracting investment in the Company. Shareholders look to IHG to provide consistent shareholder returns, be committed to robust business ethics, have a strong, diverse, innovative and inclusive culture, and respect the environment and local communities.

  The Chair and Committee Chairs engage directly with investors on several matters including executive remuneration, diversity and inclusion and environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. In addition, they receive formal reviews of investor perceptions and regular shareholder updates to ensure the Board is cognisant of their views and interest.

  The Board commitment to engagement with investors and shareholders was particularly pertinent during 2020 as the pandemic unfolded. The Board received an increased number of business updates in relation to IHG’s liquidity and financing position, and further reviewed and approved an increased number of external trading updates. In addition, the Chair, Executive Directors, and Jo Harlow, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, held a series of meetings with investors in relation to a range of issues, including executive remuneration and IHG’s response to Covid-19, and responded to and acknowledged investor communications.

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LOGO  The above statement should be read in conjunction with the rest of the Strategic Report and the Governance Report, including the Committee Reports and Board meeting focus areas.

LOGO  The Schedule of Matters reserved for the Board and the Terms of Reference for each of the Board Committees are available on our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

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Section 172 statementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202023


Strategic Report

Our culture

Our success and reputation are dependent on our commitment to our values, Code of Conduct, principles, policies, and monitoring and assurance processes. Combined they ensure that we continue to build trust with all our stakeholders, and deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

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he Board is committed to ensuring that IHG’s culture supports its purpose and strategy. The Board oversees and monitors culture through direct

engagement and regular agenda items, including employee engagement survey results, employee resource groups, diversity and inclusion reports, and updates from the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement. Board discussions focus on defining the culture needed to drive IHG’s strategy and embedding it, including through the Code of Conduct, procedures and controls, training programmes, employee communications and tone from the top. These mechanisms ensure that the desired Company culture is promoted and IHG’s purpose and strategy are aligned.

LOGOSee also Board meetings on pages 83 and 84.

Our behaviours

IHG’s behaviours are aligned to our purpose and strategy, encouraging employees to Move fast, be Solutions focused, Think return and Build one team. Our behaviours were brought into sharp focus in 2020, and we lived them in a range of ways, such as prioritising enhanced operational procedures, including the IHG Way of Clean programme to protect our guests and hotel colleagues, and creating hotel re-opening guides to deliver timely support and training for the re-opening of hotels under enhanced cleanliness and safety measures.

IHG values

Our values, led by the Board, Executive Committee and Senior Leaders, underpin our behaviours, guide how we deliver our strategy, make decisions and live our purpose.

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Do the right thing

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Show we care

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Aim higher

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Celebrate difference

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Work better together

Code of Conduct

IHG’s Code of Conduct (Code) sets out IHG’s key principles and policies and is fundamental in supporting employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels to make the right decisions, in compliance with the law and our high ethical standards. It provides information on our key principles and global policies, including human rights, diversity and inclusion, accurate reporting, information security, anti-bribery and the environment. It also provides employees with guidance on where to go if they are faced with a difficult issue and need further help. The Code is supported by mandatory e-learnings on Anti-Bribery, Antitrust and Handling Information Responsibly.

The Board, Executive Committee and all employees working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels must comply with the Code. Each year, they are asked to reaffirm their commitment to it. The principles, spirit and purpose of the Code are relevant to all of IHG and we expect those we do business with, including our franchisees, to uphold similar standards.

The Code is reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis to ensure it reflects and responds to changes in the external environment and continues to support IHG’s purpose and strategy.

We continuously evolve our Code training, including our engagement and measurement approaches. During 2020, the Code provided a critical framework for responding to the challenges of Covid-19, and we focused on raising awareness, through targeted internal communications, of the annual Code e-learnings requirement.

The following policies and principles are key areas of the Code, each of which are supported by their own guidance and training materials.

Human rights and modern slavery

IHG is committed to respecting the human rights of all our colleagues, guests and the communities we operate in, and we continue to encourage those we do business with, including our suppliers and hotels owners, to prevent, mitigate and address adverse impacts on human rights, including modern slavery. We seek to advance human rights through our business activities and by working together with others to identify challenges and effective solutions.

A key focus of our human rights programme in 2020 has been on addressing risks relating to migrant workers, who may be increasingly vulnerable during the Covid-19 crisis. This work has included development of internal guidance, particularly in relation to staff accommodation for hotel colleagues.

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Further information is provided in our Modern Slavery Statement, which is available on our website www.ihgplc.com/modernslavery

Bribery and financial crime

IHG does not permit any form of bribery or financial crime, including improper payments, money laundering and tax evasion, under any circumstances. This also applies to any agents, consultants and other service providers who work on IHG’s behalf.

Our Anti-Bribery Policy sets out our zero-tolerance approach and is applicable to all Directors, Executive Committee members, employees and managed hotels, and is accompanied by a mandatory Anti-Bribery e-learning module. In addition, our Gifts and Entertainment Policy supports our approach to anti-bribery and corruption.

IHG is a member of Transparency International UK’s Business Integrity Forum and participates in its annual Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. Each year, the results from this benchmark help to measure the effectiveness of our anti-bribery and corruption programme and identify areas for continuous improvement.

24IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Handling information responsibly

IHG is committed to ensuring that the way we manage data and information received from the following is trusted and that we address cybersecurity threats: guests booking via our reservation channels, members of our loyalty programmes, colleagues, shareholders, and other stakeholders. We have standards, policies and procedures in place to manage how personal data can be used and protected. Our e-learning training for employees on handling information responsibly is a mandatory annual requirement, and covers topics such as password and email security, using personal data in accordance with our policies and privacy commitments, how to work with vendors and transferring data securely.

In 2020 we carried out additional awareness campaigns with communications to employees on a variety of topics such as phishing, passwords and security when working from home.

We continue to develop our privacy and security programmes to address evolving requirements and take account of developing best practice. The Board and Audit Committee regularly receive updates, and review our privacy and information security programmes.

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IHG’s Code of Conduct is available
in 10 languages on our website
www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business
and also the Company intranet.

IHG is a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and is committed to alignment of IHG’s operations, culture and strategies with the UNGC’s 10 universally accepted principles in relation to human rights, environment and anti-corruption.

Our monitoring and assurance processes

In addition to our Code e-learnings, we monitor and assess our culture through employee engagement surveys, feedback from employee forums, tracking of e-learning completion, our confidential reporting hotline, and third-party consultant surveys.

As a result of the pandemic, 2020 Executive Committee meetings were increased to a weekly cadence, in order to respond to the fast-moving industry and IHG environment. This increased frequency enabled regular performance and risk reviews, and allowed for rapid decision-making. The Executive Committee closely monitored high and trending risks, reviewed the status of hotel closures due to Covid-19, and tracked corporate and reservation employee sentiment aligned to our core values and behaviours.

Within IHG, various functions consider where additional guidance, learning materials or adjustments to existing controls are required. For example, during 2020 we enhanced our processes for handling information responsibly and our Information Security Team implemented additional monitoring to respond to heightened risks of data loss from stresses that Covid-19 placed on processes, people and supplier arrangements. The Board and Audit Committee received regular updates from key risk and control functions and considered the appropriateness of risk management and internal control arrangements.

In relation to our key business ethics, principles and policies, we carry out risk-based due diligence and compliance checks on new third-party hotel owners with whom we enter into hotel management or licence agreements. This includes the use of screening and monitoring tools and the provision of guidance for our Legal, Franchise Administration, and Development teams. In 2020, we successfully trialled and launched an enhanced version of our due diligence risk management platform, resulting in increased automation of internal escalation processes, faster counterparty searches and improved adverse media screening.

A central committee of senior IHG decision-makers considers and reviews any material issues identified in our due diligence, such as concerns or allegations of human rights violations, financial crime including bribery and corruption, or other activities which may have a reputational, legal or ethical impact on IHG. Contingent on any risks or concerns identified, external legal or consultancy expertise may also be utilised, including with respect to entry into new markets.

To help manage and monitor our corporate supply chain, an automated procurement system is used across many of our large corporate offices. In addition to acknowledging adherence to IHG’s Supplier Code of Conduct, new suppliers onboarded to the system are required to complete due

diligence questionnaires, which include questions on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption relevant to suppliers’ own operations and supply chains.

Our Internal Audit team provides objective and insightful assurance that we have appropriate controls in place to support our growth ambitions. Throughout 2020, Internal Audit focused on both specific reviews of processes and controls, and ongoing discussions with management, while considering the dynamic inherent risks created by the crisis and the organisational and process changes which have resulted from it. Internal Audit also provides independent oversight of the mechanisms in place for confidential reporting across IHG, including the design and operation of the reporting hotline, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with employees from Human Resources, Ethics and Compliance and Finance to monitor:

the volume of reports received;

the source and nature of allegations received; and

the overall environment across the Group to promote a ‘speak-up’ culture.

Non-financial information statement

Non-financial information, including a description of policies, due diligence processes in pursuit of policies, outcomes and risks and opportunities are set out as follows:

 Impact of the Company’s activities on the environment on page 29

 Social matters on page 29

 Anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters on pages 24 and 25

 Employee matters on pages 26 to 28

 Respect for human rights on page 24

 A description of the Group’s business model on pages 12 to 15

 The Group’s principal risks on pages 34 to 41

 The Group’s KPIs on pages 43 to 46

Our key stakeholders and factors affecting IHG

The following pages describe the importance of our key stakeholders and factors

affecting IHG, and our consideration for them during 2020.

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Our

people

see page 26

Communities

and planet

see page 29

Our guests, owners

and suppliers

see page 31

Shareholders

and investors

see page 33

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Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202025


Strategic Report

Our people

Our people are fundamental to IHG achieving its purpose and strategic goals. IHG’s business model means that we do not employ all colleagues. We directly employ individuals in our corporate offices, reservation centres, and managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. However, not all individuals in managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels are directly employed, and we do not employ any individuals in franchised hotels (nor do we control their day-to-day operations, policies or procedures).

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e do not underestimate the immense amount of hard work, commitment and sacrifice that was shown by our

people over the course of last year. The Board and Executive Committee are immensely proud of all our employees around the world as teams adapted and responded to such an unprecedented challenge – their determination demonstrated the very best of IHG and our industry, living up to our values and delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for Good.

Attracting, developing and retaining talent

To achieve our strategic priorities, we know we need to attract, develop and retain a diverse and talented workforce. This commitment is emphasised throughout our global hiring guidelines and initiatives, such as unconscious bias training, and is backed up by our D&I Policy, which ensures we

consider diverse attributes, perspectives, cultures and experiences. Our global flexible working guidelines are aimed at making IHG an attractive company to work for and we advocate work/life balance.

During 2020, our recruitment activities reduced significantly as a result of Covid-19. However, we are committed to securing future talent pipelines and our candidate relationship management tool has 184,000 subscriptions from over 81,000 potential candidates.

As the impact of Covid-19 deepened, steps were taken to curtail people-related costs in both corporate offices and the managed hotel estate. The Board was consulted and a global plan was created to reduce costs and help employees, including supporting the re-deployment of hotel colleagues into other work opportunities. In the Americas and EMEAA, we launched the ‘IHG Hotel

Colleague Job Center’ to connect those impacted with organisations recruiting at scale. We also implemented IHG Alumni sites to stay connected with furloughed and former employees, sharing news and job opportunities.

In the mid to long term, we are focused on implementing features of our Talent Acquisition Programme, with a priority focus on our Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Our aim is to make IHG an employer of choice, and we launched the refreshed EVP in February 2021, including a new consolidated careers website which brings together multiple careers sites and key messaging around opportunities to belong, develop and make a difference. The website features job alert functionality where potential candidates will receive email notifications of any recently posted jobs that match their predefined criteria.

Employee engagement statement

Our statement relates to only IHG’s directly employed individuals and should be read in conjunction with our S172 statement.

At IHG we foster a culture of open and honest engagement and feedback. We have a wide range of engagement forums including an engagement survey, management-led performance updates and a designated non-executive director for workforce engagement. Through these forums we hear from and talk to employees about IHG’s performance, key metrics, values, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

With the shift to remote working, we implemented virtual solutions to ensure employees kept in touch, maintained working relationships and were provided with Company updates. This included video meetings, podcasts and regular global calls with the CEO and other Executive Committee members. Global calls covered performance and other metric updates, alongside a wide range of other topics, as well as live Q&As.

The Board and Executive Committee were kept updated of employee interest and concern areas, and this influenced, for example, the set up of an emergency support fund to provide immediate help for employees facing financial hardship. The Company provided nearly $1.3m and assisted 2,134 employees across 10 countries.

The health and wellbeing of employees was a priority concern, and the Board and Executive Committee reviewed actions to help counter potential physical and mental effects of the pandemic and remote working, including re-charge days and no meeting Fridays. All corporate employees have access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which was extended to 31 countries. Other measures included a flexible learning summit, which more than 4,000 employees accessed, as well as surveys on employee remote working experiences, initiatives to raise mental health awareness, and HR and manager training programmes.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, our employee engagement survey, completed by employees in corporate and reservations offices and General Managers in managed hotels, was only conducted once during the year. The survey provided employees the opportunity to share their views on key issues relating to Company culture, IHG’s Covid-19 response, working from home, and health and wellbeing. Overall engagement remained stable at 79%, above external top quartile benchmarks. There were significant engagement improvements in relation to employees having the right tools and resources to carry out their jobs, work collaboration and decision-making speed. The main area for improvement was career development opportunities. Short pulse surveys carried out during the year also showed significant positive responses to the transparent and open nature of communications from Senior Leaders.

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Further information about the activities of the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement can be found on page 92.

26IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


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$1.3m

Emergency support fund

The Company provided $1.3m and

assisted 2,134 employees across 10

countries

79%

Employee engagement survey

Overall engagement remained stable

at 79%, above external top quartile

benchmarks

152

Future Leaders

Greater China successfully screened,

recruited and onboarded 152 Future

Leaders during 2020

49%

Our employee share plan

49% of eligible employees took up

the plan in 2020, its first year of

operation, with just over 82% opting

to pay the maximum contribution

Early talent development

Our Early Careers Programme offers work experience, internships and graduate opportunities to individuals looking to have a career in the hospitality industry, and helps attract talent into our managed hotel estate. The vast majority of face-to-face offerings were impacted as a result of the global pandemic, however in Greater China we successfully screened, recruited and onboarded 152 Future Leaders during 2020, which will support IHG’s continuing recovery in the region during 2021.

Ongoing talent development

We are firmly committed to investing in our employees and have various toolkits to help plan for and shape their development. We believe in having conversations that count. Employees engage in quarterly check-in conversations with line leaders to plan personal development and discuss career aspirations. Our leadership teams regularly discuss talent pipeline pools to identify and develop succession groups for roles with similar characteristics.

We also invest in individuals who work in and support our managed hotels, and have developed and delivered new learning modules during 2020 to help hotel teams adapt during Covid-19. Examples of new training topics include how to conduct a virtual sales call, how to implement an evolved food and beverage offering, and the IHG Way of Clean programme.

As at 31 December 2020    Male  Female  Total 
Directors   8   5   13 
Executive Committee   7   3   10 
Executive Committee direct reports   37   23   60 
Senior managers    
(including subsidiary directors)   73   27   100 
All employees    
((whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund)   5,748   7,084   12,832 

Reward culture

IHG’s reward culture aims to attract, retain and motivate top talent, and is centred around a set of core principles, managed through robust governance, including being recognised and paid competitively for contribution to the Group’s success. Our principles ensure that reward and recognition practices are fair and consistent across our employee population, regardless of gender and other aspects of diversity, and that there is alignment between the wider direct workforce and executive remuneration. We regularly review our approach externally, ensuring we meet the needs of employees by offering market-driven rewards packages.

Our employee share plan is available to around 98% of our corporate employees below the senior/mid-management level (who receive LTIP and restricted stock units awards). IHG matches the number of shares bought by employees through the plan. 49% of eligible employees took up the plan in 2020, its first year of operation, with just over 82% opting to pay the maximum contribution rate each month. Registration for the 2021 plan took place in December 2020, with a take up of 50%.

In response to Covid-19, IHG made difficult decisions in relation to pay, furloughs, reduced hours and redundancies to protect the Company’s long-term future. In March, the 2020 salary merit increase was cancelled, and at the end of Q1 reductions in salary and Company retirement contributions were implemented. However, bonuses earned over 2019 were honoured. In Q2, decisions to furlough and implement partial working hours were taken, and to further manage costs and set the business up for recovery, global redundancies were made from July. Though our recovery is still in progress, our efforts to manage our liquidity allowed us to return employees to full salaries ahead of schedule in October 2020.

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See pages 98 and 100 for more information about our wider remuneration policies.

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Our culture and responsible businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202027


Strategic Report

Our people continued

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Diversity and inclusion (D&I)

IHG is a global business, and our D&I Policy and approach are designed to represent our people and the guests who stay in our hotels, who are made up of multiple nationalities, cultures, races, sexual orientation, backgrounds and beliefs. We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture. It underpins our purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, and is crucial to who we are, how we work together and how we grow our business.

Our D&I Policy supports our recruitment, development and reward practices. Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for the Board, which, through the Responsible Business Committee, has assessed and realigned our priorities and commitments in 2020 to meet changing expectations and societal concerns. We bring our D&I Policy to life through a Global D&I Board and regional D&I Councils, who focus on locally relevant initiatives. Our diversity and inclusion framework is built on three core focus areas.

Strengthening a culture of inclusion:

We know we need to do more to support, nurture and strengthen our diverse and inclusive culture. During 2020, we made a number of commitments such as doubling ethnic minority representation in leadership, particularly to support our Black employees and communities in the Americas, which is helping to shape our response in other regions.

We continue to deliver ongoing inclusive leadership learning programmes and resources for leaders and managers, and we are developing an inclusion index to track perceptions of culture and behaviour in our employee engagement survey. We also are committed to supporting education, employability and empowerment in the community through partnerships with the National Urban League and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have continued to expand and play a crucial role

in supporting our diversity and inclusion commitments. The BERG (Black Employee Resource Group) was instrumental in steering IHG’s response to racial inequality issues in the US.

Our drive to celebrate difference and contribute to making sustainable changes in our organisation also led to the creation of several new ERGs to support other facets of diversity and inclusion, including the Family Network which launched globally in the first half of 2020, and a new ethnic minority diversity network for UK-based employees, EMbrace. Similarly, our Hype ERG, focusing on early career opportunities and networking, is expected to debut in UK in the first half of 2021, after successfully launching in Greater China, the Americas and wider EMEAA. The importance of IHG’s ERGs can be seen in activities such as awareness campaigns for Black History Month, Diwali celebrations, and Senior Leaders sharing their experiences with Lean In circles.

Other activities in 2020 included celebrating International Women’s Day across our managed hotels and corporate offices, under the global theme of #eachforequal. A series of events was produced to celebrate equality throughout IHG and how we are supporting female progression and equality at work.

In June we committed globally to recognising and celebrating Pride month. Like many other companies, our approach in 2020 changed, initially to reflect the limitations of Covid-19 and then more significantly to support the fight against racism and inequality, particularly in the US. In collaboration with Senior Leaders, the BERG and Out & Open members, we adapted our celebration activities to emphasise the importance of inclusivity more broadly. We switched our visual support for Pride month from the traditional rainbow to a more inclusive Pride flag that reflected the rights of both people of colour and the transgender community.

Increasing the diversity of our leadership talent:

As part of our refreshed responsible business plan, we aim to drive gender and ethnicity balance in particular in our leadership teams.

We will continue to deliver talent programmes, such as the Rise programme, which is focused on increasing the number of women in General Manager and Operations roles. During 2020, this programme played a critical role in developing and retaining key female talent across all regions through mentoring sessions, career development workshops, high-impact learning modules, and empowering conversations. In October 2020 we launched a monthly series of ‘conversations with Leaders’ for the RISE cohort and their mentors in the EMEAA managed estate hotels. This inspiring platform connects the group virtually and continues to grow and develop critical leadership experiences.

In Greater China, a series of ERGs known as the ‘Rose Alliance’ was created for existing female General Managers to support further professional development and encourage networking.

In the Americas, as part of the commitments we announced in 2020, we are launching a bespoke programme to develop Black leadership talent and build partnerships with organisations dedicated to supporting Black employees.

Putting the right decision-making around our actions:

IHG recognises that decision-making must be inclusive and take into consideration diverse viewpoints. In the Americas, we are rolling out mandatory unconscious bias training for more than 10,000 US corporate and managed hotel employees. We are also implementing processes to ensure that our recruitment initiatives include a diverse candidate shortlist and interview panel process. In the UK, we signed the UK Race at Work charter with the BITC (Business in the Community) in July 2020. We are committed to using the key focus areas outlined in the charter to further drive our race and ethnicity diversity and inclusion actions.

We will continue to build on our diversity and inclusion practices over the year ahead, with a refreshed set of commitments to ensure we continue to expand access to conscious inclusion training for employees, and strengthen our data capture alongside piloting new diverse talent programmes.

LOGOSee also our Governance Report and statement on disability in the Directors’ Report.
LOGOSee our D&I Policy on our website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

28IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Communities and planet

The Board’s Responsible Business Committee oversees and agrees IHG’s environment and community strategy and commitments, and our Responsible Business targets underpin both. We recognise changing expectations around environment and community matters, and as our 2018-2020 targets come to an end, we look ahead to our new 10-year responsible business plan and ambitious targets.

LOGO

Community

Our community policy promotes and guides us to support local communities, partner with global charities, assist communities impacted by disasters, and help build employment skills among the disadvantaged.

During our 2018-2020 target reporting period we contributed $3.4m to charitable causes, supporting more than 400,000 people. Over the same period, 328,000 colleagues supported community projects across the globe. Our annual Giving for Good month was transformed in 2020 into our Giving for Good awards, in honour of the UN International Day of Volunteering, to reflect the efforts of our colleagues. We celebrated more than 28,000 colleague stories, who collectively spent 212,580 hours supporting people in need.

As a result of the pandemic, we saw social disparities and inequalities exacerbated. We assisted local communities by working with existing charity partners and building new partnerships with NGOs:

We supported frontline workers by repurposing hotels to provide accommodation for frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society.

We partnered with #FirstRespondersFirst in the US, donating accommodation through IHG Rewards point donations; and launched a ‘heroes’ rate for first responders and key workers.

We supported foodbank infrastructure and services across 70 countries. Key partners included ‘No Kid Hungry’ (US), ‘Trussell Trust’ (UK), Global FoodBanking Network and European Food Banks Federation. Our partner, the Global FoodBanking network, provided meals to more than 27 million people, across a network of 900 foodbanks in 44 countries.

In 2020, we supported 1,428 colleagues impacted by disasters; we continued to work with CARE International UK, the British Red Cross, American Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and enabled point donations to these organisations from IHG Rewards members.

IHG® Academy and Change 100

IHG is committed to increasing the number of young people coming through the IHG Academy, a collaboration between our hotels, corporate offices, local education providers and community organisations. It provides local people with the opportunity to develop skills and improve their employment prospects. Despite having to pause the majority of programmes in 2020, we were able to support 3,277 participants, and achieved our target of supporting over 31,000 people between 2018 and 2020. We also have a partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, helping young people build hospitality skills. In 2020 we moved our offerings online.

Change 100 is a programme that takes place each summer and provides paid work placements and mentoring for students and recent graduates with disabilities. During 2020, in partnership with Leonard Cheshire, we held a virtual summer internship for 13 participants in the UK, that included a project focused on creating innovative ideas for IHG’s sustainable hotel room concept.

Planet

Our environment policy sets out our approach to measuring and managing our environmental impact, and supports and guides us to find ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Our Group-wide environmental management system, IHG Green Engage, helps hotels measure, manage and reduce energy, carbon, water and waste consumption, and recommends green solutions.

Waste management

Across the hospitality industry there is a significant amount of waste created. It is essential that we find ways to reduce this by reusing, recycling or designing out items at scale. IHG is committed to working with others to find innovative solutions.

Examples of this include:

removing single-use plastic miniature bathroom amenities and switching to bulk-size products;

partnering with organisations and innovators to help reduce food waste. In Australia, we partner with OzHarvest to

help donate food to local communities. We’re also working with Winnow Solutions to use technology to track, measure and reduce food waste at a number of our EMEAA hotels; and

working with suppliers to repurpose single-use plastic bottles into fillings for duvets and pillows in our voco hotels. To date, more than three million bottles have been diverted from landfill this way.

As a result of Covid-19, hygiene and cleaning measures are likely to have an impact on the environment. Whilst short-term allowances have been made, we have considered and implemented ways to reduce our impact, such as fewer printed items across hotels.

Biodiversity

Through IHG Green Engage, we provide guidance aimed at preserving and protecting on-site local flora and fauna, and the wider regional ecosystems affected by hotel operations. This includes advice on management of green spaces and long-term strategies for protecting local habitats.

Carbon footprint

Hotel energy consumption across the industry represents around 1% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2012 we have tracked carbon reduction per occupied room (CPOR), and our 2018-2020 target was to reduce CPOR by 6-7%. At the end of 2019 we reported a 5.9% reduction. As a result of reduced occupancy levels during 2020, we ended the target period with a 10.2% increase, meaning we did not achieve our target. However, over the same period we reduced our absolute carbon emissions by 23.6%.

In 2020, we had our carbon science-based target approved by the Science-Based Target Initiative, which requires we achieve a 15% absolute carbon footprint reduction in our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels; and a 46% per m2 carbon intensity reduction in our franchised estate by 2030, (from a 2018 base). From 2021 onwards we will be reporting in line with these targets.

Water stewardship

In relation to previous risks identified and our stewardship action plan, we worked with the Alliance for Water Stewardship during 2020, and launched projects in China and Australia, taking our total to six projects, meeting our commitment in this area. As signatories of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate we communicate progress each year against six core commitment areas. Water stress is a local issue, which varies considerably between markets. To ensure we collaborate at a local level, we have become members of the Water Resilience Coalition.

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Strategic Report

TCFD

We are committed to doing our part to address climate change by reducing our carbon emissions, and in early 2020 we announced new 2030 science-based targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Accord. While we have an
asset-light business model, with the majority of IHG hotels owned by a third party, our commitments cover the operations of all our hotels globally, whether managed, owned, leased, managed lease or franchised.

The Board recognises the importance of understanding and managing the impact of potential climate-related risks and opportunities on

IHG’s business and strategy. In early 2020 we made a formal commitment to support the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and have engaged a third-party expert to support with the more technical elements of the project. During the year we completed a ‘readiness review’ to understand IHG’s gaps to full TCFD alignment and developed a climate risk assessment framework tailored to our business which was used to conduct a qualitative risk assessment including scenario planning. This will be used as the basis for an in-depth quantitative risk assessment in 2021, which will enable detailed reporting against the TCFD recommendations in our 2021 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

Governance

The IHG Board has collective responsibility for managing climate-related risks and opportunities and is advised by the Board’s Responsible Business Committee on the Group’s corporate responsibility strategy, including our approach to climate-related risks and opportunities. Committee meetings are regularly attended by our Chair, CEO, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs and VP, Global Corporate Responsibility.

Our CFO, EVP, Global Corporate Affairs and EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary co-lead executive level management of climate-related risks and opportunities and report to our CEO. Our regional CEOs for the Americas, EMEAA and Greater China lead the implementation of environmental programmes at an operational level, supported by IHG’s Global Corporate Responsibility team.

During 2020, we established an internal TCFD Steering Group, with senior representation from Finance, Risk and Assurance, Strategy, Corporate Responsibility, and the Legal, Compliance and Company Secretariat team, who are responsible for leading the project.

Strategy

Led by our TCFD Steering Group and working with specialist consultants, during 2020 we carried out over 30 Senior Leader stakeholder interviews to identify key value drivers for the business and completed a global qualitative risk assessment to understand where and how climate change may affect these value drivers over the short, medium and long term.

We held two scenario planning workshops with cross-functional Business Unit leaders, to review potential risks at 2°C and 4°C scenarios over one, five, 10, 15 and 30 year time horizons. Our analysis covered acute and chronic physical risks, including droughts or floods, water stress, wildfires and rising sea levels, as well as transition risks, such as changes in stakeholder expectations, travel patterns, climate policy and regulation.

This work culminated in a dedicated TCFD session with our Board in December 2020, to discuss climate change as a strategic resilience issue, review actions already completed and identify priorities for 2021 to close any gaps to TCFD alignment. The focus for next year will be an in-depth financial evaluation of key risks identified during the qualitative analysis, as well as an assessment of potential impacts on IHG’s growth strategy and financial planning.

Risk management

We consider climate change within the context of environmental and social megatrends as one of our principal risks. To reduce our carbon footprint and manage our exposure to climate-related risks, in 2019 we made carbon reduction a metric for all hotels globally (see below) and in 2020 we launched our science-based targets and started more formal implementation of the TCFD recommendations.

Our Risk Management team is part of our core TCFD working group and as such is closely involved in the work to assess in more detail IHG’s potential exposure to both physical and transition risks over the short, medium and long term. This will facilitate further embedding of climate-related risks into our global risk management and mitigation procedures, as appropriate, to support the long-term resilience of the business.

Metrics and targets

The IHG Green Engage system is our global environmental management platform and is critical to our ability to identify, assess and mitigate climate-related risks. As part of our brand standards, all IHG hotels globally are required to use the platform and report their monthly utility use on the platform, which in turn provides hotels with trend data, benchmarking information, green building solutions and return on investment information, to help them identify key opportunities for maximising carbon, energy, water and waste efficiency and reducing their overall utility costs.

Carbon reduction is one of IHG’s 10 global metrics, with both Group and hotel level targets set on an annual basis. Achievement of the global metrics is one of the criteria used in the annual performance plan calculations for corporate employees and General Managers of managed hotels.

In 2020, we launched our science-based carbon reduction targets – to reduce absolute carbon emissions from our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels by 15% by 2030, and to reduce carbon emissions per square metre from our franchised hotels by 46% by 2030, both against a 2018 base year. For more information on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and our performance against our targets, please see page 221.

As we complete our financial impact assessment of climate-related risks, this will inform the development of any additional metrics and targets around the management and mitigation of risks and the strengthening of IHG’s business resilience against climate change.

Management objectives for 2021

  Complete financial quantification of key climate-related risks and opportunities.

  Analysis of the relative importance of these climate-related risks compared to our wider enterprise risks.

  Develop roadmap for embedding climate-related risks and opportunities into IHG strategy, financial planning and decision-making.

  Present findings and proposals for discussion at our annual Board strategy day.

  Embed findings into 2021 Annual Report disclosures, to demonstrate full alignment with TCFD recommendations.

LOGO

Please see further information in the preceding pages of the

Strategic Report, as well as risk management and Governance

and Directors’ Reports.

LOGO

See our Responsible Business Report on our website at

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

30IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Our guests, owners & suppliers

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Business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

As set out in our S172 statement, our business relationships with our guests, hotel owners and suppliers are fundamental to our commercial success.

During the year, the Board and Executive Committee focused on what was critical for guests, hotel owners and suppliers. They considered and agreed operational procedures, cost management solutions and payment terms to support these stakeholders through the pandemic.

The Board has standing agenda items to consider strategic and operational matters that include guests, owners and suppliers, and receives reports, presentations and feedback from management. Through the Responsible Business Committee, it monitors targets in relation to responsible procurement and reviews the Supplier Code of Conduct. In addition, the Chair and Executive Directors engage directly with hotel owners.

The following information sets out more detail about our relationships with our guests, hotel owners and suppliers, and describes how our relationships with these key stakeholders have been maintained and strengthened in 2020.

LOGO   See also our business relationships disclosure on page 222.

8

guest relations contact centres in 5 countries

1,700+

guest relations agents speaking 12 languages

12 m+

lines of enquiry dealt with during 2020

2.5 m

Guest HeartBeat surveys completed in 2020

2.5 m

social reviews received in 2020

Hotel guests

Operating with a clear focus on what’s important to customers is key to ensuring consumer preference for our brands. Important to them is a consistent and safe stay experience, reward for their loyalty, and brands that can be trusted. In 2020, this came to the forefront more than ever with the need to provide clean and safe hotels, and flexibility in relation to hotel stays and the IHG Rewards programme.

Day to day accountability for ensuring that IHG’s strategy relating to guests is prioritised lies with the Executive Committee, including the Executive Directors, who regularly receive guest data and insights including updates on guest satisfaction, Guest Heartbeat survey results, and loyalty contributions. To provide oversight, the Board also receives regular operational presentations and updates, including delivery against relevant metrics and KPIs.

During 2020, with Board agreement, IHG enhanced and drove implementation of the IHG Way of Clean programme and IHG’s Clean Promise into all regions to protect guests, and also implemented a flexible cancellation policy, temporary loyalty

programme changes, including reducing stay qualification, and revised operational procedures in relation to food and beverage offerings. These decisions balanced local government guidelines, owner costs and guest expectations. In addition, 1,500 guest relations agents switched to remote working, ensuring we continued to provide quality service to our guests.

Positive guest sentiment is vital to our customer-centric strategy. Apart from Guest Love we have other metrics in relation to loyalty, sales and guest relation interactions. Measures put in place during 2020, such as the flexible cancellation policy, were in direct response to guest requests to cancel and rearrange their bookings because of the pandemic.

LOGO    See page 18 for more information on our

          customer-centric strategy.

Hotel owners

IHG predominantly franchises its brands, but also manages hotels on behalf of third- party hotel owners, and has a global network of hotel owners. Our success is reliant on our effective execution of our corporate strategy, a strong owner proposition, our shared commitment to delivering our purpose and desire to maintain high business standards.

We predominantly measure our relationship with hotel owners through the Owner HeartBeat survey, which the Board and Executive Committee receive and review, but other metrics, such as the Signings KPI, indicates the attractiveness of our owner proposition.

We engage with hotel owners in a variety of ways, depending on whether their hotels are franchised or managed. For example, we engage with franchised hotel owners through annual portfolio and hotel reviews, and also through the IHG Owners Association (IHGOA). The IHGOA represents the interests of more than 4,500 hotel owners and operators worldwide. We work with them

IHG complies with the statutory reporting duty on payment practices and performance and is a signatory of the Prompt Payment Code.

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Strategic Report

Our guests, owners & suppliers continued

LOGO

to obtain feedback on IHG standards, programmes and initiatives, including our System Fund.

During 2020, with the hospitality industry significantly impacted by Covid-19, the Board, through the Executive Committee, agreed and put in place a range of measures to help protect owner cash flow including supplier discounts, fee relief and flexible payment options. Decisions were reviewed against the impact on IHG’s own cash flow and revenue requirements, hotel operational costs and what was needed to be done to protect guests. For example, the costs of implementing the IHG Way of Clean programme were balanced against reductions in other operational and brand standard costs, such as delaying planned refurbishments.

Further support for owners included provision of tailored recovery toolkits and targeted marketing campaigns to drive hotel demand. Our regional CEOs lobbied at the highest levels of government (including with the President of the United States and the speaker of the US House of Representatives), as well as through trade bodies, to gain support for the hospitality industry. In the UK, Keith Barr worked with other Executive Committee members to ensure that appropriate support was provided by the UK Government to help owners through the difficult trading period caused by restrictions and government lockdowns.

Suppliers

Working with suppliers is vital for our operations and for driving our responsible business commitments. Our supply chain activities are split into two categories: corporate and hotel supply chains. Our corporate supply chain covers items such as

technology and professional services, and includes a number of strategic suppliers, identified for their contractual and operational value. For example, we have a technology agreement with Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc. for the development and hosting of the Group’s Guest Reservation System.

Procurement of goods and services at hotel level covers items required for opening, renovating and operating a hotel, such as food and beverages, furniture, linen and electrical goods. However, most of our hotels are owned by independent third-party owners, who are responsible for managing their own independent supply chains.

During 2020, IHG considered and responded to the impact of Covid-19 on suppliers, taking actions such as renegotiating payment schedules across key vendors and increasing engagement with strategic suppliers on service levels and continuity risks.

The Procurement function drives IHG’s responsible business agenda into our supply chains, which is agreed with the Responsible Business Committee. The responsible procurement agenda was significantly impacted by Covid-19 in 2020. However, the function was instrumental in supporting owners and hotels with sourcing PPE and other emergency supplies, and used IHG’s scale to provide support to supplier negotiations.

Despite much otherwise reduced sourcing activity, the function, supported by the Responsible Business Committee, focused on the core elements of responsible procurement through (i) our supply chain risk assurance programme, (ii) our IHG Green Supplier programme, (iii)

improving employee awareness of responsible procurement, and (iv) ongoing collaboration with key suppliers bringing innovation, smarter choices and business efficiency for our hotels and owners.

We made good progress with our supplier risk assurance programme. Following the previous launch of desktop-based risk assessment questionnaires and risk profiling suppliers based on their responses, we requested additional information from a number of suppliers to better understand their practices in certain areas. We paused the programme during the year to focus on addressing the challenges of the pandemic, but are expecting to recommence the programme in 2021.

We were also able to introduce a new set of responsible procurement criteria for prospective suppliers. The pre-contract assessment is part of IHG’s tendering process and includes questions about suppliers’ governance, human rights and environmental practices relevant to suppliers’ own operations and supply chains.

Supply chain mapping

During the year, in partnership with CARE International UK and our key suppliers, we continued our programme focused on the textiles supply chain, aimed at creating a more gender-inclusive workplace, leading to more productive, resilient and secure value chains. Recognising the environmental impact of textiles, we also partnered with the University of Exeter to carry out an environmental assessment of IHG’s textiles value chain in support of identifying opportunities for IHG to transition towards circularity.

32IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Our shareholders

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W

e are committed to maintaining

an open dialogue and a comprehensive programme of

investor relations activities, and pride ourselves on keeping up-to-date

with best practice and market views

through independent advice and guidance

from a number of agencies and brokers.

The Chair and Committee Chairs actively engage with investors to ensure they are aware and understand the views and perceptions of our major shareholders, and the Board receives formal external reviews of investor perceptions. In addition, our Registrar, EQ, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., custodians of our American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme, have teams set up to deal with shareholder and ADR holder queries.

During 2020 both Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson presented IHG’s 2019 year-end and 2020 interim results to institutional investors, analysts and media. Telephone conferences were held following first and third-quarter trading updates, including Q&A sessions with sell-side analysts.

The Chair and other Board members continued with their annual cycle of investor meetings with major institutional shareholders during 2020, albeit meetings were held virtually and the usual range of meetings was adjusted as a result of the pandemic. Patrick Cescau engaged with our largest shareholders to discuss broader governance matters and the Company’s situation and response to Covid-19. Jo Harlow, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, held a series of investor consultation meetings with major shareholders, in relation to Executive Directors’ remuneration. In addition, following Sharon Rothstein’s appointment

to the Board she undertook an introductory meeting with a major shareholder, and Dale Morrison, our Senior Independent Director, was and remains available to shareholders if they have concerns they wish to discuss.

As in previous years, significant engagement occurred with sell-side analysts and investors. The market was kept updated of IHG’s business situation during the year through a number of stock exchange announcements, including updates on its financing and liquidity. Individual investor meetings and conferences were hosted, and both Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson hosted virtual fire-side meetings. Below Board level, various business leaders including representatives from Corporate Responsibility and Ethics and Compliance, held meetings with shareholders to discuss responsible business focus areas.

AGM

The 2020 AGM was held in constrained circumstances, following UK Government lockdown measures and advice from IHG’s external legal advisors. Our belief is that AGMs are an invaluable forum for communicating with investors and shareholders. With the likelihood of continued constraints in place, due to UK Government Covid-19 physical distancing measures, we continue to evaluate how our AGM on Friday 7 May will be held. The notice of meeting, including details of the conditions of admission, will be sent to shareholders and be available at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section. If any changes to the meeting details are required due to UK Government Covid-19 guidance, they will be published in the aforementioned website section.

Dividend

As the impact of Covid-19 became apparent the Board, after balancing the considerations of managing liquidity due to low hotel occupancy, with the expectations of investors and shareholders, withdrew its 2019 final dividend recommendation of 85.9¢ per share, a payment which would have had a cash outflow of ~$150m in the first half of 2020, and did not pay an interim dividend in respect of 2020. The decision to suspend dividends was not made lightly, and the Board is not proposing to pay a final dividend. They will consider future dividends once the visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

LOGOSee also page 15 for information about our dividend policy.
LOGOPlease see www.ihgplc.com/investors for further information.

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Strategic Report

Our risk management

The Board’s role in risk management – stewardship and active partnership

The Board is ultimately accountable for establishing a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risk to be assessed and managed, and is supported by the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and delegated committees. Our governance framework and Committee agendas establish procedures for Board members to receive information on risk from the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders and a range of other internal and external sources.

In 2020, our Board and management team, supported by the Risk and Assurance team, have reviewed our risk profile with increased frequency, and evaluated the appropriateness and resilience of our risk management and internal control arrangements. Throughout the management of the Covid-19 crisis, the Board has also considered the longer-term impact of the pandemic and other external and internal factors on our risk profile.

Emerging risks

During 2020, alongside the close focus on responding to Covid-19, Board and Committee discussions have allowed for consideration of other emerging and evolving risks, including:

 competitor and macroeconomic risk factors within the Board’s discussion of strategy and key management presentations (e.g. for Brand strategies, Commercial & Technology, Loyalty, Corporate Governance and Regulatory Developments);

 workforce related risks at the Remuneration and Nomination Committees, including the impact of Covid-19 on attraction, retention and succession arrangements; and risks relating to the competitiveness of Executive remuneration and Board composition;

 regulatory and financial governance risks at the Audit Committee (e.g. tax risks relating to digital businesses, treasury and liquidity risks linked to volatility and sentiment in the capital markets, and financial control risks in a cost-constrained environment);

 risks relating to people and culture at the Responsible Business Committee, including updates on employee engagement and well-being; diversity and inclusion; community impact; sustainability; human rights; and our continuing responsibilities across our supply chain; and

 potential risks relating to the impact of climate change on IHG in the future at a dedicated Board briefing on our progress to comply with the TCFD reporting requirements.

The most prominent emerging risk we face is a sustained downturn caused by further waves of the pandemic and/or a slower than anticipated industry recovery. This could create further volatility in our risk factors and also challenging conditions in the capital markets, making it more difficult to obtain additional funding if required and manage our liquidity, potentially impacting financial performance. Our financial planning includes identifying levers which could be pulled to enable flexibility and adaptability to changes to our financial assumptions and circumstances. More detail on the topics covered by the Board and Committees is available in the Governance Report, pages 74 to 95.

Procedures for identifying, discussing and escalating emerging risks

Many topics and potential risks to longer term viability and sustainability are considered as part of our ongoing management decision making, as well as Board and Committee agendas and presentations, enabling escalation of emerging risks where appropriate. These combined elements have also enabled us to react to uncertainties and changing circumstances as the Covid-19 crisis evolved.

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34IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



How risk management and our appetite for risk have supported decision making in 2020

Our risk management and internal control systems remain fully integrated with the way we run the business, and IHG’s risk appetite is visible through the nature and extent of risk taken by the Board in pursuit of strategic and other business objectives. We cascade this appetite through our culture, values and behaviours, see pages 24 and 25, the goals and targets we set, and our Code of Conduct and other global policies, all of which are further reinforced by frequent leadership communications to guide behaviours and set priorities.

The short- and medium-term uncertainties created by Covid-19 led to active ‘real time’ consideration of acceptable risk tolerances and whether any adjustments were required to financial and operational controls. Enhancements were made to controls to enable effective and efficient management of risk throughout the crisis, including the decentralisation of decisions to front line crisis teams within a framework of agreed

principles. This was balanced with updates to the Global Delegation of Authority Policy, reinforcement of policies (e.g. Code of Conduct, Information Security) and updates to other entity level control arrangements.

After the initial operational disruption of Covid-19, additional adjustments to controls were required to maintain acceptable risk levels during IHG-initiated changes to the workforce and to safeguard continuity across our supply chain. These changes were guided by principles developed by the Executive Committee to ensure that any actions taken were not disproportionately de-stabilising, and supported by communications plans.

Formal and informal monitoring, reporting and assurance arrangements, also described on pages 24 and 25 have been reinforced during 2020 to enable the Board and Executive Committee to maintain ongoing oversight of key areas of uncertainty and the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control arrangements.

As we move into 2021 the Board will continue to focus on whether levels of risk in the business are managed or controlled to an acceptable level (either individually or in total) and whether we are appropriately balancing opportunities for efficiency or investment with the need to build in resiliency in the short and longer term. Many leadership teams, including the Executive Committee, plan to continue to meet more frequently than pre-pandemic, which will also enable more active consideration and reaction to changing risks.

Our Annual Report and Form 20-F provide more detail on formal risk appetite and tolerance in a number of places. For example, our appetite for financial risk is described in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements, see page 179.

LOGOThis section should be read together with the rest of the Strategic Report, Governance on pages 74 to 111, the going concern statement on page 223, and Risk Factors on pages 224 to 229.

A practical illustration of IHG’s risk management system in action during 2020:

The wider primary public health concerns of Covid-19 created several secondary impacts for IHG, including rapidly emerging risks relating to customer demands, how we operate our hotels and the standards required of our franchisees.

The table below illustrates how we managed these risks in a systemic way across IHG, working with our owners and third-party experts to develop and deliver enhancements to our “IHG Way of Clean” brand standards to reassure our guests, colleagues and owners of our response to Covid-19 risks across all our hotels globally.

Policies, procedures and principles...applied by our people within key processes......with close monitoring and reporting

Executive, regional and functional leadership formed a Cleanliness Board to provide a clear “tone from the top” of the importance of safety and cleanliness, and to engage third-party expertise.

Communications were coordinated centrally to ensure consistency of internal and external messaging, including with owners.

Regional teams quickly mobilised to adopt and communicate the global policy to operational teams and hotel colleagues.

We created a suite of guidance including:

 enhanced standards and supporting guidance for the IHG Way of Clean programme;

 training for colleagues on how to wear face coverings and gloves;

 physical distancing and hand washing best practice;

 procedures for colleague symptom screening; and

 appropriate signage to be used throughout the hotels.

Our Procurement team worked with regional Operations and Safety teams to source protective items ranging from masks and gloves to hand sanitiser machines and brand appropriate signage.

We implemented a frequent and effective monitoring system to ensure that these cleanliness standards are upheld throughout our hotel portfolio.

This includes new virtual hotel audits allowing us to monitor the implementation of the IHG Way of Clean standards despite travel and restrictions on face-to-face interactions.

In addition to the hotel audits, we also track the completion levels of training materials and monitor social media to enable us to respond to guest or colleague feedback.

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Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

IHG’s principal risks and uncertainties

While the Covid-19 crisis has not fundamentally changed the principal risks to our business and strategy, it has heightened the uncertainty we face in the short term and also created the potential for longer term impacts based on trade-offs that have been required to protect liquidity in 2020. The crisis has also accentuated the increasingly interconnected nature of risk.

We have not managed Covid-19 as a separate risk during the year, as the pandemic has increased the risk profile across many of our existing principal risks as we look forwards. This is most obvious in relation to the continuing significance of the safety and security of our colleagues and guests, government regulations impacting domestic and international travel, consumer

confidence and appetite to travel internationally in the longer term, how we operate our hotels and the overall impact on our business resilience.

The necessary response to Covid-19 safety concerns has also created several secondary impacts and the potential for disruption and additional stress on our risk management and internal control arrangements. In addition, continued scrutiny of the social performance of major corporates may also lead to any incident or failure to manage risk receiving significant and rapid attention.

All the risks on the grid below meet the definition of ‘principal’, however we have reviewed the trends carefully to more accurately reflect the current behaviour of these risks. In relative terms, some risks continue to trend upwards as we move into

2021 while other risks remain more stable on 2020 levels. Where we have indicated changes on the grid this is typically because of something we have noted in the nature of the risk itself, for example as a result of changes in the external environment, our extended enterprise, or a specific internal initiative.

By distributing the risks across the grid in this way based on their behaviour, it allows the Board and management to consider what different responses may be required to individual factors (for example, rapid factors which may require continuity planning), or the overall level of risk we are facing and what it means for governance of the whole portfolio.

Risk trend and speed of impact

We assess whether the risk area is stable or dynamic in its impact and/ or likelihood (inherent risk trend), and the rate at which there could be a material impact on IHG. The trend and speed of impact are summarised in the diagram with further detail on activities to manage each of these risks in the following pages.

Principal risk – assessment of trend and speed of impact

LOGO

Principal risks descriptions

  Inherent risk trendRisk impact – link to our strategic priorities
LOGODynamic/RapidLOGOBuild loved and trusted brands
LOGODynamic/GradualLOGOCustomer centric in all we do
LOGOStable/RapidLOGOCreate digital advantage
LOGOStable/GradualLOGOCare for our people, communities and planet

36IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Macro external factors such as political and economic disruption, the emerging risk of infectious diseases, actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, natural or man-made disasters could have an impact on our ability to perform and grow.

Secondary impacts and continuing uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic may also exacerbate these factors across several markets and external sources indicate that these risks are likely to trend upwards in future years with the potential for more rapid impact on IHG.

LOGOLOGO

  Our initial focus for Covid-19, both in China and in other markets, prioritised the safety and security of our colleagues and guests by supporting crisis management teams in our individual business units and global functions. This support included monitoring intelligence from a range of external and internal sources (e.g. government health and travel advice), and developing guidance for hotel and corporate offices on sanitation and cleaning procedures, including for when hotels have been used for quarantine and to house essential workers.

  The Risk and Assurance and Global Corporate Affairs teams have developed guidance and internal and external communications strategies, and coordinated across regional and functional crisis management teams to review business continuity preparations for corporate offices (e.g. business service centres, reservation offices and corporate offices) and key supplier relationships. Furthermore, we established protocols for tracking and reporting on the status of hotels in China early in 2020, which then evolved into monitoring of hotels in other regions.

  We maintain a range of intelligence sources at our disposal to horizon-scan for emerging threats, provide insight to leadership on incidents that impact operations, and analyse future political and economic scenarios to inform the business planning cycle, including at the Board and Executive Committee level. We are also applying lessons learned from Covid-19 and using data analytics to better prepare for future disruption, in particular in relation to other fire safety and security threats that continue to receive industry-wide scrutiny.

  In addition to epidemics and pandemics, the risk of earthquakes and extreme weather events continues to pose a threat to IHG operations. IHG manages these events through training, advanced monitoring and warning, and standard operating procedures. As we moved into the 2020 hurricane season, regional operations teams planned and communicated with hotels, including those operating at reduced capacities, to ensure they were prepared to maintain safe operations for colleagues and guests.

Failure to deliver preferred brands and loyalty could impact our competitive positioning, our growth ambitions and our reputation with guests and owners.

Competition from other hotel brands and third-party intermediaries create inherent risks and opportunities to the longer-term value of IHG’s franchised and managed proposition for our brands. The Covid-19 crisis has also refocused guest expectations in relation to the cleanliness and safety of individual hotels and IHG’s brands. In a potentially lower-demand environment it will also be critical to use our loyalty programme to drive business to our hotels and take share from our competitors.

LOGOLOGO

  The focus of our brands and loyalty teams during the crisis has been on supporting our guests, owners and hotels. This has included adjusting our cancellation policy to allow guests flexibility to change or cancel bookings, rolling over our IHG Rewards Elite membership status to 2021 and reducing the achievement criteria for 2022, extending the deadline for points expiry until July 2021, and launching a suite of solutions to engage members.

  We have implemented enhanced cleanliness and safety measures through the IHG Way of Clean programme to drive customer confidence. Initially established in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme is now a global brand standard that includes deep cleaning processes and operating protocols developed with expertise from third party partners, which reflect the advice of public health authorities. As travel resumes, we have also introduced other enhanced guest experiences such as a contactless journey through the hotel, modified food and beverage offers and ‘Meet with Confidence’ programmes to drive revenue recovery, and we have created new virtual quality audit and compliance processes to reinforce standards and drive consistency.

  We also reduced costs for owners by relaxing brand standards and operational and food and beverage requirements to balance enhanced cleanliness and safety protocols.

  While the focus of our marketing management shifted rapidly to respond to the pandemic and to support regional recovery, we have built on the active transformation already underway with enhancements to our Marketing organisation and processes which enable us to drive efficiency in a financially constrained environment and optimise resources and speed to market. We conduct regular monitoring of indicators, including loyalty member data, to identify emerging trends quickly.

  Throughout 2020, we also have prioritised our commercial spend behind our loyalty programme towards the highest returning marketing investments that drive business to all brands through the loyalty programme umbrella. See page 17 for more details on our priority to Build loved and trusted brands.

LOGO

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Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Attracting, developing and retaining leadership and talent and failure to do this could impact our ability to achieve growth ambitions and execute effectively.

Risks relating to people underpin the majority of processes and controls across IHG, and our ability to develop talent is critical to delivering value to our brands and hotels in the global markets where we operate and compete. It is essential that we retain key executive, leadership and specialist talent, both at the corporate and hotel levels, in an uncertain hospitality industry and in a resource constrained, highly competitive, and remote working environment.

LOGOLOGO

  At the start of the Covid-19 crisis a cross-functional taskforce was established to guide how we protect our employer reputation and culture. While we have had to take actions to reduce costs at corporate and hotel levels, HR teams have partnered with operations and functional teams to develop guiding principles to protect our reputation as a responsible employer; maintain our culture during the crisis period; and equip teams to bounce back with great talent and people practices. This has enabled us to maintain engagement, avoid burnout and bolster support to leadership. Our approach to managing our people during 2020 is outlined in detail on pages 26 to 28 and our normal business planning process includes a review of workforce risks.

  Due to the Covid-19 crisis, our programme of engagement surveys and HR scorecards adapted to reflect the realities of virtual and remote working and a challenging period of furloughs and reduced hours. We have monitored key workforce indicators, leveraged our existing virtual learning platforms to understand employee sentiment, and utilised short pulse surveys to gather employee feedback throughout the crisis and to shape our thinking on returning to office working.

  The Executive Committee has regularly discussed talent retention risks, and the HR team is focusing on talent plans with each leadership team. We have refined our diversity and inclusion strategy to drive recruitment and retention, and employee resource groups help educate employees and build a culture of inclusion.

  Effective communications have been established for internal audiences, including regular all employee calls with the Chief Executive Officer to provide latest updates, ongoing leadership communications and virtual team meetings at regional and functional levels, and continued development of our flexible learning summits. Through these channels, leaders are able to answer questions from employees at all levels.

  IHG has the ability to manage talent and retention risks directly in relation to IHG employees but relies on owners and third-party suppliers to manage these risks within their own businesses. Our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams also consider more indirect workforce risks relating to our third-party relationships.

  The Remuneration Committee reviews our approach to executive remuneration, aligned with the interests of shareholders and the UK corporate governance environment.

Inherent threats to cybersecurity and information governance remain significant and dynamic and external attacks against the hospitality industry have continued in 2020.

We are aware of our responsibilities in relation to a range of high-value assets (critical systems and employee and other sensitive data) which may be targeted by various threat ‘actors’ (including organised criminals, third parties and colleagues). Rapid societal, regulatory and media scrutiny of privacy arrangements mean that the potential impact of data loss to IHG financially, reputationally or operationally remains a dynamic risk factor. The disrupted working conditions (including increased remote access) caused by the pandemic for our employees and suppliers and advances in attack sophistication also heighten inherent information security risks.

LOGOLOGO

  While Covid-19 has modified the threat profile, our Information Security team has pivoted to implement new solutions and controls to address potential vulnerabilities, and to focus resources on those operational tasks that best protect our sensitive data sets and systems and detect and respond to potentially malicious events in an appropriate way.

  In the early stages of the pandemic, we deployed our Intelligence functions to gain early knowledge of potential new attack campaigns; implemented controls to prevent malicious emails from getting to email inboxes; and educated employees worldwide on the increased dangers from phishing, business email compromise and social engineering. We also accelerated the rollout of multi-factor authentication to limit successful phishing attacks. To respond to heightened inherent risks from remote working, we reviewed controls for remote access solutions and increased monitoring to more quickly identify malicious activity. Our Procurement team engaged key providers on their approach for maintaining operations and fulfilling their contractual obligations for the safety and security of our data and systems.

  We have continued to work with our specialist technology providers to continuously improve key operational security processes and capabilities such as Identity & Access Management, Security Monitoring, Incident Response, and the support and maintenance of technical solutions architecture.

  Preserving security across our complex corporate and hotel estate requires continuous maintenance and enhancement or replacement of hardware and software. With finances at a premium for hotel owners, our Information Security and Technology teams collaborate to provide reliable, scalable and cost-effective solutions, targeted at areas of greatest opportunity for future attacks.

  Our information security programme is supported and reviewed by internal and external assurance activities, including our Internal Audit and Financial Governance teams and PCI assessments. The Board receives regular reports using key risk indicators to track inherent risk trends and mitigation activities. We also continue to work closely with our insurers to ensure we are adequately protecting against our risks, and have assessed and quantified potential cyber incident scenarios to drive risk-based discussions on investing in remediation versus risk acceptance and transfer opportunities.

38IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Risk description

TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

Failure to capitalise on innovation in booking technology and to maintain and enhance the functionality and resilience of our channel management and technology platforms (including those of third-parties, on which we rely directly or indirectly), and to respond to changing guest and owner needs remains a dynamic and critical risk to IHG’s revenues and growth ambitions.

Increasing personalisation and understanding our guests and their needs will drive return stays and further build loyalty. Despite the pandemic placing cost pressures on our owners, the pace of change in the hospitality industry continues to accelerate and IHG must evolve to effectively grow and compete in the marketplace. It will be key for us to prioritise digital capabilities to drive our channels, actively expanding the breadth and depth of our digital relationships with current and new guests.

LOGOLOGO

  Our comprehensive channels strategy is a key driver and enabler of accelerated growth. Rapidly evolving guest and owner expectations have increased the pressure to deliver commercial and technological change more quickly. We continue to seek opportunities to align and innovate our channels and technology platforms to Create digital advantage (see page 19 for more details). Our IHG Concerto platform is operating at all IHG hotels, and over time future releases will enhance the guest travel journey, deliver efficiencies for hotels, and drive sustainable revenue.

  To respond to the initial disruption from Covid-19, a new Global Revenue Committee was formed across global and regional teams to manage and drive booking activity and revenue. The Committee developed and monitored specific leading indicators on market status, sentiment, search and demand, and loyalty member trends, and further tracked communications penetration, internal pulse surveys and public relations effectiveness. The relatively reduced level of booking activity in 2020 also created the opportunity to reorganise our technology delivery model, moving more development to technology partners and co-sourcing arrangements. We have also engaged with our strategic suppliers during 2020 to adjust service levels and anticipate continuity risks.

In a resource constrained environment, the importance of investment effectiveness and efficiency will be critical to balance short- and longer-term strategic needs (e.g. developing infrastructure, increasing growth, enhancing digital capabilities).

Failure to manage risks associated with investments may impact commercial performance, lead to financial loss, and undermine stakeholder confidence.

LOGOLOGO

  Our oversight and finance teams regularly review and evolve our governance and control frameworks, including delegated approval authorities and processes, to enable decisions on investments to be made quickly and efficiently with consideration of the risks involved. In early 2020 the Delegation of Authority Policy was specifically updated to help drive cost-conscious behaviours and close control of investment expenditure required in the business at that time.

  With on-going uncertainty in the industry outlook, we need to retain flexibility in the extent to which we commit to expenditure until there is improved visibility. Our financial planning balances a disciplined approach to discretionary investments with a need to appropriately reward our people and invest in strategic growth initiatives. There is, and will continue to be, a constant focus on retaining flexibility within our cost base to ensure spend is being prioritised in the right areas given the ever-changing environment. Financial resource allocation is kept under regular review, with decisions taken as part of our quarterly forecasting process.

  We have also sought to protect key functions that are critical for fulfilling our responsibilities as a publicly listed company and in maintaining our reputation across our external stakeholders. For example, we continue to ensure that we have the right level of support in our Legal, Corporate Affairs and Financial Reporting teams.

LOGO

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Strategic Report

Our risk management continued

Risk descriptionTrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks

The global business regulatory and contractual environment and societal expectations have continue to evolve throughout 2020. Failure to ensure legal, regulatory and ethical compliance would impact IHG operationally and reputationally, and non-regulatory stakeholders (including corporate sales clients) and investors continue to focus on IHG’s performance as a corporate entity to uphold ethical and social expectations. Significant fines can be imposed for regulatory non-compliance, most notably in relation to privacy obligations and data security. In an uncertain hospitality industry, there may be increased pressure on compliance programmes, and a heightened risk of liabilities relating to our franchise model both in relation to brand reputation issues as well as litigation.

LOGOLOGO

  Our Ethics and Compliance team focuses on ensuring IHG has a globally coordinated approach to material ethical and compliance risks, taking into account the regulatory environment, stakeholder expectations and IHG’s commitment to a culture of responsible business. The overarching framework for ethics and compliance is the IHG Code of Conduct (see page 24) and we provide e-learning training on an annual basis to all corporate, reservation offices and managed hotel employees and new joiners.

  We continue to monitor changes and advise stakeholders on risks across a range of regulatory issues, including safety, employment, contract, privacy, anti-bribery and anti-trust, while also addressing legal and regulatory issues that have emerged as a result of Covid-19. We also continue to participate in Transparency International UK’s 2020 Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark. This is a comprehensive tool that measures and compares the performance of anti-corruption programmes across companies on an anonymous and confidential basis.

  We continue to focus on key human rights risks, particularly those heightened by Covid-19. For example, to address migrant worker staff accommodation risks which may have been heightened by the pandemic, we developed a guidance note on staff living accommodation for hotel teams.

  Monitoring of sanctions continues to be an increasingly important part of our due diligence processes as their use by the US, UK and EU in particular continues to grow. A sanctions update is communicated annually to the Legal, Development and Strategy teams and other relevant employees providing a reminder of ‘No Go’ countries and sanctions issues that may restrict IHG. Our owner legal due diligence process also requires that all new owners are screened against sanctions lists and we utilise due diligence tools for this purpose. Ethics and compliance country-level due diligence is also undertaken for new country entry assessments, taking into account country- specific risks and impacts.

  The Ethics and Compliance team currently monitors training completions, gifts and entertainment reporting and the owner due diligence process, and they receive informal queries/escalation of issues directly from colleagues and via an Ethics and Compliance email channel which is publicised in training and awareness materials. The Board receives regular reports on the Confidential Reporting Channel and matters directly related to our responsible business agenda.

The manner in which IHG responds to operational risk and the steps taken to safeguard the safety and security of colleagues and guests will continue to receive heightened scrutiny, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and could affect IHG’s reputation for high standards of business conduct, result in financial damage, and undermine confidence in our brands.

The rapid progression of Covid-19 has also given rise to significantly increased litigation risk across all markets. These risks relate both to our direct operations in hotels and other locations where we have management responsibility, and also to outsourced activities and others with whom we collaborate and trade, including the owners of our franchised hotels which operate as independent businesses.

LOGOLOGO

  Our Business Reputation and Responsibility team coordinates and monitors IHG’s risk management system, which is designed to anticipate and identify relevant operational safety and security risks and provide appropriate levels of control necessary to mitigate against significant incidents, whether in hotels or corporate offices. Regional and global subject matter experts in safety and security work regularly with relevant stakeholders, including hotels, operations leaders, and operations support teams such as Design & Engineering, Food and Beverage and Human Resources, to review and set operational safety and security policies and procedures.

  The Covid-19 pandemic has led to the enhancement of IHG’s operational safety and crisis management procedures for hotels and corporate offices. In early 2020, our safety experts worked closely with Operations and Global Corporate Affairs to develop a Hotel and Corporate Office Response Toolkit of guidance, processes and procedures for operating a safe work environment in line with the advice issued by government authorities and public health officials. As the pandemic has progressed, this guidance has been revised and expanded to address emerging operational safety issues, and changes in local government requirements or public health advice.

  Alongside Covid-19, subject matter experts in safety and security have continued to monitor external trends that may impact the safe operation of hotels, customer expectations, and development opportunities (e.g. fire safety, food allergens), and we continue to review our relevant standards and guidance as these issues evolve and/or new regulatory requirements and best practices are published.

  Our experts also track a range of internal indicators relating to safety and security to assess their potential impact on the safety of hotels, colleagues and guests as well as the impact on the reputation of IHG and its brands. Despite our best efforts, incidents may occur across our global hotel operations and corporate offices and an assessment of severity and impact is made before the most serious are promptly forwarded to senior management. The Board receives and reviews regular safety reports and monitors safety performance. Through this monitoring, IHG can determine where additional standards or guidance may be necessary or whether existing controls may need to be adjusted.

40IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

A material breakdown in financial management and control systems would lead to increased public scrutiny, regulatory investigation and litigation.

This risk includes our ongoing (and stable) operational risks relating to our financial management and control systems which have been adapted to cope with remote working arrangements during the pandemic; the continuing expectations of IHG’s management decision making and financial judgements; and our own business model and transactions.

LOGOLOGO

  Covid-19 inevitably impacted IHG’s financial control environment, with heightened risks relating to liquidity, business continuity and fraud and a need to adapt and enhance existing processes for employees working remotely and, in some cases, with a reduced workforce. The Finance leadership team regularly monitors the primary risks to the function and to IHG and, as the impact of Covid-19 became clear, reviewed controls and implemented enhancements to provide additional mitigation, including controls over cash disbursements and expenditure, applying data analytics where possible.

  We reviewed our business continuity arrangements, including for our India-based Global Business Service Centre, given the operational importance of processes located there such as accounts payable, billing and cash collection, and financial reporting for both corporate and hotels. In response to decisions to furlough corporate employees during 2020 we evaluated risks, processes and controls relating to accuracy of payroll; access to IT systems and company credit cards; as well as completeness of payment processes.

  Throughout the year we have reinforced policies across the organisation, including particular emphasis on entity level controls. We have continued to operate an established set of processes across our financial control systems, which is verified through testing relating to our Sarbanes-Oxley compliance responsibilities. See pages 68, 144, 157 to 162 for details of our approach to taxation, page 87 for details of our approach to internal financial control, and pages 179 to 183 for specific details on financial risk management policies. These processes and our financial planning will continue to evolve to reflect the changes in our management structure and business targets, including system enhancements and further automation where possible.

  While it remains difficult to assess trading conditions in 2021 with certainty, we will continue to adapt our approach to financial control across our hotel estate. Given the differences in the culture and ways of working across our regions, we apply globally and/or regionally consistent policies and procedures to manage the risks, such as fraud and reporting risks, wherever possible.

  Our Group insurance programmes are also maintained to support financial stability.

As a global business, IHG faces uncertainties relating to evolving environmental and social megatrends and our response to these is subject to scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders.

These stakeholders include regulators and investor groups (such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)), who focus on various environmental, social and governance issues that have the potential to impact performance and growth in key markets. The focus on companies acting responsibly and being true to their purpose has been heightened by the pandemic and will continue into the future.

LOGOLOGO

  Working together with governments and industry associations has been key in ensuring our voice is heard among key stakeholders, as well as being able to advocate for our industry and our owners. As the pandemic has progressed there has been an expectation from governments for companies to do the right thing by their stakeholders. We work with key industry bodies to engage governments and officials to take steps that support our industry and owners across a number of different markets.

  To support our hotels in better understanding, managing and reporting their environmental footprint, while driving operational efficiency and reducing their utility costs, we are replacing IHG’s Green Engage system with a more comprehensive and engaging platform as well as an automated data entry solution to enable much more accurate information capture. See pages 20 and 21, and 29 and 30 for details of our environmental policies and initiatives, including our commitment to support the TCFD recommendations.

  Our long-standing commitment to operating our business responsibly has underpinned the actions we are taking in our local communities see page 29. The Corporate Responsibility team has established core principles to support our local communities, while establishing clear governance for our overall community support strategy in partnership with legal and communications.

  Our values and behaviours, underpinned by our Code of Conduct, inform our decision-making at all levels. For example, specific elements of our Code of Conduct define expectations for IHG employees in relation to human rights and the environment, and our Procurement, Legal and Risk teams monitor supply chain and human rights risks (see pages 24 and 25).

LOGO

Our risk managementIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202041


Strategic Report

Viability statement

The Covid-19 global pandemic has resulted in the worst ever period of trading for the hotel industry. The resilience of the Group’s fee-based model and wide geographic spread has however left it well-placed to manage through these challenging times. Our weighting towards upper midscale hotels in non-urban locations with low reliance on groups business has supported IHG’s performance. In addition to taking decisive action to reduce costs and protect IHG cash flows, we have also used IHG’s scale and expertise to support owners in reducing their costs and managing cash flows. As a result, Group free cash flow was $29m during 2020 and net debt has reduced by $136m through this challenging trading perioda.

We also entered the Covid-19 pandemic with a conservative balance sheet which has been managed with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating. This has supported covenant amendments which have been agreed as required through the year with minimal additional restrictions.

Although previous viability assessments had not considered a plausible scenario as severe as the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic, the resilience of the business has been demonstrated.

Looking forward, the Directors have determined that the three-year period to 31 December 2023 is an appropriate period to be covered by the Viability statement.

The Group’s annual planning process builds a three-year plan. The detailed three-year plan takes into consideration the principal risks, the Group’s strategy and current and emerging market conditions. That plan then forms the basis for strategic actions taken across the business. The plan is reviewed annually by the Directors. Once approved, the plan is then cascaded to the business and used to set performance metrics and objectives. Performance against those metrics and objectives is then regularly reviewed by the Directors.

There remains unusually limited visibility on the pace and scale of market recovery and therefore there are a wide range of possible planning scenarios over the three-year period considered in this review.

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have reviewed a number of scenarios, weighting downside risks that would threaten the business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity of the Group more heavily than opportunities.

Viability scenarios and assumptions

In performing the viability analysis, the Directors have considered a ‘Base Case’ scenario which is based on a gradual improvement in demand during 2021 as vaccines become more widely

available, and a steady but gradual improvement to the end of 2023 by when RevPAR is expected to reach 90% of 2019 levels. The assumptions applied in the viability assessment are consistent with those used for Group planning purposes and for impairment testing (see further detail on page 135).

The Directors have also considered a ‘Downside Case’ scenario, which assumes a slower impact from vaccine rollout and is based on the performance of the second half of 2020 continuing throughout 2021, with the recovery to 2019 levels starting in 2022.

The key assumption included in the three-year plan relates to RevPAR growth which is explained above. The Board has stated that consideration of dividends has been deferred until visibility of the pace and scale of the market recovery improves and for the purposes of this analysis no dividends have been assumed in the period under review.

Principal risks

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have considered the impact of the principal risks as outlined on pages 36 to 41. A large number of the principal risks would result in an impact on RevPAR which is the main scenario modelled in the ‘Downside Case’. These risks include: preferred brands and loyalty, leadership and talent, channel management and technology platforms, investment effectiveness and efficiency, macro external factors, environmental and social megatrends, safety and security and financial management and control systems.

There are other principal risks that could result in a large one-off incident that has a material impact on cash flow and the income statement. These include cybersecurity and information governance and legal, regulatory and ethical compliance. The impact of these has been considered in the viability assessment.

Funding

The Group has taken steps to strengthen its liquidity during 2020. The existing covenants on it’s syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (‘the bank facilities’) have been waived or amended until December 2022. See note 24 for further details.

The other assumptions relating to debt maturities are as follows:

The $1.35bn bank facilities mature in September 2023. It has been assumed that these facilities are renewed as they mature.

£600m of CCFF due in March 2021 is repaid on maturity.

£173m of bonds due in November 2022 are repaid on maturity.

No other new or additional financing has been assumed in the analysis performed.

Viability assessment

Under the Base Case the Group is forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 2021-2023 period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. The principal risks which could be applicable have been considered and are able to be absorbed within the $400m liquidity covenant and amended covenant requirements.

Under the Downside Case the Group is also forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 2021-2023 period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. In this scenario, the Group could be at risk of breaching the covenant requirements in 2023 (which have not been amended at this time). However, additional actions could be taken in order to mitigate this risk such as reductions in discretionary spend.

In the Downside Case, the Group has substantial levels of existing cash reserves available and is not expected to draw on the bank facilities. The Directors reviewed a reverse stress test scenario to determine how much additional RevPAR downside could be absorbed before utilisation of the bank facilities would be required. The Directors concluded that the outcome of the reverse stress test showed it was very unlikely the bank facilities would need to be drawn and therefore the Group does not need to rely on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities. This means that in the event the covenant test was failed, the bank facilities could be cancelled by the lenders but would not trigger a repayment demand which threatened the viability of the Group.

In the event that a further covenant amendment was required, the Directors believe it is reasonable to expect that such an amendment could be obtained based on their prior experience in relation to negotiating the 2020 amendments. The Group also has alternative options to manage this risk including raising additional funding in the capital markets.

In the event of additional or multiple principal risks occurring during the period of review e.g. continued depressed RevPAR and a widespread cybersecurity incident, it is expected that these risks could be absorbed within the liquidity headroom available without relying on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities.

Conclusion

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period to

31 December 2023, taking account of the Group’s current position, the Group’s strategy and the principal risks documented in the Strategic Report. Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2023.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP measures can be found on pages 47 to 51.

42IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Our KPIs are carefully selected to allow us to monitor the delivery of our strategy and long-term success. They remain organised around our refreshed strategy, which articulates our purpose and ambition and our four main priorities, (see page 16). KPIs are reviewed annually by senior management to ensure continued alignment to our strategy and are included in internal reporting and regularly monitored. Measures included are those considered most relevant

in assessing the performance of the business and relate to our growth agenda and commitment to our key stakeholders including owners, guests, employees, shareholders and the communities in which we work. KPIs should be read in conjunction with the other sections of the Strategic Report, and where applicable, references to specific relevant topics are noted against each KPI.

A guide to this KPI section

Link between KPIs and Director remuneration

Whilst performance was impacted by Covid-19 in 2020, our long-term focus remained to deliver high-quality growth and, as in prior years, Directors’ remuneration for 2020 was directly related to key aspects of our strategy. The following indicates which KPIs have impacted Directors’ remuneration:

LOGO The Annual Performance Plan

  70% was linked to operating profit from reportable segments

  30% was linked to strategic focus on improvements in net System size growth

LOGO The Long Term Incentive Plan

  40% was linked to Total Shareholder Return

  20% was linked to rooms growth

  20% was linked to total gross revenue growth

  20% was linked to cash flow generation

LOGO   For more information on Directors’ remuneration see pages 96 to 111.

Link to our strategy

In 2020 we evolved some key elements of our strategy (see pages 16 to 20 for more information). This evolution included definition of four strategic priorities, represented as follows:

LOGO

Build loved and

trusted brands

LOGO

Customer centric

in all we do

LOGO

Create digital

advantage

LOGO

Care for our people, communities and planet

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Net rooms supply

Net total number of rooms in the IHG System.

Increasing our rooms supply provides significant advantages of scale, including increasing the value of our loyalty programme. This measure is a key indicator of achievement of our growth agenda (see page 16).

LOGO

2020 status

Grew net System size by 0.3%, impacted by a slower pace of openings due to Covid-19 disruption to non-essential activity and removal of 16.7k rooms (102 hotels) associated with the SVC portfolioa, taking total rooms supply to 886,036 rooms. Net System size grew +2.2% excluding the impact of the SVC portfolio termination.

Signings of 56,146 rooms (360 hotels) represented almost one hotel a day but a decrease of 43% on 2019 levels, as Covid-19 disrupted all regions, particularly impacting Americas and EMEAA. Greater China maintained solid performance throughout 2020 with a reduction of only 21%.

Overall performance was driven by:

Signings

Gross total number of rooms added to the IHG pipeline.

Continued signings secure the future growth of our System and continued efficiencies of scale. Signings indicate our ability to deliver sustained growth (see page 16).

LOGO

  Continued strength of the Holiday Inn Brand Family with 47.3k rooms opened and 26.6k signed, representing half of all signings.

  Conversions, representing ~25% of all signings and ~25% of openings.

  Further growth of our recently launched brands with:

–  avid hotels adding 17 openings and 19 signings in 2020 taking the total estate to 24 hotels open with a further 192 in the pipeline;

–  voco hotels growing to 18 hotels opened by the end of 2020, with a total of 37 signed since launch. Openings included the first hotels in the Americas (three signings) and Greater China (two signings); and

–  Atwell Suites growing at pace, with nine further signings and breaking ground on the first hotel in Miami.

  Total removals of 36.9k including 2.1k rooms associated with a previously flagged portfolio in Germany, 16.7k rooms (102 hotels) associated with the SVC portfolioa, and ongoing focus on quality.

2021 priorities

  Continued focus on our ambition to deliver industry-leading net System size growth, whilst protecting our longer-term growth prospects by ensuring the health of our brands and consistent quality of the estate.

  Continue to scale avid hotels in the US and voco hotels globally.

  Open the first Atwell Suites hotels in the US and continue to scale the brand.

  Continue to expand our Luxury & Lifestyle offer through acquired brands Regent, Six Senses and Kimpton.

a

A portfolio of management agreements with Services Properties Trust (‘SVC’) was terminated on 30 November 2020.

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Key performance indicatorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202043


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Global RevPAR growth

Revenue per available room: rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available.

RevPAR growth indicates the increased value guests ascribe to our brands in the markets in which we operate and is a key measure widely used in our industry (see page 8).

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2020 status

  RevPAR declined by an unprecedented level due to the global impact of Covid-19 on domestic and international travel demand, with disruption throughout the year as countries around the world introduced travel restrictions to limit the spread of the pandemic.

  Throughout the crisis we supported owners to maximise revenues by:

–  Providing advice and support to help keep hotels open, including how to flex operations and reduce costs, or how to temporarily close and re-open most efficiently and effectively.

–  Coordinating Covid-related demand, such as government repurposing of hotels with enhancements made to demand driver mapping, rate loading and centralised booking to manage urgent and bespoke needs.

  Enterprise contribution (previously defined as system contribution) had been growing each year. However in 2020, as a direct result of Covid-19, a greater number of guests chose to phone hotels direct in order to check for the latest updates and availability, or drive straight to hotels without any advanced booking. Our Enterprise Contribution metric therefore declined marginally but the overall strength of our brand equity continued to be reflected in direct to hotel business.

  Enhanced and leveraged our technology and loyalty platforms and services to drive revenue by:

–  Optimising our Revenue Management for Hire (RMH) services using machine learning technology, to provide enhanced capabilities to help owners protect pricing and returns during periods of volatile demand.

–  Commencing rollout of digital check-in, implemented in over 1,000 properties, and digital check-out, implemented in 4,000 hotels worldwide, and piloted other mobile-enabled improvements including in-room dining orders.

–  Expanded pilot of attribute pricing via IHG Concerto platform, across regions and brands, ahead of full roll out in 2021.

–  Enhancing our Owner Engagement Portals to provide real-time scorecard metrics to our global owner community, including Guest Love measures, RevPAR, financial and operational performance with recommendations for action.

–  Commencing roll out of dynamic pricing for Reward Nights, with rates now set daily, enabling more than 80% of hotels to reduce their points pricing to deliver around 25% more value for guests outside of peak times, leading to increased penetration since launch.

  Further strengthened IHG Rewards by completing integration of Mr & Mrs Smith partnership, allowing members access to over 400 Mr & Mrs Smith hotels at which to earn and redeem points.

  Launched a new, sharper, more engaging identity under IHG Hotels & Resorts to strengthen perception, making a clearer connection to our hotels and better promoting the breadth of our portfolio.

2021 priorities

  Apply focused data analytics to drive more efficient and effective marketing to identify and target available demand during the recovery.

  Complete roll out of attribute pricing across the entire estate via IHG Concerto.

  Continue roll out of digital check-in to 4,500 hotels by the end of the year.

  Continue to develop strategic partnerships to enhance the value of our loyalty programme for members.

  Continue to innovate our loyalty offering including in-hotel experiences and brand integrations, to provide greater opportunities for our members to earn and redeem IHG Rewards points.

  Maintain our focus on increasing contribution from IHG Rewards members and through direct bookings via our website or call centres.

Growth in underlying fee revenuesa,b

Group revenue from reportable segments excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, stated at constant currency.

Underlying fee revenue growth demonstrates the continued attractiveness to owners and guests of IHG’s franchised and managed business (see page 13).

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Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s Systemb

Total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than for owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

The growth in gross revenue from IHG’s System illustrates the value of our overall System to our owners (see page 14).

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Enterprise contribution to revenuec

The percentage of room revenue booked through IHG managed channels and sources: direct via our websites, apps and call centres; through our interfaces with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and agreements with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs); other distribution partners directly connected to our reservation system; and Global Sales Office business or IHG Reward members that book directly at a hotel.

Enterprise contribution is one indicator of IHG value-add and the success of our technology platforms and our marketing, sales and loyalty distribution channels (see page 13).

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a

In 2019 the underlying fee revenue calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following a change in the definition of how we calculate constant currency. The 2017 and 2016 growth figures are not comparable and thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on pages 47 to 51 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 212 to 216. A reconciliation of total gross revenue to owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements can be found on page 53.

c

In 2020, changes were made to the calculation of enterprise contribution (previously system contribution) and 2019 was restated. This followed an enhanced level of analysis enabled by the roll out of the new Guest Reservation System (GRS). Restatement of years prior to the implementation of the GRS is not possible. The 2019 enterprise contribution of 76% is 3% lower than the 79% previously reported as system contribution under the prior calculation. We would not anticipate a material impact of the change in prior years.

44IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement indicator.

Guest satisfaction is fundamental to our continued success and is a key measure to monitor the risk of failing to deliver preferred brands that meet guests’ expectations (see page 37 for details).

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2020 status

  Guest satisfaction of 81.6% dropped minimally compared to 2019, a successful outcome given the substantial changes to the guest experience resulting from Covid-19. Additionally, the externally measured Guest Satisfaction Index (GSI) was net positive for IHG in 2020.

  Introduced additional Covid-19 cleanliness-specific guidance to protect our frontline hotel colleagues and enable them in turn to deliver clean and safe hotels for all our guests.

  Rolled out training, information and new equipment including social distancing operating procedures and signage, front desk screens, sanitiser stations and reduced contact at check-in.

  Enhanced IHG Way of Clean programme by partnering with industry leading experts to enhance guest safety and trust in our cleanliness and launched IHG Clean Promise.

  Leveraged our prior investment in the cloud-based Concerto GRS platform, implemented across the entire global estate, to remotely and rapidly deploy further technological developments to support a safe and secure guest experience and reduce unnecessary contact.

  Waived cancellation fees and created a Book Now Pay Later option and allowed members to keep status for 2020 to enhance the flexibility of our loyal guests.

  Launched a special Heroes rate for government workers, healthcare professionals, the military and other frontline worker groups.

2021 priorities

  Continue to invest in brand innovation, including room design and F&B enhancements to meet evolving guest needs.

  Ensure that, whilst driving strong rooms supply growth, we maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across our entire portfolio through a heightened focus on quality and cleanliness standards.

  Continue to invest behind digitisation of the guest journey and improve on-property processes to improve guest satisfaction and streamline hotel operations.

Fee margina,b

Operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding System Fund, reimbursement of costs, revenue and operating profit from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages, the results of the Group’s captive insurance company and exceptional items.

Our fee margin progression indicates the profitability of our fee revenue growth and benefit of our asset-light business model (see page 12).

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2020 status

  Fee margin was impacted by the substantial impacts of Covid-19 on fee revenue, however rapid cost actions taken across the business to protect profitability maintained fee margin in excess of 34%, despite the unprecedented disruption.

  Actions taken to reduce salary and incentives and challenge all areas of discretionary spend delivered ~$150m of fee business cost savings.

  Commenced activities to sustainably embed ~50% of 2020 costs savings through ongoing control of discretionary spend and a re-balancing of resources to meet expected demand.

2021 priorities

  Embed 50% of savings generated in 2020 (~$75m), continuing our strong cost and efficiency focus, whilst continuing to invest in growth initiatives.

  Continue to look for further operational efficiencies through greater application of technology.

Free cash flowb

Cash flow from operating activities excluding payments of contingent purchase consideration, less purchase of shares by employee share trusts, maintenance capital expenditure and lease payments.

Free cash flow provides funds to invest in the business, sustainably grow the dividend and return any surplus to shareholders (see page 15). It is a key component in measuring the ongoing viability of our business (see page 42).

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2020 status

  Free cash flow of $29m was down $480m year-on-year with significant reductions in revenues driven by Covid-19, together with a System Fund outflow, partially offset by cost saving measures taken across the Group and a working capital inflow, following proactive management through the year.

  Impact of Covid-19 on cash flow mitigated through cost saving actions taken across both the P&L and System Fund to reduce salaries and incentives and challenge discretionary spend.

  Gross capex reduced by $117m year-on-year to $148m outflow.

  Sustained focus on accounts receivable, cash management and liquidity through the crisis delivered positive free cash flow in 2020 and resulted in closing liquidity of ~$2.9bn.

2021 priorities

  Continued cost focus, maintaining challenge around all areas of discretionary spend and prioritising investment behind growth.

  Continued focus on accounts receivable to maintain robust cash position.

  Tightly controlled, disciplined capex deployment.

a

In 2019 the fee margin calculation was restated for 2017 onwards following implementation of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’. The 2016 figure is not comparable and is thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 47 to 51 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 212 to 216.

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Key performance indicatorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202045


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

KPIs2020 status and 2021 priorities

IHG® Academy

Number of people participating in IHG Academy programmes.

Sustained participation in the IHG Academy indicates the strength of our progress in creating career building opportunities and engagement with the communities in which we operate (see page 29).

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2020 status

  Covid-19 significantly impacted the vast majority of IHG Academy face-to-face offerings such as internships and work experience. In some locations we pivoted our offering to deliver online events, introducing participants to IHG and the hospitality industry through virtual challenges.

  Evolved our partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, offering young people opportunities to gain skills and experience, empowering them to consider career opportunities in the industry, pivoting to virtual solutions.

2021 priorities

  Continue to provide skills and improved employability through IHG Academy, ensuring a positive impact for local communities, our owners and IHG. We will flex our approach to delivery between face-to-face and virtual solutions depending on regional recovery.

  Launch a Global IHG Academy NGO Portal hosting a variety of resources bespoke to entry level participants. NGOs can use the resource to educate participants about the hospitality industry, increase their awareness of IHG, and develop their skills to ensure a great start in the hospitality industry.

  Drive quality growth in the programme through enabling our regional teams to measure impact through a robust reporting solution and convert IHG Academy hires into employees.

Carbon footprint per occupied room (CPOR)a

We work with our hotels to drive energy efficiency and carbon reductions across our estate. In 2017, we set ourselves a target to reduce CPOR by 6-7% by 2020. This is therefore the last reporting year against this target, while we shift our focus towards achieving our science-based carbon reduction targets to 2030 (see page 29).

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2020 status

  At the end of 2019, we reported a 5.9%a reduction in CPOR against our 2017 baseline, nearly meeting our three-year intensity target a year early.

  CPOR was significantly affected by the impacts of Covid-19 on our industry, and 2020 closed with a 10.2% increase against our 2017 baseline. Over the same period, our absolute carbon emissions fell by 23.6% (see page 29). This was largely due to the impacts of Covid-19, but also in part a result of targeted efforts in our estate to help minimise energy consumption during hotel closures and maximise energy efficiency at re-opening.

2021 priorities

  Continue to work with our hotels to maximise energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.

  Use a bespoke decarbonisation tool, developed with a third party during 2020, to model the possible impacts of different interventions on our carbon footprint and develop a roadmap to 2030.

  Enhance our environmental reporting systems, to continue building more robust and complete datasets, and providing more detailed performance insights and guidance for our hotels to support continuous improvement.

  Assess renewable energy opportunities for IHG to maximise/optimise the role of renewable energy in achieving our carbon reduction targets.

Employee engagement survey scoresb

Revised Colleague HeartBeat survey, completed by our corporate, customer reservations office and managed hotel general managers (excluding our joint ventures).

We measure employee engagement to monitor risks relating to talent (see page 38) and to help us understand the issues that are relevant to our people as we build a diverse and inclusive culture (see page 28).

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2020 status

  The 2020 score of 79% was 2% higher than external benchmarks.

  In response to the pandemic our priorities pivoted to developing training, tools and support to maintain colleague engagement during remote working and furlough, including flexible learning summits, ‘keeping in touch’ mechanisms and more frequent leadership communications.

  Prioritised support for employee health and wellbeing including:

–  creation of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), containing details of local support services that employees could call on;

–  launch of a resilience and wellbeing newsletter in Greater China plus online resources to assist our support centre employees; and

–  monthly dedicated ‘re-charge days’ from June to August for corporate employees to focus on health, wellbeing or personal development.

  Established ERGs to champion and drive our diverse, inclusive culture.

  Advanced our General Manager talent pipeline by developing new systems and processes to enable visibility of key talent in hotels.

2021 priorities

  Build our future career proposition to remain a leading employer within the industry via a compelling employer value proposition.

  Engage our corporate employees with our new behaviours to support our future strategy and cultural shifts.

  Continue to purposefully grow and develop our corporate Senior Leaders and General Managers to help lead our recovery strategy and future growth.

  Continue to build an inclusive culture and increase the diversity of our leadership and talent pipelines to enable IHG to maximise the talents and contributions of all employees.

a

Carbon intensity figures for 2017 to 2019 have been restated in a move to calendar reporting in 2020. Prior reported growth based on previous methodology. The 2016 figure could not be restated.

b

Due to the complexity of survey administration in hotels during the pandemic the employee engagement survey process was amended. The 2020 score reflects the results of a single survey and includes employees in corporate, reservations offices and general managers (in managed hotels). Prior results from 2017 to 2019 have been restated for comparability to exclude the results of surveys from the managed estate, other than general managers. The 2016 survey results could not be restated.

46IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Performance

Key performance measures (including Non-GAAP measures) used by management

The Annual Report and Form 20-F presents certain financial measures when discussing the Group’s performance which are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In management’s view these measures provide investors and other stakeholders with an enhanced understanding of IHG’s operating performance, profitability, financial strength and funding requirements. These measures do not have standardised meanings under IFRS, and companies do not necessarily calculate these in the same way. Accordingly, they should be viewed as complementary to, and not as a substitute for, the measures prescribed by IFRS and as included in the Group Financial Statements (see pages 126 to 132).

Linkage of performance measures to Directors’ remuneration and KPIsLOGO

See pages 96 to 111 for more

information on Directors’

remuneration and pages

43 to 46 for more

information on KPIs.

LOGOThe Annual Performance PlanLOGOThe Long Term Incentive PlanLOGOKey Performance Indicators

MeasureCommentary

Global revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth

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RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancy statistics are disclosed on pages 217 to 218.

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry.

RevPAR comprises IHG’s System (see Glossary, page 249) rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and ADR are presented on a comparable basis, comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels (including those acquired), hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. These measures include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s System

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Owned, leased and managed lease revenue as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to total gross revenue on page 53.

Total gross revenue is revenue not wholly attributable to IHG, however, management believes this measure is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as it provides a measure of System performance, giving an indication of the strength of IHG’s brands and the combined impact of IHG’s growth strategy and RevPAR performance.

Total gross revenue refers to revenue which IHG has a role in driving and from which IHG derives an income stream. IHG’s business model is described on pages 12 to 15. Total gross revenue comprises:

  total rooms revenue from franchised hotels;

  total hotel revenue from managed hotels including food and beverage, meetings and other revenues and reflects the value IHG drives to managed hotel owners by optimising the performance of their hotels; and

  total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Other than total hotel revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, total gross hotel revenue is not revenue attributable to IHG as these managed and franchised hotels are owned by third parties.

Revenue and operating profit measures

The reconciliation of the most directly comparable line item within the Group Financial Statements (i.e. total revenue and operating profit, accordingly) to the non-IFRS revenue and operating profit measures is included on pages 212 to 215.

Revenue and operating profit from (1) fee business and (2) owned, leased and managed lease hotels, are described as ‘revenue from reportable segments’ and ‘operating profit from reportable segments’, respectively, within note 2 to the Group Financial Statements. These measures are presented for each of the Group’s regions.

Management believes revenue and operating profit from reportable segments is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as it excludes the following elements and reflects how management monitors the business:

  System Fund – the Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, but is managed for the benefit of the hotels within the IHG System. As described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 139), the System Fund is operated to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System and hotel loyalty programme.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202047


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Revenue and operating profit measures continued

  Revenues related to the reimbursement of costs – as described within the Group’s accounting policies (page 139), there is a cost equal to these revenues so there is no profit impact. Cost reimbursements are not applicable to all hotels and growth in these revenues is not reflective of growth in the performance of the Group. As such, management do not include these revenues in their analysis of results.

  Exceptional items – these are identified by virtue of either their size, nature, or incidence and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and reorganisation costs. As each item is different in nature and scope, there will be little continuity in the detailed composition and size of the reported amounts which affect performance in successive periods. Separate disclosure of these amounts facilitates the understanding of performance including and excluding such items.

In further discussing the Group’s performance in respect of revenue and operating profit, additional non-IFRS measures are used and explained further below:

  Underlying revenue;

  Underlying operating profit;

  Underlying fee revenue; and

  Fee margin.

Operating profit measures are, by their nature, before interest and tax. Management believes such measures are useful for investors and other stakeholders when comparing performance across different companies as interest and tax can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be highly dependent on a company’s capital structure, debt levels and credit ratings. In addition, the tax positions of companies can vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the various jurisdictions in which they operate.
Although management believes these measures are useful to investors and other stakeholders in assessing the Group’s ongoing financial performance and provide improved comparability between periods, there are limitations in their use as compared to measures of financial performance under IFRS. As such, they should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for IFRS measures. In addition, these measures may not necessarily be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

These measures adjust revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, respectively, to exclude revenue and operating profit generated by owned, leased and managed lease hotels which have been disposed, and significant liquidated damages, which are not comparable year-on-year and are not indicative of the Group’s ongoing profitability. The revenue and operating profit of current year acquisitions are also excluded as these obscure underlying business results and trends when comparing to the prior year. In addition, in order to remove the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange, which would distort the comparability of the Group’s operating performance, prior year measures are restated at constant currency using current year exchange rates.

Management believes these are meaningful to investors and other stakeholders to better understand comparable year-on-year trading and enable assessment of the underlying trends in the Group’s financial performance.

Underlying fee revenue growth

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Underlying fee revenue is used to calculate underlying fee revenue growth. Underlying fee revenue is calculated on the same basis as underlying revenue as described above but for the fee business only.
Management believes underlying fee revenue is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as an indicator of IHG’s ability to grow the core fee-based business, aligned to IHG’s asset-light strategy.

48IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Measure

Commentary

Fee margin

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Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates and is a measure of the profit arising from fee revenue. Fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profit are calculated from the revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, as defined above, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the Group’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages.
In addition, fee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to match the expected claims over the longer term (see page 138 to the Group Financial Statements), and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to better depict the profitability of the fee business.
Management believes fee margin is meaningful to investors and other stakeholders as an indicator of the sustainable long-term growth in the profitability of IHG’s core fee-based business, as the scale of IHG’s operations increases with growth in IHG’s System size.

Adjusted interest

Financial income and financial

expenses as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted interest on page 216.

Adjusted interest is presented before exceptional items and excludes the following items of interest which are recorded within the System Fund:

  IHG records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG.

  The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System.

As the Fund is included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses, reducing the Group’s effective interest cost. Given results related to the System Fund are excluded from adjusted measures used by management, these are excluded from adjusted interest and adjusted earnings per ordinary share (see below).

Management believes adjusted interest is a meaningful measure for investors and other stakeholders as it provides an indication of the comparable year-on-year expense associated with financing the business including the interest on any balance held on behalf of the System Fund.

Tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund

A reconciliation of the tax charge as recorded in the Group Financial Statements to tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund can be found in note 8 to the Group Financial Statements on page 158.

As outlined above, exceptional items can vary year-on-year and, where subject to tax at a different rate than the Group as a whole, they can therefore impact the current year’s tax charge. The System Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term and is, in general, not subject to tax either.

Management believes removing these provides a better view of the Group’s underlying tax rate on ordinary operations and aids comparability year-on-year, thus providing a more meaningful understanding of the Group’s ongoing tax charge.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share as recorded in the Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted earnings per ordinary share in note 10 to the Group Financial Statements on page 163.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share adjusts the profit available for equity holders used in the calculation of basic earnings per share to remove System Fund revenue and expenses, the items of interest related to the System Fund as excluded in adjusted interest (above), change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration, exceptional items, and the related tax impacts of such adjustments.

Management believes that adjusted earnings per share is a meaningful measure for investors and other stakeholders as it provides a more comparable earnings per share measure aligned with how management monitors the business.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202049


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Measure

Commentary

Net debt

Net debt is included in note 23 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net debt is used in the monitoring of the Group’s liquidity and capital structure and is used by management in the calculation of the key ratios attached to the Group’s bank covenants and with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating (see page 14 for further discussion). Net debt is used by investors and other stakeholders to evaluate the financial strength of the business.
Net debt comprises loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

Adjusted EBITDA

Operating profit recorded in the

Group Financial Statements is reconciled to adjusted EBITDA on page 216.

Adjusted EBITDA has been added as a measure in 2020 as it has become an increasingly useful measure to investors for comparing the performance of different companies.

One of the key measures used by the Group in monitoring its debt and capital structure is the net debt: adjusted EBITDA ratio, which is managed with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating. The Group has a stated aim of maintaining this ratio at 2.5-3.0x. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating profit, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses, exceptional items and depreciation and amortisation.
Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and other stakeholders for comparing the performance of different companies as depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items are eliminated. It can also be used as an approximation of operational cash flow generation. This measure is relevant to the Group’s banking covenants, which have been waived until 31 December 2021. Details of covenant levels and performance against these is provided in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements. The leverage ratio uses a Covenant EBITDA measure which is calculated on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis, which excludes the effect of IFRS 16.

Gross capital expenditure, net capital expenditure, free cash flow

The reconciliation of the Group’s statement of cash flows (i.e. net cash from investing activities, net cash from operating activities, accordingly) to the non-IFRS capital expenditure and cash flow measures are included on pages 215 to 216.

These measures have limitations as they omit certain components of the overall cash flow statement. They are not intended to represent IHG’s residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, nor do they reflect the Group’s future capital commitments. These measures are used by many companies, but there can be differences in how each company defines the terms, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. Therefore, it is important to view these measures only as a complement to the Group statement of cash flows.

Gross capital expenditureGross capital expenditure represents the consolidated capital expenditure of IHG inclusive of System Fund capital investments (see page 15 for a description of System Fund capital investments and recent examples).
Gross capital expenditure is defined as net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (key money). In order to demonstrate the capital outflow of the Group, cash flows arising from any disposals or distributions from associates and joint ventures are excluded. The measure also excludes any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions.
Gross capital expenditure is reported as either maintenance, recyclable, or System Fund. This disaggregation provides useful information as it enables users to distinguish between:

  System Fund capital investments which are strategic investments to drive growth at hotel level;

  recyclable investments (such as investments in associates and joint ventures), which are intended to be recoverable in the medium term and are to drive the growth of the Group’s brands and expansion in priority markets; and

  maintenance capital expenditure (including contract acquisition costs), which represents a permanent cash outflow.

Management believes gross capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates how the Group continues to invest in the business to drive growth. It also allows for comparison year-on-year.

50IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Measure

Commentary

Net capital expenditureNet capital expenditure provides an indicator of the capital intensity of IHG’s business model. Net capital expenditure is derived from net cash from investing activities, adjusted to include contract acquisition costs (net of repayments) and to exclude any material investments made in acquiring businesses, including any subsequent payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within investing activities, which represent ongoing payments for acquisitions. Net capital expenditure includes the inflows arising from any disposal receipts, or distributions from associates and joint ventures.
In addition, System Fund depreciation and amortisation relating to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, respectively, is added back, reducing the overall cash outflow. This reflects the way in which System Funded capital investments are recharged to the System Fund, over the life of the asset (see page 15).
Management believes net capital expenditure is a useful measure as it illustrates the net capital investment by IHG, after taking into account capital recycling through asset disposal and the funding of strategic investments by the System Fund. It provides investors and other stakeholders with visibility of the cash flows which are allocated to long-term investments to drive the Group’s strategy.

Free cash flow

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Free cash flow is net cash from operating activities adjusted for: (1) the inclusion of the cash outflow arising from the purchase of shares by employee share trusts reflecting the requirement to satisfy incentive schemes which are linked to operating performance; (2) the inclusion of maintenance capital expenditure (excluding contract acquisition costs); (3) the inclusion of the principal element of lease payments; and (4) the exclusion of payments of deferred or contingent purchase consideration included within net cash from operating activities.
In 2016, free cash flow was also adjusted for the cash receipt arising from the renegotiation of a long-term partnership agreement.
Management believes free cash flow is a useful measure for investors and other stakeholders, as it represents the cash available to invest back into the business to drive future growth and pay the ordinary dividend, with any surplus being available for additional returns to shareholders.

LOGOThe performance review should be read in conjunction with the Non-GAAP
reconciliations on pages 212 to 218 and the Glossary on pages 248 to 249.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202051


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group

Group results

                             12 months ended 31 December 
                                   2020
$m
                                  2019
$m
                     2020 vs 2019
% change
                                  2018
$m
                     2019 vs 2018 
% change 
Revenuea                            
Americas    512     1,040     (50.8    1,051    (1.0)
EMEAA    221     723     (69.4    569    27.1 
Greater China    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Central    182     185     (1.6    170    8.8 
Revenue from reportable segments    992     2,083     (52.4    1,933    7.8 
System Fund revenues    765     1,373     (44.3    1,233    11.4 
Reimbursement of costs    637     1,171     (45.6    1,171    – 
Total revenue    2,394     4,627     (48.3    4,337    6.7 
Operating profita                            
Americas    296     700     (57.7    673    4.0 
EMEAA    (50    217     (123.0    206    5.3 
Greater China    35     73     (52.1    70    4.3 
Central    (62    (125    (50.4    (117   6.8 
Operating profit from reportable segments    219     865     (74.7    832    4.0 
System Fund result    (102    (49    108.2     (146   (66.4)
Operating profit before exceptional items    117     816     (85.7    686    19.0 
Operating exceptional items    (270)     (186    45.2     (104   78.8 
Operating (loss)/profit    (153)     630     (124.3    582    8.2 
Net financial expenses    (140)     (115    21.7     (96   19.8 
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration    13     27     (51.9    (4   (775.0)
(Loss)/profit before tax    (280)     542     (151.7    482    12.4 
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share                            
Basic    (142.9)¢     210.4¢     (167.9    183.7¢    14.5 
Adjustedb    31.3¢     303.3¢     (89.7    293.2¢    3.4 
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate    $1: £0.78     $1: £0.78          $1: £0.75    4.0 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2020

Covid-19 significantly impacted IHG’s financial performance in 2020, resulting in large RevPAR declines in all regions, commencing in the first quarter as governments across the globe successively imposed significant and wide-reaching restrictions on mobility between and within countries. The peak impact to the Group was witnessed at the beginning of the second quarter at the point where travel and movement restrictions were in place across much of the US and Europe, whilst domestic travel restrictions were starting to be lifted in China. Many hotels were temporarily closed during the height of the first wave of the pandemic with ~15% of IHG’s global estate shut by the end of April. Performance improved into the third quarter, driven by increases in domestic travel in countries that had lifted restrictions, including the US, where our performance has been ahead of

the industry. As Covid-19 cases rose through the fourth quarter, particularly in the US and Europe, varying levels of restrictions were reintroduced in several countries, resulting in a slowing in the pace of RevPAR recovery.

Overall, Group comparable RevPARc declined 25% in the first quarter, 75% in the second quarter, 53% in the third quarter, 53% in the fourth quarter and 53% in the full year, all compared to the prior year.

During the year ended 31 December 2020, total revenue decreased by $2,223m (48.3%) to $2,394m, whilst revenue from reportable segments decreased by $1,091m (52.4%) to $992m, due to the significant and wide-ranging impacts of Covid-19 on both fee revenue and revenues from owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Operating profit decreased by $783m (124.3%) to a loss of $153m and profit before tax decreased by $822m (151.7%) to a loss of $280m, driven predominantly by materially lower fee

revenues, significantly lower revenues in the owned, leased and managed lease estate, coupled with a $53m decrease the System Fund result to a $102m deficit, a $84m net increase in operating exceptional charges, and an increase in expected credit losses. These reductions in revenue and increases in charges were partially offset by rapid and decisive action by management to mitigate against the scale and speed of trading disruption through limiting discretionary spend, reducing salaries and incentives, and other targeted cost reductions. The $270m operating exceptional charge was driven principally by: $274m of impairment charges including $48m recognised in relation to trade deposits and loans, $53m recognised in relation to contract assets, $48m recognised in relation to acquired management agreements and $90m recognised in relation to property, plant and equipment, substantially all relating to owned and leased hotel assets. Additionally,

a

Americas and EMEAA include revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Greater China includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from fee business.

b

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

c

Comparable RevPAR includes the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

52IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



a $52m credit was recognised in related to the derecognition or termination of certain leases. Detail of impairments is described in note 6 of the Group Financial Statements and on pages 135 to 137.

Operating profit from reportable segments decreased by $646m (74.7%) to $219m.

Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit decreased by $1,071m (52.0%) and $635m (74.7%) respectively.

IHG System size increased by 0.3% to 886,036 rooms, increasing by 2.2% excluding the impact of the exit of hotels associated with the SVC portfolio, whilst underlying fee revenuea decreased by 45.0%.

Fee margina decreased by 20.0 percentage points to 34.1%, impacted by the significant reduction in fee revenue driven by Covid-19, partially offset by targeted cost reductions.

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by (167.9)% to a loss per ordinary share of (142.9)¢, whilst adjusteda earnings per ordinary share decreased by 89.7% to 31.3¢.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

Accounting principles

The Group results are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The application of IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions, and those considered critical to the preparation of the Group results are set out on pages 134 to 137 of the Group Financial Statements.

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. For comparability of the periods presented, some of the performance indicators in this performance review are calculated after eliminating these exceptional items. An analysis of exceptional items is included in note 6 on page 154 of the Group Financial Statements.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System

     12 months ended 31 December 
    

 

 

 

                2020

$bn

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

                2019

$bn

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

%

           change

 

 

b 

Analysed by brand                         
InterContinental    2.0      5.1      (60.2
Kimpton    0.4      1.4      (71.2
HUALUXE    0.1      0.1      5.3 
Crowne Plaza    1.8      4.3     ��(57.3
Hotel Indigo    0.3      0.6      (56.9
EVEN Hotels    0.0      0.1      (66.8
Holiday Inn    2.8      6.3      (55.0
Holiday Inn Express    4.2      7.3      (42.4
Staybridge Suites    0.7      1.0      (32.8
Candlewood Suites    0.7      0.9      (22.3
Other    0.5      0.8      (41.1
Total    13.5      27.9      (51.5
Analysed by ownership type                    
Fee business    13.3      27.3      (51.1
Owned, leased and managed lease    0.2      0.6      (70.6
Total    13.5      27.9      (51.5

b  Year-on-year percentage movement calculated from source figures, to provide better illustration of relative impact of Covid-19 on brands and on fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System decreased by 51.5% (51.4% decrease at constant currency) to $13.5bn, due to the significant RevPAR decline of 52.5% driven by the global impact of Covid-19.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202053


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group continued

Group hotel and room count

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December                 2020          over 2019                 2020          over 2019 
Analysed by brand                               
Six Senses     16      (2    1,129      (319
Regent     7      1     2,190      187 
InterContinental     205      (7    69,941      (1,040
Kimpton     73      7     13,085      39 
HUALUXE     12      3     3,433      723 
Crowne Plaza     429      (2    118,879      (1,703
Hotel Indigo     125      7     15,604      1,030 
EVEN Hotels     16      3     2,410      461 
voco     18      6     5,077      784 
Holiday Inna     1,276      (8    236,554      (3,340
Holiday Inn Express     2,966      91     309,487      10,253 
avid hotels     24      17     2,156      1,521 
Staybridge Suites     303      3     32,895      262 
Candlewood Suites     366      (44    32,435      (5,897
Otherb     128      (14    40,761      (488
Total     5,964      61     886,036      2,473 
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     5,005      135     627,348      12,374 
Managed     936      (71    253,288      (8,965
Owned, leased and managed lease     23      (3    5,400      (936
Total     5,964      61     886,036      2,473 

During 2020, the global IHG System (the number of hotels and rooms which are franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease) increased by 61 hotels (2,473 rooms) to 5,964 hotels (886,036 rooms).

Openings of 285 hotels (39,392 rooms) was 30.7% lower than in 2019, impacted by large periods of restriction on non-essential activity in major markets. Openings in the Americas included 96 hotels (8,945 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family. 61 hotels (11,288 rooms) were opened in EMEAA in 2020, with the Greater China region also

contributing openings of 57 hotels (11,358 rooms). 224 hotels (36,919 rooms) left the IHG System in 2020, of which 102 hotels (16,655 rooms) related to SVC and 13 hotels (2,118 rooms) related to a portfolio of hotels in Germany. This compared to 111 hotels (18,198 rooms) that left the IHG System in 2019.

a

Includes 47 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,446 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,679 rooms), (2019: 46 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,502 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms)).

b

Includes three open hotels that will be re-branded to voco.

Total number of hotels

5,964

Total number of rooms

886,036

54IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020




Group pipeline

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December                 2020        over 2019                 2020          over 2019 
Analysed by brand                               
Six Senses     31      6     2,239      469 
Regent     6      1     1,535      591 
InterContinental     69      4     17,774      756 
Kimpton     32      (1    6,265      62 
HUALUXE     25      3     6,907      727 
Crowne Plaza     89      1     24,228      (278
Hotel Indigo     104      3     15,704      556 
EVEN Hotels     31      5     5,046      704 
voco     29      12     8,179      1,959 
Holiday Inna     262      (13    51,163      (1,746
Holiday Inn Express     683      (71    87,152      (8,722
avid hotels     192      (15    17,526      (1,542
Staybridge Suites     155      (27    17,490      (3,244
Candlewood Suites     73      (18    6,369      (1,817
Atwell Suites     19      9     1,849      849 
Otherb     15      (2    2,631      (310
Total     1,815      (103    272,057      (10,986
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     1,310      (101    159,068      (7,573
Managed     504      (2    112,834      (3,413
Owned, leased and managed lease     1           155       
Total     1,815      (103    272,057      (10,986

At the end of 2020, the global pipeline totalled 1,815 hotels (272,057 rooms), a decrease of 103 hotels (10,986 rooms) on 31 December 2019. The IHG pipeline represents hotels where a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid.

Group signings decreased from 623 hotels in 2019 to 360 hotels and rooms decreased from 97,754 rooms to 56,146 rooms, as movement restrictions, enforced hotel closures and the shock to the global economy caused by Covid-19 reduced the pace of signings across the hospitality industry. Signings in 2020 included 180

hotels (26,600 rooms) signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, over half of which were contributed by Greater China (94 hotels, 16,692 rooms). Conversions represented 25.2% of Group signings in 2020.

Active management of the pipeline to remove deals that have become dormant or no longer viable reduced the pipeline by 178 hotels (27,740 rooms), compared to 153 hotels (20,439 rooms) in 2019.

a

Includes 34 Holiday Inn Resort properties (7,251 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms), (2019: 29 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,335 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (110 rooms)).

b

Includes one hotel to be branded as a voco.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

1,815

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

272,057

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202055


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Regional review

The performance, plans and priorities of each of our regions have been impacted to a different extent by Covid-19, in terms of both the length and severity of disruption.

IHG’s response was shaped by our purpose of True Hospitality for Good, with each region implementing the IHG Clean Promise and developing policies, operating procedures, brand standards and training programmes to protect the health and safety of guests and colleagues. In each region, plans were developed to support owners to reduce costs and protect cash flow by relaxing brand standards, temporarily reducing fees and helping owners meet the challenge of closing and reopening hotels safely. At the same time, each region developed commercial and operational plans to support their recovery to benefit all stakeholders. These measures continue into 2021 regional priorities, with a focus on customer centricity, maximising owner returns by making sustainable savings in hotel operating costs and driving improved guest satisfaction through quality improvements. The information set out below describes each region’s delivery against our strategic priorities and measures taken to respond to Covid-19, the following pages describe each region’s 2020 performance.

2020 review

Americas

 Ensured hotels were delivering on Covid-19 health and safety measures and the IHG Clean Promise by developing a virtual process to monitor compliance to our new standards; audited over 4,000 hotels in the region in a few short months.

 Worked with the highest levels of the US government to advocate for small business funding and assisted our owners with resources to apply for federal funds.

 Assisted communities by partnering with #FirstRespondersFirst and donated 50 million IHG Rewards points to provide free accommodation at hotels across the United States for frontline Covid-19 first responders.

 Captured domestic travel demand and achieved strong share gains across our brands in the midscale segments, which demonstrated resilience during the crisis.

 Strengthened the overall portfolio with 137 new signings and 167 openings driven by Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, and our Suites brands.

 Achieved several brand milestones with the opening of the first voco in the Americas (New York City), first avid in Mexico, and first Kimpton in Mexico.

EMEAA

 Supported hotel owners and colleagues throughout Covid-19, focusing on the health and safety of our hotel colleagues and providing cost management solutions for our owners.

 EMEAA’s operating model continued to unlock high-value growth opportunities, opening 61 hotels and signing 82. Highlights included the expansion of Kimpton to eight open hotels, voco to 16 and Hotel Indigo to 46, as well as eight InterContinental signings. The total EMEAA estate reached 1,149 hotels with 389 in the pipeline.

 Continued focus on delivering operations efficiency for our owners, simplifying brand standards, reducing procurement costs, and continuously strengthening our approach to commercial and operational hotel support.

 Built great momentum behind critical guest experience initiatives, with a focus on quality, service and cleanliness (IHG Way of Clean programme), resulting in increased Guest Love scores across EMEAA.

 Engaged and supported employees through a wide range of pan-regional initiatives focused on mental and physical wellbeing; continued to develop and prioritise our diversity and inclusion agenda.

Greater China

 Responding to the outbreak of Covid-19, we successfully implemented the IHG Clean Promise measured through improvements in guest satisfaction scores, and developed data driven commercial and operational plans to drive business recovery.

 Achieved brand milestones with opening of our 100th franchise hotel, 200th Holiday Inn Express, 100th Crowne Plaza, 50th InterContinental and launch of EVEN and voco brands.

 Strengthened market presence of IHG brand portfolio in Greater China, with 141 signings and 57 openings, including many iconic properties in key markets such as the Regent Shanghai Pudong, InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City, voco Hangzhou Binjiang Minghao and Hualuxe Shanghai Twelve at Hengshan.

 Launched mobile booking and payment solutions, a corporate travel portal and an industry first tri-party credit card.

 Developed and implemented a Franchise Performance Support platform that delivers owner and hotel solutions, focused on driving operating performance with revenue tools and support.

 Received the Magnolia Award in recognition of IHG’s contribution to Shanghai’s development and international cooperation.

56IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

Staybridge, Washington DC, US  Hotel Indigo, Bath, UK            Holiday Inn Express, Macau City
            Centre, Macau SAR

2021 priorities

Americas

 Continue to lead our hotels through recovery to capture share from industries that are seeing increased demand including construction, engineering, technology, communications, education and medical services.

 Build on the momentum of our most recent brand launches and targeted transformations:

–  continue the growth of avid hotels, Atwell Suites and EVEN Hotels;

–  expand voco to capture the opportunity of increased hotel conversions in the coming years;

–  sustain focus on quality and consistency of estate, including established brands Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza; and

–  expand our luxury and lifestyle footprint and open our first Six Senses in the region.

 Maximise owner returns by identifying opportunities for efficiencies in hotel construction and operations.

 Expand contactless check-in and check-out, and explore additional technology solutions to improve the guest experience.

 Strengthen our focus on diversity and inclusion by increasing representation of ethnically diverse employees, rolling out mandatory unconscious bias training, and enhancing our partnerships in the community.

EMEAA

 Continue to support our owners, guests and colleagues through Covid-19 recovery, focused on driving domestic demand, generating best-in-class returns for our owners and developing capabilities within our teams.

 Execute and deliver the EMEAA growth strategy, expanding our market-leading, loved and trusted brands with a continued focus on quality and guest satisfaction.

 Continue to maximise owner returns on investment across EMEAA by focusing on labour efficiency, energy, procurement, technology and brand standards.

 Deliver value throughout the region with the execution of an innovative digital strategy which utilises the data, insights, technology and platforms required to make us attractive to guests and drive performance for owners.

 Refresh our talent management process to ensure we attract the best talent into critical roles throughout EMEAA, whilst ensuring our region is more diverse, inclusive and supportive for everyone.

 Extend leadership pipeline to support growth and our future state operating model, including strengthening at the hotel level (General Manager and hotel Senior Leadership teams).

Greater China

 Deploy and deliver the Greater China Covid-19 recovery plan, focusing on providing a safe and clean environment for our guests and communities and generating best-in-class returns for our owners.

 Continue to execute the growth strategy across midscale segments and penetrate fast growing cities and leisure destinations in South and East China.

 Deliver the Greater China digital strategy, focused on mobile digital solutions across the end-to-end guest journey.

 Scale our franchise model, strengthen owner and hotel support that delivers customised brand learning and certification programmes, revenue dashboards and insights, and proactive deployment support.

 Adapt our owner offer across the hotel lifecycle in response to changing market dynamics and owner needs.

 Continue to strengthen IHG Rewards programme through strategic partner alliances and market relevant membership benefits that drive loyalty contribution.

 Continue our talent development momentum to support growth.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202057


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas

LOGO

“During the most challenging time in our industry’s history we are focused on the health and safety of our guests and colleagues, and supporting our owners. We’ve continued to see confidence in our established brands and maintained the momentum of our newest brands, avid® hotels and Atwell Suites, as well as introducing the voco brand to the Americas.”

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Americas revenue 2020 ($512m)

LOGO

Americas number of rooms (514,012)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business
InterContinental(71.0%)
Kimpton(69.7%)
Crowne Plaza(65.1%)
Hotel Indigo(57.0%)
EVEN Hotels(74.2%)
Holiday Inn(52.0%)
Holiday Inn Express(41.6%)
Staybridge Suites(36.0%)
Candlewood Suites(23.0%)
All brands(48.5%)
Owned, leased and managed lease
EVEN Hotels(62.0%)
Holiday Inn(62.2%)
All brands(62.1%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in the Americas declined by 51.5%, driven by a 25.3 percentage point (ppt) decline in occupancy coupled with a 20.6% decline in average daily rate. Occupancy was impacted to an unprecedented extent by Covid-19, falling to a record low in April, as most international travel halted, and countries introduced varying levels of domestic restrictions. Room demand fell by 38.1%, whilst supply growth slowed to 1.3% as some projects were delayed or cancelled.

US lodging industry room demand declined by 35.7% in 2020, whilst supply growth slowed to 1.4%, the lowest in four years. US industry RevPAR declined by 50.1% in 2020, driven by a 24.1ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 21.3% decline in average daily rate. The impact of Covid-19 was felt most strongly in the luxury and upper upscale segments, which declined 67.2% and 67.5% respectively, due to a greater distribution in urban markets and a greater reliance on corporate and group business. The US upper midscale chain scale, where the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands operate, was more resilient to the impact of Covid-19, declining by 43.8%.

In Canada, industry RevPAR declined by 62.6%, driven by a 33.8ppt occupancy decline, and a 21.5% decline in average daily rate. In Mexico, RevPAR declined by 57.1%, led by a 33.6ppt occupancy decline and a 4.6% decline in average daily rate.

Holiday Inn Cheshire –

Southington, US

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in the Americas declined by 48.5%, driven by a 26.5ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.2% decline in average daily rate. The region is predominantly represented by the US, where comparable RevPAR declined by 46.9%, a lower rate of decline than the industry. In the US, we are most represented by our upper midscale brands Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. US RevPAR for the Holiday Inn Express brand declined by 40.3%, whilst the Holiday Inn brand declined by 50.0%.

Canada RevPAR declined by 62.2%, whilst Mexico RevPAR declined by 57.2%, led by occupancy declines.

LOGO

58IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Americas results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

          2020

$m

     

            2019

$m

     2020 vs
2019
    % change
     

          2018

$m

     

2019 vs 

2018 
    % change 

Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    457     853     (46.4    853    –  
Owned, leased and managed lease    55     187     (70.6    198    (5.6)
Total    512     1,040     (50.8    1,051    (1.0)
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    323     663     (51.3    638    3.9 
Owned, leased and managed lease    (27    37     (173.0    35    5.7 
     296     700     (57.7    673    4.0 
Operating exceptional items    (118    (62    90.3     (36   72.2 
Operating profit    178     638     (72.1    637    0.2 

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

With 4,298 hotels (514,012 rooms), the Americas represents 58% of the Group’s room count. The key profit-generating region is the US, although the Group is also represented in Latin America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 92% of rooms in the region are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our brands in the midscale segments (including the Holiday Inn Brand Family). In the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised whereas, in the luxury market segment, InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under both franchise and management agreements, whilst Kimpton is predominantly managed. 12 of the Group’s 16 hotel brands are represented in the Americas.

Following solid trading in the first two months of 2020, Covid-19 rapidly impacted the Americas region from March leading to sharp declines in RevPAR across the region. Occupancy levels dropped to historic lows in April, as physical distancing and travel restrictions came into effect across the region, with ~10% of hotels closed in the US by the end of April. In the US, occupancyb was ~20% at the lowest point.

As the second quarter progressed and restrictions began to be lifted, the beginnings of a recovery were seen in both RevPAR and occupancy. By the end of June the majority of hotels had reopened with just ~3% of US hotels closed and occupancyb in the US of ~42%. The initial recovery continued into the third quarter, led by the US franchised estate, which benefits from a weighting towards hotels in the midscale segments. Those hotels derive the majority

of their business from domestic demand and have a lower reliance on large group business and higher distribution in non-urban markets. The recovery continued into the fourth quarter at a slower pace, as a resurgence in Covid-19 cases led to the reinstatement of restrictions in a number of locations across the US. By the end of the year only ~1% of hotels were closed in the US.

Comparable RevPARb in the Americas declined 19% in the first quarter of 2020, 71% in the second quarter, 50% in the third quarter and 50% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 49% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $528m (50.8%) to $512m, driven by the impacts of Covid-19. Operating profit decreased by $460m (72.1%) to $178m, driven by the reduction in revenue, and a $56m net increase in operating exceptional charges, partially offset by cost saving measures. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $404m (57.7%) to $296m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue decreased by $523m (50.5%), whilst underlyingc operating profit decreased by $400m (57.5%).

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segmenta are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenuec decreased by $396m (46.4%) to $457m, driven by the significant impact of Covid-19 from March onwards on RevPAR and consequently fee revenues, including an $8m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees, and was also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($5m). Fee business operating profitc decreased by $340m

(51.3%) to $323m, due to reductions in fee revenue and an increase in expected credit losses, partially offset by cost savings commencing in the second quarter. Fee business operating profitc also benefited from a $4m favourable litigation settlement relating to one hotel, and the recognition of an $8m payroll tax credit, and was also partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($4m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenuec decreased by $132m (70.6%) to $55m, as the majority of hotels were closed during much of the second quarter, whilst owned, leased and managed lease operating profitc decreased by $64m (173.0%) to a loss of $27m, driven by the impact of lower occupancy and closures, partially offset by the implementation of cost savings and the benefit of $4m business interruption insurance at one hotel. There was no material impact of foreign exchanged on either revenue or operating profit.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Americas reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2020.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202059


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Americas continued

Americas hotel and room count

      Hotels     Rooms 
At 31 December             2020      Change
over 2019
     2020      Change
over 2019
 
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental         46          (5        16,789          (1,107
Kimpton     64      3     11,097      (900
Crowne Plaza     136      (13    35,405      (4,470
Hotel Indigo     67      3     8,793      526 
EVEN Hotels     15      2     2,239      290 
voco     1      1     49      49 
Holiday Inna     766      (17    130,942      (4,344
Holiday Inn Express     2,425      57     220,342      5,349 
avid hotels     24      17     2,156      1,521 
Staybridge Suites     285      2     30,057      (187
Candlewood Suites     366      (44    32,435      (5,897
Otherb     103      (15    23,708      (1,465
Total     4,298      (9    514,012      (10,635
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     4,105      97     471,802      6,537 
Managed     187      (105    40,391      (16,769
Owned, leased and managed lease     6      (1    1,819      (403
Total     4,298      (9    514,012      (10,635

a

Includes 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,679 rooms), (2019: 22 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,003 rooms) and 28 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (8,592 rooms)).

b

Includes one open hotel that will be re-branded to voco.

Americas pipeline

      Hotels     Rooms 
             Change            Change 
At 31 December             2020      over 2019     2020      over 2019 
Analysed by brand                           
Six Senses     7      2     519      97 
InterContinental         7          –           1,724          175 
Kimpton     20      (1    3,483      24 
Crowne Plaza     6      1     1,250      157 
Hotel Indigo     31      (6    4,155      (1,017
EVEN Hotels     16      1     1,975      109 
Holiday Innc     80      (18    10,446      (2,060
Holiday Inn Express     386      (62    37,355      (5,748
avid hotels     191      (15    17,311      (1,542
Staybridge Suites     135      (27    14,061      (2,813
Candlewood Suites     73      (18    6,369      (1,817
Atwell Suites     19      9     1,849      849 
Other     13      (3    1,986      (793
Total     986      (135    102,757      (14,105
Analysed by ownership type                           
Franchised     944      (133    96,528      (13,458
Managed     42      (2    6,229      (647
Total     986      (135    102,757      (14,105

c

Includes three Holiday Inn Resort properties (490 rooms) and zero Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (zero rooms), (2019: three Holiday Inn Resort properties (490 rooms) and one Holiday Inn Club Vacations property (110 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

4,298

Total number of rooms

514,012

Americas System size decreased by nine hotels (10,635 rooms) to 4,298 hotels (514,012 rooms) during 2020. 167 hotels (16,476 rooms) opened in the year, compared to 233 hotels (26,121 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 resulted in periods of restriction on activities that temporarily slowed the pace of construction in some locations. Openings included 96 hotels (8,945 rooms) in the Holiday Inn Brand Family, representing 57.5% of the region’s hotel openings.

176 hotels (27,381 rooms) were removed from the Americas System in 2020, of which 102 hotels (16,655 rooms) related to SVC, driving the increase compared to 2019, when 87 hotels (11,603 rooms) were removed.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

986

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

102,757

At 31 December 2020, the Americas pipeline totalled 986 hotels (102,757 rooms), representing a decrease of 135 hotels (14,105 rooms) over the prior year. Signings of 137 hotels (14,039 rooms) were behind last year by 168 hotels (18,917 rooms), as the economic uncertainty and restrictions on movement due to Covid-19 temporarily impacted investment into the broader hospitality industry. The majority of 2020 signings were within our midscale and upper midscale brands including the Holiday Inn Brand Family (60 hotels, 6,229 rooms), our Suites brands, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Atwell Suites, (31 hotels, 2,777 rooms) and avid hotels (19 hotels, 1,651 rooms), which continues to make good progress towards becoming IHG’s next brand of scale.

105 hotels (11,398 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020 compared to 107 hotels (10,255 rooms) in 2019.

60IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



EMEAA

LOGO                                 

“In EMEAA, the impact of Covid-19 was profound. With domestic restrictions and international borders closed, we focused on what we could control – growing our estate and strengthening brands, protecting our guests and colleagues, supporting owners, and positioning IHG® Hotels & Resorts in the best way possible.”

Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

EMEAA revenue 2020 ($221m)

LOGO

EMEAA number of rooms (227,849)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business

InterContinental

(64.8%)

Crowne Plaza

(64.5%)

Hotel Indigo

(73.7%)

Holiday Inn

(64.3%)

Holiday Inn Express

(64.5%)

Staybridge Suites

(46.6%)

All brands

(64.6%)

Owned, leased and managed lease

InterContinental

(66.7%)

All brands

(74.2%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in EMEAA declined by 64.8%, as Covid-19 drove a 41.1ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.4% decline in average daily rate. Many major conferences and events were cancelled or postponed, including the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament, set to be held in destinations across Europe, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Domestic leisure travel became the main driver of demand in periods where restrictions were lifted. In Europe occupancy declined by 45.0ppts and average daily rate declined by 16.6%, resulting in a RevPAR decline of 69.0% as the majority of countries introduced tough restrictions on international and domestic travel from March, lasting several months in many instances. UK industry RevPAR declined 68.6%, driven by a 46.2ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 21.5% decline in average daily rate. UK room demand was down 59.8%, as much of the year was impacted by national or local tiered movement restrictions and quarantine restrictions on inbound travellers. UK supply growth slowed to 0.6%, the lowest in six years. In Germany, industry RevPAR declined 64.4%, driven by a 42.8ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 11.0% decline in average daily rate. France saw RevPAR decline by 68.4%.

RevPAR declined 49.7% in the Middle East, driven by a 25.9ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 16.8% decline in average daily rate, as restrictions had a heavy impact on inbound travel. India saw RevPAR decline 63.0%.

Elsewhere in EMEAA, all major markets saw RevPAR declines in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including Japan (61.6%), Australia (49.6%), and Thailand (70.3%), driven by large declines in occupancy.

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

EMEAA RevPAR declined 64.8%, driven by a 41.9ppt decline in occupancy coupled with a 18.4% decline in average daily rate. In the UK, where IHG has the largest regional presence, RevPAR declined by 65.2%, led by a decline in London of 74.1%, as inbound international travel was limited for much of the year. Germany saw a RevPAR decline of 70.5% as occupancy declined 47.2ppts whilst average daily rate declined 13.3%. France declined by 70.7%.

RevPAR in the Middle East declined 53.4%, due to the impact of Covid-19. India RevPAR declined by 59.3% driven by occupancy.

Japan RevPAR declined by 62.0%, Australia RevPAR declined by 55.5%, and Thailand RevPAR declined by 70.2%, all due to occupancy declines following Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Kimpton Shinjuku, Tokyo

LOGO

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202061


Strategic Report

Performance continued

EMEAA

EMEAA results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
      

          2020

$m

     

            2019

$m

     2020 vs
2019
    % change
     

          2018

$m

     

2019 vs 

2018 
    % change 

Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    107     337     (68.2    320    5.3 
Owned, leased and managed lease    114     386     (70.5    249    55.0 
Total    221     723     (69.4    569    27.1 
Operating (loss)/profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    (18    202     (108.9    202    –  
Owned, leased and managed lease    (32    15     (313.3    4    275.0 
     (50    217     (123.0    206    5.3 
Operating exceptional items    (128    (109    17.4     (12   808.3 
Operating (loss)/profit    (178    108     (264.8    194    (44.3)

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

Comprising 1,149 hotels (227,849 rooms) at the end of 2020, EMEAA represented 26% of the Group’s room count. Revenues are primarily generated from hotels in the UK and gateway cities in continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The largest proportion of rooms in the UK and continental Europe are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our upper midscale brands (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express). Similarly, in the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised, whereas, in the luxury market segment, the majority of InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under management agreements. The majority of hotels in markets outside of Europe are operated under the managed business model.

Covid-19 impacted EMEAA from the second half of February onwards as government-mandated international and domestic travel restrictions progressed across the region, resulting in a significant drop in RevPAR in the first quarter and culminating in ~50% of IHG’s hotels in the region being closed by April, with occupancyb dropping to ~11% in the month. Restrictions remained in place through much of the second quarter, severely impacting travel, particularly in Europe. The rate of RevPAR decline improved in the third quarter as government-mandated closures and travel restrictions were partially eased, with demand largely leisure-related. Demand began to weaken again in September and the fourth quarter was further impacted by the reinstatement of restrictions in many countries following a second wave of Covid-19 cases building through the autumn. By the end of the year ~80% of hotels were open across EMEAA.

Comparable RevPARb declined 26% in the first quarter, 88% in the second quarter, 70% in the third quarter and 71% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 65% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $502m (69.4%) to $221m as the impact of Covid-19 resulted in a significant reduction in fees as well as temporary closure of many owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Operating profit decreased by $286m (264.8%) to an operating loss of $178m, driven by the reduction in revenue and a $19m net increase in operating exceptional charges, partially offset by planned cost saving measures. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $267m (123.0%) to a loss of $50m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue decreased by $486m (69.0%) and underlyingc operating profit decreased by $260m (126.2%) to a loss of $54m.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segmenta are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenuec decreased by $230m (68.2%) to $107m, driven by the significant impact of Covid-19 on RevPAR and consequently fee revenues, including a $76m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees. There was no material impact of foreign exchanged. Fee business operating profitc decreased by $220m (108.9%) to an operating loss of $18m, driven by lower fee revenue and an increase in expected credit losses, partially offset by cost savings commencing in the second quarter, and partly benefiting from the impact of foreign exchanged ($1m).

Owned, leased and managed lease revenuec decreased by $272m (70.5%) to $114m (foreign exchanged benefit $4m), as occupancy dropped rapidly through March and the majority of hotels were closed for a large proportion of the year. Owned, leased and managed lease operating profitc reduced by $47m (313.3%) to an operating loss of $32m, (foreign exchanged benefit $1m), driven by the impact of lower occupancy and closures, partially offset by the implementation of cost reduction measures undertaken across the estate, together with rent reductions received; there was also the benefit of a $3m gain from the sale of the lease on the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

EMEAA reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s actual exchange rates and average rates in 2020.

62IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



EMEAA continued

EMEAA hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    15     (2    1,007     (319
Regent    3          771      
InterContinental    108     (5    32,474     (1,041
Kimpton    8     4     1,859     939 
Crowne Plaza    188     2     46,524     113 
Hotel Indigo        46         5         5,066         627 
voco    16     4     4,880     587 
Holiday Inna    401     7     74,984     1,552 
Holiday Inn Express    329     5     47,356     902 
Staybridge Suites    18     1     2,838     449 
Otherb    17     2     10,090     670 
Total    1,149     23     227,849     4,479 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    774     1     125,720     (735
Managed    358     24     98,548     5,747 
Owned, leased and managed lease    17     (2    3,581     (533
Total    1,149     23     227,849     4,479 

a

Includes 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,330 rooms), (2019: 17 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,604 rooms)).

b

Includes two open hotels that will be re-branded to voco.

EMEAA pipeline

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses    21     4     1,551     372 
Regent    5     1     1,255     591 
InterContinental    33     2     7,485     (22
Kimpton    6     (1        1,128     (119
Crowne Plaza        35              9,101     (314
Hotel Indigo    41     1     6,047         395 
voco    26     9     7,774     1,554 
Holiday Inna    108     (11    22,554     (3,382
Holiday Inn Express    92     (20    15,233     (3,816
avid hotels    1          215      
Staybridge Suites    20          3,429     (431
Other    1          348     186 
Total       389     (15      76,120     (4,986
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    155     (10    25,652     (1,679
Managed    233     (5    50,313     (3,307
Owned, leased and managed lease    1          155      
Total    389     (15    76,120     (4,986

a

Includes 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,553 rooms), (2019: 18 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,662 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

1,149

Total number of rooms

227,849

During 2020, EMEAA System size increased by 23 hotels (4,479 rooms) to 1,149 hotels (227,849 rooms). 61 hotels (11,288 rooms) opened in EMEAA in 2020, compared to 90 hotels (15,335 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 resulted in periods of restriction on activities that temporarily slowed the pace of construction in some locations.

38 hotels (6,809 rooms) left the EMEAA System in the period, including 13 hotels (2,118 rooms) related to a portfolio of hotels in Germany, driving the increase compared to 2019, when 15 hotels (3,064 rooms) left the EMEAA System.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

389

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

76,120

The EMEAA pipeline totalled 389 hotels (76,120 rooms) at 31 December 2020, representing a decrease of 15 hotels (4,986 rooms) over 31 December 2019. Signings of 82 hotels (13,903 rooms) were behind last year by 78 hotels (15,222 rooms), as the economic uncertainty and restrictions on movement generated by Covid-19 temporarily impacted investment into the broader hospitality industry.

36 hotels (7,601 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020, compared to 28 hotels (5,427 rooms) in the previous year.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202063


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China

LOGO

“With the outbreak of Covid-19, the increased health and safety of our guests and colleagues was made a top priority, alongside supporting our hotels, owners and communities. As China contained the pandemic, we deployed a business recovery strategy to drive revenue through to profit, and focused on continued growth through new hotel openings and signings.”

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Greater China revenue 2020 ($77m)

LOGO

    Greater China number of rooms (144,175)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2020)

Fee business

InterContinental

(36.8%)

HUALUXE

(20.4%)

Crowne Plaza

(38.4%)

Hotel Indigo

(44.0%)

Holiday Inn

(46.9%)

Holiday Inn Express

(40.6%)

All brands

(40.5%)

Industry performance in 2020

Industry RevPAR in Greater China declined sharply by 43.1% as Covid-19 impacted from early in the year resulting in declines in occupancy and average daily rate. Supply growth reduced marginally compared with 2019 but significantly weaker demand growth due to travel restrictions resulted in a 19.7ppt decline in occupancy, whilst average daily rate declined by 19.1% as international inbound travel and corporate business were particularly hard hit. Tier 1 cities’ RevPAR declined 47.2% led by declines in both occupancy and average daily rate. Tiers 2, 3 and 4 also saw RevPAR declines, with Tier 2 seeing the largest decline and Tier 4 the smallest. Occupancy in Mainland China was dampened by the impact of Covid-19, whilst Hong Kong SAR was similarly impacted, coupled with ongoing political uncertainty resulting in RevPAR declining 71.6%. Macau SAR RevPAR also declined significantly due to limitations in travel from the mainland, resulting in large occupancy declines.

Crowne Plaza

Yading, China

IHG’s regional performance in 2020

IHG’s regional comparable RevPAR in Greater China decreased by 40.5% in 2020, driven by a 19.2ppt decline in occupancy and a 13.3% decline in average daily rate.

In Mainland China IHG outperformed the industry, with RevPAR decreasing 36.7%, due to the significant impact of Covid-19. RevPAR in Hong Kong SAR declined 78.4%, impacted by political uncertainty and Covid-19 restrictions, whilst RevPAR in Macau SAR declined by 76.0%.

LOGO

64IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Greater China results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                     2020
$m
                    2019
$m
        2020 vs
2019
% change
                    2018
$m
        2019 vs 
2018 
% change 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Total    77     135     (43.0    143    (5.6)
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                            
Fee business    35     73     (52.1    70    4.3 
Operating exceptional items    (5              (1   – 
Operating profit    30     73     (58.9    69    5.8 

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

Comprising 517 hotels (144,175 rooms) at 31 December 2020, Greater China represented approximately 16% of the Group’s room count. The majority of rooms in Greater China operate under the managed business model.

Covid-19 impacted Greater China earliest of IHG’s three regions as government measures were introduced rapidly from the end of January to contain the spread of the virus. At the lockdown period trough, 40% of the region’s hotels were temporarily closed. Occupancyb dropped to single digits and comparable RevPARb declined by 89% in February, the month most impacted by Covid-19. Domestic travel restrictions started to ease through the second quarter and travel slowly started to recover. The recovery continued through the summer and into the third quarter, boosted by domestic leisure demand, with some resort destinations seeing absolute year-on-year growth in RevPAR, despite continued overall decline across the region. The recovery in RevPAR continued into the fourth quarter but at a slower pace and less than 1% of hotels remained closed by the end of December. Hong Kong SAR was impacted by uncertainty posed by political disputes throughout 2020, as well as by Covid-19.

Comparable RevPARb declined by 65% in the first quarter, 59% in the second quarter, 23% in the third quarter and 18% in the fourth quarter, with a decline of 41% for the full year.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta decreased by $58m (43.0%) to $77m, driven by the impact of Covid-19 on fee revenues, partially offset by 6.4% net rooms growth. Operating profit decreased by $43m (58.9%) to $30m as revenue reductions, including a $32m reduction in recognition of incentive management fees, and a $5m net increase in operating exceptional charges were partially offset by cost savings. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta decreased by $38m (52.1%) to $35m. Underlyingc revenue decreased by $60m (43.8%) to $77m and underlyingc operating profit decreased by $38m (52.1%) to $35m.

For discussion of 2019 results, and the changes compared to 2018, refer to the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

a

Greater China reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for the fee business.

b

Comparable RevPAR and occupancy include the adverse impact of hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19.

c

Definitions for Non-GAAP revenue and operating profit measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 215.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202065


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Greater China continued

Greater China hotel and room count

     Hotels     Rooms 
           Change           Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019     2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                        
Six Senses        1                  122          
Regent    4     1     1,419     187 
InterContinental    51     3     20,678     1,108 
Kimpton    1          129      
HUALUXE    12     3     3,433     723 
Crowne Plaza    105     9     36,950     2,654 
Hotel Indigo    12     (1    1,745     (123
EVEN Hotels    1     1     171     171 
voco    1     1     148     148 
Holiday Inna    109     2     30,628     (548
Holiday Inn Express    212     29     41,789     4,002 
Other    8     (1    6,963     307 
Total    517     47     144,175     8,629 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    126     37     29,826     6,572 
Managed    391     10     114,349     2,057 
Total    517     47     144,175     8,629 

a

Includes eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,113 rooms), (2019: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,895 rooms)).

Greater China pipeline

     Hotels      Rooms 
           Change            Change 
At 31 December            2020     over 2019      2020     over 2019 
Analysed by brand                         
Six Senses        3                   169          
Regent    1           280      
InterContinental    29     2      8,565     603 
Kimpton    6     1      1,654     157 
HUALUXE    25     3      6,907     727 
Crowne Plaza    48           13,877     (121
Hotel Indigo    32     8      5,502     1,178 
EVEN Hotels    15     4      3,071     595 
voco    1     1      131     131 
Holiday Innb    74     16      18,163     3,696 
Holiday Inn Express    205     11      34,564     842 
Otherc    1     1      297     297 
Total    440     47        93,180     8,105 
Analysed by ownership type                         
Franchised    211     42      36,888     7,564 
Managed    229     5      56,292     541 
Total    440     47      93,180     8,105 

b

Includes 12 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,208 rooms), (2019: eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,183 rooms)).

c

Includes one hotel to be branded as voco.

Total number of hotels

517

Total number of rooms

144,175

The Greater China System size increased by 47 hotels (8,629 rooms) in 2020 to 517 hotels (144,175 rooms). 57 hotels (11,358 rooms) opened, compared to 88 hotels (23,764 rooms) in 2019, as Covid-19 temporarily slowed the pace of construction in the first half of the year.

Recent growth in the region has focused on Tier 2 and 3 cities, which now represent approximately 54% of our open rooms. 39 Holiday Inn Brand Family hotels (5,780 rooms) were added in the year, compared to 70 hotels (14,130 rooms) in 2019.

10 hotels (2,729 rooms) were removed in 2020 compared to nine hotels (3,531 rooms) in 2019.

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

440

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

93,180

At 31 December 2020, the Greater China pipeline totalled 440 hotels (93,180 rooms) compared to 393 hotels (85,075 rooms) at 31 December 2019. Signings of 141 hotels (28,204 rooms) compared with 158 hotels (35,673 rooms) in 2019, as the significant travel restrictions introduced in the early part of the year to combat Covid-19 temporarily slowed activity. 94 hotels (16,692 rooms) were signed for the Holiday Inn Brand Family, including 64 franchised Holiday Inn Express hotels.

37 hotels (8,741 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2020, compared to 18 hotels (4,757 rooms) in 2019.

66IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Central

Central results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                 2020
$m
                2019
$m
        2020
vs 2019
% change
                2018
$m
        2019 
vs 2018��
% change 
Revenue    182     185     (1.6    170    8.8 
Gross costs    (244    (310    (21.3    (287   8.0 
     (62    (125    (50.4    (117   6.8 
Operating exceptional items    (19    (15    26.7     (55   (72.7)
Operating loss    (81    (140    (42.1    (172   (18.6)

Review of the year ended

31 December 2020

The net operating loss decreased by $59m (42.1%), benefiting from a reduction in gross costs, partially offset by a $4m (26.7%) increase in operating exceptional charges.

Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, decreased by $3m (1.6%) to $182m, driven by the impacts of Covid-19 and temporary fee discounts on technology fees, being largely offset by the $20m net benefit of movement in recognition of some items between System Fund and reportable segments (see note 3 to the Group Financial Statements for further information). Revenue was also

partly impacted by adverse foreign exchangea ($1m).

Gross costs decreased by $66m (21.3%), driven by cost saving measures introduced from the second quarter. Gross costs also partly benefited from the impact of foreign exchangea ($1m).

The operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $63m, benefiting from the net movement in recognition of some revenues and expenses between the System Fund and reportable segments ($21m), see note 3 to the Group Financial Statements for further information. There was no material impact of foreign exchangea.

a

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2020.

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202067


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Other financial information

System Fund

The Group operates a System Fund to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System, and hotel loyalty programme, IHG Rewards. The System Fund also benefits from proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-party co-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, although an in-year surplus or deficit can arise, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels.

In the year to 31 December 2020, System Fund revenue decreased by $608m (44.3%) to $765m, largely due to lower assessment fees reflecting the level of reduction in hotel revenues resulting from Covid-19, as well as fee reliefs given, and lower loyalty revenue due to lower redemption activity. This was partially offset by a favourable adjustment relating to a change in the actuarial assumptions around the ultimate rate of consumption of IHG Rewards points (‘breakage’) leading to increased revenue recognition year-over-year. A System Fund income statement deficit of $102m was recorded over the year, resulting from lower revenues, partly offset by actions targeted to lower costs including a reduction in marketing spend. System Fund expenses included $24m of expected credit losses, $20m reorganisation costs and $41m impairment principally relating to the US corporate headquarters (see page 136 for further information).

Reimbursement of costs

In the year to 31 December 2020, reimbursable revenue decreased by $534m (45.6%) to $637m. The reduction reflects the significant impact from Covid-19 on our hotels including hotel closures and staff furloughs, meaning the overall scale of reimbursements fell.

Cost reimbursements revenue represents reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed and franchised properties and relates, predominantly, to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. As we record cost reimbursements based upon costs incurred with no added mark up, this revenue and related expenses have no impact on either our operating profit or net income.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are identified by virtue of their size, nature, or incidence and are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share as well as other Non-GAAP measures (see Use of Non-GAAP measures, pages 47 to 51) in order to provide a more meaningful comparison of performance and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and reorganisation costs.

Pre-tax exceptional items totalled a net charge of $263m (2019: $148m net charge). The charge included: $22m net gain relating to derecognition of lease assets and liabilities; $30m gain on lease termination; $10m provision for onerous contractual expenditure relating to the UK portfolio; $27m reorganisation costs (2019: $20m); $6m acquisition and integration costs due to the Six Senses acquisition (2019: $7m); $5m net litigation costs (2019: $28m); $48m impairment of financial assets; $226m impairment charges of non-current assets (2019: $131m) of which $113m relates to Americas, $100m to EMEAA, $4m to Greater China and $9m to Central; $14m exceptional financial expenses; and $21m fair value gain on contingent purchase consideration relating to the UK portfolio. Further information on exceptional items can be found in note 6 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net financial expenses

Net financial expenses increased by $25m to $140m, primarily due to $14m exceptional financial expenses relating to the partial repayment of the 2022 bonds (see below), $8m interest on the new bonds issued and $3m relating to commercial paper. Adjusted interest, as reconciled on page 216, and which excludes exceptional finance expenses and adds back interest relating to the System Fund, decreased by $3m to $130m. The lower interest payable to the System Fund largely resulted from lower interest rates in 2020.

In October 2020 the Group issued a tender offer for its £400m 3.875% 2022 bonds resulting in a repayment of £227m. The Group concurrently issued 500m 1.625% 2024 bonds and £400m 3.375% 2028 bonds to strengthen liquidity and extend the maturity profile of the Group’s debt. The $14m premium on repayment and associated write-off of fees and discount are classified as exceptional costs due to their size and nature.

Excluding amounts classified as exceptional, financial expenses includes $69m (2019: $63m) of total interest costs on the public bonds, which are fixed rate debt. Interest expense on lease liabilities was $37m (2019: $41m).

Fair value gains/losses on contingent purchase consideration

Contingent purchase consideration arose on the acquisitions of Regent, the UK portfolio and Six Senses (see note 25 to the Group Financial Statements). The net gain of $13m (2019: $27m) comprises an exceptional gain of $21m in respect of the UK portfolio (see exceptional items above), offset by a loss of $8m in respect of Regent driven by a reduction in US corporate bond rates. The total contingent purchase consideration liability at 31 December 2020 is $79m (2019: $91m).

Taxation

The effective rate of tax on profit before exceptional items and System Fund was 38% (2019: 24%) which included the recognition of tax credits on one-off items, predominantly in connection with adjustments to deferred taxes following an internal group restructuring, UK law change and prior year items. Excluding these one-off items, the effective tax rate would be 69%, elevated compared to prior years due to the distortive impact of unrelieved foreign taxes, the Group’s geographic profit mix and other non-tax deductible expenses against the low profit base. The Group also suffered significant US minimum profit taxes and could not recognise the benefit for tax purposes of losses arising in certain territories in the year.

Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $52m (2019: credit of $20m) and relates to the tax impact of the exceptional items set out above. Further information on tax within exceptional items can be found in note 6 to the Group Financial Statements.

Net tax paid in 2020 totalled $41m (2019: $141m). The 2020 tax paid was less than 2019 principally due to refunds in respect of prior year periods of $24m, as well as lower ‘in-year’ corporate tax payments required as a result of the deterioration in global trading.

IHG pursues an approach to tax that is consistent with its business strategy and its overall business conduct principles. The approach seeks to ensure full compliance with all tax filing, payment and reporting obligations on the basis of communicative and transparent relationships with tax authorities. Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee.

LOGO

The Group’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

68IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Dividends

On 20 March 2020, IHG’s Board withdrew its recommendation of a final dividend in respect of 2019 of 85.9¢ per share, a payment of which would have had a cash outflow of approximately $150m in the first half of 2020.

A final dividend in respect of 2020 is not proposed and there was no interim dividend for the year. The Board will consider future dividends once visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

Earnings per ordinary share

Given the impact of Covid-19 on operations and the exceptional items charged this year, the Group’s basic loss per ordinary share is 142.9¢ (2019: basic earnings per ordinary share: 210.4¢). Adjusted earnings per ordinary share decreased by 89.7% to 31.3¢.

Share price and market capitalisation

The IHG share price closed at £46.90 on 31 December 2020, down from £52.08 on 31 December 2019. The market capitalisation of the Group at the year-end was £8.6bn.

LOGO

LOGO

PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202069


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

As at 31 December 2020 the Group had total liquidity of $2,925m, comprising $1,350m of undrawn bank facilities and $1,575m of cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts and restricted cash).

The Group currently has $2,898m of sterling and euro bonds outstanding. The current bonds mature in November 2022 (£173m), October 2024 (500m), August 2025 (£300m), August 2026 (£350m), May 2027 (500m) and October 2028 (£400m).

In October 2020 the Group issued a 500m 1.625% bond repayable in October 2024 and a £400m 3.375% bond repayable in October 2028. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time as the 500m bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into pounds sterling. The currency swaps fix the bond debt at £454m, with interest payable semi-annually at a rate of 2.65%. The Group also repaid £227m of the £400m 3.875% bond maturing in November 2022. The Group currently has a senior unsecured long-term credit rating of BBB- from Standard and Poor’s. In the event this rating was downgraded below BBB- there would be an additional step up coupon of 125bps payable on the bonds which would result in an additional interest cost of approximately $36m per year.

In April 2020, the Group issued £600m of commercial paper under the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). This will be repaid on 16 March 2021 when it matures.

The Group is further financed by a $1,275m revolving syndicated bank facility (the Syndicated Facility) and a $75m revolving bilateral facility (the Bilateral Facility). During the year the maturity of these facilities was extended by 18 months from March 2022 to September 2023. The facilities were undrawn at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: $125m). The Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities contain the same terms and two financial covenants: interest cover and a leverage ratio. Covenants are monitored on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis excluding the impact of IFRS 16 and are tested at half year and full year on a trailing 12-month basis. The interest cover covenant requires a ratio of Covenant EBITDA to Covenant interest payable above 3.5:1 and

the leverage ratio requires Covenant net debt to Covenant EBITDA of below 3.5:1. Covenant EBITDA is calculated (on a frozen GAAP basis) as operating profit before exceptional items, depreciation and amortisation and System Fund revenues and expenses. See note 24 to the Group Financial Statements for further information.

These covenants have been waived from 30 June 2020 through 31 December 2021 and have been relaxed for test dates in 2022. A minimum liquidity covenant of $400m has been introduced which will be tested at each test date up to and including 31 December 2022. The amended leverage ratio and interest cover covenant test levels for the facilities are as follows:

June &

December

2021

June 2022

December

2022

Leverage

ratio

Waived

Less than

7.5x

Less than

6.5x

Interest

cover

Waived

Greater

than 1.5x

Greater

than 2.0x

The Group is in compliance with all of the applicable financial covenants in its loan documents, none of which are expected to present a material restriction on funding in the near future.

The Group has started to review and plan for the expected discontinuation of LIBOR after 2021. The Group’s main exposure to LIBOR is the underlying reference rate in the Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities. The terms of this agreement will need to be renegotiated to address the discontinuation of LIBOR. The replacement of LIBOR with alternative reference rates is not expected to have a material impact on the Group at this stage.

Borrowings included bank overdrafts of $51m (2019: $87m), which were matched by an equivalent amount of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution, and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used for day-to-day cash management purposes and are managed daily as closely

as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position, with the most significant balances in the US, and the matching overdrafts are held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

Net debt of $2,529m (2019: $2,665m) is analysed by currency as follows:

        2020
$m
      2019
$m
 
Borrowings             
Sterling*     3,716     2,022 
US dollar     416     721 
Euros     20     44 
Other     52     73 

Cash and cash

equivalents

             
Sterling     (1,305    (25
US dollar     (261    (91
Euros     (12    (13
Canadian dollar     (8    (7
Chinese renminbi     (60    (17
Other     (29    (42
Net debt     2,529     2,665 
Average debt level     2,554     2,720 

*

Including the impact of currency swaps.

Cash and cash equivalents include $44m (2019: $16m) that is not available for use by the Group due to local exchange controls.

Information on the maturity profile and interest structure of borrowings is included in notes 22 and 24 to the Group Financial Statements.

In the Group’s opinion, the available facilities are sufficient for the Group’s present liquidity requirements. However, the Group continues to assess its liquidity position, financing options and covenant position and will take further actions as necessary.

Information on the Group’s approach to allocation of capital resources can be found on pages 14 and 15.

The Group had net liabilities of $1,849m at 31 December 2020 (2019: $1,465m).

70IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Cash from operating activities

Net cash from operating activities totalled $137m for the year ended 31 December 2020, a decrease of $516m on the previous year, reflecting the decrease in operating profit.

Cash flow from operations is the principal source of cash used to fund the ongoing operating expenses, interest payments, maintenance capital expenditure and normal dividend payments of the Group. The Group believes that the requirements of its existing business and future investment can be met from cash generated internally, disposition of assets, and external finance expected to be available to it.

Cash from investing activities

Net cash outflows from investing activities decreased by $432m to $61m, primarily reflecting the acquisition of the Six Senses business in 2019. Other movements in investing activities include a reduction of investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of $103m to $76m.

The Group had committed contractual capital expenditure of $19m at 31 December 2020.

Cash used in financing activities

Net cash from financing activities totalled $1,354m, which was $2,014m higher than 2019. This was primarily due to the cash inflow from the 500m and £400m bond issuances and the £600m commercial paper issuance under the CCFF. These inflows were offset by £227m of bond repayments and $125m repayment of other borrowings. No dividends were paid in 2020 compared to $721m in 2019.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

At 31 December 2020, the Group had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Group’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities include guarantees over loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels of up to $56m and

outstanding letters of credit of $43m. The Group may also be exposed to additional liabilities resulting from litigation and security incidents. See note 31 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

Contractual obligations

The Group had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of 31 December 2020. See table below.

      

Total amounts

committed

$m

      

Less than

1 year

$m

      

1–3

years

$m

      

3–5

years

$m

      

After

5 years

$m

 
Commercial papera    819      819                   
Long-term debt obligationsb,c    2,896            236      1,023      1,637 
Interest payablec    435      76      143      124      92 
Derivatives    57      14      28      28      (13
Lease liabilities    3,505      57      104      87      3,257 
Agreed pension scheme contributions    6      6                   
Capital contracts placedd    19      19                   
Deferred and contingent purchase consideratione    112      13      5      13      81 
Totalf    7,849      1,004      516      1,275      5,054 

a

Issued under the UK Covid Corporate Financing Facility, maturing on 16 March 2021.

b

Repayment period classified according to the related facility maturity date.

c

Excluding bank overdrafts.

d

See note 30 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

e

Relates to the acquisitions of Six Senses and Regent (see note 11 to the Group Financial Statements for further details).

f

The Group also has future commitments for key money payments which are contingent upon future events and may reverse.

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PerformanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202071



LOGO

GovernanceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202073

LOGO


Governance

Chair’s overview

LOGO

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented the hospitality industry and our business with unprecedented challenges. It has also provided an acute test of the Group’s strategy, business model, governance, crisis and risk management capabilities and leadership.

In 2020, the Board sought to guide, support and challenge management as appropriate through the crisis, recognising the need for management to have a clear mandate to allow for swift prioritisation and decision-making in light of the rapidly changing and uncertain environment.

Throughout the pandemic, the Board played an active oversight and support role whilst keeping the long-term growth strategy of the Company in focus and ensuring that actions taken were in keeping with our purpose and values. The Board also ensured that an effective governance and oversight framework remained in place as the Group responded to the crisis.

Responding to the pandemic also meant changes to the Board and its Committees’ operation, requiring a sharper, Covid-19 dominated agenda, virtual meetings, more frequent interaction and collaboration between the Board and management, a revised information flow and increased time commitment notably from the Committee Chairs and the Chair.

I would like to thank the Board and the management team for their commitment, determination and perseverance in striving to protect the business and our stakeholders through the toughest challenge in the industry’s history, whilst remaining true to our purpose and values.

Focus areas and activities

In addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board focused on the actions taken by management to support employees (at both the corporate and hotel level), with emphasis on organisational resilience, mental health and wellbeing. The Board also reviewed proposed measures to support owners, guests and the communities in which we operate and ensured that the interests of the Group’s stakeholders were balanced.

Another key theme throughout the year was the protection of the Group’s financial position, with particular focus on cost containment and cash preservation. The Board also undertook detailed review of the Group’s going concern and viability assessments.

The Board also focused on adapting and evolving our strategy and purpose whilst renewing our commitment to addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

Cybersecurity was an area of particular focus, because of the increased threats and risks associated with an increase in remote working. The Board received regular updates on cyber threats to the hospitality sector and IHG, and engaged with management on plans to strengthen the Group’s threat-detection and response to malicious activity, as well as raising awareness among colleagues.

The continuation of the Board’s dialogue and engagement with the Group’s workforce and other stakeholders was also a notable feature of the Board agenda.

Governance framework

The Board delegates certain responsibilities to the Audit, Remuneration, Responsible Business (previously Corporate Responsibility) and Nomination Committees to assist in ensuring that effective corporate governance pervades the business.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of the Committees’ delegated remit and activities during the year:

The Audit Committee focused on the pandemic’s impact on material judgements and estimates, risks, internal controls and business continuity, and going concern and viability;

The Remuneration Committee focused on the remuneration challenges presented by the pandemic and decisions on executive pay, including reductions to salaries and fees, awarding of LTIP grants, and retention issues, all while considering the impact on employees. It also continued to engage with shareholders on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy;

The Responsible Business Committee focused on how IHG continued to operate as a responsible business during the pandemic, the delivery of ongoing targets and the development of the Group’s 2030 responsible business commitments; and

The Nomination Committee progressed the implementation of Board refreshment plans, and continued to review and consider Executive Committee talent and succession plans.

Board composition

Board composition and succession featured prominently on the Board agenda to ensure that we continue to have around the table the right mix of skills, experience, behaviours and knowledge as well as gender and geographical representation to add value as the Company pursues its strategic objectives.

We determined that the Board would benefit from enhanced representation in the US market as well as from further expertise in brands, franchising and business strategy and innovation, including in relation to ESG issues. We also sought to further drive diversity on the Board and prepare for the retirements of Malina Ngai and Luke Mayhew, who left the Board in May and December respectively. These objectives were successfully achieved with the appointment of Sharon Rothstein, Graham Allan and Duriya Farooqui, who joined the Board in June, September and December respectively. Details of their biographies, including their skills and experience, are included on pages 77 to 79.

Additionally, with the retirement of Luke Mayhew, the Board approved Jill McDonald as the designated non-executive director for workforce engagement (Voice of the Employee). Further details regarding this transition are included on page 92.

Board performance review

During the year, we implemented the recommendations of the external Board evaluation carried out in 2019 and conducted an internal evaluation. I am pleased to report that the evaluation concluded that the Board continues to operate effectively. Further details of the evaluation can be found on page 85. We also conducted individual Director feedback discussions, details of which can be found on page 85.

74IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Compliance and our dual listing

IHG continues to operate as a dual-listed company with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. As such, we are required to file an Annual Report in the UK and a Form 20-F in the US. To ensure consistency of information provided to both UK and US investors, we have again produced a combined Annual Report and Form 20-F. Our statement of compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) is located on pages 94 and 95. I am pleased to report that, during 2020, we complied in all material respects with all principles and provisions of the Code. A statement outlining the differences between the Group’s UK corporate governance practices and those followed by US companies can be found on page 239.

Looking forward

In 2021, the Board will focus on the Group’s long-term strategic objectives and ensure that a robust governance framework remains in place so that IHG is well positioned as we emerge from a post-Covid environment.

LOGO

Patrick Cescau

Chair of the Board

22 February 2021

Board and Committee membership and attendance in 2020

                                            Meetings  
     

    Appointment 

date 

 

 

   
Committee 
    appointments 
 
 
                  Board     
Audit 
          Committee 
 
 
   

    Responsible 
Business 
Committee 
 
 
 
   
     Nomination 
Committee
 
c 
   
   Remuneration 
Committee 
 
 
Total meetings held              8    5    4    5    4 
Chair                                    
Patrick Cescaua    01/01/13    LOGO    8/8            5/5     
Chief Executive Officer                                    
Keith Barr    01/07/17         8/8                 
Executive Directors                                    
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    01/01/14         8/8                 
Elie Maalouf    01/01/18         8/8                 
Senior Independent               
Non-Executive Director                                    
Dale Morrison    01/06/11    LOGO  LOGO  LOGO    8/8    5/5        5/5    4/4 
Non-Executive Directors                                    
Graham Allan    01/09/20    LOGO  LOGO    3/3b     2/2b             2/2b  
Anne Busquet    01/03/15    LOGO  LOGO    8/8    5/5    4/4         
Arthur de Haast    01/01/20    LOGO  LOGO    8/8        4/4        4/4 
Ian Dyson    01/09/13    LOGO    8/8    5/5            4/4 
Jo Harlow    01/09/14    LOGO  LOGO    8/8            5/5    4/4 
Luke Mayhew    01/07/11    LOGO  LOGO  LOGO    8/8    5/5    4/4    4/5d      
Jill McDonald    01/06/13    LOGO  LOGO  LOGO    8/8    5/5    4/4    5/5     
Malina Ngai    01/03/17    LOGO  LOGO    2/3e         0/1e         0/2e  
Sharon Rothstein    01/06/20    LOGO  LOGO    5/5f     3/3f     3/3f          

a

In principle the Chair attends all Committee meetings, and the full Board attends the relevant sections of the Audit Committee meetings when financial results are considered.

b

Graham Allan was appointed to the Board from 1 September 2020 and attended Board and relevant Committee meetings from that date.

c

Ian Dyson was appointed to the Nomination Committee from 18 December 2020 following Luke Mayhew’s retirement.

d

Luke Mayhew was unable to attend a Nomination Committee meeting due to a prior engagement. Luke resigned from the Board from 18 December 2020.

e

Malina Ngai was unable to attend a Board meeting, two Remuneration Committee meetings and a Responsible Business Committee meeting due to prior commitments. Malina resigned from the Board from 7 May 2020.

f

Sharon Rothstein was appointed to the Board from 1 June 2020 and attended Board and relevant Committee meetings from that date.

Duriya Farooqui was appointed to the Board from 7 December 2020 so did not attend meetings in 2020.

Board Committee membership key
LOGOAudit Committee memberLOGORemuneration Committee memberLOGOResponsible Business Committee member
LOGOChair of a Board CommitteeLOGONomination Committee member

  LOGO

Chair’s overviewIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202075


Governance

Our Board of Directors

Patrick Cescau

Non-Executive Chair

LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 January 2013

LOGOSkills and experience: From 2005 to 2008, Patrick was Group Chief Executive of Unilever Group, having previously been Chair of Unilever PLC, Vice-Chair of Unilever NV and Foods Director, following a progressive career with the company, which began in France in 1973. Prior to being appointed to the board of Unilever PLC and Unilever NV in 1999, as Finance Director, he was Chair of a number of the company’s major operating companies and divisions, including in the US, Indonesia and Portugal. He was formerly a Senior Independent Director and Non-Executive Director of Pearson plc, Tesco PLC and International Airlines Group, and a Director at INSEAD.

Board contribution: Patrick has held board positions for more than 20 years in leading global businesses and brings extensive international experience in strategy, brands, consumer products, and finance. As Chair, Patrick is responsible for leading the Board and ensuring it operates in an effective manner, and promoting constructive relations with shareholders and wider stakeholders. As Chair of the Nomination Committee, he is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the Group’s leadership needs.

Other appointments: Patrick is a trustee of The Leverhulme Trust, Patron of the St Jude India Children’s Charity and Member of the TEMASEK European Advisory Panel.

Keith Barr

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Appointed to

the Board:

1 July 2017

LOGOSkills and experience: Keith has spent more than 25 years working in the hospitality industry across a wide range of roles. He started his career in hotel operations and joined IHG in 2000. Since April 2011 he has been a member of IHG’s Executive Committee. Directly before being appointed CEO, Keith served as Chief Commercial Officer for four years. In this role, he led IHG’s global brand, loyalty, sales and marketing functions, and oversaw IHG’s loyalty programme, IHG® Rewards. Prior to this, Keith was CEO of IHG’s Greater China business for four years, setting the foundations for growth in a key market and overseeing the launch of the HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts brand.

Board contribution: Keith is responsible for the executive management of the Group and ensuring the implementation of Board strategy and policy.

Other appointments: Keith is a Non-Executive Director of Yum! Brands. He also sits on the Board of WiHTL (Women in Hospitality Travel & Leisure). Keith is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for The School of Hotel Administration, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

and Group Head of Corporate

Strategy

Appointed to

the Board:

1 January 2014

LOGOSkills and experience: Paul is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme. He was previously CFO of IHG’s Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions, a position he held since September 2011. He joined IHG in August 2004 and has held a number of senior-level finance positions, including Head of Investor Relations, Head of Global Corporate Finance and Financial Planning & Tax, and Head of Hotel Development, Europe. Paul also acted as Interim CEO of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (prior to the reconfiguration of our operating regions).Board contribution: Paul is responsible, together with the Board, for overseeing the financial operations of the Group and for leading Group strategy.

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Appointed to

the Board:

1 January 2018

LOGOSkills and experience: Elie was appointed CEO, Americas at IHG in February 2015 and has 20 years’ experience working in major global franchise businesses. He joined the Group having spent six years as President and CEO of HMSHost Corporation, where he was also a member of the board of directors. Elie brings broad experience spanning hotel development, branding, finance, real estate and operations management as well as food and beverage expertise. Elie was Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company from 2012 to 2014.

Board contribution: Elie brings a deep understanding of the global hospitality sector to the Board. He is responsible for business development and performance of all hotel brands and properties in the Americas region and has global responsibility for customer development, providing oversight of the Global Sales organisation, as well as our owner management and services strategy.

Other appointments: Elie is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Executive committee of the Board, and the U.S. Travel Association CEO Roundtable. In addition, Elie serves as a member of the Global Advisory Council at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and is a board member of the Atlanta Committee for Progress.

76IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Dale Morrison

Senior Independent

Non-Executive Director (SID)

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 June 2011

Skills and experience: Dale is a founding partner of TriPointe Capital Partners and subsequently Twin Ridge Capital, both private equity firms. Dale was previously President and CEO of McCain Foods Limited and President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company.

Board contribution: Dale has over 10 years’ experience in sales and marketing positions, and over 25 years’ experience in general management, having held senior positions in the branded foods sector. Dale’s role as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director is fundamental to the successful operation of the Board.

Other appointments: Currently a Non-Executive Director of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

LOGO

Graham Allan

Independent Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 September 2020

Skills and experience: Graham was Group Chief Executive of Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd, an Asian retailer headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, from 2012 to 2017. In 1992, he joined Yum Restaurants International, where he held several senior positions before assuming the role of President and CEO in 2003, and led the development of global brands KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in more than 120 international markets. Prior to his tenure at Yum Restaurants, he worked as a consultant including at McKinsey & Co Inc.

Board contribution: Graham brings to the Board more than 40 years of strategic, commercial and brand experience within consumer–focused businesses across multiple geographies.

Other appointments: Graham is Senior Independent Non-Executive Director at Intertek plc and Independent Non-Executive Director of Associated British Foods plc. He also serves as a director of private companies as Chairman of Bata Footwear and Director of Americana Foods.

LOGO

Anne Busquet

Independent Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 March 2015

Skills and experience: Anne began her career at Hilton International in Paris, before joining American Express Company in New York, where she held several executive positions and served for 23 years. Anne was also the CEO of Local and Media Services at InterActiveCorp.

Board contribution: Anne brings more than 20 years’ experience in senior positions in multinational companies, predominantly in the financial, branded and digital-commerce sectors.

Other appointments: Anne is currently the President of AMB Advisors, an independent consulting firm, and Managing Director at Golden Seeds LLC, an angel investment company. She also serves on the boards of Pitney Bowes, MTBC and Elior Group and on the advisory boards of JEGI and SheSpeaks.

LOGO

Duriya Farooqui

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

7 December 2020

Skills and experience: Duriya is currently an Independent Director at Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses, and provider of mortgage technology, data and listings services.

Duriya was previously President of Supply Chain Innovation at Georgia-Pacific, leading an organisation where companies collaborated to solve supply chain challenges. Prior to this, she was Executive Director of Atlanta Committee for Progress, a coalition of over 30 CEOs who offer leadership on economic development opportunities in Atlanta. Duriya has been a principal at Bain & Company, and also served as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta.

Board contribution: Duriya’s diverse board and executive-level experience brings valuable insights and perspectives to IHG. She combines more than two decades of relevant expertise in business strategy, transformation and innovation, with a clear commitment to driving responsible operations and diversity.

Other appointments: Duriya is an Independent Director at ICE. She serves on the boards of NYSE and ICE NGX, both subsidiaries of ICE, and co-chairs the NYSE Board Advisory Council of CEOs.

LOGO

LOGO

Our Board of DirectorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202077


Governance

Our Board of Directors continued

Arthur de Haast

Independent

IndependentNon-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 January 2020

Skills and experience:Arthur has held several senior roles in the Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) group, where he is currentlyincluding Chair of JLL’s Capital Markets Advisory Council having previously acted asand Chair and Global CEO of JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group. Arthur is also a former Chair of the Institute of Hospitality.

Board contribution:Arthur has more than 30 years’ experience in the capital markets, hotels and hospitality sectors, along with significant Board-level knowledge around sustainability.

Arthur serves on the Remuneration and Corporate ResponsibilityResponsible Business Committees.

Other appointments:Arthur is Chair of JLL’s Capital Markets Advisory Council, a member of JLL’s Global Sustainability Board, an IndependentNon-Executive Director of Chalet Hotels Limited and a member of the Advisory Board of the Scottish Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

LOGO

LOGO

Ian Dyson

Independent

IndependentNon-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 September 2013

Skills and experience:Ian has held a number of senior executive and finance roles, including Group Finance and Operations Director for Marks and Spencer Group plc for five years from 2005 to 2010, where he oversaw significant changes in the business. In addition, Ian was CEO of Punch Taverns plc, Finance Director for the Rank Group Plc, a leading European gaming business, and Group Financial Controller and Finance Director for the hotels division of Hilton Group plc. More recently, Ian was Senior Independent Non- Executive Director of Flutter Entertainment plc.

Board contribution:Ian has gained significant experience from working in various senior finance

roles, predominantly in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Ian became Chair of the Audit Committee on 1 April 2014, and, as such, is responsible for leading the Committee to ensure effective internal controls and risk management systems are in place.

Other appointments:Currently aNon-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of SSP Group plc and Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of ASOS plc and Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director of Flutter Entertainment plc.

LOGO

LOGO

Jo Harlow

Independent

IndependentNon-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 September 2014

Skills and experience:Jo most recently held the position of Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft Corporation. She was previously Executive Vice President of Smart Devices at Nokia Corporation, following a number of senior management roles at Nokia from 2003. Prior to that, she held marketing, sales and management roles at Reebok International Limited from 1992 to 2003 and at Procter & Gamble Company from 1984 to 1992.

Board contribution:Jo has over 25 years’ experience working in various senior roles, predominantly in the branded and technology sectors. Jo became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 1 October 2017, and as such she is responsible for setting the remuneration policy.Remuneration Policy. Jo is also a member of the Nomination Committee.

Other appointments:Currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Ceconomy AG and aNon-Executive Director of Halma plc and J Sainsbury plc.

LOGO

Changes to the Board and its Committees, and Executive Committee

Graham AllanGraham was appointed to the Board from 1 September 2020

Ian DysonIan was appointed to the Nomination Committee from 18 December 2020

Duriya FarooquiDuriya was appointed to the Board from 7 December 2020

Wayne HoareWayne was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer from 14 September 2020

Luke MayhewLuke resigned from the Board from 18 December 2020

Malina NgaiMalina resigned from the Board from 7 May 2020

Sharon RothsteinSharon was appointed to the Board from 1 June 2020

In addition to the changes in 2020 set out above, in February 2021, the Board approved the appointment of Richard Anderson and Daniela Barone Soares as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company with effect from 1 March 2021. Further information relating to their appointments will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2021. In February 2021, the Board also accepted the resignation of Anne Busquet, who will retire from the Board with effect from the 2021 AGM.

Board Committee membership key
LOGOAudit Committee memberLOGORemuneration Committee member
LOGOResponsible Business Committee memberLOGOChair of a Board Committee
LOGONomination Committee member

 

78IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


LOGOJill McDonald

Independent

Luke Mayhew

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 July 2011

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Skills and experience: Luke served for 12 years on the Board of John Lewis Partnership plc, including as Managing Director of the Department Store division. Luke also spent five years at British Airways Plc and seven years at Thomas Cook Group plc in senior positions. He was also Chair of Pets At Home Ltd, aNon-Executive Director of WH Smith PLC and until recently Senior Independent Director of DFS Furniture plc.

Board contribution: Luke has over 40 years’ experience in senior roles and directorships in the branded service sector. As the designatedNon-Executive Director for workforce

engagement, he is responsible for leading on, and the consideration of, employee perspective in Board deliberations and for ensuring effective channels of feedback between IHG employees and the Board. Luke was the Remuneration Committee Chair at Brambles Limited from 2006 to 2014 and at IHG from July 2011 to September 2017.

Other appointments: Currently a trustee of BBC Children in Need and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and a Governor of the Southbank Centre.

LOGO

Jill McDonald

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 June 2013

Skills and experience:Jill started her career at Colgate-Palmolive Company, spent 16 years with British Airways Plc and has held a number of senior marketing positions in the UK and overseas. Jill was CEO UK and President for the North West Europe division for McDonald’s, and held a number of other senior roles in the company from 2006. From May 2015 until September 2017, Jill served as CEO of the Halfords Group plc. From 2017-2019, Jill served as Managing Director, Clothing, Home and Beauty, at Marks and Spencer plc.

Board contribution:Jill has over 30 years’ experience working with high-profile international consumer-facing brands at both marketing and operational level. As Chair of the Corporate ResponsibilityResponsible Business Committee, she is responsible for corporate responsibility objectives and strategy and approach to sustainable development.

Other appointments:Currently CEO of Costa Coffee.

Appointed to

the Board: 1 June 2013

LOGO

Sharon Rothstein

Independent

Non Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Skills and experience: Sharon currently serves as Operating Partner of Stripes Group, a growth equity firm investing in high growth consumer and SaaS (Software as a Service) companies. She previously served as Executive Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, and subsequently, as Executive Vice President, Global Chief Product Officer for Starbucks Corporation. In addition, Sharon has held senior marketing and brand management positions at Sephora LLC, Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., Nabisco Biscuit Company, Procter & Gamble Company, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Board contribution: Sharon brings extensive brands and marketing expertise, having worked in senior positions for more than 25 years at iconic global companies. In addition to her knowledge of the hospitality industry, Sharon has wide-ranging Board-level experience in a number of consumer- focused businesses.

Other appointments: Sharon serves on the Boards of Yelp, Inc. and Afterpay Limited; and also for private companies True Food Kitchen, Inc., LOLA, and Levain Bakery, Inc.

Appointed to

the Board on

1 June 2020

LOGO

Board composition

Gender split of Directors

Tenure of Directors
LOGOLOGO

LOGO

 

 

LOGO

Malina Ngai

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 March 2017

Skills and experience: Malina is CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe) Limited, and Group Chief Operating Officer of A.S. Watson Group, which is part of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. A.S. Watson is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer with thirteen brands including Watsons, Superdrug, Savers, The Perfume Shop, Kruidvat, ICI Paris XL and ParknShop. In addition, Malina is Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association and was previously a member of the
Our Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited.

Board contribution: Malina has over 20 years’ experience gained from working in senior positions in global organisations across a broad range of sectors, with particular understanding of consumer-facing branded companiesIHG  |  Annual Report and the role that technology and digital commerce play in transforming the consumer experience.Form 20-F 2020

Other appointments: Currently CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe) Limited, Group Chief Operating Officer of A.S. Watson and Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance8179


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Our Executive Committee

    

 

In addition to Keith Barr, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf, the Executive Committee comprises:

 

LOGO

Claire Bennett

Global Chief MarketingCustomer Officer

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

October 2017 (joined

(joined the Group: 2017)

LOGO

Skills and experience:Claire joined IHG with anin-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry having spent 11 years at American Express in a range of senior leadership roles across marketing, consumer travel and loyalty. In her tenure there, Claire was General Manager (GM), Global Travel and Lifestyle, where she led a team responsible for delivering luxury lifestyle services, and she held additional roles including GM for Consumer Loyalty, GM for US Consumer Travel, and Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Brand Management. Claire has also held senior marketing positions at Dell, as well as finance and general management roles at PepsiCo/Quaker Oats Company, building significant expertise across technology, retaile-commerce, financial services, and travel and hospitality sectors.

Claire has been an Executive Board Member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), served as a Board Member of Tumi Inc. and participated on multiple industry advisory boards. Claire is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Key responsibilities:These include all aspects of brand design and commercial delivery, loyalty, partnerships, customer experience, and marketing execution.

LOGO

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

November 2017 (joined

(joined the Group: 2001)

LOGO

Skills and experience:Prior to his appointment as CEO for Greater China, Jolyon was Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Americas, leading the region’s operations for franchised and managed hotels, in addition to cultivating franchisee relationships and enhancing hotel operating performance. Jolyon has also served as COO for Greater China for almost four years, with oversight of the region’s hotel portfolio and brand performance, food and beverage brand solutions, new hotel openings and owner relations.

Jolyon joined IHG in 2001, as Director of Operations in New South Wales, Australia, and then held roles of increasing responsibility across IHG’s Asia-Pacific region. He became Regional Director Sales and Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific in 2003, relocated to Singapore in 2005 and held positions of Vice President Operations South East Asia and India, Vice President Resorts, and Vice President Operations, South East and South West Asia. Jolyon graduated from William Angliss Institute in Melbourne with a concentration on Tourism and Hospitality.

Key responsibilities:These include the management, growth and profitability of IHG’s fastest growing region, Greater China.

 

LOGO

Yasmin Diamond, CB

Executive Vice President,

Global Corporate Affairs

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

April 2016 (joined

(joined the Group: 2012)

LOGO

Skills and experience:Before joining IHG in April 2012, Yasmin was Director of Communications at the Home Office, where she advised the Home Secretary, ministers and senior officials on the strategic development and daily management of all the Home Office’s external and internal communications. She was previously Director of Communications at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Head of Communications for Welfare to Work and New DealDeal; and Head of Marketing at the Department for Education and Skills. Before joining government communications, Yasmin was Publicity Commissioner for the BBC, where she led communications activity around the launch of a new digital learning channel and around the BBC’s educational output for both adults and children.

In 2011, Yasmin was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the New Year’s honours list in recognition of her career in government communications. In addition, Yasmin sits on the Board of Trustees for the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, and is a Board Trustee member of the International Tourism Partnership.Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Key responsibilities: SheYasmin is responsible for all global communicationscorporate affairs activity, ensuring that it supportsfocused on supporting and enablesenabling IHG’s broader strategic priorities. This includes all external and internal activity,communications, covering both corporate and consumer brand communications, as well asPR; global government affairs work; and leading IHG’s Corporate Responsibility strategy and key public affairs work.strategy.

 

LOGO

Nicolette Henfrey

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and

Company Secretary

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

February 2019 (joined

(joined the Group: 2001)

LOGOSkills and experience:Nicolette joined IHG in 2001, and was appointed Deputy Company Secretary in August 2011, during which time she worked very closely with the Board, Executive Committee and wider organisation to ensurebest-in-class delivery and compliance across our legal and regulatory areas. Nicolette is a solicitor and prior to joining IHG worked for Linklaters in London and Findlay & Tait (now Bowman Gilfillan)Bowmans) in South Africa. Nicolette was appointed as Company Secretary on 1 March 2019.

Key responsibilities:These include overseeing our approach to corporate governance, risk management, insurance, regulatory compliance, internal audit, legal and hotel standards.

 

82IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019
80IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


 

 

    

 

LOGO

Kenneth MacphersonWayne Hoare

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

April 2013 (joined the Group: 2013)

Skills and experience:Kenneth Macpherson became CEO, EMEAA in January 2018. Kenneth was previously IHG’s CEO for Greater China, a role he held from 2013 to 2017. Kenneth has extensive experience across sales, marketing strategy, business development and operations. In addition to 12 years living and working in China, Kenneth’s career includes experience in Asia, the UK, France and South Africa. Before IHG, Kenneth worked for 20 years at Diageo, one of the UK’s leading branded companies. His senior management positions included serving as Managing Director of Diageo Greater China, where he helped to build the company’s presence and led the landmark deal to acquire ShuiJingFang, a leading manufacturer of China’s national drink, and one of the first foreign acquisitions of a Chinese listed company.

Key responsibilities:Kenneth is responsible for the management, growth and profitability of the EMEAA region. He also manages a portfolio of hotels in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, in both mature and emerging markets.

LOGO

Ranjay Radhakrishnan

Chief Human Resources OfficerIan Dyson

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Executive Committee:Board:

December 2016 (joined the Group: 2016)1 September 2013

Skills and experience:Ian has held a number of senior executive and finance roles, including Group Finance and Operations Director for Marks and Spencer Group plc for five years from 2005 to 2010, where he oversaw significant changes in the business. In addition, Ian was CEO of Punch Taverns plc, Finance Director for the Rank Group Plc, a leading European gaming business, and Group Financial Controller and Finance Director for the hotels division of Hilton Group plc. More recently, Ian was Senior Independent Non- Executive Director of Flutter Entertainment plc.

Ranjay joined IHGBoard contribution: Ian has gained significant experience from working in various senior finance roles, predominantly in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Ian became Chair of the Audit Committee on 1 April 2014, and, as such, is responsible for leading the Committee to ensure effective internal controls and risk management systems are in place.

Other appointments: Currently a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of SSP Group plc and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of ASOS plc.

LOGO

Jo Harlow

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 September 2014

Skills and experience: Jo most recently held the position of Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft Corporation. She was previously Executive Vice President of Smart Devices at Nokia Corporation, following a number of senior management roles at Nokia from 2003. Prior to that, she held marketing, sales and management roles at Reebok International Limited from 1992 to 2003 and at Procter & Gamble Company from 1984 to 1992.

Board contribution: Jo has over 25 years’ experience working in various senior roles, predominantly in the branded and technology sectors. Jo became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 1 October 2017, and as such she is responsible for setting the Remuneration Policy. Jo is also a member of the Nomination Committee.

Other appointments: Currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Ceconomy AG and a Non-Executive Director of Halma plc and J Sainsbury plc.

LOGO

Changes to the Board and its Committees, and Executive Committee

Graham AllanGraham was appointed to the Board from 1 September 2020

Ian DysonIan was appointed to the Nomination Committee from 18 December 2020

Duriya FarooquiDuriya was appointed to the Board from 7 December 2020

Wayne HoareWayne was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer from 14 September 2020

Luke MayhewLuke resigned from the Board from 18 December 2020

Malina NgaiMalina resigned from the Board from 7 May 2020

Sharon RothsteinSharon was appointed to the Board from 1 June 2020

In addition to the changes in 2020 set out above, in February 2021, the Board approved the appointment of Richard Anderson and Daniela Barone Soares as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company with effect from 1 March 2021. Further information relating to their appointments will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2021. In February 2021, the Board also accepted the resignation of Anne Busquet, who will retire from the Board with effect from the 2021 AGM.

Board Committee membership key
LOGOAudit Committee memberLOGORemuneration Committee member
LOGOResponsible Business Committee memberLOGOChair of a Board Committee
LOGONomination Committee member

78IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Jill McDonald

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Skills and experience: Jill started her career at Colgate-Palmolive Company, spent 16 years with British Airways Plc and has held a number of senior marketing positions in December 2016. Hethe UK and overseas. Jill was CEO UK and President for the North West Europe division for McDonald’s, and held a number of other senior roles in the company from 2006. From May 2015 until September 2017, Jill served as CEO of the Halfords Group plc. From 2017-2019, Jill served as Managing Director, Clothing, Home and Beauty, at Marks and Spencer plc.

Board contribution: Jill has over 30 years’ experience working with high-profile international consumer-facing brands at both marketing and operational level. As Chair of the Responsible Business Committee, she is responsible for corporate responsibility objectives and strategy and approach to sustainable development.

Other appointments: Currently CEO of Costa Coffee.

Appointed to

the Board: 1 June 2013

LOGO

Sharon Rothstein

Independent

Non Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Skills and experience: Sharon currently serves as Operating Partner of Stripes Group, a growth equity firm investing in high growth consumer and SaaS (Software as a Service) companies. She previously spent 23served as Executive Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, and subsequently, as Executive Vice President, Global Chief Product Officer for Starbucks Corporation. In addition, Sharon has held senior marketing and brand management positions at Sephora LLC, Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., Nabisco Biscuit Company, Procter & Gamble Company, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Board contribution: Sharon brings extensive brands and marketing expertise, having worked in senior positions for more than 25 years at Unilever,iconic global companies. In addition to her knowledge of the hospitality industry, Sharon has wide-ranging Board-level experience in a number of consumer- focused businesses.

Other appointments: Sharon serves on the Boards of Yelp, Inc. and Afterpay Limited; and also for private companies True Food Kitchen, Inc., LOLA, and Levain Bakery, Inc.

Appointed to

the Board on

1 June 2020

LOGO

Board composition

Gender split of Directors

Tenure of Directors
LOGOLOGO

LOGO

Our Board of DirectorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202079


Governance

Our Executive Committee

In addition to Keith Barr, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf, the Executive Committee comprises:

Claire Bennett

Global Chief Customer Officer

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

October 2017

(joined the Group: 2017)

LOGO

Skills and experience: Claire joined IHG with an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry having spent 11 years at American Express in a range of senior leadership roles at global, regionalacross marketing, consumer travel and country levels. At Unilever, Ranjayloyalty. In her tenure there, Claire was most recently ExecutiveGeneral Manager (GM), Global Travel and Lifestyle, where she led a team responsible for delivering luxury lifestyle services, and she held additional roles including GM for Consumer Loyalty, GM for US Consumer Travel, and Senior Vice President, Global HR (CategoriesMarketing and Market Clusters)Brand Management. Claire has also held senior marketing positions at Dell, as well as finance and general management roles at PepsiCo/Quaker Oats Company, building significant expertise across technology, retail e-commerce, financial services, and travel and hospitality sectors.

Claire has been an Executive Board Member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), where he led HR for Unilever’s eight regions (Market Clusters)served as a Board Member of Tumi Inc. and four global Product Categories underparticipated on multiple industry advisory boards. Claire is a unified global HR leadership role. Ranjay has workedCertified Public Accountant and lived in several countries, includingholds an MBA from the UK, the Netherlands, Singapore, UAE and India.J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Key responsibilities:These include global talent management, learning and capability building, diversity, organisation development, reward and benefit programmes, employee relations, and all aspects of brand design and commercial delivery, loyalty, partnerships, customer experience, and marketing execution.

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

November 2017

(joined the peopleGroup: 2001)

LOGO

Skills and organisation strategyexperience: Prior to his appointment as CEO for Greater China, Jolyon was Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Group.Americas, leading the region’s operations for franchised and managed hotels, in addition to cultivating franchisee relationships and enhancing hotel operating performance. Jolyon has also served as COO for Greater China for almost four years, with oversight of the region’s hotel portfolio and brand performance, food and beverage brand solutions, new hotel openings and owner relations.

Jolyon joined IHG in 2001, as Director of Operations in New South Wales, Australia, and then held roles of increasing responsibility across IHG’s Asia-Pacific region. He became Regional Director Sales and Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific in 2003, relocated to Singapore in 2005 and held positions of Vice President Operations South East Asia and India, Vice President Resorts, and Vice President Operations, South East and South West Asia. Jolyon graduated from William Angliss Institute in Melbourne with a concentration on Tourism and Hospitality.

Key responsibilities: These include the management, growth and profitability of IHG’s fastest growing region, Greater China.

Ranjay has resigned as Chief Human Resources Officer with effect from the end of February 2020.

LOGO

George TurnerYasmin Diamond, CB

Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial and

Technology OfficerGlobal Corporate Affairs

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

January 2009 (joinedApril 2016

(joined the Group: 2008)2012)

LOGO

Skills and experience:George joinedBefore joining IHG in 2008April 2012, Yasmin was Director of Communications at the Home Office, where she advised the Home Secretary, ministers and spent oversenior officials on the strategic development and daily management of all the Home Office’s external and internal communications. She was previously Director of Communications at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Head of Communications for Welfare to Work and New Deal; and Head of Marketing at the Department for Education and Skills. Before joining government communications, Yasmin was Publicity Commissioner for the BBC, where she led communications activity around the launch of a decade asnew digital learning channel and around the BBC’s educational output for both adults and children.

In 2011, Yasmin was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the New Year’s honours list in recognition of her career in government communications. In addition, Yasmin sits on the Board of Trustees for the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, and is a Board Trustee member of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Key responsibilities: Yasmin is responsible for all global corporate affairs activity, focused on supporting and enabling IHG’s EVP, broader strategic priorities. This includes all external and internal communications, covering both corporate and consumer brand PR; global government affairs work; and leading IHG’s Corporate Responsibility strategy.

Nicolette Henfrey

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

February 2019

(joined the Group: 2001)

LOGOSkills and experience: Nicolette joined IHG in 2001, and was appointed Deputy Company Secretary in August 2011, during which time she worked very closely with responsibility for corporate governance, riskthe Board, Executive Committee and assurance,wider organisation to ensure best-in-class delivery and compliance across our legal corporate responsibility and information security. Heregulatory areas. Nicolette is a solicitor and qualified to private practice in 1995. Priorprior to joining the Group, George spent over 10 years with Imperial Chemical Industries PLC, where he held various key positions including Deputy Company SecretaryIHG worked for Linklaters in London and Senior Legal Counsel. In February 2019 GeorgeFindlay & Tait (now Bowmans) in South Africa. Nicolette was appointed as Chief Commercial and Technology Officer, continuing as Company Secretary untilon 1 March 2019.

Key responsibilities:As EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary, these includedThese include overseeing our approach to corporate governance, risk management, information security, insurance, regulatory compliance, internal audit, legal and hotel standards. As EVP, Chief Commercial and Technology Officer, these include global sales, distribution, revenue management, hotel and owner solutions, reservations and customer care, digital, information security and technology.

Changes to the Board and its Committees, and Executive Committee
 

Arthur de HaastArthur was appointed to the Board from 1 January 2020
Anne BusquetAnne stepped down from the Nomination Committee in July 2019
Ian DysonIan stepped down from the Nomination Committee in July 2019
Malina NgaiMalina stepped down from the Nomination Committee in July 2019
Ranjay RadhakrishnanRanjay has resigned as Chief Human Resources Officer with effect from the end of February 2020

80
IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance83


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Board meetings

The Chair and Company Secretary continue to operate a thoroughtwo-tiered collaborative process for setting the Board agenda to ensure that the focus and discussion strikes the appropriate balance between short-term needs of the business and the longer-term. The Chair, CEO and Company Secretary also meet in advance of each Board and Committee meeting to finalise the agendas and ensure that sufficient time is allocated and in which order each matter is considered. The Company Secretary maintains an annual agenda schedule for Board meetings that sets out strategic and operational matters to be considered. Board papers are circulated to all Board members at least one week in advance of each meeting, to ensure that Directors have sufficient time to fully prepare for the meetings and ensure that effective, focused and relevant discussions take place. Each Board meeting begins with an update from the Chair and CEO, and the CFO then provides a review of the Group’s financial performance. Executive Committee members and other members of senior management present updates and ‘deep-dives’ on key initiatives and developments throughout the year, including functional, market and brand reviews, enabling all Directors to engage with senior management, have a strong understanding of Group operations, challenges and successes and contribute to strategic discussions.

The Board continues to receive presentations in the less formal context ofpre-dinner meetings, scheduled the day before Board meetings, and invites external experts to provide‘outside-in’ perspectives. This year the Board discussed the Greater China market and consumer and technology trends with external experts.

The Board held seven scheduled meetings during the year, and individual attendance is set out on page 79. All Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings and relevant Committee

meetings unless they are prevented from doing so by prior commitments, illness or a conflict of interest. If Directors are unable to attend Board or Committee meetings, they are sent the relevant papers and asked to provide comments to the Chair of the Board or Committee in advance of the meeting so that their comments can be duly considered.

Time is set aside at the start and end of each Board meeting for the CEO to meet with the Chair andNon-Executive Directors, and for the Chair to meet privately with the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director (SID) andNon-Executive Directors to discuss any matters arising. The SID continues to be available to discuss concerns with shareholders, in addition to the normal channels of shareholder communication.

During 2019, the Board focused on strategic and operational matters, corporate governance, investor relations and risk management. Board papers expressly reference the relevant stakeholder considerations and the interests of key stakeholders were considered throughout discussions. The Board is committed to maintaining an active and effective dialogue with all of our key stakeholders, as well as taking their interests into consideration in our decision making. Details of the Board’s engagement with the Group’s employees (pursuant to the ‘Voice of the Employee’ approach approved by the Board during the year) is set out on pages 32 and 33. Information in relation to our regard for the environment and local communities is provided on pages 34 and 35. Details of our engagement with suppliers, hotel owners and guests are included on pages 38 to 40, and information about our engagement with shareholders and investors is on pages 36 and 37.

The key focus areas for the Board during 2019 are outlined below:

Area of discussion

Discussion topic

Strategic and operational mattersAccelerating our growthRegular updates were received on progress against key strategic initiatives, including ongoing refinement of IHG’s operating model and key processes, benefit realisation, and risk management.

Strategic initiativesConsideration of merger and acquisition activity, including the acquisition of the Six Senses brand and business. In considering the acquisition, the Board had regard to the value proposition for our owners and our guests and for shareholders and reviewed the conclusions of the due diligence across a number of areas, including in relation to employees, human rights and the environment.

Operating regionsOperating performance, competitive positioning, and outlook and strategy for all regions, including progress against KPIs, were reviewed at each Board meeting. Deep-dive sessions on strategy, performance, risks and opportunities in each region including key market development opportunities were presented during the year. Hotel lifecycle management, with a particular focus on the Group’s owner proposition, was also considered.

Commercial deliveryReview of long-term channels and sales strategy and the plans for omnichannel revenue delivery, digital experiences, and data enterprise capabilities.

BrandsBrand performance and initiatives for all brands, including approving the launch of Atwell Suites and monitoring the integration and delivery of the voco, avid, Regent and Six Senses brands. In considering the Atwell Suites brand, the Board took into account the brand proposition for guests and for our owners, including, for example, owner cost to build.

Our people and cultureThe Board reviewed and adopted a ‘Voice of the Employee’ plan designed to strengthen the understanding of employee engagement and the impact of business proposals on employees, where relevant. Following such adoption, the Board reviewed various employee feedback channels, and members of the Board actively engaged with employees at various meetings and forums. Further information is set out on pages 28 and 32 to 33.

FinanceIn addition to approving the budget, review of the Group’s funding and liquidity position. In approving the budget, the Board considered a number of factors, including long-term viability, employee considerations, the need for investment in our business and the expectations of shareholders.

84IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


 

 

    

 

Area of discussionWayne Hoare

Discussion topic

Corporate governanceUpdates from each of the Board CommitteesDetails of Committee activities during 2019 can be found on pages 88 to 93 and 96 to 117.

Confidential Disclosure Channel ReportsHaving assumed responsibility for overseeing the Group’s Confidential Disclosure Channel, the Board received reports of confidential matters disclosed.

Quarterly corporate governance and regulatory updates, including reviews of regulatory developments and any upcoming legislative changes affecting the business, the Board and/or its CommitteesInternal quarterly updates are provided to the Board covering key regulatory and corporate governance developments in areas such as audit reform, the role of the Board in cyber risk, remuneration trends, and ESG considerations, and how the Group is responding.

Year-end matters, including the Annual Report and Form20-FDetails of the review process of the Annual Report and Form20-F can be found on page 88.

Board effectiveness evaluationDetails of the process and outcome of the external Board effectiveness review can be found on page 86.

Risk managementCybersecurityPresentations and updates were received on cybersecurity, including the overall threat landscape, IHG’s multi-year plan to enhance security capability, and the status of 2019 initiatives. The Board further considered the approach to cybersecurity risk management, key risk areas, and enhanced governance, including approval of an updated information security governance policy.

Internal controls and risk management systems, our risk appetite and our global insurance programmeRegular updates were received on internal controls, risk management systems, principal and emerging risks, our risk appetite and global insurance programme. Reports on risk topics were delivered by the Chair of each Committee.

Terms of Reference for each Board CommitteeChanges to the composition and Terms of Reference of the Nomination Committee were considered and approved during the year. The Terms of Reference for all Committees and the Matters Reserved for the Board can be found on our website.

Investor relations and communicationsUpdates on investor perceptions and shareholder relations, consideration of analysts’ reports and media updatesThe Board receives a regular report outlining share register movement, relative share price performance, Investor Relations activities and engagement with shareholders. The Board also considered feedback from the regular investor and analyst perception survey as well as individual meetings with investors.

Global communications updatesThe Board receives a regular report on global communications covering areas including the changing external landscape, trends on consumption of information, communications priorities, activity across key regions, our brands, people, and owners.

Review and approval of shareholder returns strategies for 2019During the year, the Board considered and, after taking into account stakeholder interests, distributable reserves and long-term success of the Company, recommended two dividends.

Preparations for the AGMDetails of the 2020 AGM can be found on page 36.

Annual Strategy Meeting – June 2019

The 2019 Annual Strategy Meeting was held in New York and the Board undertook a detailed review of the performance and achievements of the business in the broader context of the changing competitive environment, as well as completing an assessment of the key strategic choices and priorities required to deliver long-term success for the Group. Members of the Executive Committee attended and discussed with the Board various topics, including hospitality market dynamics, IHG’s brand portfolio and loyalty strategy, market opportunities and choices, and opportunities for investment in capabilities and platforms in areas such as distribution

and channels, loyalty, and owner and hotel lifecycle. The Board received updates on the Group’s People and Culture roadmap and its Corporate Responsibility strategy. Board members also had the opportunity to engage directly with our owners at a reception hosted at the InterContinental Times Square hotel as part of the NYU International Hospitality Industry Conference.

Each Board member received a full briefing in advance of the Annual Strategy Meeting to ensure they had the time to reflect on the key information ahead of engaging in the discussions at the meeting.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance85


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Director induction, training and development

New Director inductions

All new Directors, upon appointment, undergo a comprehensive and formal induction programme which is tailored to meet their individual needs. We believe this is crucial to ensure our Directors have a full understanding of all aspects of our business and familiarity with the Group’s purpose, culture and values, to ensure they are able to contribute effectively to the Board.

A tailored induction plan was prepared for Arthur de Haast in advance of his appointment to the Board from 1 January 2020. This includes:

Information on the Group’s purpose, culture, values and strategy, including its business model, brands and the markets in which it operates;

An overview of how the Group generates value for its shareholders, has regard for its stakeholders and the environment and how it contributes to wider society;

Our approach to internal controls and our risk management strategy;

Information on the Board, its Committees and IHG’s governance processes, with a particular focus on the Remuneration and Corporate Responsibility Committees in light of Arthur’s appointment to these Committees;

A reminder of the rules relating to maintaining the confidentiality of inside information and restrictions in dealing in IHG shares, together with a briefing on the policies and procedures IHG has in place to ensure compliance with such rules;

Meetings with members of the Board and the Executive Committee, senior management from functions across the Group, the external Auditor and other key external advisors; and

Visits to IHG hotels across our brands, meeting owners and spending time with our General Managers.

Ongoing Director training and development

We understand the importance of an ongoing training programme for Directors to enable them to fully understand the Group’s business and operations in the context of the rapidly developing environment in which it operates. The Chair continues to review the training and development needs with each Director on a regular basis and the Board is made aware of training opportunities.

Board and Committee meetings are regularly used to update Directors on developments in the environment in which the business operates andin-depth presentations are provided on key topical areas. The Company Secretary provides regular updates on regulatory, corporate governance and legal matters and Directors are able to meet individually with senior management if necessary. Focus trends and areas in 2019 included audit reform and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, as well as cybersecurity developments. Directors are also encouraged to attend external training events to update their skills and knowledge.

Board meetings continue to be held at IHG hotels around the world to provide first-hand experience of our different brands. We believe that this opportunity to meet our workforce, suppliers and owners across the business broadens the Board’s understanding of the markets in which we operate. In 2019, Board members attended Board and Committee meetings at the InterContinental® London Park Lane and the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel London in the UK, the Barclay InterContinental Hotel in New York, USA as well as meetings at the Group’s head offices in Denham, UK. Directors are also encouraged to continue to visit hotels across our brands on an informal basis.

Board effectiveness evaluation

External evaluation

Following an internal evaluation in 2018, in 2019 the Board undertook a full external evaluation. The Nomination Committee considered proposals for the conduct of the evaluation and recommended to the Board that the evaluation be carried out by Mr. Christopher Saul of Christopher Saul Associates. As Mr. Saul and the Chair both serve as Board members of The Leverhulme Trust, the Chair excluded himself from the decision to appoint Mr. Saul, who has no other connection with the Company or the Directors.

Mr. Saul met with the Chair and the Company Secretary to devise a detailed evaluation process, which comprised:

Reviewing the Terms of Reference for the Board and each of its Committees, minutes of Board and Committee meetings for the previous two years, various Board papers and notes from the Chair’s discussions with large shareholders;

Individualface-to-face interviews with each Board member, covering Board dynamics and culture; Board focus and discussion; Board processes; Board engagement with management, performance and strategy and areas for improvement;

Face-to-face interviews with the General Counsel and Company Secretary and other members of the Executive Committee and senior risk, finance and HR management, as well as key external advisers (including the external audit partner); and

Attendance at, and observation of, Board and Committee meetings held in October 2019.

The review’s findings and recommendations were reported to and discussed by the Board and its Committees in December 2019.

Overall, the review concluded that the Board iswell-led and operates effectively to high standards of professionalism. It found that the Board Committees are well integrated into the Board decision-making process and that the relationship between the Executive andNon-Executive Directors is constructive. The Nomination Committee is also effectively overseeing Board composition and succession.

The review identified some areas where changes could appropriately be made and the Board agreed to take the actions outlined on the following page, recognising the benefits of continuous improvement:

86IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Area for focus

Actions agreed

Board processes, dynamics and engagement with management:

  revising the cadence of meetings over the year andre-shaping the meeting agendas to allow (i) for extended discussion of key strategic and operational initiatives and (ii) the CEO to engage more withNon-Executive Directors.

  further enhancing and streamlining the information provided to the Board to include more forward-looking information.

The number of Board meetings for 2020 will be reduced from seven to sixface-to-face meetings (with more time allowed for each meeting), and two CEO Board update calls focusing on operational and performance matters will be added.

The balance between time spent on updating the Board and discussion items will be reviewed to ensure that there is continued appropriate distribution between providing the Board with essential information and allowing time for Boardin-depth discussion and debate.

More time will be allocated for the CEO to meet alone withNon-Executive Directors in an informal environment outside the full Board meeting, in addition to the private sessions with the CEO on the agenda.

The information pack provided to the Board in advance of meetings will be reviewed and revised as appropriate to ensure there is sufficient key trend data and balance between performance to date and forward-looking information.

The Directors will continue to suggest agenda items for deeper dive consideration and the Chair and Company Secretary will continue to set the agenda to ensure that sufficient time is dedicated to key strategic and operational projects and priorities and the meeting cadence allows for appropriate discussion.

Board Committees:

  revising the Terms of Reference of the Committees to avoid the overlap in remit, particularly around Diversity and Inclusion and Voice of the Employee.

  refreshing the approach to agenda items for Audit Committee meetings, given the broad scope of its remit.

The Terms of Reference of the Nomination and Corporate Responsibility Committees have been amended so that from 1 March 2020, the Nomination Committee will continue to lead the process for Board composition, appointments and succession planning, while the Corporate Responsibility Committee (which is to be renamed the Responsible Business Committee) shall assume responsibility for overseeing the Group’s Diversity and Inclusion agenda and the Board’s engagement with the Group’s workforce.

The Audit Committee agendas will be evaluated to ensure that thepre-read information pack and agenda items allow for an improved balance between areas for discussion and regular routine updates.

Directors’ performance evaluation

In addition to the external Board evaluation process outlined above, internal performance evaluations of Directors were undertaken during 2019 in order to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of each Director. Feedback was collected for each Director’s peer review by the Chair and the SID through an interview format, combining structured interview questions and a more open-ended discussion. Board members were asked to provide comments on their fellow Directors’ preparedness, contribution, strengths and weaknesses, industry and company understanding and opportunity for development.

The summary of the feedback was reviewed by the Chair and the SID before being communicated to each Director.

The assessment of the performance of the Chair was led by the SID. The Chair’s evaluation consisted of interviews with theNon-Executive Directors, together with feedback provided by Mr. Saul as part of the external evaluation detailed above. The evaluation focused on:

The relationship between the CEO and Chair;

Board succession;

Board culture and the Chair’s ability to promote and maintain an open, transparent and constructive atmosphere, encouragingco-operation and communication;

Managing the Board in accordance with high standards of corporate governance; and

The effectiveness of the analysis and action taken from the results of last year’s evaluation.

The CEO evaluation was led by the Chair in a process involving all Directors by means of a structured interview process. Key areas of focus included:

IHG’s performance;

Effectiveness in developing and implementing strategy, talent and culture;

Effectiveness in shaping IHG’s reputation and relationships with key stakeholders;

Value stewardship;

Leadership of the Executive Committee; and

Areas for further development.

The length of tenure ofNon-Executive Directors continues to be reviewed as part of the Directors’ performance evaluation process. Dale Morrison and Luke Mayhew have served on the Board for more than eight years, and accordingly they were subject to particular review. It was concluded that each Director continues to contribute effectively and to demonstrate commitment to the role including devoting the necessary time. Given the tenure of some Directors, it was noted that succession planning would be a particular focus area for the Board and the Nomination Committee in 2020.

Directors’ additional appointments and time commitments also form part of the internal performance evaluation process. Any potential additional appointments are thoroughly discussed with the Chair before being accepted, with the time commitment required for each role being carefully assessed. During 2019, particular consideration was given to Jill McDonald and Malina Ngai’s commitments in light of their appointments to new roles. It was concluded that their additional appointments should not adversely impact their performance, but should enhance their ability to provide constructive challenge and strategic guidance.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance87


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report

LOGO

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring that IHG maintains a strong control environment. It monitors the integrity of IHG’s financial reporting, including significant financial reporting judgements, maintains oversight and reviews our systems of internal control and risk management, monitors and reviews the effectiveness and performance of internal and external audit functions, as well as reviewing the behaviours expected of IHG’s employees through the Code of Conduct and related policies.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and authority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

LOGOThe ToR are available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors
under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus over the year have been:

Regular reviews of the Group’s information security risks and controls, including review and recommending to the Board for approval of the Group’s Information Security Governance Policy;

Reviewing, challenging and ensuring accurate financial and narrative reporting, including reviewing the Annual Report and Form20-F and assessing the Group’s approach to accounting for acquisitions, System Fund accounting as well as the implementation of the IFRS 16 standard;

Reviewing and assessing the robustness of the Group’s internal control and risk management systems and reviews of specific principal risk areas including the approach to strategic supplier management, System Fund accounting, and hotel safety and security;

Overseeing the relationship with and appraisal of the Group’s external Auditor, including regular analysis of audit andnon-audit services;

Overseeing the external audit tender process; and

Monitoring and reviewing the role of Internal Audit.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of the Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set out on page 79. The CFO, Group Financial Controller, Head of Risk and Assurance and our external Auditor, Ernst & Young LLP (EY), attended all meetings in 2019. Other attendees are invited to meetings as appropriate; and the CEO and all other Directors attended Committee meetings where the principal risks and risk management systems and the approval of financial reporting were considered and discussed. The Committee continues to hold private sessions with the internal and external Auditors without the presence of management to ensure that a culture of transparency is maintained. The Committee Chair continues to have recent and relevant financial experience and all members of the Committee are IndependentNon-Executive Directors. In accordance with the Code, the Board also considers that the Committee as a whole possesses competence relevant to the Company’s sector, having a range of financial and commercial experience in the hospitality industry and the broader commercial environment in which we operate. Further details of the skills and experience of the Board can be found on pages 80 to 81.

Reporting to the Board

Following each Committee meeting, the Committee Chair updates the Board on key issues discussed. The papers and minutes for each meeting are circulated to all Board members, who are invited to request further information if required and to provide any challenge where necessary.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Board. During 2019, the Committee was also reviewed as part of the external Board evaluation process where it was concluded that the Committee remains effective (see page 86). As Chair, given the broad scope of the Committee’s remit, I will continue to monitor the balance between areas for discussion and regular routine updates.

Focus areas and activities

Financial and narrative reporting

During the year, the Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the interim and annual Financial Statements (considering the relevant accounting and reporting matters such as impairment reviews, key judgement areas, acquisition accounting, the going concern and viability statements) and the Group’s quarterly trading updates. All members of the Board are asked to attend these meetings.

The Committee recognises the importance of understanding changes in accounting policies and practice, and continues to receive an annual update from EY on key changes in this area. In 2019, the Committee continued its review of the implementation of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ and reviewed and recommended approval of the restatement of the 2018 Financial Statements for its adoption.

The Committee continued to seek input and guidance from the external Auditor where appropriate to gain further assurance over the process of preparation of the Financial Statements. In addition, the Committee received regular reports from the Chair of the Disclosure Committee and copies of all minutes of that Committee were circulated to the Committee.

The Committee received early drafts of the Annual Report and Form20-F 2019 (Annual Report), and when providing comments considered: (i) the process for preparing and verifying the Annual Report, which included review by members of the Executive Committee and input from senior employees in the Operations, Strategy, Human Resources, Finance, Risk and Assurance and Legal teams; (ii) a report from the Chair of the Disclosure Committee; and (iii) the checklist prepared by the Annual Report team confirming compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.

The Committee also considered management’s analysis of how the content taken as a whole, was ‘fair, balanced and understandable’, and whether it contained the necessary information for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy. In order to reach this conclusion, a dedicated project team worked on the contents of the Annual Report and a detailed verification process to confirm the accuracy of the information contained within the Annual Report was undertaken by the Financial Planning and Analysis department. The Committee then considered both the structure and content of the Annual Report to ensure that the key messages were effectively and consistently communicated and that meaningful links between the business model, strategy, KPIs, principal risks and remuneration were clearly identified throughout the Annual Report. The Committee specifically considered theNon-GAAP measures which have been enhanced to improve both the clarity of the descriptions and the explanation of the usefulness of the measures to different stakeholder groups.

Following a review of the contents of the Annual Report alongside the aforementioned criteria, the Committee reported its recommendation to approve the Annual Report to the Board.

88IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


During the year, the Group was selected by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for inclusion in a thematic review of companies’ disclosures following the first full year of adoption of IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’. Following completion of

the FRC enquiries, we have provided additional disclosures in this Annual Report and Form20-F relating to the accounting policy for technology fee income and the judgements involved in the accounting for the System Fund.

Significant matters in the 2019 Financial Statements

The Committee discussed with management and the Auditor the key judgements applied in the Financial Statements, the exceptional items arising in the year and the impact of any accounting developments or legislative changes. The main items discussed are outlined below.

Area of focus

Issue/Role of the Committee

Conclusions/Actions taken

Accounting
for IHG Rewards Club
Accounting for IHG Rewards Club requires significant use of estimation techniques and represents a material deferred revenue balance. Accordingly, the Committee reviews the controls, judgements and estimates related to accounting for the IHG Rewards Club programme.In forming a conclusion on the appropriateness of the accounting for the IHG Rewards Club programme, the Committee reviewed the deferred revenue balance and questioned the valuation approach, the results of the external actuarial review and procedures completed, to determine the breakage assumption for outstanding IHG Rewards Club points. The Committee concluded that the deferred revenue balance is appropriately stated.

Accounting
for the
System Fund
Given the unique nature of the System Fund, the Committee reviews the controls and processes related to System Fund accounting.In forming a conclusion on the appropriateness of the System Fund accounting, the Committee met with senior finance management to review and evaluate the risk areas associated with the System Fund. The Committee reviewed a paper from management outlining the financial oversight of the System Fund, the principles determining the allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund, and the related internal control environment. The Committee concluded that the accounting treatment of the System Fund, and related disclosures, were appropriate.

Impairment testingImpairment reviews require significant judgement in estimating recoverable values of assets or cash-generating units and the Committee therefore scrutinises the methodologies applied and the inherent sensitivities in determining any potential asset impairment and the adequacy of the related disclosures.The Committee reviewed a management report outlining the approach taken on impairment testing and key assumptions and sensitivities supporting the conclusion on the various asset categories. The Committee examined the assumptions related tonon-current assets, assets previously impaired, and the assets acquired as part of the Kimpton and UK portfolio transactions in 2015 and 2018 respectively. The impairments (see pages 139 and 140, and note 13 on page 168), recorded in the year for the Kimpton management agreements ($50m), the UK portfolio goodwill ($49m) and IFRS 16right-of-use asset ($32m) and the related fair value adjustment to contingent purchase consideration ($38m) were discussed in detail. The Committee concluded that it agreed with the determinations reached on impairment, and the related change in the fair value of the UK portfolio contingent purchase consideration, the classification of these as exceptional items and that the related disclosures were appropriate.

Litigation and
contingencies
From time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings with the ultimate outcome of each being subject to many uncertainties. The Committee reviews and evaluates the need for any provisioning on a case by case basis and considers the adequacy of the disclosure.At each meeting during the year, the Committee considered a report detailing all material litigation matters. The Committee discussed and agreed any provisioning requirements for these matters based on the factors set out on page 236. The Committee reviewed the need for, and the amount of, a provision in respect of a lawsuit filed against the Group in the Americas region, and the cost of an arbitration award in the EMEAA region, and the classification of these as exceptional items.

Exceptional itemsThe Group exercises judgement in presenting exceptional items. The Committee reviews and challenges the classification of items as exceptional based on their materiality or nature.The Committee reviewed papers prepared by management and considered the consistency of treatment and nature of items classified as exceptional. The Committee reviewed and challenged the significance, timing and nature of the exceptional items disclosed in note 6, comprising reorganisation costs, acquisition and integration costs primarily relating to Six Senses, impairment, fair value adjustments to contingent purchase consideration and litigation. The Committee concluded that the disclosures and the treatment of the items shown as exceptional were appropriate.

Acquisition of
Six Senses
Acquisition accounting involves judgement in establishing the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired. The Committee reviews the accounting and challenges the appropriateness of the inputs and judgements to these valuations.The Committee considered the work done to establish the fair value of the assets acquired. The Committee questioned the assumptions underlying the significant assets recognised and took into consideration a report from a third-party valuation expert. The Committee concluded that the fair values recognised were appropriate.

Adoption of
IFRS 16
IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ was adopted from 1 January 2019. Accordingly, the Committee reviewed the accounting, considered the adequacy of the disclosure and the related processes and controls.Having previously reviewed the accounting under IFRS 16 in 2018, the Committee considered the work done to restate the 2018 results, the application of IFRS 16 and related disclosures in the Annual Report and Form20-F 2019 and the refreshed internal control environment. The Committee concluded that the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the financial statements was appropriate.

Internal control and risk management

The Board is responsible for establishing procedures to manage risk, overseeing the internal control framework and determining the nature and extent of the principal risks the Company is willing to take to achieve its long-term objectives. The Committee supports the Board by reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control and risk management systems and assessing emerging and principal risks.

In order to effectively review the internal control and risk management systems, the Committee:

Receives regular reports from management, Risk and Assurance and the external Auditor on the effectiveness of the systems for risk management and internal control, including financial, operational and compliance controls.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance89


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report continued

Reviews the process by which risks are identified (including procedures in place to identify emerging risks) and assesses the timeliness and effectiveness of corrective action taken by management, including regular reports and presentations on the Company’s overall internal control, risk management system and principal risks.

Receives additional reports throughout the year relevant to internal control and risk management, both financial andnon-financial, to ensure that current and emerging risks are identified, assessed and appropriately managed (see pages 47 to 53 for further detail on our risks and initiatives to manage them).

As part of the Committee’s review of the internal control and risk management systems, key financial, operational and compliance controls across the business continue to be monitored and tested throughout the year. The Committee assesses the approach to Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 (SOX) compliance in accordance with our US obligations and reviews reports on the progress of the SOX programme at each meeting. The Committee considers the Group’s treasury and tax strategy policies annually and, during 2019 approved minor changes to the Group Treasury Policy and the Group’s published ‘Approach to Tax’.

LOGOOur Approach to Tax document is available at
www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

Having reviewed the internal control and risk management systems throughout the year, the Committee concluded that the Group continues to have an effective system of risk management and internal controls, and that there are no material weaknesses in the control environment and no significant failings or weaknesses.

Principal risk areas

The Committee’s agenda complements those of other committees and it schedules reviews of specific risk areas not covered elsewhere, in addition to the regular risk management review. During 2019, the Committee considered the following areas:

Information security and privacy continued to be key areas of focus for the Committee during the year.

Ethical and social considerations, as stakeholder and societal expectations and regulatory requirements in these areas develop rapidly.

Financial management and controls, including ongoing improvements to the framework for internal control at the managed and owned, leased and managed lease hotel level.

Risk management and internal control arrangements for key reservations-related outsourced processes and general oversight of our strategic supplier relationships.

Reports from management on preparation for Brexit scenarios.

Further details of our principal risks, uncertainties and review process can be found on pages 47 to 53.

Relationship with external auditor

A detailed audit plan was received from EY at the beginning of the audit cycle for the 2019 financial year, which gave an overview of their approach to the audit, outlining the significant risk areas and in particular the approach to materiality and scoping of the audit.

The Committee regularly reviewed the significant audit risks and assessed the progress of the audit throughout the year.

Non-audit services

The independence and objectivity of thenon-audit services provided by EY to the Group are safeguarded by IHG’s Audit andNon-Audit ServicesPre-Approval Policy. The policy is reviewed by the Audit Committee annually, and minor changes were approved in 2019.

The policy requires thatpre-approval is obtained from the Audit Committee for all services provided by the external Auditor before any work can commence, in line with US SEC requirements without any de minimis threshold. The Committee reviewed the audit andnon-audit fees incurred with EY on a quarterly basis during 2019. Following these reviews, the Committee noted that there had been no prohibited services (as defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) provided to the Group in each period. The Committee is prohibited from delegatingnon-audit services approval to management and compliance with the policy is actively managed.

IHG is committed to maintainingnon-audit fees at a low level and the Committee is cognisant of investor advisory bodies’ guidelines onnon-audit fees. During 2019, 21% of services provided to the Group werenon-audit services (2018: 21%), primarily related to SOC Reports. Details of the fees paid to EY fornon-audit work during 2019, and for statutory audit work during 2019 can be found on page 157. The Committee is satisfied that the Company was compliant during the year with the FRC’s Ethical and Auditing Standards in respect of the scope and maximum permitted level of fees incurred fornon-audit services provided by EY. Wherenon-audit work is performed by EY, both the Company and EY ensure adherence to robust processes to prevent the objectivity and independence of the external auditor being compromised. The Committee notes the revised FRC Ethical and Accounting Standards issued in December 2019, effective March 2020, and will incorporate any changes required in the next review of IHG’s Audit andNon-Audit ServicesPre-Approval Policy.

Risk and Assurance – Internal Audit

The Committee discusses the Internal Audit annual plan in December each year, which aims to provide objective and insightful assurance that our growth ambitions are delivered in a responsible and controlled manner. The 2020 plan presented to the Committee included a balanced portfolio of internal audit activities to focus on key assurance objectives and themes, for example new ways of working between centralised functions and front-line teams; data integrity controls over financial andnon-financial metrics; and programme delivery and benefits realisation controls. Following consideration, the Committee confirmed its agreement to the 2020 Internal Audit plan, including the key control themes identified. Progress against the Internal Audit plan is reported to the Committee at each meeting and is actively monitored by the Committee. This includes reviewing the results of completed audits and the findings raised through these audits, as well as management action plans to address any issues raised.

A functional effectiveness review of Internal Audit is undertaken each year and reported to the Committee. Internal Audit has again undertaken an internal assessment using feedback from auditees and senior leadership. This highlighted positive feedback on the support provided to key programmes and outsourcing decisions in 2019, alignment with Global Institute of Internal Audit standards, and identified opportunities for continuous improvement in 2020.

Governance and compliance

The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Group’s Code of Conduct (which is reviewed and approved annually) and related policies.

Looking forward

During 2020, the Committee will focus on preparation for the orderly transition of audit services to PwC and maintaining oversight of the Group’s control environment.

Ian Dyson

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 September 2013

Skills and experience: Ian has held a number of senior executive and finance roles, including Group Finance and Operations Director for Marks and Spencer Group plc for five years from 2005 to 2010, where he oversaw significant changes in the business. In addition, Ian was CEO of Punch Taverns plc, Finance Director for the Rank Group Plc, a leading European gaming business, and Group Financial Controller and Finance Director for the hotels division of Hilton Group plc. More recently, Ian was Senior Independent Non- Executive Director of Flutter Entertainment plc.

Board contribution: Ian has gained significant experience from working in various senior finance roles, predominantly in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Ian became Chair of the Audit Committee on 1 April 2014, and, as such, is responsible for leading the Committee to ensure effective internal controls and risk management systems are in place.

17 February 2020

Other appointments: Currently a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of SSP Group plc and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of ASOS plc.

LOGO

Jo Harlow

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Appointed to

the Board:

1 September 2014

Skills and experience: Jo most recently held the position of Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft Corporation. She was previously Executive Vice President of Smart Devices at Nokia Corporation, following a number of senior management roles at Nokia from 2003. Prior to that, she held marketing, sales and management roles at Reebok International Limited from 1992 to 2003 and at Procter & Gamble Company from 1984 to 1992.

Board contribution: Jo has over 25 years’ experience working in various senior roles, predominantly in the branded and technology sectors. Jo became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 1 October 2017, and as such she is responsible for setting the Remuneration Policy. Jo is also a member of the Nomination Committee.

Other appointments: Currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Ceconomy AG and a Non-Executive Director of Halma plc and J Sainsbury plc.

LOGO

    

Changes to the Board and its Committees, and Executive Committee

Graham AllanGraham was appointed to the Board from 1 September 2020

Ian DysonIan was appointed to the Nomination Committee from 18 December 2020

Duriya FarooquiDuriya was appointed to the Board from 7 December 2020

Wayne HoareWayne was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer from 14 September 2020

Luke MayhewLuke resigned from the Board from 18 December 2020

Malina NgaiMalina resigned from the Board from 7 May 2020

Sharon RothsteinSharon was appointed to the Board from 1 June 2020

In addition to the changes in 2020 set out above, in February 2021, the Board approved the appointment of Richard Anderson and Daniela Barone Soares as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company with effect from 1 March 2021. Further information relating to their appointments will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2021. In February 2021, the Board also accepted the resignation of Anne Busquet, who will retire from the Board with effect from the 2021 AGM.

Board Committee membership key
LOGOAudit Committee memberLOGORemuneration Committee member
LOGOResponsible Business Committee memberLOGOChair of a Board Committee
LOGONomination Committee member
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78IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


 

 

    

 

External auditor –Re-appointment of Ernst & Young LLP (EY)

The Committee assessed EY’s performance during the year, including its independence, effectiveness and objectivity, and considered the appointment of its external Auditor, including the requirements for putting the audit out to tender as set out in EU and Competition and Markets Authority legislation. After due consideration, the Committee recommended there-appointment of EY as the Auditor of the Group. EY has been our Auditor since IHG’s listing in April 2003 and of the Group’s predecessor businesses dating back to 1988.

As part of its annual review, the Committee determines the independence of the external auditor, considering, among other things, its challenge to management and level of professional scepticism, the amount of time passed since a rotation of audit partner and the level ofnon-audit work that it undertakes, details of which can be found on page 90.

To ensure the external Auditor’s independence is safeguarded, lead audit partners are required to rotate every five years. Sarah Kokot, who was appointed lead audit partner in 2016, has continued her role during 2019. Another audit partner, Colin Brown, rotated following completion of the 2018 audit and is replaced for 2019 by Helen McLeod-Jones.

The Committee also considered the effectiveness of the relationship between EY and management as part of the annual review process. This included the completion of feedback questionnaires by the Committee members and 46 senior IHG employees. Feedback was requested on a number of topics including independence, assignment management and communication. The Committee also received reports from EY on its independence.

No significant issues were raised in the annual review of the auditor performance and effectiveness and, as a result, the Committee concluded that EY continues to provide an effective audit and maintain independence and objectivity. The Committee is satisfied with the external audit process as a whole and therefore recommended the reappointment of EY to the Board.

Audit tender

In accordance with regulations mandating a tender for the 2021 financial year, the Group conducted an audit contract tender in 2019. Asub-committee, including members of the Audit Committee, was established to manage and govern the audit tender process and was accountable to the Audit Committee, which maintained overall ownership of the tender process and ensured that it was run in a fair and balanced manner. Thesub-committee was supported by a project team, led by the Group Financial Controller. A summary of the timeline and key activities carried out during the tender process is set out below:

The request for proposal was issued to firms in May 2019. A data room was established to provide the firms with sufficient information to be able to establish an audit plan. A Q&A process was also set up through a centralised mailbox, allowing the firms to ask questions on the content of the data room or request further information.

The audit firms participated in a series of meetings with management, which provided a forum for the firms to ask questions arising from their review of the data room, as well as enabling management to interact directly with each proposed audit team.

Each firm met with the Chair of the Audit Committee.
 Due diligence activities conducted as part of the tender process included: 

Consideration of the Competition and Market Authority’s review of the effectiveness of competition in the audit market and Sir John Kingman’s independent review of the FRC;

A review of audit quality reports on the firms issued by the FRC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

Each firm completed an independence return, which were reviewed to assess consistency with the Company’s own assessment; and

Reference checks with comparable companies were completed.

Written proposals were received in June 2019 and the participating firms presented their proposals to the sub-committee in July 2019.

The principal evaluation criteria used to assess the firms were:

Audit Quality, including the firm’s internal and external audit inspection results, the ongoing work in respect of quality being undertaken by the firm, how the firm will execute group oversight in areas of significant risk, and how the firm will challenge management; and

Experience and Capability of each firm to address IHG’s structure and its areas of uniqueness.

Following a detailed review of the performance of each firm and an evaluation against all of the criteria, thesub-committee recommended Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC) as its preferred candidate. The factors contributing to the selection of PwC as the preferred candidate included its understanding of the complexities specific to IHG including IHG Rewards Club and the impact of a shared service centre structure on the audit; external quality ratings across the past six years, and the firm’s response to quality findings; internal quality ratings for the proposed team; clear insight into IHG’s control environment; and a robust approach to the audit of IT.

In accordance with statutory requirements, a report on the tender selection procedure and conclusions was prepared and validated by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee and subsequently the Board approved the recommendation to appoint PwC. In August 2019, the Company announced the Board’s intention to propose to shareholders at the 2021 AGM that PwC be appointed as the Company’s statutory auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2021.

EY will remain the Group’s auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2020. Over the intervening period PwC and IHG will run the transition process. The principal activities completed so far include reviewingnon-audit services provided to the Group and taking appropriate steps to achieve audit independence during the first half of 2020.

The Group confirms that it has complied with the requirements of The Competition and Markets Authority Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014, which relates to the frequency and governance of tenders for the appointment of the external auditor and the setting of a policy on the provision ofnon-audit services.

See page 232 for further disclosure under Item 16F of Form20-F.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance91


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Corporate Responsibility Committee Report

LOGO

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Committee reviews and advises the Board on the Group’s corporate responsibility objectives and strategy, including its impact on the environment, social, community and human rights issues, its approach to sustainable development, and stakeholder engagement in relation to the Group’s approach to responsible business.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and authority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

LOGOThe ToR are available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors
under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus areas over the year have been:

Considering the Group’s Corporate Responsibility Strategy, given developments in environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations and the need to look beyond the Group’s 2018-2020 targets;

Monitoring the delivery of the Responsible Business targets for the year, with a focus on the Group’s environmental, community and diversity targets;

Reviewing the Group’s approach to responsible business in the supply chain, including supplier audits and the Supplier Code of Conduct;

Reviewing the Group’s Human Rights programme and approving the Human Rights Policy; and

Overseeing responsible business stakeholder engagement.

From March 2020, the Committee will also be renamed the ‘Responsible Business Committee’.

Membership and attendance at meetings

The Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set out on page 79. The Head of Corporate Responsibility and the Chair of the Board attended all meetings held during the year.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee Chair updates the Board on all key issues raised at Committee meetings. Papers and minutes for each meeting are also circulated to all Board members, who are invited to request further information where necessary.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Board. During 2019, the Committee was also reviewed as part of the external Board evaluation process, where it was concluded that the Committee remains effective (see page 86).

Focus areas and activities

Responsible Business targets

During 2019, the Committee assessed progress against the Responsible Business targets for 2018-2020.

The Committee discussed the Group’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the work of the D&I Board, with the Chief Human Resources Officer. The Chief Procurement Officer provided an update to the Committee on the Group’s approach to responsible

procurement, including progress on supplier audits, and the Committee endorsed the initiatives proposed for 2020 which include supply chain diversity and value chain mapping.

Approach to corporate responsibility

In 2019, the Committee regularly reviewed and considered the Group’s approach to corporate responsibility and its post-2020 responsible business ambitions. The Committee endorsed new sustainability commitments for the Group including setting stretching science-based targets, plans to meet the requirements of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and commitment to the CEO Water Mandate.

The Committee also endorsed management’s establishment of a Responsible Business Governance Committee, comprising senior executives.

Community and human rights issues

The Committee throughout the year continued to evaluate the Group’s support to communities across the globe through the ‘True Hospitality for Good’ programme, which is funded by a $1 million annual commitment from the business to support community impact projects. In 2019, the Group launched a new partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide to open doors to young people in nine markets through their ‘IHG First Look’ work experience days. Community impact is brought to life across the hotel estate through ‘Giving for Good’ month, which took place in September and encouraged fundraising and volunteering for our colleagues with nearly 160,000 participating in 2019.

The Committee reviewed and considered the proposed approach to the Group’s human rights programme, following completion of a human rights impact assessment. The Committee endorsed the programme, which focuses on human trafficking training and embedding the ITP Forced Labour Principles. The Committee also approved an updated Human Rights policy. The Group’s Modern Slavery Statement was also reviewed and recommended for approval to the Board.

Stakeholder engagement

The Committee assessed the Group’s stakeholder engagement activity, including our partnerships with NGOs and community partnerships. Committee members engaged with shareholders, including on environmental, social and governance matters.

LOGOInformation on our responsible business commitments
can be found at
www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

Recognising the importance of corporate responsibility, we were pleased to be listed again on the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

Looking forward

In February 2020, the Board approved the expansion of the Committee’s remit to include overseeing the Board’s workforce engagement (an overview of which is set out on pages 32 and 33) and the Group’s diversity and inclusion agenda (set out on pages 30 and 31). Accordingly in 2020, the Committee will focus on the activities in these areas as well as supporting the creation of our post-2020 responsible business strategy and ambition, taking into account the importance of environmental, social and governance considerations to all our stakeholders and the importance of ensuring responsible business is core to our broader strategy.

Jill McDonald

Independent

Non-Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO  LOGO

Skills and experience: Jill started her career at Colgate-Palmolive Company, spent 16 years with British Airways Plc and has held a number of senior marketing positions in the UK and overseas. Jill was CEO UK and President for the North West Europe division for McDonald’s, and held a number of other senior roles in the company from 2006. From May 2015 until September 2017, Jill served as CEO of the Halfords Group plc. From 2017-2019, Jill served as Managing Director, Clothing, Home and Beauty, at Marks and Spencer plc.

Board contribution: Jill has over 30 years’ experience working with high-profile international consumer-facing brands at both marketing and operational level. As Chair of the Responsible Business Committee, she is responsible for corporate responsibility objectives and strategy and approach to sustainable development.

Other appointments: Currently CEO of Costa Coffee.

Appointed to

the Board: 1 June 2013

LOGO

Sharon Rothstein

Independent

Non Executive Director

LOGO  LOGO

Skills and experience: Sharon currently serves as Operating Partner of Stripes Group, a growth equity firm investing in high growth consumer and SaaS (Software as a Service) companies. She previously served as Executive Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, and subsequently, as Executive Vice President, Global Chief Product Officer for Starbucks Corporation. In addition, Sharon has held senior marketing and brand management positions at Sephora LLC, Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., Nabisco Biscuit Company, Procter & Gamble Company, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Board contribution: Sharon brings extensive brands and marketing expertise, having worked in senior positions for more than 25 years at iconic global companies. In addition to her knowledge of the hospitality industry, Sharon has wide-ranging Board-level experience in a number of consumer- focused businesses.

Other appointments: Sharon serves on the Boards of Yelp, Inc. and Afterpay Limited; and also for private companies True Food Kitchen, Inc., LOLA, and Levain Bakery, Inc.

Appointed to

the Board on

1 June 2020

LOGO

Board composition

Gender split of Directors

Tenure of Directors
LOGOLOGO

LOGO

Our Board of DirectorsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202079


Governance

Our Executive Committee

In addition to Keith Barr, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf, the Executive Committee comprises:

Claire Bennett

Global Chief Customer Officer

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

October 2017

(joined the Group: 2017)

LOGO

Skills and experience: Claire joined IHG with an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry having spent 11 years at American Express in a range of senior leadership roles across marketing, consumer travel and loyalty. In her tenure there, Claire was General Manager (GM), Global Travel and Lifestyle, where she led a team responsible for delivering luxury lifestyle services, and she held additional roles including GM for Consumer Loyalty, GM for US Consumer Travel, and Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Brand Management. Claire has also held senior marketing positions at Dell, as well as finance and general management roles at PepsiCo/Quaker Oats Company, building significant expertise across technology, retail e-commerce, financial services, and travel and hospitality sectors.

Claire has been an Executive Board Member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), served as a Board Member of Tumi Inc. and participated on multiple industry advisory boards. Claire is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Key responsibilities: These include all aspects of brand design and commercial delivery, loyalty, partnerships, customer experience, and marketing execution.

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

November 2017

(joined the Group: 2001)

LOGO

Skills and experience: Prior to his appointment as CEO for Greater China, Jolyon was Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Americas, leading the region’s operations for franchised and managed hotels, in addition to cultivating franchisee relationships and enhancing hotel operating performance. Jolyon has also served as COO for Greater China for almost four years, with oversight of the region’s hotel portfolio and brand performance, food and beverage brand solutions, new hotel openings and owner relations.

Jolyon joined IHG in 2001, as Director of Operations in New South Wales, Australia, and then held roles of increasing responsibility across IHG’s Asia-Pacific region. He became Regional Director Sales and Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific in 2003, relocated to Singapore in 2005 and held positions of Vice President Operations South East Asia and India, Vice President Resorts, and Vice President Operations, South East and South West Asia. Jolyon graduated from William Angliss Institute in Melbourne with a concentration on Tourism and Hospitality.

Key responsibilities: These include the management, growth and profitability of IHG’s fastest growing region, Greater China.

Yasmin Diamond, CB

Executive Vice President,

Global Corporate Affairs

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

April 2016

(joined the Group: 2012)

LOGO

Skills and experience: Before joining IHG in April 2012, Yasmin was Director of Communications at the Home Office, where she advised the Home Secretary, ministers and senior officials on the strategic development and daily management of all the Home Office’s external and internal communications. She was previously Director of Communications at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Head of Communications for Welfare to Work and New Deal; and Head of Marketing at the Department for Education and Skills. Before joining government communications, Yasmin was Publicity Commissioner for the BBC, where she led communications activity around the launch of a new digital learning channel and around the BBC’s educational output for both adults and children.

In 2011, Yasmin was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the New Year’s honours list in recognition of her career in government communications. In addition, Yasmin sits on the Board of Trustees for the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, and is a Board Trustee member of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Key responsibilities: Yasmin is responsible for all global corporate affairs activity, focused on supporting and enabling IHG’s broader strategic priorities. This includes all external and internal communications, covering both corporate and consumer brand PR; global government affairs work; and leading IHG’s Corporate Responsibility Committeestrategy.

17 February 2020

 

Nicolette Henfrey

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

February 2019

(joined the Group: 2001)

LOGOSkills and experience: Nicolette joined IHG in 2001, and was appointed Deputy Company Secretary in August 2011, during which time she worked very closely with the Board, Executive Committee and wider organisation to ensure best-in-class delivery and compliance across our legal and regulatory areas. Nicolette is a solicitor and prior to joining IHG worked for Linklaters in London and Findlay & Tait (now Bowmans) in South Africa. Nicolette was appointed as Company Secretary on 1 March 2019.Key responsibilities: These include overseeing our approach to corporate governance, risk management, insurance, regulatory compliance, internal audit, legal and hotel standards.
92IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019

80IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


 

    

 

Nomination Committee ReportWayne Hoare

Chief Human Resources Officer

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

September 2020

(joined the Group: 2020)

LOGOSkills and experience: Wayne has more than 30 years of experience in HR, and joined IHG from RCL FOODS, the second largest foods business in South Africa, where he spent the last seven years as the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer, leading RCL FOODS’ culture building and talent strategy for 25,000 employees. Prior to joining RCL FOODS, Wayne spent 26 years at Unilever, where he worked across a broad range of roles in both mature and developing markets across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Wayne’s most recent role at Unilever was as SVP, HR – Global Centres of Expertise, where he held responsibility for the Global Talent, Leadership Development and Reward teams. He led the development of the company’s HR strategy on enabling a performance culture focused on growth.

Key responsibilities: These include global talent management, learning and capability building, diversity, organisation development, reward and benefit programmes, employee relations, and all aspects of the people and organisation strategy for the Group.

 

  LOGO

Key dutiesKenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

April 2013

(joined the Group: 2013)

LOGO

Skills and experience: Kenneth became CEO, EMEAA in January 2018. Kenneth was previously IHG’s CEO for Greater China, a role he held from 2013 to 2017. Kenneth has extensive experience across sales, marketing strategy, business development and operations. In addition to 12 years living and working in China, Kenneth’s career includes experience in Asia, the UK, France and South Africa. Before IHG, Kenneth worked for 20 years at Diageo, one of the UK’s leading branded companies. His senior management positions included serving as Managing Director of Diageo Greater China, where he helped to build the company’s presence and led the landmark deal to acquire ShuiJingFang, a leading manufacturer of China’s national drink, and one of the first foreign acquisitions of a Chinese listed company.

Key responsibilities: Kenneth is responsible for the management, growth and profitability of the EMEAA region. He also manages a portfolio of hotels in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, in both mature and emerging markets.

George Turner

Executive Vice President,

Chief Commercial

and Technology Officer

Appointed to the

Executive Committee:

January 2009

(joined the Group: 2008)

LOGO

Skills and experience: In February 2019, George was appointed as Chief Commercial and Technology Officer. Prior to this, George spent over a decade as IHG’s EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary, with responsibility for corporate governance, risk and assurance, legal, corporate responsibility and information security. He is a solicitor, qualifying to private practice in 1995. Before joining IHG, George spent over 10 years with Imperial Chemical Industries PLC, where he held various key positions including Deputy Company Secretary and Senior Legal Counsel.

Key responsibilities: These include distribution; channels; revenue management; property, owner, guest and enterprise solutions; guest reservations and customer care; digital; information security; technology and global sales.

LOGO

Our Executive CommitteeIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202081


Governance

Governance structure

We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Our governance framework is led and directed by the Board, which in turn delegates certain responsibilities to its Committees to support IHG’s purpose, values and strategy, as well as our commitment to conducting business responsibly.

The Board and its Committees

The Board establishes the Group’s purpose, values and strategy, and is responsible for promoting the long-term sustainable success of the Group. A number of key decisions and matters are reserved for the Board and are not delegated to management. The schedule of matters reserved for the Board was reviewed at the December 2020 Board meeting and is available on our website. The Board also has responsibility for reviewing the means for the workforce to raise concerns in confidence and the reports arising from its operation.

The Board is supported by its Principal Committees, namely the Audit Committee, Responsible Business Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee, to assist it in carrying out its functions, overseeing the delivery of strategic objectives and driving sustainable value for shareholders and considering the impacts on, and interests of, other stakeholders. Details of how the Board spent its time during 2020 can be found on pages 83 and 84.

Management Committees

Operational matters, routine business and information disclosure procedures are delegated by the Board to Management Committees.

The Executive Committee is chaired by the CEO and considers and manages a range of day-to-day strategic and operational issues facing the Group, including the development of the Group’s strategy and budget for the Board’s approval, executing the strategic plan once agreed by the Board, monitoring the Group’s performance and providing assurance to the Board in relation to overall performance and risk management.

The General Purposes Committee is chaired by an Executive Committee member and attends to business of a routine nature and to the administration of matters, the principles of which have been agreed previously by the Board or an appropriate Committee.

The Disclosure Committee is chaired by the Group’s Financial Controller and ensures that proper procedures are in place for statutory and listing requirements. This Committee reports to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee.

LOGOMore information on our Board and Committees is available on our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

The Chair and Company Secretary continue to operate a thorough two-tiered collaborative process for setting the Board agenda to ensure that the focus and discussion strikes the appropriate balance between short-term needs of the business and the longer term. The Chair or Committee Chairs, CEO and Company Secretary also liaise in advance of each Board and Committee meeting to finalise the agendas and ensure that sufficient time is allocated and in which order each matter is considered. The Company Secretary maintains an annual agenda schedule for Board meetings that sets out strategic and operational matters to be considered.

The Board held eight scheduled meetings during the year, and individual attendance is set out on page 75. All Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings and relevant Committee meetings unless they are prevented from doing so by prior commitments, illness or a conflict of interest. If Directors are unable to attend Board or Committee meetings, they are sent the relevant papers and asked to provide comments to the Chair of the Board or Committee in advance of the meeting so that their comments can be duly considered.

Time is set aside at the start and end of each Board meeting for the CEO to meet with the Chair and Non-Executive Directors, and for the Chair to meet privately with the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director (SID) and Non-Executive Directors to discuss any matters arising. The SID continues to be available to discuss concerns with shareholders, in addition to the normal channels of shareholder communication.

During 2020, in addition to the Group’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board focused on strategic and operational matters, corporate governance, investor relations and risk management. Throughout the year, the Board continued its stakeholder engagement activities and taking into account the views and interests of stakeholders in our decision-making. Details of the Board’s engagement with the Group’s employees (pursuant to the ‘Voice of the Employee’ approach approved by the Board during the year) are set out on page 92. Information in relation to our regard for environment and community matters is provided on page 29. Details of our engagement with suppliers, hotel owners and guests are included on pages 31 to 32, and information about our engagement with shareholders and investors is on page 33.

Working under Covid

Key objectivesAs circumstances developed, the Board adjusted its schedule to allow appropriate time to address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and summaryoversee the Group’s response to it. The Board also modified its ways of responsibilitiesworking in response to the pandemic, for example:

The

  when physical meetings became impracticable, Board and Committee reviewsmeetings were held by video and telephone conference;

  in addition to the compositionusual scheduled Board meetings, there were regular additional meetings and update calls to monitor the impact of the pandemic and consider the Group’s response to it;

  regular contact was also established between the Board and its Principal Committees, evaluatingmanagement outside of scheduled meetings, allowing Directors to provide additional support and challenge to management to ensure the balance of skills, experience, independence, knowledgebest decision-making possible;

  a Board ‘Dashboard’ containing key trading and diversity requirements before making appropriate recommendationsfinancial metrics was produced and shared regularly with Board members; and

  the Board also liaised closely with shareholders and advisers in relation to the Group’s response to the pandemic.

82IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Board activities

Board meetings

The key focus areas for the Board during 2020 are outlined below, which should be read in conjunction with the Section 172 statement on

pages 22 to 23:

Area of discussionDiscussion topic and decisions made

Covid-19 impact and responseCrisis managementThe Board as to any changes. It also ensures plans are in place for orderly succession for both Directors and other Senior Executives and is responsible for reviewingassessed the Group’s senior leadership needs.exposure to, and the financial impact of, the pandemic and reviewed management’s Covid-19 crisis management response plans, including the organisational arrangements for remote working.

Risk and governanceThe Committee’s role, responsibilitiesBoard reviewed the Group’s approach to risk assessment and authority delegatedmitigation, the impact on the control environment, governance and business continuity.

Our people and cultureThe Board reviewed and agreed to it bymeasures in relation to executive and employee pay and organisational restructuring to adapt the Group’s resources to the crisis, including pay reductions, temporary furlough and reduced working hours, and redundancies. The Board took into account a detailed review of the impact on employees before endorsing the plans, and further reviewed measures to support impacted employees.

Stakeholder impactThe Board received detailed information on measures taken to support and communicate with key stakeholders, including investors, hotel owners, guests, suppliers and communities and focused throughout on the balancing of stakeholder interests.

FinanceBoard discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the pandemic’s impact on revenues and financial results, cost containment measures, the decision to withdraw the 2019 final dividend recommendation and suspend dividends, the Group’s cash and liquidity position and access to new funding. In this respect, the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annuallyalso considered and approved by the Board. During 2019,issuance of £600m of commercial paper under the compositionUK Government’s Covid Corporate Finance Facility as well as the issuance of two further bonds and the completion of a tender offer of a bond under the Group’s EMTN bond programme. Further, the Board monitored and approved the amendments to, and extension of, the Committee wasGroup’s $1.35 billion revolving credit facilities. The Board also considered and approved additional stock exchange announcements relating to the Group’s trading and financial position.

Strategic and operational

matters

Strategy

The evolution of IHG’s purpose and strategy, including ESG priorities and a post-Covid 19 growth strategy.

Brand portfolioConsideration of strategy to strengthen the quality and consistency of our brands in each case taking into account the brand proposition for owners and with a focus on customer centricity and driving digital and technological advantage. The Board also approved the IHG Masterbrand strategy.

Our people and cultureThe Board considered the feedback provided from the ‘Voice of the Employee’ engagement plan and actions taken to support employees. The Board reviewed employee communications and adjusted to comprise one memberwellbeing measures. The Board also had oversight of the Group’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Financial and operational resilienceThe Board undertook a regular review (by way of a Board ‘Dashboard’) of key financial and operational indicators, including revenue, cash, liquidity, working capital and market demand.

Corporate governanceUpdates from each of the Board Committees as well as the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director, to allow for more focused discussion on Board composition and succession.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus areas during the year have been:

Board and Committee composition and recommendations on appointments to the Board;

Leadership development and succession planning including evaluating gender balance;

Board engagement with the workforce;

Overseeing the performance evaluation of the Board, its Committees and individual Directors; and

Monitoring development in all matters relating to Corporate Governance.

Membership and attendance at meetings

The Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are available on page 79. All members of the Committee areNon-Executive Directors. When the Committee considers matters relating to my position, Dale Morrison, the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director, acts as Committee Chair.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee makes recommendations to the Board for all Board appointments. Minutes are circulated to Board members and I report back to the Board on the activities of the Committee following each meeting.

Effectiveness of the Committee and External Evaluation

During 2019, the Committee was reviewed as part of the external Board evaluation process.

Details of the external evaluation, including how it was conducted, the nature and extent of the evaluator’s contact with the Board and the actions arising from the evaluation, are set outCommittee activities during 2020 can be found on pages 86 to 87. 93 and 96 to 111.

Confidential Disclosure Channel ReportsThe evaluation concluded thatBoard received reports of confidential matters disclosed.

Corporate governance and regulatory updates, including reviews of regulatory developments and any upcoming legislative changes affecting the Committee remains effective.

Focus areas and activities

Board and Committee composition

The Committee continued to review the current and future composition ofbusiness, the Board andand/ or its Committees particularly in light of the Group’s focus on accelerated growth. Having reviewed the skills, experience and knowledge of

Regular internal updates are provided to the Board covering key regulatory and taking into account progressive refreshing of the Board, the Committee determined that additional expertisecorporate governance developments in the hotels and hospitality sectors would be

beneficial, and recommended the appointment of Arthur de Haastareas such as aNon-Executive Director, with effect from 1 January 2020. An external search consultancy was not usedcorporate reporting in relation to this appointment. Arthur’s biographyCovid-19 and ESG considerations, and how the Group is set outresponding.

Year-end matters, including the Annual Report and Form 20-FDetails of the review process of the Annual Report and Form 20-F can be found on page 81,pages 86 to 87.

Board effectiveness evaluationDetails of the process and detailsoutcome of Arthur’s induction planthe internal Board effectiveness review can be found on page 86.85.

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Board activitiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202083


Governance

Board activities continued

Board meetings continued

Area of discussionDiscussion topic and decisions made

Risk managementCybersecurityDiscussions and presentations covered threats and trends in the hospitality industry, the Group’s key systems and risk appetite as well as managing cyber risks in a remote environment. The Board also reviewed the policies and actions taken to address threats and mitigate risks.

Internal controls and risk management systems, our risk appetite and our global insurance programmeRegular updates were received on internal controls, risk management systems, principal and emerging risks, our risk appetite and global insurance programme. Reports on risk topics were delivered by the Chair of each Committee.

Terms of Reference for each Board CommitteeMinor changes to the Nomination Committee’s Terms of Reference were considered and approved. The Terms of Reference for all Committees and the Matters Reserved for the Board can be found on our website.

Investor relations and communicationsUpdates on investor perceptions and shareholder relations, consideration of analysts’ reports and media updatesThe Board receives a regular report outlining share register movement, relative share price performance, Investor Relations activities and engagement with shareholders. The Board also considered feedback from the regular investor and analyst perception survey as well as individual meetings with investors.

Global communications updatesThe Board receives a regular report on global communications covering areas including activity across key regions, our brands, people, and owners.

Preparations for the AGMThe Board assessed changes to plans for the 2020 AGM caused by restrictions on group meetings. Details of the 2021 AGM can be found on page 33.

Director induction, training and development

New Director inductions

All new Directors, upon appointment, undergo a comprehensive and formal induction programme which is tailored to meet their individual needs. We believe this is crucial to ensure our Directors have a full understanding of all aspects of our business and familiarity with the Group’s purpose, culture and values, to ensure they are able to contribute effectively to the Board.

Tailored induction plans were prepared for Sharon Rothstein, Graham Allan and Duriya Farooqui in advance of their appointments to the Board from 1 June, 1 September and 7 December 2020 respectively. The induction plans included:

information on the Group’s purpose, culture, values and strategy, including its business model, brands and the markets in which it operates;

an overview of how the Group generates value for its shareholders, has regard for its stakeholders and the environment and how it contributes to wider society;

our approach to internal controls and our risk management strategy;

information on the Board, its Committees and IHG’s governance processes, with a particular focus on the Committees to which Sharon, Graham and Duriya are appointed;

a reminder of the rules relating to maintaining the confidentiality of inside information and restrictions in dealing in IHG shares, together with a briefing on the policies and procedures IHG has in place to ensure compliance with such rules;

meetings with members of the Board and the Executive Committee, senior management from functions across the Group, the external Auditor and other key external advisers; and

following the onset of the pandemic, information in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s strategy, operations, governance, risks and controls, and response.

The induction plans also include visits to IHG corporate offices and hotels across our brands, to meet colleagues and owners and spend time with our General Managers. In light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has not been possible for such visits to take place however they will be arranged as appropriate when circumstances permit.

Ongoing Director training and development

We understand the importance of an ongoing training programme for Directors to enable them to fully understand the Group’s business and operations in the context of the rapidly developing environment in which it operates. The Chair continues to review the training and development needs with each Director on a regular basis and the Board is made aware of training opportunities.

Board and Committee meetings are regularly used to update Directors on developments in the environment in which the business operates and in-depth presentations are provided on key topical areas. Training in 2020 included sessions on cyber risk management and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, with a focus on climate risk and the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

In addition, the Company Secretary provides regular updates on regulatory, corporate governance and legal matters and Directors are able to meet individually with senior management if necessary. Directors are also encouraged to attend external training events to update their skills and knowledge.

Ordinarily, Board meetings are held at IHG corporate offices and hotels around the world to provide exposure to, and first-hand experience of, our regional teams and different brands. However in 2020, the majority of Board and Committee meetings were held by video conference.

Additional appointments

During 2020, the Board considered the proposed appointments of Keith Barr and Sharon Rothstein as non-executive directors of Yum! Brands, Inc. and Afterpay Limited respectively, taking into account the time commitment required for each role. It was concluded that the additional appointments should not adversely impact their performance, but should enhance their ability to provide constructive challenge and strategic guidance.

84IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Board effectiveness evaluation

Internal evaluation

Following the full external evaluation carried out by Mr. Christopher Saul of Christopher Saul Associates in 2019, in 2020 the Board undertook an internal evaluation.

Board members were asked to consider the Board’s overall effectiveness by completing an internal effectiveness questionnaire, which focused on the Board’s effectiveness generally, as well as the role that the Board played during the Covid-19 pandemic. The key topics covered in the evaluation included:

the Board’s composition, succession planning and alignment with the needs of the business;

the Board’s work processes including agenda setting, information flow, areas of engagement and use of time;

the Board’s engagement with key stakeholders, including shareholders and employees;

the Board’s dynamics and effectiveness of meetings, including relations with management;

the role played by the Board during the Covid-19 crisis and the content and timing of critical management information and reporting;

the Board’s focus on long-term strategy and recovery from the Covid-19 crisis; and

the structure and effectiveness of the Principal Committees.

The responses of Board members to the questionnaire were largely favourable in relation to all areas of the Board’s operation and, in particular, in relation to the Board’s response to the pandemic. The feedback highlighted that the Board effectively balanced supporting

management’s response to the crisis, challenging key decisions where appropriate, whilst ensuring appropriate governance and safeguarding the Group’s reputation, financial resilience and stakeholder value. The increased reporting of key metrics (financial and other) during this period, combined with the quality and content of materials prepared for the Board, enabled the Board to appropriately assess and consider options, taking into account the relevant risk landscape, and allowing for swift decision-making.

Board members were satisfied with the level and quality of engagement with management, the Principal Committees and shareholders, and further noted that consideration of the ‘Voice of the Employee’ and the impact of decisions on all relevant stakeholders was regularly included in the Board decision-making process.

With regard to implementation of the actions agreed in relation to the 2019 Board effectiveness evaluation, Board members generally agreed that this work had progressed well, particularly in relation to revising the cadence of meetings, engagement with the CEO, streamlining and enhancing the information provided to the Board, and revising the Terms of Reference for the Principal Committees to avoid overlap, particularly in relation to diversity and ‘Voice of the Employee’. It was noted, however, that other areas, including balancing time spent between updates and Board discussion, remained a work-in-progress, particularly given the immediate demands presented by the pandemic and the required move to virtual meetings.

The following areas of continued focus and recommended actions for 2021 were noted:

Area for focusAction items

Long-term strategyAs the focus throughout much of 2020 was on short and mid-term objectives, in 2021 the Board will focus on the Group’s long-term, strategic objectives as recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic progresses.

Board meeting agendas and information provided to the BoardBoard meeting agendas will be reviewed to ensure that sufficient time is provided for debate and discussion of key agenda items, in addition to receiving presentations.
The information pack provided to the Board in advance of meetings will be further reviewed and revised as appropriate to incorporate more forward-looking and externally focused perspectives, such as brand, customer and competitor insights.

Board meeting dynamicsBoard meetings will revert to taking place ‘face-to-face’ as soon as practicable, to facilitate deep and engaged discussion as well as more informal dialogue between Board members and management.

Board succession planningThe Board will continue to focus in 2021 on Board refreshment and succession planning.

Directors’ performance evaluation

In addition to the internal Board evaluation process outlined above, the Chair undertook individual feedback discussions with Directors as appropriate, focusing on their individual contribution, time commitments and areas for development. It was concluded that the Directors perform their duties effectively and dedicate sufficient time to discharge their Board responsibilities.

The performance assessment of the Chair was led by the SID. The Chair’s evaluation consisted of gathering feedback from the Non-Executive Directors, covering:

leadership of the Board through the Covid-19 pandemic;

the Board’s culture and the Chair’s ability to facilitate constructive Board relations; and

managing the Board in accordance with high standards of corporate governance.

The CEO evaluation was led by the Chair, who collected feedback from the Non-Executive Directors. Key areas of focus included:

leadership effectiveness in developing and implementing IHG’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic;

the Group’s financial performance;

effectiveness in protecting and enhancing IHG’s reputation; and

the relationship and ability to work effectively with the Board.

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Board activitiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202085


Governance

Audit Committee

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I am pleased to present the Committee’s report for the year ended 31 December 2020. These pages outline how the Committee discharged the responsibilities delegated to it by the Board over the course of the year, and the key areas of focus for the Committee in doing so.

While the Committee’s core duties were unchanged, a number of areas became increasingly critical through the year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the risks that this posed. Reviewing the impact of the pandemic on, and the nature of the changes made to, the Group’s risk management and internal control arrangements was a priority in light of the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the risk environment.

There was also additional focus on the approach to financial reporting throughout the year given the uncertainty and complexity caused by the pandemic and considering the guidance updates from regulatory bodies including the FRC.

Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, I am pleased to report that the external Auditor transition from Ernst & Young LLP (EY) to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) is progressing well.

The Committee fulfils a vital role in the Company’s governance framework, providing valuable independent oversight across the Company’s financial reporting and internal control procedures. In a year of heightened risk and uncertainty, in order to ensure the Committee was able to fulfil its role through this most challenging period, Audit Committee agendas were designed to anticipate key risk areas and those significant matters (outlined on page 90) most impacted by Covid-19. This provided ample opportunity for early scrutiny and challenge. Also, throughout the year, management and EY have worked closely together to manage to a challenging timetable. In this regard, I would like to thank all those across the business who have assisted the Committee in fulfilling its role during the year, and who have worked so hard to complete the necessary work within our usual timelines.

Ian Dyson

Chair of the Audit Committee

22 February 2021

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring that IHG maintains a strong control environment. It monitors the integrity of IHG’s financial reporting, including significant financial reporting judgements, maintains oversight and reviews our systems of internal control and risk management, monitors and reviews the effectiveness and performance of internal and external audit functions, as well as reviewing the behaviours expected of IHG’s employees through the Code of Conduct and related policies.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and authority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

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The ToR are available at www.ihgplc.com/investors

under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key areas of focus over the year have been:

reviewing the Group’s approach to the management of risk in light of the impact of Covid-19;

assessing and obtaining assurance on the effectiveness and resilience of the Group’s internal control environment throughout the Covid-19 disruption;

reviewing the measures taken in respect of employee and guest safety and operational risk in response to Covid-19;

reviewing and challenging financial reporting throughout the year to ensure the impact was appropriately reflected, particularly in key areas including going concern and impairments;

reviewing the Group’s Internal Audit plan and budget; and

overseeing the transition of the external Auditor.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of the Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set out on page 75. The CFO, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Group Financial Controller, Head of Risk and Assurance and our external Auditor, EY, attended all meetings in 2020. Other attendees are invited to meetings as appropriate; and the CEO and all other Directors attended Committee meetings where the approval of financial reporting was considered and discussed. PwC also attended certain meetings as part of the external Auditor transition. The Committee continues to hold private sessions with the internal and external Auditors without the presence of management to ensure that a culture of transparency is maintained. The Committee Chair continues to have recent and relevant financial experience and all members of the Committee are Independent Non-Executive Directors. In accordance with the Code, the Board also considers that the Committee as a whole possesses competence relevant to the Company’s sector, having a range of financial and commercial experience in the hospitality industry and the broader commercial environment in which we operate. Further details of the skills and experience of the Board can be found on pages 76 to 79.

Reporting to the Board

Following each Committee meeting, the Committee Chair updates the Board on key issues discussed. The papers and minutes for each meeting are circulated to all Board members, who are invited to request further information if required and to provide any challenge where necessary.

86Leadership developmentIHG  |  Annual Report and executive succession planningForm 20-F 2020



Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Board. In 2020, the Committee members were also asked to consider its effectiveness by reviewing an effectiveness questionnaire and the responses to it. The evaluation responses concluded that the Committee remains effective and noted that it took into consideration both risk appetite and the control framework around identified principal risks, as well as specifically considering risks that were heightened by the impact of Covid-19.

Focus areas and activities

Financial and narrative reporting

During the year, the Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the interim and annual Financial Statements (considering the relevant accounting and reporting matters such as impairment reviews, key judgement areas, going concern and viability statements) and the Group’s quarterly trading updates. All members of the Board are asked to attend these meetings.

As well as receiving input and guidance from EY on the areas outlined above, the Committee also received regular reports from the Chair of the Disclosure Committee, which liaised closely with other external advisers of the Group to ensure that disclosure and regulatory requirements were being appropriately considered and met. Copies of all of the Disclosure Committee’s minutes were also circulated to the Committee.

The Committee received early drafts of the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 (Annual Report), and when providing comments considered: (i) the process for preparing and verifying the Annual Report, which included review by members of the Executive Committee and input from senior employees in the Operations, Strategy, Human Resources, Finance, Risk and Assurance and Legal teams; (ii) a report from the Chair of the Disclosure Committee; and (iii) the checklist prepared by the Annual Report team confirming compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.

The Committee also considered management’s analysis of how the content, taken as a whole, was ‘fair, balanced and understandable’, and whether it contained the necessary information for shareholders to assess the Group’s position, performance, business model and strategy. In order to reach this conclusion, a dedicated project team worked on the contents of the Annual Report and a detailed verification process to confirm the accuracy of the information contained within the Annual Report was undertaken by the Financial Planning and Analysis department. The Committee then considered both the structure and content of the Annual Report to ensure that the key messages were effectively and consistently communicated and that meaningful links between the business model, strategy, KPIs, principal risks and remuneration were clearly identified throughout the Annual Report. The Committee specifically considered the adequacy of the disclosures of the impact of Covid-19 on performance, strategy and business resilience and where Covid-19 has impacted the nature of the judgements and estimation uncertainty.

Following a review of the contents of the Annual Report alongside the aforementioned criteria, the Committee reported its recommendation to approve the Annual Report to the Board.

Significant matters in the 2020 Financial Statements

Throughout 2020, the Committee was kept informed of the impact of Covid-19 on the Group, including accounting matters, going concern and viability considerations and the UK FRC pronouncements. The Committee provided ongoing challenge of management’s accounting, reporting and internal controls to ensure the implications of Covid-19 have been duly considered. As always, the Committee discussed with management and EY the key judgements applied in the Financial Statements, the exceptional items arising in the year and the impact of any accounting developments or legislative changes. The Committee has satisfied itself that management had adequately identified and considered all potentially significant accounting and disclosure matters. The key items discussed are outlined on page 90.

Internal control and risk management

The Board is responsible for establishing procedures to manage risk, overseeing the internal control framework and determining the nature and extent of the principal risks the Company is willing to take to achieve its long-term objectives. The Committee supports the Board by reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control and risk management systems and assessing emerging and principal risks.

In order to effectively review the internal control and risk management systems, the Committee:

receives regular reports from management, Risk and Assurance and the external Auditor on the effectiveness of the systems for risk management and internal control, including financial, operational and compliance controls.

reviews the process by which risks are identified (including procedures in place to identify emerging risks) and assesses the timeliness and effectiveness of corrective action taken by management, including regular reports and presentations on the Company’s overall internal control, risk management system and principal risks.

receives additional reports throughout the year relevant to internal control and risk management, both financial and non-financial, to ensure that current and emerging risks are identified, assessed and appropriately managed (see pages 34 to 35 for further detail on our risks and initiatives to manage them).

As part of the Committee’s review of the internal control and risk management systems, key financial, operational and compliance controls across the business continue to be monitored and tested throughout the year. The Committee assesses the approach to Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 (SOX) compliance in accordance with our US obligations and reviews reports on the progress of the SOX programme at each meeting. During 2020, the Committee assessed additional controls and testing put in place to mitigate the risks arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, for example to preserve the Group’s liquidity and cash positions. The Committee considers the Group’s treasury and tax strategy policies annually and, during 2020 approved minor changes to the Group Treasury Policy and the Group’s published ‘Approach to Tax’.

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Our Approach to Tax document is available at

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

Having reviewed the internal control and risk management systems throughout the year, with particular emphasis on actions taken to mitigate the impact of Covid-19, the Committee concluded that the Group continues to have an effective system of risk management and internal controls, and that there are no material weaknesses in the control environment and no significant failings or weaknesses.

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Audit CommitteeIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202087


Governance

Audit Committee continued

Principal risk areas

During the year, particular attention was paid to the review and assessment of principal and emerging risks in light of the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Committee observed that, while the crisis did not fundamentally change the risks to the execution of the Group’s strategy, several risks were heightened and impacted by constrained resources (including financial and management time).

The Committee considered the following areas:

the impact on the Group’s business of a sustained downturn caused by several waves of the pandemic and a longer recovery period for the industry.

the impact of organisational changes and different working arrangements on hotel and corporate employees.

the potential for disruption and additional stress on risk management and internal control arrangements, for example as a result of closure of key locations and increased remote working.

the increased expectations of guests in relation to cleanliness and hygiene standards.

threats to cybersecurity and information governance in the context of the rapidly evolving environment.

Further details of our principal risks, uncertainties and review process can be found on pages 36 to 41.

Relationship with external Auditor

A detailed audit plan was received from EY at the beginning of the audit cycle for the 2020 financial year, which gave an overview of their approach to the audit, outlining the significant risk areas and in particular the approach to materiality and scoping of the audit. EY updated the Committee on adjustments made to the audit plan as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Committee regularly reviewed the significant audit risks and assessed the progress of the audit throughout the year.

Non-audit services

The independence and objectivity of the non-audit services provided by EY to the Group are safeguarded by IHG’s Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy. The policy is reviewed by the Audit Committee annually, and in 2020 the policy was updated to reflect the revised FRC Ethical and Accounting Standards that became effective in March 2020. The Committee also noted the application of the policy to non-audit services provided to the Group by Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC) as the Company’s statutory auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2021 (subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in 2021).

The policy requires that pre-approval is obtained from the Audit Committee for all services provided by the external Auditor before any work can commence, in line with US SEC requirements without any de minimis threshold. The Committee reviewed the audit and non-audit fees incurred with EY on a quarterly basis during 2020. Following these reviews, the Committee noted that there had been no prohibited services (as defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) provided to the Group in each period. The Committee is prohibited from delegating non-audit services approval to management and compliance with the policy is actively managed.

IHG is committed to maintaining non-audit fees at a low level and the Committee is cognisant of investor advisory bodies’ guidelines on non-audit fees. During 2020, 18% of services provided to the Group were non-audit services (2019: 21%), primarily related to System and Organisation Controls (SOC) Reports. Details of the fees paid to EY for non-audit work during 2020, and for statutory audit work during 2020 can be found on page 153. The Committee is satisfied that the Company was compliant during the year with the FRC’s Ethical and Auditing Standards in respect of the scope and maximum permitted level of fees incurred for non-audit services provided by EY. Where non-audit work is performed by EY, both the Company and EY ensure adherence to robust processes to prevent the objectivity and independence of the external Auditor being compromised.

Risk and assurance – Internal Audit

The Committee discusses and approves the Internal Audit annual plan, which aims to provide objective and insightful assurance that appropriate controls are in place to support our strategy and growth ambitions. Progress against the Internal Audit plan is reported at each meeting and during 2020 the Committee reviewed closely the prioritisation of internal audit resources while considering the dynamic inherent risks created by the Covid-19 crisis and the organisational and process changes which resulted from it. The 2021 plan presented to the Committee in December 2020 will maintain focus on the integrity of the risk management and internal control system and will allocate particular attention to areas of heightened risk and enablers of organisational recovery and resilience, for example information security, third-party risk management and talent risk management. Following consideration, the Committee confirmed its agreement to the 2021 Internal Audit plan, including the assurance priorities identified. The Committee reviews the results of completed audits and observations from other ongoing assurance and control improvement support, as well as actions taken by management in response to Internal Audit’s work.

88IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



A functional effectiveness review of Internal Audit is undertaken each year and reported to the Committee. Internal Audit has again undertaken an assessment using feedback from auditees and senior leadership and drawing on external experience from third-party partner firms. This highlighted positive feedback on the proactive support and independent challenge provided to management in a heightened risk environment, continued alignment with the Global Institute of Internal Audit Standard, and identified opportunities for continuous improvement in 2021.

Governance and compliance

The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Group’s Code of Conduct (which is reviewed and approved annually) and related policies.

Looking forward

During 2021, the Committee will focus on the continued preparation for the orderly transition of audit services to PwC and the evolution of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Group’s principal risks, control environment and approach to financial reporting.

External Auditor – Ernst & Young LLP (EY)

The Committee assessed EY’s performance during the year, including its independence, effectiveness and objectivity. EY has been our Auditor since IHG’s listing in April 2003 and of the Group’s predecessor businesses dating back to 1988.

As part of its review, the Committee determines the independence of the external Auditor, considering, among other things, its challenge to management and level of professional scepticism, the amount of time passed since a rotation of audit partner and the level of non-audit work that it undertakes, details of which can be found on page 88.

To ensure the external Auditor’s independence is safeguarded, lead audit partners are required to rotate every five years. Sarah Kokot, who was appointed lead audit partner in 2016, has continued her role during 2020.

The Committee also considered the effectiveness of the relationship between EY and management as part of the annual review process. This included the completion of feedback questionnaires by the Committee members and 49 senior IHG employees. Feedback was requested on a number of topics including independence, assignment management and communication. The Committee also received reports from EY on its independence.

No significant issues were raised in the review of the Auditor performance and effectiveness and, as a result, the Committee concluded that EY continues to provide an effective audit and maintain independence and objectivity.

Audit transition

In August 2019, the Company announced the Board’s intention to propose to shareholders at the 2021 AGM that Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC) be appointed as the Company’s statutory Auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. The audit tender process undertaken was explained in detail in the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019.

A Transition Governance Committee, led by the Group Financial Controller, was appointed to oversee the transition activities undertaken in 2020. Given the impact of Covid-19, the planned activities have been continuously reviewed throughout the year.

Specific activities undertaken by PwC included:

achieving independence in the first half of 2020.

meetings with senior management and executives across the business, including a large number of individuals outside the finance function.

meetings with Board members, including the Audit Committee Chair.

the lead audit partner and second partner attending Audit Committee meetings from August 2020.

developing transition plans for key workstreams. As Covid-19 developed, these transition plans have been modified accordingly.

providing regular reports on the progress of transition activities.

Updates have been provided to the Audit Committee by management throughout the year. In December 2020, PwC presented a report to the Audit Committee, including an overview of key audit transition activities; the impact of Covid-19 on their audit transition plan; and planned next steps.

An audit planning workshop is scheduled in March 2021, and PwC will audit the 2021 financial year subject to shareholder approval at the 2021 AGM.

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Audit CommitteeIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202089


Governance

Audit Committee continued

Significant matters in the 2020 Financial Statements

Area of focusIssue/Role of the CommitteeConclusions/Actions taken

Impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s viability and going concernCovid-19 has had a significant impact on the profitability of the Group and increased the level of uncertainty in planning scenarios. The Committee reviews management’s financial modelling to conclude on the appropriateness of the going concern and viability assessment.The Committee reviewed and challenged the scenarios considered by management in its going concern assessment to June 2022 and viability assessment over the next three years and concluded that these were appropriate and adequate. The Committee reviewed and challenged the detailed cash flow forecasts and the mitigating actions available to management, and considered the covenant waivers and relaxations in place, and concluded that the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. The Committee also reviewed and challenged the reverse stress test assumptions to confirm the viability of the Group. The Committee reviewed going concern disclosures (page 133) and the Viability statement (page 42) and is satisfied these are appropriate.

Accounting for IHG RewardsAccounting for IHG Rewards requires significant use of estimation techniques and represents a material deferred revenue balance. The Committee reviews the controls, judgements and estimates related to accounting for IHG Rewards.The Committee reviewed the deferred revenue balance and questioned the valuation approach, the results of the external actuarial review and procedures completed, to determine the breakage assumption for earned IHG Rewards points and the estimate that member behaviour patterns would return to pre-Covid levels. The Committee reviewed a paper from management outlining current loyalty trends (both member behaviour and changes to programme benefits) with a focus on the potential impact of Covid-19 on deferred revenue and the breakage assumption. The Committee concluded that the deferred revenue balance is appropriately stated.

Accounting for the System FundGiven the unique nature of the System Fund, the Committee reviews the controls and processes related to System Fund accounting.The Committee met with senior finance management to review and evaluate the risk areas associated with the System Fund. The Committee reviewed a paper from management summarising the principles determining the allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund, and the related governance and internal control environment. The Committee also reviewed a paper outlining the changes relating to intellectual property licence fee revenues and InterContinental Ambassador revenues and costs (see page 150). The Committee concluded that the accounting treatment of the System Fund, and related disclosures, were appropriate.

Impairment testingImpairment reviews require significant judgement in estimating recoverable values of assets or cash-generating units and the Committee therefore scrutinises the methodologies applied and the inherent sensitivities in determining any potential asset impairment and the adequacy of the related disclosures.The Committee reviewed management reports outlining the approach taken on impairment testing and key assumptions and sensitivities supporting the conclusion on the various asset categories. The Committee examined in detail the assumptions applied in calculating the impairments recorded in the year (see pages 135 to 137), including the underlying cash flow projections which reflect management’s expectations of the five-year recovery period from Covid-19 (see page 135). The Committee specifically focused on the North America hotels ($35m), UK portfolio property, plant and equipment ($50m) and the related fair value adjustment to contingent purchase consideration ($21m), the US corporate headquarters ($50m), Barclay associate ($13m), Six Senses management agreements ($41m) and assets associated with the SVC portfolio ($66m) as well as the assumptions applied in testing the InterContinental Boston.
The Committee considered management’s reports in respect of the appropriateness of the Group’s cash-generating units and the level at which goodwill and brands should be tested for impairment following the Group restructuring programme and the loss of the SVC portfolio. The Committee challenged management and is satisfied that no impairment would have arisen if the methodology applied in prior years had been applied. The Committee reviewed the disclosures and is satisfied that they are appropriate.
The Committee concluded that it agreed with the determinations reached on impairment, and the related change in the fair value of the UK portfolio contingent purchase consideration, the classification of these as exceptional items and that the related disclosures were appropriate.

Expected credit lossesEstimating expected credit losses on trade and other receivables has been subject to an increased level of uncertainty in 2020 due to the disruption from Covid-19 and has had a more significant impact on the Group. In this situation, the Committee reviews the provision and considers the adequacy of the disclosure.The Committee reviewed management’s papers setting out the approach to calculating the provision for expected credit losses, which is subject to greater uncertainty given the Group’s limited experience of owners’ ability to pay during a pandemic. Factors considered include the ageing of receivables, owners known to be in financial distress and the expected mitigating impact of payment plans and other support offered by the Group. The Committee concluded it agreed with the basis of calculation (which has resulted in a charge of $40m in 2020, and an additional charge of $24m recognised in the System Fund). The Committee agreed the improvement in cash collection in the second half of the year supports the classification of expected credit losses within operating profit before exceptional items.

Litigation and contingenciesFrom time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings with the ultimate outcome of each being subject to many uncertainties. The Committee reviews and evaluates the need for provisioning on a case by case basis and considers the adequacy of the disclosure.At each meeting during the year, the Committee continued to reviewconsidered a report detailing all material litigation matters. The Committee discussed and agreed any provisioning requirements for these matters based on their underlying factors. The Committee reviewed the development plans forcost of an arbitration award in the Executive CommitteeEMEAA region, and succession plans for senior management positions in order to ensure the developmentrelease of a diverse pipeline for succession.

Board engagement withprovision in respect of a lawsuit previously filed against the workforceGroup in the Americas region which has now been settled. The Committee agreed the classification of these items as exceptional and concluded that the disclosures of litigation and contingencies were appropriate.

During 2019,

Exceptional itemsThe Group exercises judgement in presenting exceptional items. The Committee reviews and challenges the classification of items as exceptional based on their materiality or nature.The Committee reviewed a proposal forpapers prepared by management and considered the Board’s engagement with employees, concluding thatconsistency of treatment and nature of items classified as exceptional. The Committee reviewed and challenged the most effective approach would be to designate aNon-Executive Director as having responsibility for employee engagement. Luke Mayhew was appointed to the role in August 2019. Luke’s role is to work with Executive Directorssignificance, timing and the Company Secretary to coordinate Board activities and interests in relation to employees, including undertaking a detailed review of employee engagement reporting, gaining a greater insight into the culturenature of the Company and ensuring robust methods of receiving feedback and communicating with employees are established. An outline of Luke’s activities during 2019 is given on pages 32 and 33.

Diversity & Inclusion/Gender Balance

We recognise that diversity and inclusion is essential, across all levels of our business. All appointments are based on merit, experience and performance and the Board actively seeks diversity of skills, gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths.

Our Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy (D&I Policy) applies to all people employed by IHG and we encourage our franchised operations and those managed hotels where we do not directly employ people to follow the same principles. The objective of our D&I Policy is to celebrate difference, recognising that this underpins external,exceptional items (see page 154) which as well as internal, relationships.

During 2019, the items mentioned above comprise gains on derecognition of lease liabilities and right of use assets, gains on lease termination, provisions for onerous expenditure, reorganisation costs, acquisition and integration costs primarily relating to Six Senses, other impairments and financial expenses relating to the partial settlement of the Group’s outstanding bonds. The Committee reviewed and discussed our commitments,concluded that the progress madedisclosures and the worktreatment of the D&I Board (see pages 30items shown as exceptional were appropriate.

90IHG  |  Annual Report and 31).Form 20-F 2020



Responsible Business Committee

LOGO

I am pleased to share the Responsible Business Committee’s report for the year.

In 2020, the Committee expanded its remit to assume responsibility for assessing the Board’s engagement with the workforce (see ‘Voice of the Employee’ on page 92) and the Group’s diversity and inclusion agenda. Both of these areas were the subject of particular focus in light of the racial injustice and inequality movement seen across the globe during 2020.

The impact of Covid-19 was also dominant on the Committee’s agenda. The Committee reviewed the impact of the pandemic on the Group’s responsible business targets and priorities and it considered from a responsible business perspective the principles and approach adopted in relation to engagement with our stakeholders, including our response to supporting our communities.

The Committee was pleased to review and approve the Group’s new 2030 responsible business commitments and to endorse the bold, long-term ambitions designed to help shape the future of responsible travel together with those who stay, work and partner with IHG.

Jill McDonald

Chair of the Responsible Business Committee

22 February 2021

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Committee reviews and advises the Board on the Group’s responsible business objectives and strategy, including its impact on the environment and climate change; social, community and human rights issues; its approach to sustainable development and responsible procurement; and stakeholder engagement in relation to the Group’s approach to responsible business. The Committee is also responsible for assessing the Board’s engagement with the workforce and the Group’s diversity and inclusion agenda.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and authority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

LOGO

We continue to deliverThe ToR are available at www.ihgplc.com/investors
under Corporate governance.

In addition to the areas outlined above, the Committee’s key responsibilities and focus areas over the year have been:

monitoring the progress against the Group’s 2018-2020 responsible business targets and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; shaping the Group’s post-2020 responsible business strategy and approving the 2030 responsible business commitments;

reviewing the Group’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and objectives;

overseeing responsible business stakeholder engagement;

preparing to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD); and

overseeing the Group’s Human Rights programme.

Membership and attendance at meetings

The Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set out on page 75. The Vice President, Global Corporate Responsibility, the Chair of the Board and the CEO attended all meetings held during the year.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee Chair updates the Board on all key issues raised at Committee meetings. Papers and minutes for each meeting are also circulated to all Board members, who are invited to request further information where necessary.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The Committee’s effectiveness continues to be monitored and assessed regularly by the Committee’s Chair and the Chair of the Board. In 2020, the Committee was also reviewed as part of the internal Board evaluation process, where it was concluded that the Committee remains effective.

Focus areas and activities

Responsible business commitments

The Committee assessed progress against the 2018-2020 responsible business targets and approved the Group’s 2030 responsible business commitments in the areas of our people, communities, carbon and energy (including the science-based targets for carbon reduction announced in 2020), waste and water.

LOGO

Further information on our D&I Policy and are committed to our 2018-2020 Responsible Business Diversity target, as noted2030 responsible business

commitments can be found on page 31. As of 31 December 2019, 36% of the Board were female21 and two of our Principal Committees are chaired by women. In addition, 37% of senior operational leaders are now women, indicating our continued commitment to diversity at all levels of our business. Going forward, the Corporate Responsibility Committee (to be renamed the Responsible Business Committee) will assume responsibility for the Group’s diversity and inclusion agenda.

Looking forwardwww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

In 2020, the Committee will continue to ensure that we have appropriate plans in place for orderly succession of appointments to the Board and to senior management, so that an appropriate balance of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity is maintained.

Patrick Cescau

Chair of the Nomination Committee

17 February

Diversity and inclusion

During the year, the Committee assessed and refreshed the Group’s diversity and inclusion commitments as part of the broader 2030 responsible business commitments and oversaw the programme of activity that sits behind the Group’s diversity and inclusion plan. Focus areas included the establishment of new employee resource groups and actions to support the development of ethnic minority colleagues.

As at 31 December 2020, 39% of our senior leaders were women, in addition to women comprising 38% of the Company’s Board.

Stakeholder engagement

The Committee received detailed updates from management on the Group’s approach to responsible business during Covid-19 and the steps taken to support stakeholders. Further information on the measures taken to support employees, communities, hotel owners, guests and suppliers is included on pages 26 to 32.

We were pleased to be listed again on the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability World and European Indices.

TCFD

The Committee assessed the Group’s progress towards TCFD alignment, including the completion of a TCFD readiness review. Further information on TCFD including objectives for 2021 is included on page 30.

Human Rights programme

The Committee considered the Group’s Human Rights programme and in particular the adjustment of its focus to address risk areas that increased as a result of Covid-19, such as workplace health and safety, and living and working conditions for hotel colleagues including migrant workers. Focus areas also included the ongoing work to address forced labour and human trafficking risks. The Committee also reviewed the 2020 Modern Slavery Statement.

Looking forward

In 2021, the Committee will focus on embedding the 2030 responsible business commitments and further preparing to report in line with the TCFD framework.

 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance93

LOGO


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code

Our statement of compliance summarises how the Group has implemented the principles and provisions of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (available atwww.frc.org.uk/directors under UK Corporate Governance Code) as published in July 2018 (the Code).

This should be read in conjunction with the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 75, Corporate Governance on pages 76 to 93, the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 109, and Directors’ Remuneration Policy on pages 110 to 117, as a whole.

The Board considers that the Group has complied in all material respects with the Code for the year ended 31 December 2019.

 

 

Responsible Business Committee1. Board LeadershipIHG  |  Annual Report and Company PurposeForm 20-F 202091


Governance

Responsible Business Committee continued

Voice of the Employee

During 2020, Luke Mayhew continued in his capacity as the designated non-executive director (NED) with responsibility for workforce engagement (Voice of the Employee), partnering with Jill McDonald (Chair of the Responsible Business Committee).

Luke and Jill were supported by the Group’s Human Resources (HR) team, which assisted with the planning of the Board’s workforce engagement plan and provided data on various metrics relating to employees such as employee engagement survey results.

Role and responsibilities

Their role is to:

support management to design the structure and content of Board discussions on employee engagement and culture;

evaluate employee engagement approaches and their effectiveness; and

ensure that employee feedback and interests are factored into the Board’s decisions and KPI setting.

Their responsibilities include ensuring that:

the Board, through the Executive Committee, has effective methods of receiving feedback from employees and communicating Board and executive decisions and priorities throughout the organisation;

all significant business and budget proposals include a management assessment of the impact on employees;

Executives share employee feedback openly, transparently and in abalanced way, including reviewing employee engagement surveys and other employee reports including whistleblowing; and

other NEDs also gather feedback and perspectives from employees.

2020 Engagement

In 2020, Luke and Jill undertook a programme of activities to engage with the views of employees and had detailed exposure to many of IHG’s employee feedback mechanisms. They attended a number of meetings with employee forums, including leader groups and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in the UK and US. Discussion topics included IHG’s response to the pandemic, mental health and wellbeing, the positives and challenges of remote working and job security and talent retention.

As the number and scope of such employee meetings were limited because of the Covid-19 pandemic (due to the impact of furlough for example), additional engagement and activities undertaken by Luke and Jill during the year included:

monitoring and reviewing the content (and, where relevant, recordings) of regional town hall meetings, global ‘all employee’ CEO calls, Lean In circles and ‘Learning with Leader’ podcasts;

reviewing employee dashboards and survey results; and

receiving access to the initiatives introduced to maintain the culture during the pandemic, including virtual summits to encourage employee learning, personal growth, resilience-building and coping strategies.

Insights & learnings

Luke and Jill provided regular feedback to the Responsible Business Committee and the Board throughout the year, with key Board discussions taking place around the insights and action planning arising from employee engagement survey results. Through their feedback, the Board has gained valuable insights into employee sentiment through the pandemic, for example the importance to employees of receiving regular communications on the Company’s performance, outlook and clarity on future plans for employees to feel confident in a future within hospitality.

“It has been a privilege to be the first designated NED for Voice of the Employee at IHG; there is a real interest across the Board in employees’ views and a recognition that employees are the heart of the business. I would particularly like to thank employees who were willing to share their perspectives with me and trusted me and IHG to use those views responsibly. Many of my meetings were with members of the various D&I groups. IHG’s support to these groups has been and will be a very real indication of its commitment to listen and learn from employees.”

Luke Mayhew

Former Non-Executive Director

The Board also considered the feedback provided by Luke and Jill when it was engaged on key decisions that impacted employees, such as furloughs, pay and benefit reductions and redundancies. The Board considered the impact of proposals on employees prior to the decisions being taken or communicated. Further information on the Board’s regard for the interests of employees is set out on pages 22 and 26.

A further learning from the activities during the year is that the Voice of the Employee approach could be improved by gaining more direct input and feedback from employees in other key markets (outside the US and UK) and from frontline employees at hotels.

Plans for 2021

As Luke retired from the Board in December 2020, the Board approved the transition of the Voice of the Employee responsibilities to Jill McDonald, in light of her skills and experience gained from partnering with Luke. It is anticipated that additional NEDs will assist with and support the Voice of the Employee activities.

A schedule of discussions and feedback sessions has been arranged for Jill and other NEDs as appropriate in 2021. The schedule will involve a wider group of employees from regions outside the UK and US and includes opportunities to interact with a cross-section of leader groups, ERGs and Lean In circles across the regions to ensure concerns and issues are understood by the Board. The Global HR Leadership team will provide cultural insights and help to gauge the organisational pulse.

Other plans of the Voice of the Employee programme for 2021 include:

incorporating more direct engagement with employees at hotels as part of the discussion and feedback sessions;

all relevant Board and budget papers will continue to have an employee impact assessment; and

the Board will regularly review the approach in line with best practice and changes in regulation.

92IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Nomination Committee

 

 

LOGO

With two retirements from the Board and three new members joining the Board in 2020 (in addition to Arthur de Haast who was appointed to the Board with effect from 1 January 2020), Board composition and succession have featured prominently on the Committee’s agenda.

The Committee has sought to ensure that the composition of our Board includes the best range of talent, skills and relevant experience available as well as reflecting our stakeholders and the communities in which we operate.

We also recognise that having diversity on the Board is one of the ways in which constructive and challenging debate, which is essential to the effective functioning of the Board, can be encouraged.

I am pleased to report that, as at 31 December 2020, our Board composition meets the target for the proportion of women on boards set out in the Hampton-Alexander Review as well as the recommendation on ethnic diversity on boards in the Parker Review.

Patrick Cescau

Chair of the Nomination Committee

22 February 2021

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Committee reviews the composition of the Board and its Principal Committees, evaluating the balance of skills, experience, independence, knowledge and diversity requirements before making appropriate recommendations to the Board as to any changes. It also ensures plans are in place for orderly succession for both Directors and other senior executives and is responsible for reviewing the Group’s senior leadership needs.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and authority delegated to it by the Board, including processes in relation to appointments, are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

LOGO

The ToR are available at www.ihgplc.com/investors
under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus areas during the year have been:

assessing Board and the Principal Committees’ composition and succession planning, including consideration of gender balance and ethnic and geographical diversity in line with the Group’s D&I Policy (details of which are on page 28);

engaging with an external search consultancy and making recommendations on appointments to the Board;

monitoring the Executive Committee’s performance and development review; and

overseeing the performance evaluation of the Board, the Principal Committees and individual Non-Executive Directors (details of which are set out on page 85).

Membership and attendance at meetings

The Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are available on page 75. In 2020, the Committee considered and recommended to the Board Ian Dyson’s appointment to the Committee, following Luke Mayhew’s retirement. All members of the Committee are Non-Executive Directors. When the Committee considers matters relating to my position, Dale Morrison, the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director (SID), acts as Committee Chair.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee makes recommendations to the Board for all Board appointments. Minutes are circulated to Board members and I report back to the Board on the activities of the Committee following each meeting.

Effectiveness of the Committee and internal evaluation

During the year, the effectiveness of the Committee was reviewed as part of the internal Board evaluation process. It was concluded that the Committee remains effective.

Focus areas and activities

Board and Committee composition

The Committee continued to review the current and future composition of the Board and its Principal Committees. The appointments made in 2020 reflected our intention to strengthen our representation in the Americas region and to enhance our competencies in the brands and franchising sectors, as well as reflecting our commitment to ESG matters.

Target profiles outlining the competencies and experience required to support the Group’s evolving strategy were agreed and candidates were assessed against the profiles. Following the assessment and interview process, including consideration of candidates’ other commitments, the Committee recommended the appointment of each of Sharon Rothstein, Graham Allan and Duriya Farooqui as Non-Executive Directors, with effect from 1 June, 1 September and 7 December 2020 respectively.

Sharon, Graham and Duriya’s biographies are included on pages 77 to 79 and details of their induction plans can be found on page 84.

An external search consultancy, Spencer Stuart, was engaged during 2020 to assist with Non-Executive Director searches. Spencer Stuart has no other connection with the Company or individual Directors.

The Committee also reviewed and discussed the length of tenure of Non-Executive Directors. As Dale Morrison has served on the Board for more than nine years, he was subject to particular review. The Committee considered Dale’s appointment in the context of the broader Board composition and tenure and, taking into account his independence and other commitments, concluded that his continued appointment as the SID remained appropriate and in the best interests of the Board and the Company, given his knowledge of the Company and its strategy, the management team and the Board.

Leadership development and executive succession planning

During the year, the Committee also continued to review the development plans for the Executive Committee and succession plans for senior management positions in order to ensure the development of a diverse pipeline for succession.

Information on the gender balance of senior management as well as the Board is included on page 91.

Looking forward

In 2021, the Committee will continue to focus on Board, Executive and senior talent succession planning, ensuring that our talent pipeline combines an appropriate balance of skills, experience, knowledge as well as diversity.

LOGO

Nomination CommitteeIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 202093


Governance

Statement of compliance

Our statement of compliance summarises how the Group has implemented the principles and provisions of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (available at www.frc.org.uk/directors under UK Corporate Governance Code) as published in July 2018 (the Code).

This should be read in conjunction with the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 71, and Governance, including the Directors’ Remuneration Report, on pages 74 to 111, as a whole.

The Board considers that the Group has complied in all material respects with the Code for the year ended 31 December 2020.

1. Board Leadership and Company Purpose

A.

The role of the Board

The Board continues to lead IHG’s strategic direction, long-term objectives and success of the Group. Further responsibilities of the Board are set out on page 79.

The Board met seven times during 2019 and all Directors continue to act in what they consider to be in the best interests of the Company, consistent with their statutory duties. Further details of 2019 Board meetings, including information on the Board’s assessment of strategic and operational matters, are set out on pages 84 and 85, attendance information on page 79, skills and experience and biographical information on pages 80 and 81.

A description of IHG’s business model is set out on pages 10 to 13. An assessment of the principal risks facing the Group is included on pages 47 to 53.

Potential conflicts of interest are reviewed annually and powers of authorisation are exercised in accordance with the 2006

The Board continues to lead IHG’s strategic direction, long-term objectives and success of the Group. Further responsibilities of the Board are set out on page 82.

The Board met eight times during 2020 and all Directors continue to act in what they consider to be in the best interests of the Company, consistent with their statutory duties. Further details of 2020 Board meetings, including information on the Board’s assessment of strategic and operational matters, are set out on pages 83 and 84, attendance information on page 75, skills and experience and biographical information on pages 76 to 79.

A description of IHG’s business model is set out on pages 12 to 15. An assessment of the principal risks facing the Group is included on pages 36 to 41.

Potential conflicts of interest are reviewed annually and powers of authorisation are exercised in accordance with the Companies Act and the Company’s Articles of Association.

During the year, if any Director has unresolved concerns about the operation of the Board or the management of the Company, these would be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

 

 

B.

The Company’s purpose, values and strategy

Our purpose, is to provide True Hospitality for everyone. A description of IHG’s culture is included on pages 24 to 27values and an overview of our values is on page 26. Culture features prominently on the Board agenda and a summary of the Board’s activities in relation to the ‘Voice of the Employee’ is included on pages 32 to 33. An outline of the Group’s approach to rewarding its workforce is contained on page 28.strategy

Our purpose is to provide True Hospitality for Good. A description of IHG’s culture including an overview of our values is included on pages 24 to 25. Culture and people were particularly prominently on the Board agenda during the Covid-19 pandemic. A summary of the Board’s activities in relation to the ‘Voice of the Employee’ is included on page 92. An outline of the Group’s approach to rewarding its workforce is contained on page 27.

 

 

C.

Resources

The Board delegates oversight of the allocation ofday-to-day resources to management (principally through the Executive Committee).Resources

Information on the Group’s Key

The Board delegates oversight of the allocation of day-to-day resources to management (principally through the Executive Committee).

Information on the Group’s key performance indicators, including the measures used to monitor them, is included on pages 43 to monitor them, are included on pages 42 to 45.

A summary of the framework of controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed is set out on page 46.

A summary of the procedures for identifying and discussing emerging risks is set out on page 34.

 

 

D.

Shareholders and Stakeholders

The Board engaged actively throughout 2019 with shareholders and other stakeholders. The Chair hosted a number ofone-to-one meetings with major institutional shareholders to promote mutual understanding of objectives, following which the Chair ensured that their views were communicated to the Board as a whole. The Chair of the Remuneration Committee also held a series of investor consultation meetings to seek investors’ input on the proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

Further details of the Board’s engagement with shareholders can be found on pages 36 and 37. Information on the Board’s engagement with other stakeholders, including suppliers, hotel owners and guests is included on pages 38 to 40.

 

D.

Shareholders and stakeholders

The Board engaged actively throughout 2020 with shareholders and other stakeholders. The Chair held a number of one-to-one meetings with major institutional shareholders to discuss the role of the Board and other general governance issues, following which the Chair ensured that their views were communicated to the Board as a whole. The Chair of the Remuneration Committee also held a series of investor consultation meetings in connection with votes relating to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy at the Company’s 2020 Annual General Meeting. Further details are on page 97.

Further details of the Board’s engagement with shareholders can be found on page 33. Information on the Board’s engagement with other stakeholders, including suppliers, hotel owners and guests, is included on pages 31 to 32.

 

 

 

E.

Workforce Policies and Practices

E.

Workforce policies and practices

The Board has overarching responsibility for the Group’s workforce policies and practices and delegatesday-to-day responsibility to the CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer to ensure that they are consistent with the Company’s values and support its long-term success.

Employees are able to report matters of concern confidentially through our Confidential Disclosure Channel. The Board routinely reviews reports generated from the disclosures and ensures that arrangements are in place for investigation andfollow-up action as appropriate.

2. Division of Responsibilities

 

 

2. Division of Responsibilities

F.

The Chair

Patrick Cescau leads the operation and governance of the Board and its Committees. The Chair has been in post for seven years and was independent on appointment. See page 80

Patrick Cescau leads the operation and governance of the Board and its Committees. The Chair has been in post for eight years and was independent on appointment. See page 76 for more details.

 

 

G.

Board Composition

The size and composition of the Board and its Committees is kept under review by the Nomination Committee to ensure the appropriate combination of Executive andNon-Executive Directors. Details of the responsibilities, skills and experience on the Board can be found on pages 80 and 81.

At least half of the Board, excluding the Chair, are IndependentNon-Executive Directors. Further details of the composition of the Board and Committees are available on pages 79 to 81.

 

H.
G.

Non-executives

Non-Executive Director terms of appointment outline IHG’s time commitment expectations required to fulfil their role. The commitments of each Director are included in the Directors’ biographical details on pages 80 and 81. Details ofNon-Executive Director appointment terms are set out on page 117.Board composition

The Chair annually reviews the time eachNon-Executive Director dedicates to IHG as part of the internal performance evaluation of each Director (see page 87) and is satisfied that their other duties and time commitments do not conflict with those as Directors.

Dale Morrison was appointed as Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director on 31 May 2014. He is available to liaise with shareholders who have concerns that they feel have not been addressed through the normal channels of the Chair, Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Directors. He also leads the annual performance review of the Chair with the otherNon-Executive Directors (see page 87), and as necessary, provides advice and judgement to the Chair, and serves as an intermediary for other Directors when necessary.

After each Board meeting,Non-Executive Directors and the Chair meet without Executive Directors being present (see page 84).

94IHG

The size and composition of the Board and its Committees is kept under review by the Nomination Committee to ensure the appropriate combination of Executive and Non-Executive Directors. Details of the responsibilities, skills and experience on the Board can be found on pages 76 to 79.

At least half of the Board, excluding the Chair, are Independent Non-Executive Directors. Further details of the composition of the Board and Committees are available on pages 75 to 79.  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


 

 

 

H.

Non-Executives

Non-Executive Director terms of appointment outline IHG’s time commitment expectations required to fulfil their role. The commitments of each Director are included in the Directors’ biographical details on pages 76 to 79. Details of Non-Executive Director appointment terms are set out on page 111.

The Chair annually reviews the time each Non-Executive Director dedicates to IHG as part of the internal performance evaluation of Directors (see page 85) and is satisfied that their other duties and time commitments do not conflict with those as Directors.

Dale Morrison was appointed as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director on 31 May 2014. He is available to liaise with shareholders who have concerns that they feel have not been addressed through the normal channels of the Chair, Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Directors. He also leads the annual performance review of the Chair (see page 85), and as necessary, provides advice and judgement to the Chair, and serves as an intermediary for other Directors when necessary.

After each Board meeting, Non-Executive Directors and the Chair meet without Executive Directors being present (see page 82).

 

94IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


    

 


I.

Policies, Processes, Information and Resources

The Chair and Company Secretary ensure that the Board and its Committees have the necessary policies and processes in place and that they receive timely, accurate and clear information. The Board and its Committees also have access to the Company Secretary, independent advice and other necessary resources, at the Company’s expense. They receive administrative and logistical support of a full-time executive assistant. See page 84 for more details.

 

I.

3. Composition, SuccessPolicies, processes, information and resources

The Chair and Company Secretary ensure that the Board and its Committees have the necessary policies and processes in place and that they receive timely, accurate and clear information. The Board and its Committees also have access to the Company Secretary, independent advice and other necessary resources, at the Company’s expense. They receive administrative and logistical support of a full-time executive assistant. See page 82 for more details.

3. Composition, Succession and Evaluation

 

 

J.

Appointments

Appointments to the Board are led by the Nomination Committee in accordance with its Terms of Reference (available on our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance or from the Company Secretary’s office on request). The Nomination Committee also supports the Board in succession planning for the Board and senior management. Further details of the role of the Nomination Committee and what it did in 2019

Appointments to the Board are led by the Nomination Committee in accordance with its Terms of Reference (available on our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance). The Nomination Committee also supports the Board in succession planning for the Board and senior management. Further details of the role of the Nomination Committee and what it did in 2020 are in the Nomination Committee Report on page 93. The overall process of appointment and removal of Directors is overseen by the Board as a whole.

All of the Directors retire and seek election orre-election at each AGM.

 

 

K.

Skills

K.

Details of the skills, experience and biographical information of the Board are set out on pages 80 and 81.Skills

The Chair and Company Secretary ensure that new Directors receive a full induction and that all Directors continually update their skills and have the requisite knowledge and familiarity with the Group to fulfil their role (see page 86).

The length of service of Directors is reviewed regularly, details of the review in 2019 are included on page 87.

Details of the skills, experience and biographical information of the Board are set out on pages 76 to 79.

The Chair and Company Secretary ensure that new Directors receive a full induction and that all Directors continually update their skills and have the requisite knowledge and familiarity with the Group to fulfil their role (see page 84).

The length of service of Directors is reviewed regularly, details of the review in 2020 are included on page 93.

 

 

L.

Annual evaluation

L.

The Board undertakes either an internal or external annual Board effectiveness evaluation. In 2019, an external BoardAnnual evaluation was carried out. A summary of the evaluation is set out on page 86.

Performance evaluations of all Directors, including the Chair, are also carried out on an annual basis. Directors’ biographies are set out on pages 80 to 81 and details of their performance evaluations are on page 87.

The Board undertakes either an internal or external annual Board effectiveness evaluation. The last external evaluation was carried out in 2019, so in 2020 an internal Board evaluation was conducted. A summary of the evaluation is set out on page 85.

Performance evaluations of Directors, including the Chair, are also carried out on an annual basis. Directors’ biographies are set out on pages 76 to 79 and details of performance evaluations carried out in 2020 are on page 85.

 

4. Audit, Risk and Internal Control

 

 

M.

Audit functions

The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of IndependentNon-Executive Directors (see page 79 for membership details). Ian Dyson, the Chair of the Committee has recent and relevant financial experience and the Committee as a whole has competence relevant to the sector in which we operate. Details of the Committee’s role, responsibilities and activities are set out on pages 88 to 91.

The Audit Committee reviewed the effectiveness and independence of the Group’s internal audit function and Ernst & Young LLP during 2019. Details of these reviews are set out in the Audit Committee report on pages 88 to 91.

 

N.
M.

Assessment of the company’s position and prospects

The Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities (including the Board’s statement confirming that it considers that the Annual Report and Form20-F, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy) is set out on page 120.Audit functions

The status of IHG as a going concern is set out in the Directors’ Report on page 224. An explanation of the Group’s performance, business model, strategy and the risks and uncertainties relating to IHG’s prospects, including the viability of the Group, is set out in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 75.

The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of Independent Non-Executive Directors (see page 75 for membership details). Ian Dyson, the Chair of the Committee, has recent and relevant financial experience and the Committee as a whole has competence relevant to the sector in which we operate. Details of the Committee’s role, responsibilities and activities are set out on pages 86 to 90.

The Audit Committee reviewed the effectiveness and independence of the Group’s internal audit function and Ernst & Young LLP during 2020. Details of these reviews are set out in the Audit Committee Report on pages 86 to 90.

 

 

O.

Risk management

N.

The Board determines the nature and extentAssessment of the principal risks the organisation is willing to take to achieve its strategic objectives. A robust assessment of the principalCompany’s position and emerging risks facing the Group was carried out during the year, including those risks that would threaten the Group’s business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity and reputation (see pages 47 to 53 for further details of the principal risks). The Board and Audit Committee monitor the Group’s riskprospects

The Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities (including the Board’s statement confirming that it considers that the Annual Report and Form 20-F, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position, performance, business model and strategy) is set out on page 114.

The status of IHG as a going concern is set out in the Directors’ Report on page 223. An explanation of the Group’s performance, business model, strategy and the risks and uncertainties relating to IHG’s prospects, including the viability of the Group, is set out in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 71.

O.

Risk management and internal controls systems and conduct an annual review of their effectiveness. Throughout the year, the Board has directly, and through delegated authority to the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee, overseen and reviewed all material controls, including financial, operational and compliance controls. See pages 79, 85, and 88 to 91.

The Board determines the nature and extent of the principal risks the organisation is willing to take to achieve its strategic objectives. A robust assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing the Group was carried out during the year, including those risks that would threaten the Group’s business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity and reputation (see pages 36 to 41 for further details of the principal risks). The Board and Audit Committee monitor the Group’s risk management and internal controls systems and conduct an annual review of their effectiveness. Throughout the year, the Board has directly, and through delegated authority to the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee, overseen and reviewed all material controls, including financial, operational and compliance controls. See pages 36 to 41, and 86 to 90.

 

5. Remuneration

 

 

P.

Remuneration policies and practices

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for developing policy on executive remuneration and determining remuneration packages of Directors and senior management. The Directors’ Remuneration Report is set out on pages 96 to 111. Details of the Remuneration Committee’s activities during 2020 are set out on page 111 and its membership details are on page 75.

Q.

Procedure for developing policy on executive remuneration and determining remuneration packages of Directors and senior management. The Directors’ Remuneration Report is set out on pages 96 to 117. Details of the Remuneration Committee’s activities during 2019 are set out on pages 96 and 97 and its membership details are on page 79.

The Remuneration Committee undertook a detailed review of the Director’s Remuneration Policy (the DR Policy) in 2018, which continued in 2019. The revised DR Policy (which is subject to approval by shareholders at the Company’s 2020 AGM), including a description of how each element of the DR Policy links to the Company’s strategy, is set out on pages 110 to 117.

A description of how the Remuneration Committee addressed factors of the Code when determining the DR Policy is set out on page 114.

Details of the Remuneration Committee’s consideration of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy) in 2020 and the implementation of the DR Policy in 2021, are set out on pages 96 to 98.

During 2020, no individual Director was involved in deciding his or her own remuneration outcome.

 

 

Q.

R.

Independent judgement and discretion

The Remuneration Committee has formal discretions in place in relation to outcomes under the APP and LTIP, and these are disclosed as part of the DR Policy, which is set out on pages 110 to 117 of the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019. When determining outcomes under these plans, the Committee considers whether it is appropriate to adjust outcomes under these discretions, taking account of the Group’s performance, relative performance against competitors, and other relevant factors. Information on the Remuneration Committee’s consideration of the use of discretion during 2020 is set out on page 106.

Procedure for developing policy on executive remuneration

In connection with the review of the DR Policy referred to above, the Chair of the Remuneration Committee held a series of consultation meetings with major shareholders to seek their views on the proposed DR Policy. The Remuneration Committee will consider the DR Policy annually.

During 2019, no individual Director was present when his or her own remuneration was discussed.

 

 

R.

Independent judgement and discretion

The Remuneration Committee has formal discretions in place in relation to outcomes under the APP and LTIP, and these are disclosed as part of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. When determining outcomes under these plans, the Committee considers whether it is appropriate to adjust outcomes under these discretions, taking account of the Group’s performance, relative performance against competitors, and other relevant factors. Any use of discretion would be fully disclosed and explained in the relevant Director’s Remuneration Report.

 

 

 

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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance

Statement of complianceIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 95


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement

 

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“A year of unprecedented challenges, dominated by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global impact it has had on the hospitality industry.”

  Table of contents

  96

We have updated our Directors’ Remuneration Policy, taking into account our governance and stewardship responsibilities and the views of our major shareholders, to balance the risks and rewards for all of our stakeholders and to continue to support the Company’s strategy for quality growth and returns

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2019. In

  96

Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement

  99

At a year characterised by a softening industry RevPAR environment, our System Size growth has continued to accelerate in line with our aim to reach industry-leading levels, supported by a strong and consistent increase in the pace of openings over the last three years. We have achieved record signings in key markets that will support future growth.glance

Executive Director incentive plan awards reflect our resilient business performance during 2019:

APP award was 58.7% of the capped maximum pay-out, having achieved close to target operating profit from reportable segmentsa (referred to as EBIT in our 2018 and earlier reports), target savings for reinvestment and above target NSSG objectives;
  100

the 2017-19 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) cycle award was 78.9% of maximum as the business continued to deliver strong shareholder returns and exceeded expectations for growth in System Size, Cash Flow and Total Gross Revenue over the three years to 31 December 2019; and

the total average of short and long-term incentive plan awards for the respective period ending 2019 was therefore 68.8% of maximum.

2019 was also an important year forRemuneration at IHG – the wider workforce as the new Colleague Share Plan was launched.

Directors’ Remuneration Policy reviewcontext

As indicated last year, the Committee commenced a detailed review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy) in 2018. We have consulted extensively with our major shareholders during 2019 to refine proposed areas of change. The key policy changes are summarised in the table after this statement on page 98, as well as in more detail on pages 110 to 117 of the Annual Report.

IHG has always had a strong ‘pay for performance’ culture. Our approach to executive remuneration has always been aligned with the interests of shareholders and the UK corporate governance environment. This is reflected in the highly stretching performance targets we set for our APP and LTIP. The total of short and long-term incentive plan awards for Executive Directors have averaged around 60% of maximum for the previous five years. Over the same period our Total Shareholder Returns have been top quartile amongst our key hotel competitors and more than double that of the average of the FTSE 100.

IHG is a global business in a global industry driven by US-based global competitors, including Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc. and Choice Hotels International Inc. The remuneration structures in the US often drive more significant outcomes, as they are comprised of more elements; the total variable pay for similar performance of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at a US-based global hotel group can be three times or more than that of IHG. The quantum difference in US and UK executive pay is not a new phenomenon. IHG’s approach in this environment has always been to attract and retain key talent in its succession plan, as Keith Barr’s appointment to the CEO role in 2017 illustrates.

However, the US market is also IHG’s largest source of revenue, and US-based hotel competitors and other US-based global companies are our most important source of talent. The Americas region represents 59.4% of our current System Size and around 50% of our corporate workforce is based in the region. From a long-term risk-management perspective, recruitment and retention of talent in IHG’s succession plan is an increasing challenge. Since the last DR Policy update in 2017, we have seen an intensification of risk as we have lost high-potential talent in our succession plan to competitors and we have seen increased difficulty and subsequent delay in recruiting. The resulting internal pay compression impacts both our high-potential talent and our experienced leaders in key positions and is not sustainable. Over recent months, I have discussed these challenges with a number of our shareholders.

To address these increasing risks, we are proposing an increase in maximum LTIP quantum available to Executive Directors for the outperformance of our goals. The aim in doing this is not to materially reduce the gap in remuneration between IHG’s Executive Directors and their US competitor peers, but rather to ensure IHG has a remuneration structure which provides differentiation between the CEO, other Executive Directors, Executive Committee members and high-potential talent in the succession plan.

A number of other changes to our DR Policy will further strengthen the alignment with shareholders:

In light of the increased maximum potential LTIP quantum, we will significantly increase the shareholding requirements for Executive Directors.

In line with recommended guidance, we have also extended the potential triggers under which the reduction and/or recovery of awards from Executive Directors may be sought through clawback.

Last year, we introduced a two-year post-vest holding period for Executive Directors under our LTIP and this will now be formally adopted in our DR Policy.

a See page 55 for Non-GAAP definitions.

96IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


In 2018, in advance of such a requirement becoming a part of the Corporate Governance Code, we introduced a post-employment shareholding requirement. The full guideline employment shareholding requirements will apply for six months following cessation of employment, and 50% of the requirements for a further six months after that. In an asset-light business, key decisions can be implemented and changes reflected quickly in business performance and shareholder value as we have seen in practice to our benefit. Our post-employment shareholding requirement therefore holds former Executive Directors to account for the decisions they made and strategies they implemented. In the Committee’s view, any longer period would unnecessarily subject them to decisions out of their control.

The pension benefit for any new UK Executive Director appointments will be aligned with the maximum employer contribution rate available to all other participants in the UK pension plan, which include UK corporate and eligible hotel employees. In addition, UK Executive Directors have agreed to a voluntary reduction in their company pension benefit by the end of 2022, so they will align on the same basis with effect from 1 January 2023.

Since implementing the 2017 DR Policy, IHG has seen the appointment of Keith Barr as CEO and a new organisational structure which is designed to leverage scale and accelerate growth. We have increased the pace of execution of our strategic initiatives with the aim of delivering industry-leading net System Size growth in the medium term. In this context, we have reviewed our LTIP measures with a focus on alignment with our strategy and this aim. The balance of absolute and relative growth and return measures has been carefully considered to ensure that growth, sound returns and responsible cash management are measured in determining reward. As set out on page 113, we are therefore proposing an increased weighting for Net System Size Growth, measured on a relative basis to our key competitors. This will be balanced by a Return on Capital Employed underpin to incentivise system size and fee income growth at a sustainable rate, taking account of the impact of capital investment to support growth of returns over time.

The Committee considered environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures in relation to the LTIP, such as carbon reduction. Although we are not recommending introducing such measures in our LTIP in 2020, we consider it important to have the flexibility within the DR Policy to do so once we are satisfied that performance targets can be set robustly and effectively in relation to long-term objectives. In doing this, we will build on the work carried out in setting stretching science-based targets that we have announced in the Corporate Responsibility Committee Report on page 92.

  101

Wider workforce remuneration and employee engagement

In line with Corporate Governance Code guidance, the Committee has reviewed aspects of the Company’s wider workforce remuneration policy over the course of 2019. The Company takes a fully aligned approach to remuneration throughout the organisation to support succession and career-planning and regularly engages directly with the workforce through a number of channels and on a wide range of topics, including pay. The Company’s twice-yearly global engagement survey addresses employee satisfaction, covering a number of areas including competitive pay and benefits.

In 2019, the Company successfully launched its Colleague Share Plan, which brings a share-based benefit to most of its global corporate workforce and significantly widens the alignments of interests of its shareholders, executives and the wider workforce. Take-up in this first year of the plan’s operation was 49% of eligible employees.

In addition, a full market review of the Company’s UK pension benefit was carried out. Market practice has moved significantly since this was last reviewed, following initiatives such as the phased introduction of automatic enrolment minimum contribution rates and changes to pension tax relief for higher earners. As a result of this, during 2020, the Company will be increasing the maximum contribution rate available to current and future participants from at least 7.5% of salary to 12% of salary. Future Executive Directors will receive this same rate.

The Company’s new UK pension contribution structure significantly closes the gap between existing Executive Directors’ pension benefit and that of other employees, from a minimum difference of 17.5% to 13% of salary. Furthermore, given the agreement of the UK Executive Directors to a voluntary reduction in pension, the gap will reduce by the end of 2022, bringing it in line with all other IHG UK pension plan participants, as shown on page 100.

Shareholder engagement

Whilst our current DR Policy was approved by 96% of shareholders at the 2017 AGM, the advisory vote on the Directors’ Remuneration Report at the 2018 and 2019 AGMs received a lower level of support (82.33% and 83.95% respectively). We committed to understanding and addressing these concerns and engaged with those shareholders who voted against the Report to understand their reasons for doing so. Based on the feedback received, we have taken steps to clarify and to refine aspects of our remuneration structures to better reflect the long-term interests of shareholders.

Summary of key changes to our Directors’ Remuneration Policy

In line with the required three-year cycle, we are seeking approval of our updated DR Policy, which can be found in full on pages 110 to 117, at the 2020 AGM. A high-level summary of the proposed changes is shown on the next page.

Our APP structure remains appropriate, with a 70% weighting for operating profit from reportable segments and 30% weighting for strategic measures. For 2020, the latter element will consist of a single absolute NSSG target. In a potentially more muted RevPAR environment, this aligns with our focus on System Size growth to drive our continued success. Whilst there is also an NSSG element in the LTIP, it is of a different nature due to the three-year timescale and relative measurement approach, and aligns with our strategic focus on accelerating growth in both the short and long-term. It is important to note that for 2020, targets for both operating profit from reportable segments and NSSG are set in an environment of greater uncertainty than in recent years. Further detail on incentive plan measures under the new DR Policy is shown on pages 112 to 113.

For 2020, the Executive Directors will receive a 2% salary increase, which reflects the overall budget available for salary increases to the UK and US wider corporate employee population.

About this report

As always, we strive to make this report as easy to read as possible. The ‘At a glance’ section on page 99 highlights the key points on 2019 performance and outcomes and further background on remuneration at IHG for the wider workforce is on page 100.

The Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 101 to 109 will be put

(subject to an advisory vote by shareholders andat the revised2021 AGM)

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Business context

This year was one of unprecedented challenges, particularly for the hospitality sector, as the world responded to the outbreak of Covid-19. Following a solid start in the first two months of the year, the travel and social contact restrictions imposed by governments around the world drove our hotel occupancy levels to historic lows in March and April. Despite improved occupancy levels in the second half of the year, overall Group RevPAR for the year was down 52.5%.

Through this critical time, our top priority has always been the health and safety of our guests and colleagues, and ensuring that we take the right steps to protect the long-term health of our business. Management quickly acted to identify and implement key measures to reduce costs, preserve cash and strengthen liquidity. These included reducing discretionary costs and marketing spend, reducing our gross capital expenditure, withdrawing our final dividend for 2019 and deferring consideration of further dividends until visibility improves, and securing short-term funding temporarily through the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility which is due to be repaid in 2021.

In spite of the challenges this year, performance relative to our direct peers in 2020 was strong, with global RevPAR ahead of the competitor average. This is an important KPI in our sector and strong performance drives shareholder value. Furthermore, we have continued to build on the resilience of our business model relative to the industry and have signed 360 hotels in the year. As noted in the Strategic Report on page 12, the weighting of our hotel estate towards the midscale segments and non-urban locations, together with a weighting to domestic demand, provides a degree of resilience. In all our actions, we have remained true to our purpose and values, maintaining an unwavering focus on acting responsibly for our people, guests, owners, shareholders and the local communities in which we operate.

2020 remuneration decisions

As part of our cost reduction measures, we announced a series of changes to executive remuneration in the year:

the 2% salary increase for the Executive Directors for 2020 (that

had been signposted in the 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Policy, starting on page 110, will be put to a binding shareholder vote at the MayReport) was not implemented;

furthermore, the Executive Directors voluntarily took a 30% reduction in base salary, and reductions in certain salary-related benefits, from April to September 2020 inclusive. Non-Executive Directors took a 30% reduction in their fees over the same period; and

following the reduction in share price since the grant date for the 2019 LTIP awards, and in light of concerns from shareholders regarding the potential for windfall gains, the Remuneration Committee felt it was appropriate to grant the 2020 LTIP awards with a maximum opportunity of 205% of salary (in line with the level under the previous Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy)) rather than the levels under the new DR Policy, which was approved by shareholders at our 2020 AGM and was intended to apply from 2020. This represented a reduction of more than 40% for the CEO and 25% for the other Executive Directors compared to the new LTIP award levels of 350% and 275% respectively.

Given the impact of the pandemic on the global economy generally, and the hospitality sector in particular, the threshold level of financial performance for the 2020 annual incentive plan, which was set in a pre-Covid-19 context, was not met. The threshold for net system size growth (NSSG) performance was also not met. A holistic assessment of performance against various metrics, including ESG performance indicators, was undertaken in line with the Committee’s framework for assessing the use of discretion outlined on page 106 but it was ultimately determined that the Committee would not apply discretion to adjust the formulaic outcomes and so no 2020 annual bonus was awarded to Executive Directors.

The 2018/20 LTIP was based on performance for the three years to 31 December 2020. Performance was significantly impacted by Covid-19 and the final vesting outcome was 30.6% of maximum, despite much higher estimated vesting levels (of c. 76% of maximum) prior to the impact of the pandemic. The Committee took a number of matters into account in considering whether to use any discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome of the 2018/20 LTIP in accordance with the Committee’s discretion assessment framework. These included the strong performance of the Executive Directors in addressing the exceptional circumstances resulting from the pandemic to the benefit of shareholders, owners, colleagues and other stakeholders, as well as the unavoidable loss of employment for impacted corporate and hotel colleagues. The Committee concluded that the formulaic vesting outcome was appropriate for this award within the overall context of executive remuneration decisions taken during the year.

For each future LTIP cycle award vesting, the Committee will continue to assess the appropriateness of the formulaic outcomes and any possible use of discretion based on all the relevant considerations at the time of vesting.

During the year, Malina Ngai and Luke Mayhew stepped down from the Board and Arthur de Haast, Sharon Rothstein, Graham Allan and Duriya Farooqui were appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Directors. The remuneration arrangements in respect of all changes were in line with the approved DR Policy and are covered on page 110.

Continuing impact of Covid-19

The unpredictability of new Covid-19 waves, any resulting restrictions, and the timing of the impact of vaccination efforts continues to cause uncertainty for 2021. The Committee has extensively considered the unavoidable impact on the business and the resulting effect on remuneration beyond 2020. In particular, we have been concerned about a potential disconnect between formulaic performance outcomes of the variable pay schemes compared with the performance of management to guide the business through the crisis as outlined in the CEO’s Review on pages 6 and 7.

96IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Jo Harlow

Chair of the Remuneration Committee

17 February



In the US and elsewhere, including our Greater China region, we are continuing to experience pay compression at Senior Leader level which is limiting our ability to attract and retain talent in key roles. Concerns around personal financial and job security, as well as the industry’s future as we move from the crisis to an uncertain recovery, are having an increasing impact. We are concerned that the combination of temporary pay reductions, no 2020 bonus and the expected low outcomes for the in-flight LTIP awards will lead to significant and growing retention risks for senior talent, particularly given the challenges facing the hospitality sector in the current environment. Headhunting activities have targeted a number of our Senior Leaders below Board, notably those roles where functional expertise is transferable. This presents an increased risk to business continuity, especially in our largest market, the US, where pay quantum is significantly higher and there is fierce competition for our executive and senior talent.

In 2021, LTIP award levels will reflect the 2020 DR Policy maximums of 350% of salary for the CEO and 275% of salary for other Executive Directors, which were not used in 2020. The Committee believes it is appropriate to implement the approved new award levels in the context of the inherent additional stretch in performance targets, given the continued uncertain environment hotel groups are operating in and the resulting increased intensity of competition for share of system size growth. In addition, given the increasing pay compression, attraction and retention challenges we face in relation to senior talent, which were key reasons for updating this area of the DR Policy last year, the new quantum levels will help ensure IHG has a remuneration structure that allows for differentiation between the CEO, other Executive Directors, Executive Committee members and high-potential talent in the succession plan.

In considering the impact of the pandemic on in-flight LTIP awards, the Committee does not intend to adjust incentive plan targets, and will continue to assess the appropriateness of using discretion to adjust the formulaic outcomes upwards or downwards based on all relevant considerations at the time of vesting of the relevant award. An example of how the Committee is approaching this is the 2020/22 cycle absolute cash flow target, which was set just prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, and as a result is already likely to be missed. The Committee will monitor a ‘shadow’ target for this cycle, which was formulated after the initial impact of the pandemic became evident. It will provide a reference point to consider at the time of vesting, based on our understanding of the potential recovery trajectory at the time of formulating it, but it does not replace the target that was originally set. Similarly, the ROCE underpin for the NSSG measure for the 2020/22 cycle was set in a pre-Covid context and was intended to balance the growth of IHG’s System size with the appropriate level of value creating returns. The impact of Covid-19 on earnings has negatively impacted the Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) performance. Based on discussions to date, if the ROCE underpin was not met for this cycle solely due to the impact on earnings of the pandemic, the Committee would be minded not to reduce the NSSG vesting outcome.

Shareholder engagement

At the 2020 AGM, we received shareholder approval for our updated DR Policy, which can be found in last year’s Annual Report and is summarised on page 98 of this report. We were pleased that the majority of our shareholders supported our new DR Policy; however, the vote of 77.14% in favour of the DR Policy represented less than 80% support and, as such, we offered to consult with those of our top 25 shareholders who voted against the resolution to understand their reasons for doing so. In those discussions we listened to shareholder views and concerns, and in particular to understand their perspectives on:

the provision for the increase in maximum LTIP awards (to 350% for the CEO and 275% for other Executive Directors); and

the structure of the post-cessation shareholding requirement for Executive Directors (100% of minimum shareholding requirement for six months, and 50% for 12 months following cessation of employment).

The Committee recognises that there exists a range of views across the shareholder base in relation to the pay of Executive Directors and therefore engages in regular shareholder consultation. We carried out an extensive consultation with shareholders and proxy agencies on the 2020 DR Policy in the months leading up to the AGM and consulted again in early 2021 on our proposed implementation for the year ahead. The Committee notes the 77.14% shareholder support for the DR Policy and continues to believe that the commercial rationale for the LTIP maximum award increase, as detailed above, is critical to the retention and development of talent in order to drive the long-term success of the business.

The Committee also believes that the structure of the post-cessation requirement is appropriate for IHG. As noted in our 2019 Directors’ Remuneration Report, we are an asset-light business and key decisions can be implemented and changes reflected quickly in business performance and shareholder value; as such, any longer post-cessation shareholding period would unnecessarily subject the Executive Directors to decisions out of their control.

The views expressed by shareholders in the most recent round of consultations will be taken into consideration as the Remuneration Committee keeps the Policy under ongoing review, and as it determines payments and awards to be made under the terms of the Policy.

Implementation of Directors’ Remuneration Policy in 2021

As covered in more detail on pages 108-109:

Salary increases for Executive Directors for 2021 will be in line with the budget for increases for the wider UK and US corporate populations and are made following an assessment of 2020 performance.

The non-financial measures for the 2021 Annual Performance Plan have been aligned to our key strategic objectives for recovery and our future growth priorities.

Due to ongoing uncertainty and the related difficulty in setting absolute performance targets in particular, the measures and weightings for the 2021/23 Long Term Incentive Plan cycle have been adjusted, with the removal of the Total Gross Revenue measure. The Committee expects to re-introduce this measure in future cycles.

We continued to engage with our shareholders on the use of ESG metrics in our variable pay plans. A key element of IHG’s strategy is addressing the impact of climate change and, as we are making commitments in this area, we have been considering the inclusion of an environmental metric in our variable pay plans. The Committee explored this further during the year working closely with the Responsible Business Committee. We intend to include an ESG metric for Executive Director pay once we have in place the planned upgrades to our IHG Green Engage® system, including centralised data collection, which will improve the robustness and completeness of environmental performance data from hotels; the investment has been delayed as a result of the impact of the pandemic, and we will be pressing ahead with this through recovery. The Responsible Business Committee report on page 91 and the Strategic Report on page 29 contain more information on our sustainability strategy, reporting commitments and the use of science-based targets. The Remuneration and Responsible Business Committees will continue to work together on this area in 2021.

As we reported last year, UK Executive Directors’ company pension benefits will align with the maximum employer contribution rate available to all other participants in the UK pension plan (which

 

 

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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 97


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement continued

includes UK corporate and eligible hotel employees) from 1 January 2023; and any new UK Executive Director will also receive contributions in line with this from date of appointment.

US retirement benefit arrangements, in which the CEO, Americas, participates, differ in a number of respects from UK pension arrangements, as explained on page 100. They are comprised of a 401(k) plan under which all corporate employees benefit from maximum employer contributions of a consistent 6% of salary, and a Deferred Compensation Plan for eligible senior employees under which all participants including the CEO, Americas can receive supplementary contributions of up to 16% of salary. These are common retirement benefit plans in the US market and, given the parity of treatment for all participants in each of these plans, as well as the importance of the CEO, Americas role to the business and the market competitiveness concerns over Executive Director pay, the Committee intends to maintain the arrangements as they relate to the CEO, Americas.

Wider workforce remuneration and employee engagement

As outlined on page 100, we operate an aligned approach to remuneration throughout the organisation. Our actions on pay this year in response to the Covid-19 outbreak also impacted remuneration for the wider workforce as well as Executive

Directors, with scaled reductions to salary of 10% to 20% applying to corporate employees below Executive Director level.

During the year, the Company continued to engage with the workforce on a range of topics, including pay, and the Committee reviewed a number of aspects of the Company’s wider workforce remuneration policy, including a deep dive on how incentives are segmented across the organisation to attract, motivate, retain and engage talent.

About this report

As always, we strive to make this report as easy to read as possible. This page has a summary of our approved DR Policy; the ‘At a glance’ section on page 99 highlights the key points on 2020 performance and remuneration outcomes; and on page 100 you can find further background on wider workforce remuneration at IHG in 2020.

The Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration on pages 101 to 111 will be put to an advisory vote by shareholders at the May 2021 Annual General Meeting.

Jo Harlow

Chair of the Remuneration Committee

22 February 2021

Summary of approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Element 2021 2022  2023  2024  2025  Framework  Purpose/Link to strategy

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Fixed            
Base salary LOGO         Increases generally in line with the range applying to the corporate population. Reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months from 1 April.  Recognises the value and impact of the role and the individual’s skills, performance and experience.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Benefits LOGO         Relevant benefits are restricted to the typical level for the role/location.  Competitive and consistent with role/ location; helps recruit and retain.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Pension/ Retirement Benefit LOGO         Defined Contribution or cash in lieu for UK Directors. Employee contributions with matching company contributions. Salary is the only part of pay that is pensionable. Pension contributions and/or cash allowance for new UK Executive Directors will be aligned with the maximum company contribution available to all other participants in the UK Pension Plan; incumbent UK Executive Directors will reduce to the same level at the end of 2022.  Competitive and consistent with role/ location; helps recruit and retain.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Variable            
Annual Performance Plan (cash) 

LOGO

    Maximum annual opportunity is 200% of salary with 70% based an operating profit measure and 30% on key strategic objectives. 50% of the award is deferred into shares for three years. Awards are subject to global affordability gate. Full vesting after three years. Malus and clawback apply.  

For 2021, the key strategic objectives, linked to business strategy, are:

 

  room signings (15% weighting), and

 

  room openings (15% weighting)

 

Further detail on the link to strategy of these measures can be found on page 108.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Annual Performance Plan (deferred shares)  LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 

LOGO

  

LOGO

  The maximum potential LTIP quantum is 350% of salary for the CEO and 275% of salary for other Executive Directors. A two-year post-vest holding period and malus and clawback apply  A focus on industry leading NSSG is at the heart of our strategy, balanced by a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) underpin to reflect our commitment to deliver quality growth while maintaining returns. Together with TSR and Cash Flow, there is a strong alignment between Executive Director remuneration and shareholder interests.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Other            
Minimum shareholding requirements          The guideline shareholding requirements are 500% of salary for the CEO and 300% for other Executive Directors. The post-employment shareholding requirement, introduced in 2018, continues to apply.  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

98IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement continued

Summary of DR Policy and proposed changes

Element

 

2020

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

 

2024

 

Framework

 

Link to Strategy

Fixed       
Base salary LOGO     Generally in line with the range applying to the corporate population. Reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months from 1 April. Recognises the value of the role and the individual’s skills, performance and experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit LOGO     Relevant benefits are restricted to the typical level for the role/location. Competitive and consistent with role/ location; helps recruit and retain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension LOGO     Defined Contribution. Employee contributions with matching employer contributions. Salary is the only part of remuneration that is pensionable. Competitive and consistent with role/ location; helps recruit and retain.
      

 

Proposed change

 

Pension contributions and/or cash allowance for new Executive Directors will be aligned with the maximum employer contribution rate available to all other participants in the UK pension plan. Incumbent UK Executive Directors have agreed to a voluntary reduction in pension provision by the end of 2022 such that the value will align on the same basis with effect from 1 January 2023.

 

 

Rationale for change

 

Following a full market review of its UK pension benefit, the Company will offer all participants the same rate of pension benefit. Whilst there were very good reasons for having had a tiered contribution structure in the past, following significant change in the UK pension environment since the benefit was last reviewed, this is no longer prevalent in the market. To remain competitive in the UK workspace, a level pension benefit structure will be introduced. This will be kept under review as market practice continues to evolve.

 

Variable       
Annual Performance Plan (cash) 

LOGO

      Cash

     Maximum annual opportunity is 200% of salary with 70% an operating profit measure and 30% key strategic measures; 50% of the award is deferred into shares for three years. Awards are subject to a global affordability gate. Full vesting after three years. Malus and clawback apply. 

For 2020, the KPIs that directly link remuneration to our business strategy include:

 

  Operating profit from reportable segments – a fundamental measure of our financial health and represents the financial outcomes of the KPI goals; and

 

  Net System Size growth – a KPI and measure of our strategy to build and leverage scale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Performance Plan (deferred shares)  

LOGO

                           Deferral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 

LOGO

                       Performance

 

LOGO

              Deferral

 

Proposed change

 

The maximum potential LTIP quantum is to increase from 205% to 350% of salary for the CEO and to 275% of salary for other Executive Directors.

 

The net System Size growth (NSSG) element will increase to 30% and will measure performance relative to our closest peers, balancing the growth objectives with a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) underpin to this part of the LTIP. The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) element will reduce from 40% to 30%. The remaining two measures of Cash Flow and Total Gross Revenue will remain at 20%.

 

Formal adoption of the two-year post-vest holding period which was introduced for the 2019/21 cycle.

 

Malus and clawback will continue to apply.

 

Rationale for change

 

To incentivise achieving our stretching new growth ambitions; to compete more effectively in the US talent pool and to assist with recruitment and retention in succession planning given pay compression.

 

A focus on industry-leading NSSG is at the heart of our new strategy, underpinned by ROCE to reflect our commitment to deliver quality growth whilst maintaining returns.

 

Continued strong alignment between Executive Director remuneration and shareholder interests.

 

Other       
Minimum shareholding requirements      

Proposed change

 

The guideline shareholding requirements will increase from 300% to 500% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and from 200% to 300% of salary for other Executive Directors. The post-employment shareholding requirement, introduced in 2018, will continue to apply.

 

Rationale for change

 

To demonstrate a commitment to the Company’s success and strengthen alignment between the executives’ and the shareholders’ interests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malus and clawback  LOGO  

Proposed change

 

The range of potential triggers for the recovery of awards made to Executive Directors will be extended. See page 115 for details.

 

Rationale for change

 

In line with guidance from the UK Corporate Governance Code, this is designed to protect shareholder value and disincentivise unwanted behaviours and actions.

 

98IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


    

 


At a glance

 

How to use this report

Within the Directors’ Remuneration Report we have used colour coding to denote different elements of remuneration. The colours used and the corresponding remuneration elements are:

Salary

How to use this report

Within the Directors’ Remuneration Report we have used colour coding to denote different elements of remuneration. The colours used and the corresponding remuneration elements are:

  Salary

  Benefits

  Pension benefit

  Annual Performance Plan (APP) 50% cash and 50% deferred shares

  Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

  Shareholding

 

AUDITED

Benefits

 

Audited information

Content contained within a tinted panel highlighted with an ‘Audited’ tab indicates that all the information within the panel is audited.

Pension benefit

Annual Performance Plan (APP) 50% cash and 50% deferred shares

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Shareholding

AUDITED  

 

How we performed in 2019

In 2019, we achieved close to target operating profit from reportable segments, met our goal for savings to reinvest in the business to support future growth, and exceeded our target net System Size growth for the year. Looking back over the three years to 2019, we continued to deliver strong shareholder returns and have surpassed our expectations on the challenging targets we set for growth in Total Gross Revenue, System Size and Cash Flow over the period 2017 to 2019.

Executive Director remuneration

2019 remuneration

The table below shows the 2019 potential remuneration opportunity and actual achievement compared to 2018 actual achievement.

Audited information

Content contained within a tinted panel highlighted with an ‘Audited’ tab indicates that all the information within the panel is audited.

 

Measures used for APPa

 

LOGO

Operating profit from

reportable segments:($m)

LOGO

Net System Size growthb (k rooms)

LOGO

Savings for reinvestment($m)

LOGO

a  Further details of APP and LTIP outcomes can be found on pages 102 to 104.

b  APP System Size target is based on closing year target; LTIP target is based on three-year growth performance.

c  The Total Gross Revenue target represents a target for growth over the LTIP period.

Measures used for LTIPa

LOGO

Relative TSR(%)

LOGO

Total Gross Revenuec ($bn)

LOGO

Net System Size growthb (k rooms)

LOGO

Cash Flow($bn)

LOGO

The relevant figures for each of the elements that make up the single total figure of remuneration, as shown below for the Executive Directors, can be found in the table on page 101.

Keith Barra,

Chief Executive Officer

Value (£000)

LOGO

How we performed in 2020

Executive Director remuneration

The 2020 APP award was subject to affordability gates based on the achievement of minimum performance under the operating profit from reportable segments measure, the targets for which were set in a pre-Covid context, and the minimum performance level was not achieved. As such, no award will be made. Under the LTIP, whilst relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) remained strong and net system size growth was in excess of the threshold performance target, the impact of the pandemic on cash flow and total gross revenue in 2020 meant these measures did not meet threshold performance levels by the end of the three-year cycle. Overall vesting under the LTIP was 30.6% of maximum.

2020 remuneration

The charts below show the 2020 potential remuneration opportunity and actual achievement compared to the 2019 actual achievement.

The relevant figures for each of the elements that make up the single total figure of remuneration, as shown below for the Executive Directors, can be found in the table on page 101.

Keith Barr,

Chief Executive Officer

Value (£000)

LOGO

 

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson,

Chief Financial Officer

Value (£000)

LOGOLOGO

 

Elie Maalouf,

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Value (£000)

LOGO

Measures used for APPaMeasures used for LTIPa

 

LOGOLOGO

Operating profit from

reportable segments: ($m)

LOGO

Net system size growthb(k rooms)

LOGO

LOGO

Net system size growthb (k rooms)

LOGO

Relative TSR (%)

LOGO

Cash flow ($bn)

LOGO

a  Further details of APP and LTIP outcomes can be found on pages 102 to 103.

b  APP System size target is based on absolute one-year target; LTIP target is based on three-year growth performance.

c  Total Gross Revenue target represents a target for growth over the LTIP period.

Total Gross Revenuec($bn)

LOGO

 

Key for potential

  Maximum = Fixed pay and maximum award under APP and LTIP

  Target = Fixed pay and on-target award for APP (115%) and 50% of maximum LTIP vesting

∎   Minimum = Fixed pay

 

aThe 2018 amount for Keith Barr excludespotential fixed pay elements are calculated on the localisation payment detailed on page 101.basis of full pay and pension, excluding the impact of temporary reductions that applied from April to September inclusive.

 

LOGO

 

Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report2020 99


Governance

 

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration at IHG – the wider context

    

Remuneration for all employeesActions on pay as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the business

Across the last two years, we have madeThe outbreak of Covid-19 had a number of changessignificant impact on our business, as severe restrictions on travel and social contact saw demand drop to how we manage reward, in particular strengthening how we use differentiation in reward decisions based on employee performancerecord lows. Steps had to drive a high-performing culture across the organisation.

In 2018 and 2019 we introduced:

a new performance management approach;

a new bonus plan approach; and

updated culture, values and behaviours to support growth.

We continue to embed the structures to facilitate cultural change in the organisation and the early signs are positive, for example the use of differentiation in our merit and bonus process.

Our Colleague Heartbeat results reflect a positive view of how we reward employeesbe taken across the business to reduce costs, balanced with a need to retain key talent and continuescontinue to provideoperate effectively as a useful vehicle for workforce engagement.
business.

 

As we look

Key decisions and outcomes in 2020 were:

Temporary salary reductions were applied from April to 2020, we are further developing the performance culture across the organisation through:September inclusive (see table below).

 

a streamlined performance management approach that further supports differentiation;

The merit salary increase for Executive Directors and other corporate employees for 2020 was not applied.

 

a combined merit and bonus process which allows managers to take a more holistic view on reward; and

A proportion of the corporate population was furloughed during June to August and following that a redundancy programme was implemented.

 

the introduction of a colleague share plan which will encourage shared ownership and alignment to our external stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

No payment was made under the 2020 APP as performance targets were not met, and no discretion was used on outcomes.

The vesting of the 2018/20 LTIP cycle was much lower than the estimated outcome prior to the pandemic.

Increases to LTIP grant levels for Executive Directors, approved at the 2020 AGM, were not applied for the 2020/22 cycle. Maximum awards were 205% of salary rather than the new approved levels of 350% for the CEO and 275% for other Executive Directors.

Looking ahead, the Committee has taken the following actions:

Merit salary increases are to return to the normal process for Executive Directors and other corporate employees.

The Committee will consider the possible use of discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome under the 2019/21 and 2020/2022 LTIP cycles, at the time of vesting. Further details are provided on page 106.

The performance measures and targets for the 2021 APP and 2021/23 LTIP cycle were carefully chosen to ensure that these were appropriate, stretching and achievable given current circumstances.

For 2021, the full LTIP headroom under the DR Policy will be used for Executive Directors, to improve competitiveness in the US and global talent markets and to reduce pay compression within the succession plan.

How our reward practices are alignedalign across all levels of the organisation

Our reward packages are designed to attract, retain and motivate top talent. We apply a consistent approach to reward across the corporate business, ensuring we meet theemployees’ needs of employees by offeringand offer a market driven rewardsmarket-driven package, which we regularly review against our competitors for talent.

How our reward practices align across the organisation

 

Elements of Reward  

Executive
Directors        

Directors

  

Executive


Committee        

  

Wider


Workforce        

  Notes in respect of 2020 actions on pay

 

  

 

Fixed  LOGO

LOGO   Salary

  SalaryLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOThe planned merit salary increase was not applied for all corporate employees, including Executive Directors; salaries for Executive Directors and fees for Non-Executive Directors were reduced by 30% during April to September inclusive, whilst salaries for other corporate employees were reduced by between 10% to 20%.
  

 

  

 

LOGO
  

LOGO   Benefits

  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  Where applicable, corporate healthcare benefits, including Employee Assistance Programmes, remained in place. Taxable travel expenses for Non-Executive Directors were lower because only the February 2020 Board meeting was held in person.
  

 

  

 

LOGO
  

LOGO   Pension benefit

  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  A localised approach was taken to the treatment of pension benefits, based on local plan rules and regulations. See below for details of the approach taken in respect ofthe UK pensions.and US, our largest corporate office locations.

 

  

 

Variable  LOGO

LOGO   Annual Performance Plan (APP)

  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  For senior management (generally atThe minimum financial performance threshold was not met and as a result no 2020 bonus will be paid to Executive Committee level and their direct reports) a proportion of bonus is deferred into shares for a three-year period.Directors or other corporate employees.
  

 

  

 

LOGO
  

LOGO   Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  Senior/mid-management and certain specialist roles are eligible for a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). Performance-based LTIP largely applies at the level of Executive Committee and their direct reports. Vesting of 30.6% applies for the 2018/20 LTIP in line with performance against targets.
  

 

  

 

  
LOGO
  

LOGO   Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

    LOGOLOGO  LOGOLOGO  In line with typical market practice, particularly in the US, and due to line-of-sight to performance measures, a gradually greater proportion of the LTIP award is made as RSUs (whichfor eligible roles below Executive Director level. These are not subject to performance conditions but still align employee interests with those of shareholders)and will vest fully for eligible roles fromparticipants in respect of the Executive Committee down.2018/20 cycle.
  

 

  

 

LOGO
  

LOGO   Colleague Share Plan (introduced in 2020)

      LOGOLOGO  Available toContributions by furloughed employees below senior/mid-management levels only.

LOGORecognition SchemeLOGOAvailable to employees below senior/mid-management levels only.

OtherLOGOShareholding requirementsLOGOLOGOLOGOShareholding requirements are applicable atwere suspended during the levelperiod of Executive Committee and their direct reports.furlough.

 

  

 

UK and US pension and retirement benefits

Pension and retirement benefits are provided in the UK and US in line with market practice.

 

How incentives align our workforce to our business strategyUK: As disclosed in last year’s report, the contribution rate for corporate and culture

We place great emphasis on aligning everyone to our business strategy, which means shareholders andeligible hotel employees have a shared interest in the performanceIHG UK Pension Plan was to be aligned in 2020 with a 2:1 matching ratio up to a maximum of 6% of salary from employees and 12% from the Company. We achieveThis was due to take effect from 1 April, however was delayed until 1 December 2020. As per the approved DR Policy, this throughlevel will apply in respect of any new UK Executive Directors, and current Executive Directors’ benefits will reduce to this level at the designend of our incentive plans, which align individual performance2022. During 2020, all contributions and behaviourany cash in lieu of pension allowances were reduced in proportion with our company purpose, values and strategy.

Performance metrics used for rewardsalary reductions. For furloughed employees, the cost of employee contributions was met by the Company during the furloughed period.

PerformanceElements of Rewards ImpactedMetrics in 2020

Financial

LOGO

Annual Performance Plan (APP)

  Operating profit from reportable segments

  Net System Size Growth

LOGO

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

  Relative Net System Size Growth

  Cash Flow

  Total Gross Revenue

  Total Shareholder Return

IndividualLOGOSalary

  Achievement of individual goals

LOGO

Annual Performance Plan (APP)

  Progress with personal development

  Demonstration of value and behaviours

UK Pension Provision

In 2019, we undertook a full market review of theUS: US retirement saving plans differ from UK pension benefit (thebenefits in many ways, including early access rules under 401(k) plans in the form of loans and hardship withdrawals, and minimum service-based vesting conditions for supplementary company contributions under the IHG UK Defined Contribution Pension Plan)Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP). The 401(k) for corporate US employees has a 1:1 matching contribution ratio up to ensure thata maximum of 6% of salary. Additionally, supplementary company contributions to the DCP of up to 16% are provided at senior levels (a historic grandfathered rate of 20% applies for a small number of employees who were already receiving this rate when it remained an attractive part of our reward package. The UK pension landscape has changed significantly since our arrangementswas removed from 1 January 2017). During 2020, company contributions to the 401(k) Plan and DCP were last reviewed, followingsuspended whilst the phased introduction of minimum automatic-enrolment contribution levels and changes to tax allowances for high earners. From 1 April 2020, we will introduce a single, simple matching-structure on the following basis:temporary salary reductions applied.

Employee Grade

 

Employee

Contribution

 

Matching

Contribution

Multiple

 

Maximum

Matching

Contribution

All 3-6% 2 12%

 

 

 

 

 

100 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


 


 

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration

 

ThisThe Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration explains how the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy) was implemented in 20192020 and the resulting payments each of the Executive Directors received.

This report is subject to an advisory vote by shareholders at the 20202021 AGM. The notes to the single-figure table provide further detail, where relevant, for each of the elements that make up the total single figure of remuneration for each of the Executive Directors.

 

 

    AUDITED    

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors

 

           
      Fixed pay   Variable pay       

Executive Directors

   Year     
       Salary
£000
 
 
   
       Benefits
£000
 
 
   

       Pension
benefit

£000

 
 

 

   
      Subtotal
£000
 
 
   
         APP
£000
 
 
   
         LTIP
£000
 
a 
  
      Subtotal
£000
 
 
   
        Other
£000
 
 
   
       Total
£000
 
 
Keith Barr   2019    828    36    207    1,071    983    1,263   2,246        3,317 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   2018    792    51    198    1,041    1,343    609   1,952    150    3,143 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   2019    602    24    158    784    723    987   1,710        2,494 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   2018    554    24    166    744    942    764   1,706        2,450 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Elie Maaloufb   2019    622    33    121    776    743    963   1,706        2,482 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   2018    559    34    109    702    947    701   1,648        2,350 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  AUDITED

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors

 

       Fixed pay   Variable pay         
    

 

 

   

 

 

     
               LOGO  Pension                        
       LOGO  Salary   LOGO  Benefits   benefit   Subtotal   LOGO  APP   LOGO  LTIP  Subtotal   Other   LOGO  Total 
Executive Directors               Year                £000                £000                £000                £000                £000                £000a               £000                £000                £000 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Keith Barr   2020    712    45    178    935    0    483   483        1,418 
   2019    828    36    207    1,071    983    1,322   2,305        3,376 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   2020    524    21    131    676    0    339   339        1,015 
   2019    602    24    158    784    723    1,033   1,756        2,540 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Elie Maaloufb   2020    531    30    65    626    0    333   333        959 
   2019    622    33    121    776    743    1,004   1,747        2,523 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 a

LTIP: FiguresLTIP figures for 20182019 relate to the value of shares for the 2016/182017/19 LTIP cycle and have been restated using actual share price on date of vesting. Figures for 20192020 relate to the value of shares for the 2017/19 LTIP2018/20 cycle.

 

 b

Elie Maalouf is paid in US dollarsUSD and the sterling equivalent is calculated using an exchange rate of $1 = £0.78 in 20192020 and $1 = £0.75£0.78 in 20182019 (page 150)146).

 

Notes to single figure table

Fixed pay

LOGO Salary:salary paid for the year. For 2020, this includes a 30% salary reduction from April to September inclusive.

LOGO Benefits:for Executive Directors, this includes, but is not limited to, taxable benefits such as company car and healthcare. Provision during 20192020 was in line with previous years and the approved DR Policy.

LOGO Pension benefit:for current Executive Directors, in line with DR Policy, the value of IHG contributions to pension plans and any cash allowances, paid in lieu of pension contributions.

Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson did not participate in any IHG pension plan in 20192020 and instead received cash allowances of 25% of base salary (reduced from 30%salary; this will reduce to the maximum level available to all other participants in 2019 for Paul).the UK Pension Plan at the end of 2022. Life assurance cover is provided for both Keith and Paul at four times base salary.

Elie Maalouf participated in the US 401(k) Plan and the US Deferred Compensation Plan.Plan (DCP). The US 401(k) Plan is a tax qualifiedtax-qualified plan providing benefits on a defined contribution basis, with the member and relevant company both contributing. The US Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-tax qualified plan, providing benefits on a defined contribution basis, with the member and the relevant company both contributing.

Contributions made by, and in respect of Elie Maalouf in these plans for the year ended 31 December 20192020 were:

 

  £a 

 

Director’s contributions to US Deferred Compensation Plan                   235,675132,064 

 

  

 

 

Director’s contributions to US 401(k) Plan   19,50020,280 

 

  

 

 

Company contributions to US Deferred Compensation Plan   111,93856,529 

 

  

 

 

Company contributions to US 401(k) Plan   8,7368,187 

 

  

 

 

Age of Director at 31 December 20192020   5556 

 

  

 

 

 

 a

Sterling values have been calculated using an exchange rate of $1 = £0.78.

Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan and DCP were suspended for all participants, including Elie Maalouf, during the time in which there was a temporary reduction in salaries. The overall total of 2020 Company contributions for Elie was therefore lower than normal.

As outlined on page 100, Elie’s retirement benefit is in line with other senior US employees and comprises a 6% of salary matched contribution (subject to IRS limits in respect of 401(k) contributions) and a 16% of salary supplemental employer DCP contribution. The Committee reviewed US retirement benefits during 2020 and determined to retain the current structure.

Variable pay

LOGO APP (cash and deferred shares)

Operation

Award levels are determined based on salary as at 31 December 20192020 and are based on achievement vs target under each measure. For operating profit from reportable segments, the 2020 award was set on the basis of a payout range of +/-7% of target payout for performance of +/-$25m of target performance. Outside of this range, payout would be on a straight-line basis between threshold and -$25m and between +$25m and maximum. For net system size growth, the award was set on a straight-line basis between threshold and target, and target and maximum, and are based on achievement vs target under each measure:maximum:

 

Threshold

threshold is the minimum level that must be achieved for there to be an award in relation to that measure; no award is made for achievement below threshold.

target is the target level of achievement and results in a target award for that measure.

maximum is the level of achievement at which a maximum award for that measure is received (capped at 200% of salary).

The

threshold award was subject to global affordability gates:

if operating profit from reportable segments was less than 85% of target, no award under net system size growth would be made; and

if operating profit from reportable segments was 85% or more but less than 93% of target, half of any award under net system size growth would be made.

 

Target is the target level of achievement and results in a target award for that measure.

Maximum is the level of achievement at which a maximum award for that measure is received (capped at 200% of salary).

For 2019, the Remuneration Committee set a threshold award level of 50% of target award (57.5% of salary).

The threshold award was subject to global affordability gates:

If operating profit from reportable segments was less than 85% of target, no award under net System Size growth and savings for reinvestment would be made; and

If operating profit from reportable segments was 85% or more, but less than 93% of target, half of any award under net System Size growth and savings for reinvestment would be made.

Net system size growth was also dependent on achieving at least four out of 10 of the global metrics for 2019.

There was also Committee discretion to adjust awards to consider factors such as IHG’s performance relative to competitors.

Other

Keith Barr received a lump sum of £150,000 in July 2018 to cover the transitional and transactional costs of localising to the UK. This was fully reported in the 2017 Annual Report, page 69.

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Annual Report on Directors’ Remunerationcontinued

    

    AUDITED

 

   AUDITED  

APP Outcome for 20192020

The performance measures for the 20192020 APP were operating profit from reportable segments (70%), and net System Sizesystem size growth (15%) and savings for reinvestment (15%(30%) and were determined in accordance with the DR Policy. Target award was 115% of salary. The table below shows threshold, target and maximum opportunity, as well as weighting and actual 20192020 achievement.

APP measures – % of targettotal award

 

LOGOLOGO

 

APP

                    
              Weighted   
Performance          Achievement               Weighting    
Weighted
achievement
 
 
      Achievement     Weighting   achievement   

  

 

 

 
Operating profit from reportable segments: performance relative to targetOperating profit from reportable segments: performance relative to target

 

Operating profit from reportable segments: performance relative to target

 

  

  

 

 

 
Actual       $195.0m      0%       

  

 

   

 

     
Threshold     $807.8m     50%             $804.0m      50%      70%    0%   

  

 

   

 

 
Target       $865.2m      100%       

  

 

   

 

     
Maximum       $926.0m      200%       

  

 

 

 
Net system size growth (k rooms)Net system size growth (k rooms)

 

  

  

 

 

 
Actual     $865.7m     98%   70%    69%    886.0      0%       

  

 

   

 

     
Threshold   902.2      50%      30%    0%   

  

 

   

 

 
Target     $868.6m     100%       906.6      100%       

  

 

   

 

     
Maximum     $929.4m     200%         911.1      200%       
Net system size growth (k rooms)

 

Threshold     873.3     50%      
Target     877.5     100%   15%    18% 
Actual     878.4     121%    
Maximum     881.7     200%    
Savings for reinvestment

 

Threshold     $105.0m     50%      
Target     $115.0m     100%   15%    15% 
Actual     $115.0m     100%    
Maximum          $125.0m     200%      

  

 

 

 

Operating profit from reportable segments is a Non-GAAP measure and excludes certain items from operating profit. Additionally, in determining operating profit from reportable segments for APP purposes, budgeted exchange rates for the year are used and certain adjustments to reported 20192020 operating profit from reportable segments were agreed by the Committee in order to ensure like-for-likelike-for-life comparison with the APP target set at the start of the year:year. For 2020, this included the unbudgeted benefit to Group operating profit from reportable segments due to changes to the recognition of revenue in the System Fund.

Operating profit from reportable segments

(at actual exchange rates) (see page 150)147)

        $219.2m 

  $864.7m

Difference due to exchange rates  ($2.8m) 

  $1.0m

Adjustment for changes to income recognised in the System Fund and results from reportable segments($21.4m) 

Operating profit from reportable segments,

after adjustments (at 2019

(at 2020 budget exchange rates)

  $195.0m 

        $865.7m

The total weighted achievement for Keith Barr, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf is 102% of target bonus (58.7% of capped maximum award). The APP award for 2019 was therefore 117.3% of salary for each.

Awards for 2019 are payable 50% in cash and 50% in deferred shares, vesting three years after the date of grant, in February 2023. The deferred share awards are made in the form of forfeitable shares that receive dividends during the three-year vesting period and include the right to vote at shareholder meetings. They are not subject to any further performance conditions.

Executive Director    

Salary as at

31 December

2019 £000

   

Award

as %

        of salary

   

Total value

of award

£000

 
Keith Barr    838    117.3    983 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    616    117.3    723 
Elie Maaloufb    634    117.3    743 

b

Elie Maalouf is paid in US dollars and the sterling equivalent is calculated using an exchange rate of $0.78.

LOGOLOGO LTIP 2017/192018/20 (shares)

Awards are made annually and eligible executives will receive shares at the end of that cycle, subject to achievement of the performance conditions. Conditions and weightingsweighting are described on page 103.

TSR measures the return to shareholders by investing in IHG relative to a comparator group containing the following major globally branded competitors: Accor S.A.;, Choice Hotels International Inc.;, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.;, Hyatt Hotels Corporation;Corporation, Marriott International Inc.;, Melia Hotels International S.A.; Millennium & Copthorne, NH Hotels PLC; NH Hotel Group;Group, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc., as per data provided by our corporate bankers sourced from Thomson Reuters Datastream. In respect of Wyndham Worldwide’s split into two publicly traded companies in May 2018, the performance of Wyndham Worldwide was tracked up until the split, followed by the performance of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc. subsequent to the split.

Following the acquisition and delisting of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels PLC by City Developments Limited in October 2019, a Singapore-based real estate company, it was removed from the comparator group for all active LTIP cycles (2017/19, 2018/(2018/20 and 2019/21).

The share price in respect of the 2016/182017/19 LTIP cycle has been restated using the volume weighted average price of 4,565p5,072p for Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and 5,057p for Elie Maalouf on the date of actual vesting on 2019 February 2019.2020. There is a slight difference in the share price at the date of vesting for Elie Maalouf as a result of the implementation of a new share administration portal which holds shares for US participants in a separate entity to non-US participants. Final vesting transactions are therefore carried out separately, resulting in a slight share price variation based on the timing that the two transactions take place. The corresponding values shown in the 20182019 report (prior to the actual vesting) were an estimate calculated using an average share price over the final quarter of 20182019 of 4,193p.4,847p.

Outcome for 2017/192018/20 cycle

The performance measures for the 2017/192018/20 three-year LTIP cycle were in line with the 2017 DR Policy. The table belowto the right shows threshold and maximum opportunity, as well as weighting and actual achievement, for each performance measure.

LTIP Measures – % of maximum opportunity

 

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102 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020



    

 

    AUDITED

 

   Performance Targets            
  

 

        
            Achievement     Weighted
Performance measure and weighting  Target  % Vesting  Result  (% of maximum)                  Weighting      achievement            

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total Shareholder Return:  Maximum  Maximum          Outcome  54.0%  40%  21.6%
Three-year growth relative to average  27.0%  100%  6.9%      
of competitors            
  

 

        
40%  Threshold  Threshold        
  -7.9%  20%        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total Gross Revenue:  Maximum  Maximum  Outcome  0.0%  20%  0.0%
based on IHG’s performance against  5.64bn  100%  -11.89bn USD      
an absolute total gross revenue  USD          
  

 

        
target  Threshold  Threshold        
20%  3.95bn  20%        
  USD          

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Net system size growth:  Maximum  Maximum  Outcome  45.1%  20%  9.0%
based on IHG’s performance against  134.4k  100%  106.7k rooms      
an absolute NSSG target  rooms          
  

 

        
20%  Threshold  Threshold        
  94.1k  20%        
  rooms          

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Cash flow:  Maximum  Maximum  Reported Outcome          0.0%  20%  0.0%
based on IHG’s performance against  2.18bn  100%  1.33bn USD      
an absolute cash flow target  USD          
  

 

        
20%  Threshold  Threshold  Adjusted Outcome      
  1.63bn  20%  1.41bn USD      
  USD          

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total achievement (% of maximum opportunity vested)            30.6%

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Adjustments to cash flow outcome

    AUDITED  

    Performance Targets              
  

 

        
Performance measure and weighting   Target % Vesting   Result   Achievement
(% of maximum)          
   Weighting           Weighted
achievement            

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total Shareholder Return:

  Maximum   Maximum          Outcome  47.2%  40%  18.9%

Three-year growth relative to average

  84.1% 100%  54.9%      

of competitors

           
  

 

        

40%

  Threshold Threshold        
  39.9% 20%        

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total Gross Revenue:

  Maximum Maximum  Outcome  100%  20%  20%

based on IHG’s performance against

  3.71bn 100%  3.75bn USD      

an absolute total gross revenue

  USD         
  

 

        

target

  Threshold Threshold        

20%

  2.60bn 20%        
  USD         

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Net System Size Growth:

  Maximum Maximum  Outcome  100%  20%  20%

based on IHG’s performance against

  107.4k 100%  116.4k rooms      

an absolute NSSG target

  rooms         
  

 

        

20%

  Threshold Threshold        
  75.1k 20%        
  rooms         

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Cash Flow:

  Maximum Maximum  Reported Outcome  100%  20%  20%

based on IHG’s performance against

  1.72bn 100%  1.6bn USD      

an absolute cash flow target

  USD         
  

 

        

20%

  Threshold Threshold  Adjusted Outcome      
  1.29bn 20%  1.85bn USD      
  

USD

         

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total achievement (% of maximum

           78.9%

opportunity vested)

           

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Adjustments to cash flow outcomeOver the performance period of the 2018-20

Over the performance period of the 2017-19 LTIP award, there have been a number of accounting standard changes and events that have impacted IHG’s cash flow that were unquantified or unforeseen when the original targets were set. The Committee carefully considered these and determined that it was appropriate to adjust the cash flow outcome for the impact of the events below in order to ensure that the outcomes are measured on a consistent basis with targets. An explanation of each adjustment is set out below and a reconciliation of the initial and adjusted outcome is set out to the right.

Adjustments due to changes in accounting standards:

The new accounting standards implemented during the period do not have an overall impact on Group cash flow, but do impact the LTIP target because of the reclassification of cash flows to different line items that are not included in the LTIP target:

IFRS 15: The System Fund interest receipt was reclassified from Cash Flow from Operations to the interest line.

IFRS 16: Operating leases cash flow has been reclassified from Cash Flow from Operations to interest and movements in net debt.

Adjustments due to events unforeseen when the targets were set:

Six Senses acquisition: the material acquisition cost of Six Senses in 2019 has been removed. The Committee considered it was appropriate to exclude the cash impact because it was not incorporated into the original target and the cash flow benefits of the acquisition will be long-term.

Comprehensive efficiency programme: There was additional Board approved expenditure as part of a three-year programme of savings to reinvest in the business for future growth, which was not budgeted for at the beginning of the 2017-19 plan when

the targets were set. The benefits from this comprehensive efficiency programme are long-term, beyondCommittee carefully considered these and determined that it was appropriate to adjust the timescalecash flow outcome for the impact of the planevents below in order to ensure that the outcomes are measured on a consistent basis with targets. An explanation of each adjustment is set out below and a reconciliation of the initial and adjusted outcome is set out to the right.

Adjustments due to changes in accounting standards:

The new accounting standard implemented during the period sodoes not have an overall impact on Group cash flow, but does impact the LTIP target because of the reclassification of cash flows to different line items that are not included in the LTIP target:

 IFRS 16: Operating leases cash flow has been reclassified from Cash Flow from Operations to interest and movements in net debt.

Adjustments due to events unforeseen when the targets were set:

Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas acquisition: the material acquisition cost of Six Senses in 2019 has been removed. The Committee considered it was appropriate to exclude the cost. Stretching targets with regards to thesecash impact because it was not incorporated into the original target and the cash flow benefits of the acquisition will be reflectedlong-term.

Where applicable, the adjustments above will also apply to the cash flow outcomes of the 2019-21 LTIP award. These will be disclosed in future incentive plans.full, along with any other adjustments, in the relevant year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Where applicable, the adjustments above will also apply to the cash flow outcomes of the 2018-20 and 2019-21 LTIP awards. These will be disclosed in full along with any other adjustments in the relevant year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

 

Cash flow definition for 2017-192018-20 LTIP

Cash flow is defined as the cumulative annual cash generation over a three-year performance period. Cash generation is cash flow from Operations, excluding loyalty programmesoperations and material movements in cash associated with the System Fund, and including net cash from investing activities.

 

 

     Cash flow
Reconciliation 

    Cash flow 

$bn 

 $bn

 
Reported cash flow from Operationsoperations  2.622.08  
Net movement in loyalty programmes

 

(0.14
Other movements relating to the System Fund0.03

 
Net cash from investing activities (0.75)

 

(0.91

) 
Reported outcome per definition  1.601.33  
IFRS 15

 

0.03

 
IFRS 16 (0.21)

 

(0.17

) 
Six Senses acquisition  0.29 
Comprehensive efficiency programme

 

0.10

 
Adjusted outcome 1.41 

 

1.85

 

Adjustment to net system size growth outcome

The NSSG LTIP outcome above includes adjustments to exclude the removal from IHG brands of 16,665 rooms associated with the SVC portfolio towards the end of 2020; and 2,118 rooms associated with a small portfolio of hotels in EMEAA which left the IHG system in February 2020. Neither of these transactions were budgeted for at the time of setting the 2018/20 targets, and the Committee considered it was appropriate to adjust for them as it was consistent with the principle of not disincentivising management from making decisions that they judged to be in the long-term interests of shareholders.

 

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LTIP

Achievement against target is measured by reference to the three years endingended 31 December 2019.2020. This cycle will vest on 1924 February 20202021 and the individual outcomes for this cycle are shownshow below.

The share price of 4,847p4,460p used to calculate the 2017/192018/20 LTIP cycle value shown in the single-figure table is the average over the final quarter of 2019.2020.

 

               % of             
           Maximum   maximum   Outcome       Total value   Value of award 
               opportunity at grant               opportunity       (number of shares   of award     attributable to share 
Executive Director      Award Cycle   (number of shares)   vested   awarded at vest)   £000   price appreciation 
Keith Barra     LTIP 2017/19    30,303    78.9%    23,908    1,159    135 
      RSU 2017/19    2,160    100%    2,160    105    13 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson     LTIP 2017/19    25,811    78.9%    20,364    987    120 
Elie Maaloufb     LTIP 2017/19    21,822    78.9%    17,217    835    102 
                  RSU 2017/19    2,645    100%    2,645    128    16 

a

Keith Barr received an increased award, pro-rated from 1 July 2017, for the 2017/19 LTIP in accordance with the DR Policy as a result of his appointment to the Board. Prior to this, he was granted 17,822 shares and 2,160 restricted stock units on 22 May 2017 with a market price of 4,257p per share.

b

The award for Elie Maalouf was granted prior to his appointment to the Board. Elie was also granted 2,645 restricted stock units on 22 May 2017 with a market price of 4,257p per share.

              % of             
          Maximum   maximum   Outcome   Total value   Value of award 
          opportunity at grant   opportunity   (number of shares   of award   attributable to share 
Executive Director     Award cycle   (number of shares)   vested   awarded at vest)   £000   price appreciation 
Keith Barr    LTIP 2018/20    35,381    30.6%    10,826    483    (18
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    LTIP 2018/20    24,830    30.6%    7,597    339    (13
Elie Maalouf        LTIP 2018/20    24,426    30.6%    7,474    333    (12

 

    AUDITED  

  AUDITED

Other outstanding awards

Scheme interests awarded during 20182019 and 20192020

During 20182019 and 2019,2020, awards were granted under the LTIP cycle and made to each Executive Director over shares with a maximum value of 205% of salary using an average of the closing mid-market share price for the five days prior to grant, as in the table below. These are in the form of conditional awards over Company shares and do not carry the right to dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting period.

The vesting date for the 2018/20 LTIP award is the day after the announcement of our annual 2020 preliminary results in February 2021. These awards will vest, and shares will be transferred to the award-holder, to the extent performance targets are met.

The vesting date for the 2019/21 LTIP award is the day after the announcement of our annualfinancial year 2021 preliminary resultsPreliminary Results in February 2022. These awards will vest to the extent performance targets are met and will then be restricted for a further two years, transferring to the award-holder in February 2024.

The vesting date for the 2020/22 LTIP award is the day after the announcement of our financial year 2022 Preliminary Results in February 2023. These awards will vest to the extent performance targets are met and will then be restricted for a further two years, transferring to the award-holder in February 2025.

At the 2020 AGM, shareholders approved the new DR Policy which included an increase in LTIP opportunities to 350% of salary for the CEO and 275% for the other Executive Directors. These were intended to apply to awards granted in 2020; however, to demonstrate pay restraint in response to Covid-19 and to reflect the fall in share price since the grant of awards in 2019, the increased headroom was not used, equating to a reduction of around 40% for the CEO and 25% for the other Executive Directors compared to the approved higher LTIP award levels.

The Committee discussed the views of some investors in relation to the size of share awards where the share price had fallen substantially, and the potential windfall gains when share prices recovered. The grant price for the 2020/22 cycle was £34.96, representing a reduction of c.29% from the grant price for the 2019/21 cycle awards. Given the continued uncertainty as to the likely share price recovery at the time of grant, it was determined not to use an alternative grant price or methodology to determine the number of shares granted. The use of lower opportunity levels resulted in fewer shares being awarded to the Executive Directors than would have been the case if awards were granted at the originally intended levels as outlined above. The Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to exercise discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome at the time of vesting, including taking into account the movement in share price between grant and vesting dates, as a further precaution against windfall gains.

Executive Director     Award date   Maximum
shares awarded
   

Market price
per share at grant

£

   Face value of
award at grant
£000
   Number of shares
received if minimum
performance achieved
 
2019/21 cycle                          
Keith Barr    10 May 2019    34,693    49.43    1,718    6,938 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson        10 May 2019    25,509    49.43    1,263    5,101 
Elie Maalouf    10 May 2019    25,802    49.43    1,278    5,160 
2020/22 cycle                          
Keith Barr    12 May 2020    49,153    34.96    1,718    9,830 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    12 May 2020    36,140    34.96    1,263    7,228 
Elie Maalouf    12 May 2020    38,463    34.96    1,345    7,692 

Performance measures and consideration of discretion

The performance measures are as agreed in the 2017 and 2020 Remuneration Policy.Policies. Total shareholder return, total gross revenue,Shareholder Return, Total Gross Revenue, net System Sizesystem size growth and cash flow are measured by reference to the three years ending 31 December 20202021 for the 2018/202019/21 cycle and 31 December 20212022 for the 2019/21 cycle.2020/22 cycle; NSSG for 2020/22 is the first relative cycle, and is measured to 30 September 2022 rather than 31 December 2022. Minimum performance is equal to 20% of the maximum award.

As a result of the unavoidable impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business performance, in most cases performance against the absolute measures (TGR, cash flow and, for the 2019/21 cycle, NSSG) is tracking below the threshold level required for vesting for both

             Market price   Face value of   Number of shares 
         Maximum               per share at grant               award at grant   received if minimum 
Executive Director     Award date          shares awarded   £   £000           performance achieved 
2018/20 cycle                         
Keith Barr    8 May 2018   35,381    46.25    1,636    7,076 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    8 May 2018   24,830    46.25    1,148    4,966 
Elie Maalouf    8 May 2018   24,426    46.25    1,130    4,885 
2019/21 cycle                         
Keith Barr    10 May 2019   34,693    49.53    1,718    6,938 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    10 May 2019   25,509    49.53    1,263    5,101 
Elie Maalouf                10 May 2019   25,802    49.53    1,278    5,160 

 

104IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



LOGO

Other outstanding awards continued

Performance measures and consideration of discretion continued

cycles. No adjustments to the targets are proposed, in line with the UK investor and proxy guidance. However, the Committee may consider it appropriate to use discretion to adjust the formulaic outcomes upwards when more of the inflight LTIP cycles vest, considering a range of factors including those shown on page 106. No decisions have yet been made regarding the use of discretion; however, the following approaches are under discussion for the 2020/22 cycle:

Cash flow – the absolute cash flow targets were set prior to the outbreak of Covid-19 and following revised forecasts it is unlikely that these will be achieved. The TGR target for this cycle was set later in the year reflecting guidance from investor bodies that awards could be granted at the usual time, with a commitment to set performance conditions within the next six months, and therefore is reflective of performance expectations assessed after the initial impact of the pandemic became evident. To continue to incentivise participants to maintain a solid cash position, the Committee is also tracking a ‘shadow’ cash flow target, which has been formulated alongside the TGR target based on our understanding at the time of the potential recovery trajectory. This shadow target does not replace the original cash flow target which has not been adjusted and will continue.

ROCE underpin: ROCE performance has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. The ROCE underpin for the relative NSSG measure for the 2020/22 cycle was set at 20%; if this target is not met, the Committee has the discretion, but not the obligation, to reduce the outcome under the NSSG measure at the time of vesting, taking into consideration criteria including the reason the ROCE underpin has not been met. The underpin was introduced to ensure IHG’s high returns on capital were prioritised in strategic decision-making (e.g. M&A activity) as opposed to simply reflecting trading performance. Based on discussions to date, if the ROCE underpin was not met for this cycle, the Committee would be minded not to reduce the NSSG vesting outcome by reason only of the impact on earnings of the pandemic.

Any use of discretion, including the factors influencing the decision, will be clearly communicated in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year in which the decision is made.

LOGO

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests

The Committee believes that share ownership by Executive Directors and senior executives strengthens the link between the individuals’ personal interests and those of shareholders.

LOGO Guideline Executive Director shareholding requirement

Executive Directors are required to hold shares equal to 500% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 300% for any other Executive Director. Executive Directors are expected to hold all net shares earned until the previous guideline shareholding requirement is achieved (300% for the CEO and 200% for other Executive Directors) and at least 50% of all subsequent net shares earned until the current guideline shareholding is met. The number of shares held outright includes all directors’ beneficial interests and those held by their spouses and other connected persons. It also includes the net value of unvested shares that are not subject to any further performance conditions.

Percentages are calculated using the 31 December 2020 share price of 4,690p.

The full guideline minimum shareholding requirement continues for six months after cessation of employment and 50% of the requirement continues for an additional six months. As a part of this requirement, since 2019, shares have been granted and all unvested awards held in a nominee account and Executive

Directors electronically sign an agreement to the terms of the grant, including the post-employment shareholding requirement.

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors

as at 31 December 2020: % of salary

LOGO

Percentages have been calculated using a combined tax and social security rate of 47% for Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and a rate of 45.1% for Elie Maalouf.

Current Directors’ shareholdings

The APP deferred share awards are not subject to performance conditions. Details on the performance conditions to which the unvested LTIP awards are still subject can be found on pages 104-105. There have been no changes in the shareholding interests of any of the directors since the end of the financial year up to the publication of this report.

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors as at 31 December 2020: number of shares

   Number of shares held outright        APP deferred share awards        LTIP share awards (unvested)    

Total number of  

    shares and awards held  

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   2020    2019    2020    2019    2020    2019    2020    2019 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Keith Barr   70,279    52,832    37,705    32,697    119,227    102,537    227,211    188,066 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   53,376    38,562    26,751    25,637    86,479    76,150    166,606    140,349 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Elie Maalouf   67,428    43,652    25,417    32,591    88,691    74,695    181,536    150,938 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

LOGO

 

Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020105


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

Relative performance graph

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is a member of the FTSE 100 share index, and the graph below shows the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance from 31 December 2010 to 31 December 2020, assuming dividends are reinvested, compared with the TSR performance achieved by the FTSE 100.

LOGO

Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration

The table below shows the Chief Executive Officer’s single figure of total remuneration for the 10 years to 31 December 2020.

Single figure

  

CEO

  2011   2012   2013   2014  2015   2016   2017    2018    2019   2020 

Single figure of remuneration

(£000)

  Keith Barr                  2,161         3,143a       3,376        1,418 
  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Richard Solomons       4,724        4,881        3,131          6,611b       3,197        3,662    2,207c     
  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Andrew Cosslett   3,770                

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Annual incentive received

(% of maximum)

  Keith Barr              69.7   84.1   58.7    0 
  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Richard Solomons   83.0    68.0    74.0    74.0   75.0    63.9    66.8     
  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Andrew Cosslett   43.3                

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Shares received under the LTIP

(% of maximum)

  Keith Barr              46.1   45.4   78.9    30.6 
  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Richard Solomons   73.9    100.0    59.0    56.1   50.0    49.4    46.1     
  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  Andrew Cosslett   61.6                

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

a

    AUDITED  For Keith Barr, the 2018 figure includes a one-off cash payment for relocation costs in lieu of benefits received whilst on international assignment prior to CEO position, fully explained in the 2017 report.

b

For Richard Solomons, the 2014 figure includes a one-off cash payment in respect of pension entitlements which was fully explained in the 2014 report.

c

In respect of period 1 January to 30 June 2017.

Other information relating to Directors’ remuneration

Consideration of use of discretion

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Committee has adopted a formal framework which it will use to determine whether to exercise discretion. Some of the key factors the Committee will consider are shown below.

LOGO

No bonus was paid to Executive Directors or other corporate employees for 2020.

The formulaic vesting outcome for the 2018/20 LTIP cycle was 30.6% of maximum. During the 2018/20 cycle, the Committee tracked forecast performance against the targets. As at the end of 2019, before the impact of Covid-19 was taken into account, the estimated vesting level was c.76% significantly higher than the final performance outcome. The Committee took a number of matters into account in considering whether to use any discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome of the 2018/20 LTIP, in accordance with the Committee’s discretion assessment framework. These included the strong performance of the Executive Directors in addressing the exceptional circumstances resulting from the pandemic to the benefit of shareholders, owners, colleagues and other stakeholders, as well as the unavoidable loss of employment for impacted corporate and hotel colleagues. The Committee concluded that the formulaic vesting outcome was appropriate for this award.

The Committee also held discussions on the possible use of discretion for the vesting outcome for the 2019/21 and 2020/22 LTIP cycles. No decisions will be made until the end of each cycle’s performance period; however, a possible approach for the cash flow target and ROCE underpin for the 2020/22 cycle is described on page 105.

Dividends paid to Executive Directors

No dividends were paid out by IHG in 2020.

106IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



 

CEO pay ratio

As we have noted in previous Annual Reports, pay ratios will differ significantly between companies, even within the same industry, depending on demographics and business models. The Group’s UK employee demographic, which primarily consisted of largely professional, management and senior corporate roles, changed in 2019 with the addition of a number of hotel employing entities which include a large proportion of part-time and flexible-working support and service roles. As per last year’s report, we show below the ratio both including and excluding the new UK employing entities.

On a like-for-like population basis with our original disclosure in the 2018 Annual Report, the median ratio, has decreased from 49:1 in 2019 to 25:1 in 2020. The more substantive temporary reduction to pay taken by the CEO in 2020 compared with the wider workforce will be a contributing factor to this decrease, as will the greater extent to which Executive Directors are rewarded through variable performance-related incentives, which were lower or did not pay out in 2020 compared to 2019.

                   Population excluding hotel 
       Full population   employing entities 
Year  Method   25th   Median   75th   25th   Median   75th 

 

  

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020   

Option

C

 

 

   85:1    43:1    24:1    33:1    25:1    17:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2019   

Option

C

 

 

   180:1    122:1    59:1    71:1    49:1    32:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2018   

Option

C

 

 

               72:1    48:1    29:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The 2018 and 2019 figures have been restated to reflect the value of the CEO’s LTIP awards on the date of actual vesting rather than the estimated vesting levels used in the respective years’ Annual Reports.

What drives the difference in pay between our CEO and other employees?

Pay ratios reflect how remuneration arrangements differ as responsibility increases for more senior roles within the organisation, for example:

a greater proportion of performance-related variable pay and share-based incentives apply for the more senior executives, including Executive Directors, who will have a greater degree of influence over performance outcomes;

additional and enhanced benefit provision, such as company car and healthcare benefits, apply as roles and responsibilities increase throughout the organisation;

role-specific specialist plans apply in certain areas such as corporate reservations, sales and hotel development. Incentive plans for General Managers of IHG managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels commonly include targets based on gross operating profit, guest satisfaction and employee engagement. The target and maximum amounts that can be earned under these plans are typically a higher percentage of base salary for more senior employees, which in turn affect the pay ratio; and

incentive plans for other corporate employees are typically based on a combination of individual performance and the Group’s operating profit from reportable segments.

Calculation methodology and supporting information

Option C has been selected for the identification of the percentile employees. IHG prefer to use this method as we are able to produce the most accurate total remuneration figure for all UK employees on a basis comparable with the statutory reporting for Executive Directors using the most available data at the time of producing the Annual Report. Due to the non-payment of bonus for 2020, this year we have been able to include more accurate in-year data to identify the percentile employees than using the Gender Pay Gap data. Specifically, this has involved:

compiling all monthly payroll data for all UK employees throughout 2020 detailing complete variable and fixed remuneration, including pension and taxable benefits such as company car and healthcare; and

excluding the value of any deferred shares from the 2017 bonus that vested in 2020.

Option C requires three UK employees to be identified as the equivalent of the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile. Having identified these employees, the 2020 remuneration is calculated on the same basis as the CEO single total figure of remuneration.

The 2020 salary and total pay for the individuals identified at the lower, median and upper quartiles are set out below.

     25th      75th  
     percentile    Median pay    percentile  
Year  pay ratio

 

   ratio    pay ratio  

 

  

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020 – Full population  Salary £   16,103    32,470    52,833 
  

 

 
  

Total

remuneration £

   16,736    33,366    58,761 

 

  

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020 – Excluding hotel employing entities  Salary £   38,675    51,420    65,882 
  

 

 
  

Total

remuneration £

   43,012    56,764    83,182 

 

  

 

 

Relative importance of spend on pay

The chart below sets out the actual expenditure of the Group in 2020 and 2019, showing the differences between those years. Further information, including where 2019 figures have been restated, can be found in the Group Financial Statements starting on page 112 and the accompanying notes.

LOGO

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Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020107


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

    

PaymentsAnnual percentage change in remuneration of Directors compared to employees

                2020 
                     Taxable 
          Salary     Bonus     benefit 
Executive Directors                       
Keith Barr           -14%      -100%      25% 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson       -13%      -100%      -14% 
Elie Maalouf       -15%      -100%      -10% 
Non-Executive Directors                       
Patrick Cescau       -13%      N/A      -53% 
Graham Allan             N/A       
Anne Busquet       -13%      N/A      -87% 
Arthur de Haast             N/A       
Ian Dyson       -13%      N/A      -90% 
Duriya Farooqui             N/A       
Jo Harlow       -13%      N/A      -94% 
Jill McDonald       -13%      N/A      -87% 
Dale Morrison       -13%      N/A      -83% 
Sharon Rothstein             N/A       
Average employee       -6%      -100%      -9% 

The table to the left shows the percentage change in all Directors’ remuneration compared to that of an average employee between the financial year ended 31 December 2019 and the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

The remuneration figures for lossthe Directors’ were taken from the data used to compile single figure tables of officeremuneration shown on pages 101 and 110 excluding any rounding up or down. No employees are directly employed by the Group’s Parent Company, so the average employee data for this year’s report is based on the same UK corporate employee population as that on which the CEO pay ratio is calculated.

The percentage change in salary and fees takes into account the temporary reductions from April to September 2020 inclusive and the cancellation of the planned 2020 merit increase.

No bonus is payable for 2020 to Executive Directors or other corporate employees, which is reflected in the bonus percentage change. Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for a bonus.

ThereTaxable benefits for Non-Executive Directors are largely consituted of travel expenses, which were no payments for loss of office in 2019.

Pension entitlements

Nosignificantly impacted by travel restrictions during 2020, whereas Executive Director is entitled to any Defined Benefit pension or related benefit from IHG.and average employee benefits typically comprise elements of their reward package such as company car and healthcare benefits.

LOGO

Payments for loss of office

There were no payments for loss of office in 2020.

Pension entitlements

No Executive Director is entitled to any Defined Benefit pension or related benefit from IHG.

Payments to past Directors – benefits

Sir Ian ProsserDividends paid to Executive Directors

Sir Ian Prosser, who retired as a Director on 31 December 2003, had an ongoing healthcare benefit of £2,281 during the year.No dividends were paid out by IHG in 2020.

 

 

104106 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


CEO pay ratio

As we have noted in previous Annual Reports, pay ratios will differ significantly between companies, even within the same industry, depending on demographics and business models. The Group’s UK employee demographic, which primarily consisted of largely professional, management and senior corporate roles, changed in 2019 with the addition of a number of hotel employing entities which include a large proportion of part-time and flexible-working support and service roles. As per last year’s report, we show below the ratio both including and excluding the new UK employing entities.

On a like-for-like population basis with our original disclosure in the 2018 Annual Report, the median ratio, has decreased from 49:1 in 2019 to 25:1 in 2020. The more substantive temporary reduction to pay taken by the CEO in 2020 compared with the wider workforce will be a contributing factor to this decrease, as will the greater extent to which Executive Directors are rewarded through variable performance-related incentives, which were lower or did not pay out in 2020 compared to 2019.

                   Population excluding hotel 
       Full population   employing entities 
Year  Method   25th   Median   75th   25th   Median   75th 

 

  

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020   

Option

C

 

 

   85:1    43:1    24:1    33:1    25:1    17:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2019   

Option

C

 

 

   180:1    122:1    59:1    71:1    49:1    32:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2018   

Option

C

 

 

               72:1    48:1    29:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The 2018 and 2019 figures have been restated to reflect the value of the CEO’s LTIP awards on the date of actual vesting rather than the estimated vesting levels used in the respective years’ Annual Reports.

What drives the difference in pay between our CEO and other employees?

Pay ratios reflect how remuneration arrangements differ as responsibility increases for more senior roles within the organisation, for example:

a greater proportion of performance-related variable pay and share-based incentives apply for the more senior executives, including Executive Directors, who will have a greater degree of influence over performance outcomes;

additional and enhanced benefit provision, such as company car and healthcare benefits, apply as roles and responsibilities increase throughout the organisation;

role-specific specialist plans apply in certain areas such as corporate reservations, sales and hotel development. Incentive plans for General Managers of IHG managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels commonly include targets based on gross operating profit, guest satisfaction and employee engagement. The target and maximum amounts that can be earned under these plans are typically a higher percentage of base salary for more senior employees, which in turn affect the pay ratio; and

incentive plans for other corporate employees are typically based on a combination of individual performance and the Group’s operating profit from reportable segments.

Calculation methodology and supporting information

Option C has been selected for the identification of the percentile employees. IHG prefer to use this method as we are able to produce the most accurate total remuneration figure for all UK employees on a basis comparable with the statutory reporting for Executive Directors using the most available data at the time of producing the Annual Report. Due to the non-payment of bonus for 2020, this year we have been able to include more accurate in-year data to identify the percentile employees than using the Gender Pay Gap data. Specifically, this has involved:

compiling all monthly payroll data for all UK employees throughout 2020 detailing complete variable and fixed remuneration, including pension and taxable benefits such as company car and healthcare; and

excluding the value of any deferred shares from the 2017 bonus that vested in 2020.

Option C requires three UK employees to be identified as the equivalent of the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile. Having identified these employees, the 2020 remuneration is calculated on the same basis as the CEO single total figure of remuneration.

The 2020 salary and total pay for the individuals identified at the lower, median and upper quartiles are set out below.

     25th      75th  
     percentile    Median pay    percentile  
Year  pay ratio

 

   ratio    pay ratio  

 

  

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020 – Full population  Salary £   16,103    32,470    52,833 
  

 

 
  

Total

remuneration £

   16,736    33,366    58,761 

 

  

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020 – Excluding hotel employing entities  Salary £   38,675    51,420    65,882 
  

 

 
  

Total

remuneration £

   43,012    56,764    83,182 

 

  

 

 

Relative importance of spend on pay

The chart below sets out the actual expenditure of the Group in 2020 and 2019, showing the differences between those years. Further information, including where 2019 figures have been restated, can be found in the Group Financial Statements starting on page 112 and the accompanying notes.

 

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LOGO

Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020107


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

Annual percentage change in remuneration of Directors compared to employees

                2020 
                     Taxable 
          Salary     Bonus     benefit 
Executive Directors                       
Keith Barr           -14%      -100%      25% 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson       -13%      -100%      -14% 
Elie Maalouf       -15%      -100%      -10% 
Non-Executive Directors                       
Patrick Cescau       -13%      N/A      -53% 
Graham Allan             N/A       
Anne Busquet       -13%      N/A      -87% 
Arthur de Haast             N/A       
Ian Dyson       -13%      N/A      -90% 
Duriya Farooqui             N/A       
Jo Harlow       -13%      N/A      -94% 
Jill McDonald       -13%      N/A      -87% 
Dale Morrison       -13%      N/A      -83% 
Sharon Rothstein             N/A       
Average employee       -6%      -100%      -9% 

The table to the left shows the percentage change in all Directors’ remuneration compared to that of an average employee between the financial year ended 31 December 2019 and the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

The remuneration figures for the Directors’ were taken from the data used to compile single figure tables of remuneration shown on pages 101 and 110 excluding any rounding up or down. No employees are directly employed by the Group’s Parent Company, so the average employee data for this year’s report is based on the same UK corporate employee population as that on which the CEO pay ratio is calculated.

The percentage change in salary and fees takes into account the temporary reductions from April to September 2020 inclusive and the cancellation of the planned 2020 merit increase.

No bonus is payable for 2020 to Executive Directors or other corporate employees, which is reflected in the bonus percentage change. Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for a bonus.

Taxable benefits for Non-Executive Directors are largely consituted of travel expenses, which were significantly impacted by travel restrictions during 2020, whereas Executive Director and average employee benefits typically comprise elements of their reward package such as company car and healthcare benefits.

 

    AUDITED  LOGO 

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests

The Committee believes that share ownership by Executive Directors and senior executives strengthens the link between the individuals’ personal interests and those of shareholders.

LOGO Guideline Executive Director shareholding requirement

Executive Directors are required to hold shares equal to 300% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 200% for any other Executive Director within five years of their appointment. The number of shares held outright includes all directors’ beneficial interests and those held by their spouses and other connected persons. It also includes the net value of APP shares that are not currently subject to ongoing performance conditions but are subject to ongoing holding periods.

Percentages are calculated using the 31 December 2019 share price of 5,208p.

Prior to the introduction of post-employment shareholding requirements under the new Code, we introduced a condition under our DR Policy for the full guideline minimum shareholding requirement to continue for six months after cessation of employment and 50% of the requirement to continue for an additional six months.

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors as

at 31 December 2019: % of salary

LOGO

Payments for loss of office

There were no payments for loss of office in 2020.

 

Pension entitlements

No Executive Director is entitled to any Defined Benefit pension or related benefit from IHG.

 a

Percentages have been calculated using a combined tax and social security rate of 47% for Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and a rate of 45.1% for Elie Maalouf.

Current Directors’ shareholdings

The APP deferred share awards are not subject to performance conditions. Details on the performance conditions to which the unvested LTIP awards are still subject can be found on page 103.

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors as at 31 December 2019: number of shares

                                         Total number of 
     Number of shares held outright     APP deferred share awards     LTIP share awards (unvested)     shares and awards held 
      2019     2018     2019     2018     2019     2018     2019     2018 
Keith Barr    52,832     42,782     32,697     28,262     102,537     97,211     188,066     168,255 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    38,562     25,669     25,637     26,742     76,150     87,482     140,349     139,893 
Elie Maaloufa            43,652             24,773             32,591             42,058             74,695             82,694             150,938  ��          149,525 

 

a

Includes 35,961 shares granted priorPayments to appointment to the Board

Other information relating to Directors’ remunerationpast Directors – benefits

Consideration of use of discretion

As discussed on page 72, the 2019 Financial Statements include impairments relating to Kimpton hotel management agreements acquired in 2015 and the UK hotel portfolio acquired in 2018 and, in this context, the Committee discussed whether the formulaic outcomes in relation to the APP 2019 and LTIP 2017/19 cycle were appropriate.

The Kimpton impairment does not relate to goodwill, which is unaffected. Since the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in 2015, the intrinsic value of the brand has increased with over 40 new hotels signed into the pipeline and accelerated international expansion. The Committee considered that these factors outweigh the impact of the impairment.

Cash paid on acquisition of the UK portfolio was $9m, with the goodwill recognised being attributable to the future trading potential of the hotel operations. The impairment has been driven by challenging trading conditions experienced across the UK hotel industry. The Committee took into consideration the strategic importance of the acquisition; three of the UK portfolio have been converted to voco hotels, which has been a key driver of the 33 signings since launch of that brand, three of the portfolio have been converted to Kimpton hotels, which has had a significant influence on the international growth of that brand.

Having considered all these matters in the round, including the solid performance of the Company over the relevant periods, the Committee concluded that it was not necessary to exercise discretion relating to 2019 outcomes.

Dividends paid to Executive Directors

A final dividend for 2018 of 60.4p per ordinary share (78.1¢ per ADR) wasNo dividends were paid on 14 May 2019 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 29 March 2019.

A special dividend of 203.8p per ordinary shares (262.1¢ per ADR) was paid on 29 January 2019 to shareholders on the Register at the close of business on 11 January 2019.

An interim dividend of 32.0p per ordinary share (39.9¢ per ADR) was paid on 3 October 2019 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 30 August 2019.out by IHG in 2020.

 

 

106IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report105


Governance

 

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued


 

Relative performance graph

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is a member of the FTSE 100 share index, and the graph below shows the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance from 31 December 2008 to 31 December 2019, assuming dividends are reinvested, compared with the TSR performance achieved by the FTSE 100.

LOGO

Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration

The table below shows the Chief Executive Officer’s single figure of total remuneration for the 10 years to 31 December 2019.

Single figure   CEO            2010             2011             2012             2013             2014             2015             2016             2017             2018             2019 
Single figure of remuneration  Keith Barr                                              2,161a     3,143     3,317 
(£000)  Richard Solomons          4,724     4,881     3,131     6,611b     3,197     3,662     2,207c             
   Andrew Cosslett    5,430     3,770                                                 
Annual incentive received  Keith Barr                                              69.7     84.1     58.7 
(% of maximum)  Richard Solomons          83.0     68.0     74.0     74.0     75.0     63.9     66.8             
   Andrew Cosslett    100.0     43.3                                                 
Shares received under the LTIP  Keith Barr                                              46.1     45.4     78.9 
(% of maximum)  Richard Solomons          73.9     100.0     59.0     56.1     50.0     49.4     46.1             
   Andrew Cosslett    73.8     61.6                                                 

a

For Keith Barr, the 2018 figure includes a one-off cash payment for relocation costs in lieu of benefits received whilst on international assignment prior to CEO position, fully explained in the 2017 report.

b

For Richard Solomons, the 2014 figure includes a one-off cash payment in respect of pension entitlements which was fully explained in the 2014 report.

c

In respect of period 1 January to 30 June 2017.

CEO Pay Ratiopay ratio

As we have noted in last year’sprevious Annual Report,Reports, pay ratios will differ significantly between companies, even within the same industry, depending on demographics and business model. Since last year’s report, we have acquired a number of UK hotel employing entities under the terms of management agreements relating to the UK Portfolio. Prior to this, under our largely franchised UK business model, the majority of hotel employees were not directly employed by IHG.models. The Group’s UK employee demographic, which previouslyprimarily consisted of largely professional, management and senior corporate roles, has therefore shifted significantlychanged in 2019 with the addition of a number of hotel employing entities includingwhich include a large proportion of part-time and flexible-working support and service roles.

To illustrate As per last year’s report, we show below the impact this has had on the pay ratio the 2019 ratio is shown adjacent for both the full populationincluding and excluding the hotelnew UK employing entities.

On a like-for-like population basis with our original disclosure in the 2018 Annual Report, the median ratio, has increaseddecreased from 47:49:1 in 20182019 to 48:25:1 in 2020. The more substantive temporary reduction to pay taken by the CEO in 2020 compared with the wider workforce will be a contributing factor to this decrease, as will the greater extent to which Executive Directors are rewarded through variable performance-related incentives, which were lower or did not pay out in 2020 compared to 2019.

25th75th
    percentile  Median pay    percentile
Year  Methodpay ratioratiopay ratio
Financial year ending 31 December 2018Option
C71:147:129:1
Financial year ending 31 December 2019Option
– Full populationC177:1119:158:1
Financial year ending 31 December 2019Option
– Excluding new hotel employing entitiesC70:148:131:1

                   Population excluding hotel 
       Full population   employing entities 
Year  Method   25th   Median   75th   25th   Median   75th 

 

  

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020   

Option

C

 

 

   85:1    43:1    24:1    33:1    25:1    17:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2019   

Option

C

 

 

   180:1    122:1    59:1    71:1    49:1    32:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2018   

Option

C

 

 

               72:1    48:1    29:1 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The 2018 and 2019 figures have been restated to reflect the value of the CEO’s LTIP awards on the date of actual vesting rather than the estimated vesting levels used in the respective years’ Annual Reports.

What drives the difference in pay between our CEO and other employees?

Pay ratios reflect how remuneration arrangements differ as responsibility increases for more senior roles within the organisation, for example:

 

Aa greater proportion of performance-related variable pay and share-based incentives appliesapply for the more senior executives, including Executive Directors, who will have a greater degree of influence over performance outcomes;

 

Additionaladditional and enhanced benefit provision, such as company car and healthcare benefits, apply as roles and responsibilities increase throughout the organisation;

106IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


 

Role-specificrole-specific specialist plans apply in certain areas such as corporate reservations, sales and hotel development. Incentive plans for General Managers of IHG managed, owned, leased and managed lease and managed hotels commonly include targets based on gross operating profit, guest satisfaction and employee engagement. The target and maximum amounts that can be earned under these plans are typically a higher percentage of base salary for more senior employees, which in turn affectsaffect the pay ratio; and

 

Incentiveincentive plans for other corporate employees are typically based on a combination of individual performance and the Group’s operating profit from reportable segments.

Calculation methodology and supporting information

Option C has been selected for the identification of the percentile employees as, underemployees. IHG prefer to use this method as we are able to produce the most accurate total remuneration figure for all UK employees on a basis comparable with the statutory reporting for Executive Directors and using the most available data available at the time of producing the Annual Report. Specifically,Due to the non-payment of bonus for 2020, this involves:

Starting withyear we have been able to include more accurate in-year data to identify the April 2019percentile employees than using the Gender Pay Gap salary, bonus and long-term incentivedata. Specifically, this has involved:

compiling all monthly payroll data for all UK employees;employees throughout 2020 detailing complete variable and fixed remuneration, including pension and taxable benefits such as company car and healthcare; and

 

Adjusting the value of total bonus so that it reflects only the amount earned in respect of FY 2018 and does not includeexcluding the value of any deferred shares from the 20152017 bonus whichthat vested in 2019;

Adding the employer pension contribution from pension plan data as at April 2019; and

Addingnon-cash benefit data (e.g. company car, healthcare, etc.) from the 2018/19 tax year P11D report.2020.

Option C requires three UK employees to be identified as the equivalent of the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile. Having identified these employees, the 2019 total2020 remuneration is calculated on the same basis as the CEO single total figure of remuneration. The only exception being that the bonus applicable to the relevant employees is assumed to be their respective target value, as the actual value is not known at the time of producing the Annual Report.

The 20192020 salary and total pay for the individuals identified at the lower, median and upper quartiles are set out below:below.

 

Year       

25th

    percentile

pay ratio

  

    Median pay

ratio

       

75th

    percentile

pay ratio

Financial year ending   Salary £ 38,437   53,639       75,151
31 December 2018   Total      
    Remuneration £ 43,679   65,614       107,464
Financial year ending   Salary £ 17,884   25,883       47,700
31 December 2019   Total      
– Full population   Remuneration £ 18,786   27,766       57,383
Financial year ending   Salary £ 40,989   59,088       77,030
31 December 2019         
– Excluding new hotel   Total      
employing entities   Remuneration £ 47,645   69,464       106,545

Percentage change in remuneration of Chief Executive Officer

We believe that a group comprised ofUK-based employees is an appropriate comparator for salary and taxable benefits because the structure and composition of remuneration for that group most closely reflects that of theUK-based Chief Executive Officer.

The table below shows the percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer compared with UK employees between 2018 and 2019. The salary figure for the UK employee population has been calculated using the 2019 budget for the annual pay review, taking into account any promotions/market adjustments made during the year. The taxable benefits figure is based on P11D taxable benefits for tax years ending 5 April 2018 and

2019. For the annual incentive, a group of executives, who report directly to the CEO, is used as a comparator group as they are subject to the same performance measures as the CEO.

        

Chief Executive Officer

(% change)

   

                UK employees

(% change)

 
Salary     5    3 
Taxable benefits     15    3 
Annual incentive     -26.8    -22.5 

As reported in the 2018 Annual Report, Keith Barr’s salary was set below benchmark policy level on appointment as CEO and following strong performance in his first year in the role, he received an increase higher than that of the budget for the corporate UK workforce in 2019. The greater increase in the CEO’s taxable benefit is attributable to the increased cost of his healthcare benefit compared to that of the average of the rest of the UK workforce.

     25th      75th  
     percentile    Median pay    percentile  
Year  pay ratio

 

   ratio    pay ratio  

 

  

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020 – Full population  Salary £   16,103    32,470    52,833 
  

 

 
  

Total

remuneration £

   16,736    33,366    58,761 

 

  

 

 
Financial year ended 31 December 2020 – Excluding hotel employing entities  Salary £   38,675    51,420    65,882 
  

 

 
  

Total

remuneration £

   43,012    56,764    83,182 

 

  

 

 

Relative importance of spend on pay

The chart below sets out the actual expenditure of the Group in 20192020 and 2018,2019, showing the differences between those years. Further information, including where 20182019 figures have been restated, can be found onin the Group Financial Statements starting on page 132112 and the accompanying notes. For 2019, the total distributions to shareholders included a special dividend of 208.3p per share which was paid in January 2019.

 

LOGOLOGO

LOGO

Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020107


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

Annual percentage change in remuneration of Directors compared to employees

                2020 
                     Taxable 
          Salary     Bonus     benefit 
Executive Directors                       
Keith Barr           -14%      -100%      25% 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson       -13%      -100%      -14% 
Elie Maalouf       -15%      -100%      -10% 
Non-Executive Directors                       
Patrick Cescau       -13%      N/A      -53% 
Graham Allan             N/A       
Anne Busquet       -13%      N/A      -87% 
Arthur de Haast             N/A       
Ian Dyson       -13%      N/A      -90% 
Duriya Farooqui             N/A       
Jo Harlow       -13%      N/A      -94% 
Jill McDonald       -13%      N/A      -87% 
Dale Morrison       -13%      N/A      -83% 
Sharon Rothstein             N/A       
Average employee       -6%      -100%      -9% 

The table to the left shows the percentage change in all Directors’ remuneration compared to that of an average employee between the financial year ended 31 December 2019 and the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

The remuneration figures for the Directors’ were taken from the data used to compile single figure tables of remuneration shown on pages 101 and 110 excluding any rounding up or down. No employees are directly employed by the Group’s Parent Company, so the average employee data for this year’s report is based on the same UK corporate employee population as that on which the CEO pay ratio is calculated.

The percentage change in salary and fees takes into account the temporary reductions from April to September 2020 inclusive and the cancellation of the planned 2020 merit increase.

No bonus is payable for 2020 to Executive Directors or other corporate employees, which is reflected in the bonus percentage change. Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for a bonus.

Taxable benefits for Non-Executive Directors are largely consituted of travel expenses, which were significantly impacted by travel restrictions during 2020, whereas Executive Director and average employee benefits typically comprise elements of their reward package such as company car and healthcare benefits.

LOGO

Payments for loss of office

There were no payments for loss of office in 2020.

Pension entitlements

No Executive Director is entitled to any Defined Benefit pension or related benefit from IHG.

Payments to past Directors – benefits

Sir Ian Prosser

Sir Ian Prosser, who retired as Director on 31 December 2003, had an ongoing healthcare benefit of £1,690.00 during the year.

Implementation of Directors’ Remuneration Policy in 20202021

This section explains how the DR Policy will be applied in 2020 subject to a binding vote by shareholders at the 2020 AGM.2021.

Salary: Executive Directors

Directors’ salaries are agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. Last year, we stated that Executive Directors’ would receive a 2% salary increase from 1 April 2020 however, as explained on page 100, these increases were rescinded. Furthermore, temporary reductions to salary were taken between April and September inclusive; Executive Directors’ received a 30% reduction in salary during this period.

The following salaries will apply from 1 April 2020.2021.

 

Executive Director  

Increase

%

   

2020

£

 

2020

$

   

2019

£

 

2019

$

  

    Increase  

%  

   

2021

£

   

2021  

$  

   

2020

£

   

2020  

$  

 

  

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Keith Barr  2    855,000       838,200      3      863,300      838,200   
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson  2    628,700       616,300   

  

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Paul Edgecliffe-          
Johnson   3      634,800      616,300   

  

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Elie Maaloufa  2     828,500       812,200   3        836,600        812,200   

  

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

a 

Elie Maalouf is paid in US dollarsUSD and his annual base salary for 20192020 and 20202021 is shown in US dollars.USD. The sterling equivalent values calculated using an exchange rate of $1 = £0.78 are: 20192020 – £633,516 and 20202021£646,230.£652,548.

The increases above are in line with the budget for the wider UK and US corporate workforce.

LTIP andMeasures for 2021 APP performance measures and targets

Full details of the measures and targets for the 2020The 2021 APP and 2020/22 LTIP cycle are contained in the separate DR Policy section on pages 112 to 113 of this report.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report107


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Director’s Remuneration continued

    AUDITED  

    Single total figure of remuneration:Non-Executive Directors

    Committee      

Date of

original

      

Fees

£000

      

Taxable benefits

£000

      

Total

£000

 
Non-Executive Director           appointments      appointment                    2019                 2018                    2019                   2018                    2019                   2018 
Patrick Cescau  LOGO     01/01/13     435     422     14     20     449     442 
Anne Busquet  LOGO     01/03/15     77     74     5     7     82     81 
Ian Dyson  LOGO     01/09/13     102     99     2     3     104     102 
Jo Harlow  LOGO     01/09/14     102     99     2     2     104     101 
Luke Mayhew  LOGO     01/07/11     77     74     2     2     79     76 
Jill McDonald  LOGO     01/06/13     90     87     2     4     92     91 
Dale Morrison  LOGO     01/06/11     110     107     11     66     121     173 
Malina Ngai  LOGO     01/03/17     77     74     8     4     85     78 

LOGO

See page 79 for Board and Committee

membership key and attendance.

Fees: Fees paid arestructure is in line with the DR Policy.

Benefits: ForNon-Executive Directors, benefits include taxable travel and accommodation expenses to attend Board meetings away from the designated home location. Under concessionary HM Revenue and Customs rules,non-UK basedNon-Executive Directors are not subject to UK tax on travel expenses to/from the UK as long as they remainnon-UK resident; this is reflected in the taxable benefits for Anne Busquet, Malina Ngai and Dale Morrison.

Incentive awards:Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for any incentive awards.

Pension benefit:Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for any pension contributions or benefit.

Shares held byNon-Executive Directors as at 31 December 2019:

TheNon-Executive Directors who held shares are listed in the table below:

Non-Executive Director                 2019b                 2018 
Patrick Cescau    3,605     3,795 
Jo Harlowa    950     1,000 
Luke Mayhew    1,305     1,373 
Dale Morrisona    2,960     3,116 

a

Shares held in the form of American Depositary Receipts.

b

2019 shares were subject to a share consolidation on 14 January 2019 on the basis of 19 new ordinary shares for every 20 existing ordinary shares.

Fees:Non-Executive Directors

The fees forNon-Executive Directors are reviewed and agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. The fee levels for 2020 will be as follows:

Non-Executive Director   Role    

              2020

£000

     

              2019

£000

 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Patrick Cescau  Chair of the Board    444     435 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Anne Busquet  Non-Executive Director    78     77 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Arthur de Haast  Non-Executive Director    78      

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Ian Dyson  Chair of Audit Committee    104     102 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Jo Harlow  Chair of Remuneration Committee    104     102 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Luke Mayhew  Non-Executive Director    78     77 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Jill McDonald  Chair of Corporate Responsibility Committee    92     90 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Dale Morrison  Senior Independent Non-Executive Director    112     110 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Malina Ngai  Non-Executive Director    78     77 

 

  

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Board Committee membership key

LOGOAudit Committee memberLOGORemuneration Committee member
LOGOCorporate Responsibility Committee memberLOGOChair of a Board Committee
LOGONomination Committee member

108IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Remuneration Committee details

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Remuneration Committee agrees, on behalf of the Board, all aspects of the remuneration of the Executive Directors and the Executive Committee, and agrees the strategy, direction and policy for the remuneration of the senior executives who have a significant influence over the Group’s ability to meet its strategic objectives. Additionally, the Committee reviews wider workforce pay policies and practice to ensure alignment with strategy, values and behaviours and takes this into account when setting Executive Director remuneration. The Committee’s role and responsibilities are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR) which are reviewed annually and approved by the board.

LOGO

The ToR are available on IHG’s website at

www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key focus areas during the year have been:

Reviewing the Director’s Remuneration Policy and associated feedback from stakeholders as part of the consultation process on potential Policy changes; and

Evaluating potential measures and targets for 2020+ short and long-term incentive plans.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of the Committee’s membership and attendance at the meetings are set out on page 79.

During 2019, the Committee was supported internally by the Chair, the Group’s CEO and CFO, and the heads of Human Resources and Reward as necessary. All attend by invitation to provide further background information and context to assist the Committee in its duties. They are not present for any discussions that relate directly to their own remuneration or where their attendance would not be appropriate.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee Chair updates the Board on all key issues raised at Committee meetings. Papers and minutes for each meeting are also circulated to all Board members for review and comment.

Stakeholder engagement

As part of the DR Policy review undertaken in 2018 and 2019, the Chair of the Remuneration Committee met with a number of our largest shareholders, proxy voting agencies and industry bodies, such as the Investment Association, to discuss our remuneration policy design and its link to business strategy. In terms of employee engagement, the Company’s twice-yearly global engagement survey addresses employee satisfaction, covering a number of areas including competitive pay and benefits; and, during the year, the Committee reviewed key aspects of wider workforce remuneration policy and practice and its alignment with executive pay. As explained in the DR Policy on page 116 to 117, these stakeholder engagement processes have informed our review of executive director remuneration.

LOGO

The Company’s approach to wider workforce engagement under the

Corporate Governance Code is set out on pages 32 to 33.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Board. During 2019, the Committee was also reviewed as part of the external Board evaluation process, where it was concluded that the Committee remains effective (see page 86).

Other focus areas and activities

In addition to the DR Policy review and stakeholder consultation process, the other focus areas and activities discussed by the Committee during 2019 were:

Reviewing and approving the 2018 annual and long-term incentive results for the Executive Directors and other members of the Executive Committee;

Reviewing and approving 2019 measures and targets for annual and long-term incentive plans;

Monitoring 2019 performance against agreed targets as well as in the wider business context;

Reviewing wider workforce remuneration policy and practice;

Tender process for remuneration advisory services to the Committee.

Remuneration advisers

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP continued to act as independent adviser to the Committee throughout 2019. However, as part of the transition process for its role as IHG’s statutory auditor for the 2021 financial year, the Committee undertook a competitive tender process and appointed Deloitte LLP as its adviser going forward. In order to ensure a full and efficient transfer of responsibilities, Deloitte were appointed and commenced work for the Committee in October 2019 and PwC will formally step down in early 2020.

PwC and Deloitte are both members of the Remuneration Consultants Group and, as such, operate under the code of conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. The Committee is satisfied that the advice received is objective and independent. Fees of £136,549 were paid to PwC and £6,000 to Deloitte in respect of advice provided to the Committee in 2019. This was in the form of an agreed fee for support in preparation of papers and attendance at meetings, with work on additional items charged at hourly rates. The terms of engagement for Deloitte are available from the Company Secretary’s office upon request.

Voting at the Company’s AGMs

There was no binding vote in respect of the DR Policy at the 2019 AGM as it remained unchanged from 2017.

The outcome of the votes in respect of the DR Policy and Report for 2017 to 2019 are shown below:

                                                              Directors’ Remuneration Policy  (binding vote)                                                              Directors’ Remuneration Report  (advisory vote) 
AGM      Votes for  Votes against  Abstentions       Votes for  Votes against  Abstentions 
2019                 120,939,401   23,116,948   3,867,287 
            (83.95%  (16.05% 
2018                 118,770,985   25,486,193   2,664,237 
                     (82.33%  (17.67%    
2017     120,328,350   5,332,320   261,819      119,155,451   4,426,549   2,340,489 
      (95.76%  (4.24%         (96.42%  (3.58%    

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report109


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

The Committee will consider the Remuneration Policy annually to ensure it remains aligned with strategic objectives. However, subject to approval by shareholders at the 2020 AGM, it is intended that the policy set out below will apply for three years from 2020; if any amendments need to be made to the policy within that timeframe, it will first be presented to be voted upon by shareholders. Where there have been changes to elements from the last policy, these are set out for each element in the table below. The reasons for the changes are described in the Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement on pages 96 to 98.

Future policy table

Salary100% cashNo change in policy

Link to strategyTo attract and retain the key talent responsible for delivering our strategic objectives. Recognises the value of the role and the individual’s skill, performance and experience.

OperationBase salary is reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months from 1 April. In reviewing salaries, the Committee may consider:

  business performance;

  personal performance;

  the average salary increases for the wider IHG workforce; and

  current remuneration assessed against comparable opportunities for an individual to ensure competitiveness.

Maximum opportunityOver the policy period, salaries for current Executive Directors will increase, subject to individual performance, in line with the range of increases applying to the corporate UK and US employee population, except where there is a change in role or responsibility, or another need arises to reassess the competitiveness of salary which warrants either a lesser or a more significant increase. Any such change will be fully explained.
Newly promoted or recruited Executive Directors may, on occasion, have their salaries set below the conventional remuneration level while they become established in role. In such cases, salary increases may be higher than the corporate UK and US employee population until the target positioning is achieved.

Performance frameworkThe results of an individual’s annual performance appraisal are considered when reviewing salary levels.

BenefitsNo change in policy

Link to strategyTo attract and retain the key talent responsible for delivering our strategic objectives with competitive benefits which are consistent with an individual’s role and location.

OperationIHG pays the cost of providing the benefits on a monthly basis or as required forone-off events.

Maximum opportunityThe value of benefits is dependent on location and market factors. Benefits may include the cost of independent financial advice, car allowance/company car, private healthcare/medical assessments, life insurance, and other benefits provided from time to time. Benefits would be restricted to the typical level for the role and location of an Executive Director. Benefits may also include relocation and expatriate or international assignment costs where appropriate, including for example:

  cost of living allowance;

  travel costs;

  housing allowance;

  professional advice;

  education allowances;

  tax equalisation;

  medical expenses; and

  relocation allowance.

Relocation and expatriate or international assignment costs would be restricted to the typical level for the role and location of an Executive Director.

Performance frameworkNone.

Pension

Link to strategyTo attract and retain the key talent responsible for delivering our strategic objectives with appropriate contribution rates to provide funding for retirement.

OperationUK Executive Directors are eligible to join the IHG UK Defined Contribution Pension Plan (UK Plan). A cash allowance in lieu of pension contributions is offered, for example, where pension contributions would be less efficient than cash.
Non-UK Executive Directors may be eligible for an alternative local company retirement plan, for example, a DC 401(k) Plan and a DC Deferred Compensation Plan currently operating in the US.

Maximum opportunitySalary is the only element of remuneration that is pensionable and the current maximum employer contribution level for executives in the UK Plan is shown below. Other contribution rates may apply in alternativenon-UK local retirement plans and the Committee has the discretion to reduce or increase employer contribution rates for Executive Directors in exceptional circumstances where conditions so warrant.

New for 2020 Policy:

  The maximum pension contributions and/or cash allowance for new UK Executive Directors will be aligned with the maximum employer contribution rate available to all other participants in the UK Plan (from April 2020, this will be 12%).

  Incumbent UK Executive Directors have agreed to a voluntary reduction in pension provision by the end of 2022 such that the value will align on the same basis as above with effect from 1 January 2023.

Performance frameworkNone.

LOGOThe policy will be available to view at
www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

110IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Annual Performance
Plan (APP)
50% cash and 50% IHG PLC shares deferred for three yearsNo change in policy

Link to strategy

  Drives and rewards annual performance against both financial andnon-financial metrics.

  Aligns individuals and teams with key strategic priorities.

  Aligns short-term annual performance with strategy to generate long-term returns to shareholders.

Operation

  Awards are made annually, 50% in cash after the end of the relevant financial year and 50% in the form of share awards which vest after three years subject to leaver provisions.

  The Committee has discretion to make awards wholly in cash rather than part-cash and part-shares, in exceptional circumstances.

  The share awards are made in the form of conditional awards or forfeitable shares, the latter having the right to receive dividends and vote at general meetings.

  Malus and clawback apply to these awards. See page 115 for details.

  The Committee may exercise reasonable discretion to adjust an award made under the APP upwards or downwards after application of the performance measures to take into account any relevant factors, including but not limited to, performance relative to IHG’s competitors and extent of achievement across all measures, provided that in no case will an award exceed the maximum opportunity stated.

Maximum opportunityThe maximum annual award is capped at 200% of salary.

Performance framework

  70% is based on the achievement vs target of an operating profit measure.

  30% is based on a mixture of strategic and/or personal measures which are reviewed annually and the weighting, measures and targets are determined by the Committee and set in line with key strategic priorities.

  Target award is 115% of salary; threshold is up to 50% of target award for each measure.

New for 2020 Policy:Malus and clawback has been extended. See page 115 for details.
Measures for 2020 will be operating profit from reportable segments (70%) and Net System Size Growth (30%) – see page 112 for further detail.

Long Term Incentive
Plan (LTIP)
100% IHG PLC shares

Link to strategyDrives and rewards delivery of sustained long-term performance on measures that are aligned with the interests of shareholders.

Operation

  Annual grants of conditional awards of shares subject to a performance period of three years or such longer period as the Committee determines, subject to the achievement of corporate performance targets.

  The Committee may also impose such post-vesting holding periods as it may, at its discretion, determine.

  The Committee also has discretion to make awards in cash rather than shares, in exceptional circumstances.

  Malus and clawback applies to awards. See page 115 for details.

Maximum opportunityThe maximum annual award is up to 350% of salary for the CEO and up to 275% of salary for other Executive Directors.

Performance framework

  The measures are reviewed and may be changed by the Committee annually to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.

  Minimum performance results in 20% vesting and all targets measured over a performance period of at least three years.

  The Committee may make adjustments to targets and/or measures if a significantone-off event occurs that makes one or more of the existing targets and/or measures no longer appropriate. The Committee may also adjust awards if a significantone-off event happens that makes the original performance measures no longer appropriate. Any such adjustments would be disclosed at the first appropriate opportunity.

  The Committee will review the vesting outcomes under the LTIP measures at the end of each three-year cycle against an assessment of Group earnings, the quality of financial performance and growth over the period, including relative growth against the market, and the efficient use of capital. If the Committee determines that the vesting outcomes do not appropriately reflect the performance of the Group, it will consider applying discretion to increase or reduce the number of shares that vest. The performance and vesting outcomes and any use of discretion will be fully disclosed and explained in the relevant Directors’ Remuneration Report.

New for 2020 Policy:The maximum opportunity has been increased from 205% to 350% of salary for the CEO and to 275% of salary for other Executive Directors. See the Chair’s statement on pages 96 to 98 for rationale.
A post-vest holding period, typically of two years, may apply. See the Chair’s statement on pages 96 to 98 for rationale.
Malus and clawback have also been extended. See page 115 for details.
Measures for the 2020/22 cycle are Total Shareholder Return (30%); Relative Net System Size Growth (30%) subject to a Return on Capital Employed underpin; Cash Flow (20%) and Total Gross Revenue (20%) – see page 113 for further details.

Shareholding

requirements

New for 2020 Policy:

  Subject to maximum LTIP quantum outlined above, the guideline shareholding requirement will increase to 500% for the CEO and 300% for other Executive Directors.

  This shareholding can include the net value of unvested shares that are not subject to any further performance conditions.

  Executive Directors are expected to hold all shares earned (net of any share sales required to meet personal tax liabilities), until the previous guideline shareholding requirement is achieved (300% for the CEO and 200% for other Executive Directors) and 50% of all subsequent shares earned (net of any share sales required to meet personal tax liabilities) until the new guideline shareholding is met.

Post-Employment Shareholding

  The full guideline shareholding requirement will continue for six months, and 50% of the requirement for a further six months, post-cessation of employment.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Policy111


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Illustrative scenarios

Shown below are illustrations of the value that could be received by each Executive Director under the Directors’ Remuneration Policy in respect of 2020, showing:

minimum, which includes salary, benefits and employer pension contributions only (total fixed pay);

on-target, which includes total fixed pay and assumes anon-target award for the APP (115% of salary) and 50% of maximum LTIP award vesting; and

maximum, which includes total fixed pay and a maximum award under the APP and LTIP.

maximum plus share price growth, which includes total fixed pay, a maximum award under the APP and a 50% share price increment for LTIP.

The salaries included are those that will apply from 1 April 2020. The benefit values included are estimates.

Old Policy(£000)New Policy(£000)

Keith Barr

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Keith Barr

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PaulEdgecliffe-Johnson

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Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

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Elie Maalouf

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Elie Maalouf

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Notes to future policy table

In designing the new Remuneration Policy, the Committee followed a detailed decision-making process which included discussions on the proposals at nine Remuneration Committee meetings. The Committee considered multiple approaches and their possible impact, and sought input from management as well as advice from its independent advisors on market practice and shareholder expectations to inform the discussions. An extensive shareholder consultation exercise was also undertaken. To avoid any conflict of interest, no Executive Directors were present for Committee conversations relating to their own pay.

Measures for 2020 APP

Measure

Definition

Weighting
(%)
Performance
objective
Operating profit from reportable segmentsA measure of IHG’s operating profit from reportable segments for the year70

Achievement
against
target


Net System Size growthIncrease in absolute number of rooms30

Achievement
against
target


Why have we chosen these measures?

In line with the DR Policy, the 2020 APP measures will be 70% based on a 70% weighting for a measure of operating profit and a 30% based onweighting for other key strategic measures that are reviewed annually and set in line with business priorities. Operating profit from reportable segments is a focal measure of business performance for

our shareholders and is a function of other critical measures, such as RevPAR, profit margin and fee revenues. Having reviewed a number of potential strategic measures, the Committee has determined that for 2020,2021, it is particularly important to the Company’s strategic objectives to incentivise and reward management for achieving a stretching target for absolute net System Size growth over the next year. In a

potentially more muted RevPAR environment, this aligns with our focus on growth to drive our continued success. While there is also an NSSG elementnew room openings and new room signings in the LTIP, it isAPP. New room openings are critical to driving both short and long-term profitable growth and are a recognised key performance measure across the industry, while new room signings provide the best gauge of a different nature due tofuture growth as they create the three-year timescalepath for openings in future years, which will in turn drive profit and relative measurement and reflects our longer-term growth ambition.

revenue growth. The Committee retains the flexibility to change thetwo strategic measures and/or weightings during the lifewill be equally weighted, with each worth 15% of the policyoverall APP. The targets are commercially sensitive and will consult with shareholders as appropriate on any proposed changes.

How are performance targets set?

Targets may be set relative to budget and/or by reference to prior results and may contain a performance range to incentivise outperformance and minimum performance levels relative to budget and/or prior experience to ensure that poor performance is not rewarded. The 2020 targets are set by the Committee and senior management, taking into account IHG’s growth ambitions, market expectations and the circumstances and relative performance at the time, with the aim of setting stretching achievement targets for senior executives which will reflect successful outcomes for the business based on its strategic objectives for the year.disclosed retrospectively. It is important to note that for 2020, the targets and payment schedule for both operating profit from reportable segments and NSSGthe strategic measures are set in an environment of greatercontinued uncertainty than in recent years.as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Weighting  Performance  
MeasureDefinition(%)  objective  

Operating profit from reportable segmentsA measure of IHG’s operating profit from reportable segments for the year70  

Achievement  

against  

target  


Room signingsAbsolute number of new room signings15  

Achievement  

against  

target  


Room openingsAbsolute number of new room openings15  

Achievement  

against  

target  


 

 

112108 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

A gateway test applies to the strategic element based on the Committee’s overall assessment of performance against IHG’s Global Metrics. These are based on a range of KPIs including several ESG measures such as carbon reduction, employee engagement and guest satisfaction. As for 2020, given the continued volatile environment and forecasting challenges, a formula will not be applied. Instead the gateway will be structured such that 2021 performance against the Global Metrics, together with data on relative performance against peers, will be tracked and used by the Committee as reference points in considering whether to use discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome on the strategic element.

Measures2021/23 LTIP cycle performance measures and targets

Total gross revenue (TGR) has been removed from the LTIP metrics for 2020/22the 2021/23 cycle. TGR is heavily impacted by the pace of market RevPAR recovery which is very unpredictable and outside of management’s control. This led to difficulties in setting targets for the 2020 LTIP, with target-setting still challenging in 2021 due to the continued uncertainty. This approach will be kept under review for future cycles.

As a result of the removal of the TGR metric, relative NSSG and absolute cash flow have both had their weighting increased by 10%, maintaining a similar balance between absolute and relative measures as for the previous cycle.

The measures for the 2021/23 LTIP cycle are as follows:

 

Weighting    
MeasureDefinition(%)Performance objective

 

Definition

 

Weighting

(%)

  

Performance objective

Relative Total

Shareholder Return

(TSR)

 

IHG’s performance against a comparator group of global hotel companies. TSR is the aggregate of share price growth and dividends paid, assuming reinvestment of dividends in the Company’s shares during the three-year performance period.

 

30

  

Threshold – median of comparator group (20% of TSR element vests);

 

Maximum – upper quartile of comparator group (100% of TSR element vests); and

 

Vesting will be on a straight-line basis in between the two points above.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Relative Net System

Size Growthnet system size growth with ROCE

underpin

 IHG’s aggregated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) against our six largest competitors with over 500k rooms: Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Accor S.A., Jin Jiang International Holdings Company Limited, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc., Choice Hotels International Inc. Targets will be set based on increased room count that is consistent with the relevant company’s business plan objectives and practice as at the start of the LTIP cycle. 

30

40
  

Threshold – Fourth ranked competitor excluding IHG (20% of NSSG element vests);

 

Maximum – First ranked competitor excluding IHG (100% of NSSG element vests); and

 

Vesting will be on a straight-line basis in between the two points above.

 

This measure is subject to the achievement of a Return on Capital Employed underpin. See below for further details.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Absolute Cash Flow

cash flow
 

Cumulative annual cash generation over three-year performance period.

 

20

30
  

Threshold – US 1.91bn (20%In view of the uncertain forecasting environment, the cash flow element vests);

Maximum – US 2.54bn (100%targets had not been approved by the Committee at the time of cash flow element vests); and

Vesting will be on a straight-line basis in between the two points above.

Absolute Total Gross

Revenue (TGR)

Cumulative increase over three-year performance period.

20

publication of this report. The targets for this measure are scheduled to be finalised and published on our website in the opinionadvance of the Directors, commercially sensitive, and will therefore be disclosed in full retrospectively at the end of the LTIP cycle. Disclosures in advance would give IHG’s major competitors an unfair commercial advantage, providing them with access to key financial and growth targets from IHG’s three-year plan. These competitors would not be subject to the same obligation to make such information available, as they are either unlisted or listed on a stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange.May 2021 AGM.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Operation of Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) underpin

The Committee has the discretion to reduce the amount of the award vesting under the net System Sizesystem size growth measure by any amount, including to zero, in the event that a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) falls below a predetermined level over the period of an LTIP cycle. The extent of reduction would be determined taking into consideration criteria including:

 

the reason the ROCE underpin has not been met;

 

the impact on other metrics, including cash flow and total gross revenue; and

 

the materiality of the circumstances under which the underpin has not been met.

ROCE is defined as operating profit from reportable segments divided by Capital Employed. For Capital Employed, we expect to define this as Total Assets less Current Liabilities, adjusted for deferred revenue and deferred tax assets/liabilities. At the end of each cycle, the Committee will agree the appropriate capital base of the Company taking into account any short-term impacts that are not part of the long-term capital of the business.

For the 2020/222021/23 LTIP cycle, the underpin has beenwill remain at the 20% level set atfor the 2020/22 cycle. Under normal circumstances, the Committee considers this an appropriate level in order to protect shareholder interests without disincentivising the pursuit of long-term strategically advantageous return-enhancing opportunities, which could have a short-term impact on ROCE. TheHowever, it should be noted that, as outlined on page 105, the Committee is minded not to reduce the NSSG outcome if the ROCE underpin level will be disclosed inis not met for the 2020 AGM notice and performance2020/22 cycle solely due to the impact on earnings of the pandemic.

Performance and vesting outcomes and any use of discretion will be fully disclosed and explained in the relevant Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Why have we chosen these measures?

We believe that TSR continues to be a key measure of long-term success and aligns the interests of Executive Directors with those of shareholders. A net System Size growth (NSSG) measure will remain but, reflecting our industry-leading growth ambition, this will have a

relative performance target measured against our closest competitors and the weighting for this measure will increase from 20% to 30%. To balance the delivery of strong growth whilst maintaining high returns, the NSSG measure will be subject to a Return on Capital Employed underpin, as described opposite.

There is no change to the 2020/22 cash flow measure to deliver consistent, sustained growth in cash flows and profits over the long term and the total gross revenue measure, which includes food and beverage income from owned and managed hotels and reflects our diverse income sources. Together, we believe these measures represent the right balance of focus on growth and quality and position our executive remuneration in line with both our long-term strategic aims and the expectations of our shareholders.

How are performance targets set?

Targets may be set relative to the expected outcomes of IHG’s long-range business plan and other long-term strategic objectives and may contain a performance range to incentivise outperformance and minimum performance levels to ensure that poor performance is not rewarded. The targets for the 2020/22 LTIP are set by the Committee, taking into account IHG’s long-range business plan, market expectations and the circumstances and relative performance at the time, with the aim of setting stretching achievement targets for senior executives which will reflect successful outcomes for the business based on its long-term strategic objectives.

The comparator group of companies against which TSR outcomes are measured for the 2020/22 cycle comprises of the following major, globally branded competitors: Accor S.A.; Choice Hotels International Inc.; Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc; Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Marriott International Inc.; Melia Hotels International S.A.; NH Hotel Group; and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc. The Committee reviews the comparator group each year and may make changes for future cycles if appropriate.

 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Policy113LOGO


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Alignment of remuneration policy with the 2018 Code

2018 Code provision:

How the Remuneration Committee applies the principle

Clarity

Remuneration arrangements should be transparent and promote effective engagement with shareholders and the workforce.

Through the combination of short and long-term incentive plan measures, the DR Policy is structured to support financial objectives and the strategic priorities of the business which deliver shareholder returns and long-term value creation. Further alignment with shareholder interests is driven by the significant proportion of share-based incentives and Executive Director shareholding requirements.

As shown on page 100, our reward policies are aligned and include a proportion of performance-related reward throughout the organisation, driving engagement for the whole of the workforce.
We always seek to report our DR Policy and performance-related remuneration measures, targets and outcomes in a clear, transparent and balanced way, with relevant and timely communication with all of our stakeholders, including shareholders. See pages 116 to 117 for further information on how we engage with stakeholders on remuneration matters.
Simplicity

Remuneration structures should

avoid complexity and their rationale

and operation should be easy to

understand.

Our remuneration structure comprises straightforward, conventional and well-understood components:

Fixed pay: base salary, pension and benefits that are consistent with role and location and are designed to attract and retain talent.

Short-term incentive: annual performance-related bonus which incentivises and rewards the delivery of financial andnon-financial strategic objectives. For senior employees, a proportion of this bonus (50% for Executive Directors) is paid in cash and the remainder deferred in shares for a period of three years.

Long-term incentive: a share-based award which incentivises performance over a three-year period, based on measures which drive long-term sustainable growth and value creation.
Risk

Remuneration arrangements should

ensure reputational and other risks

from excessive rewards, and

behavioural risks that can arise from

target-based incentive plans, are

identified and mitigated.

Our DR Policy contains a number of elements to ensure that it drives the right behaviours to incentivise the Executive Directors to deliver long-term sustainable growth and shareholder returns and to reward them appropriately:

The maximum short and long-term incentive awards are capped as a % of salary.

The Committee has clear discretion policies, linked to specific measures where necessary, to override formulaic outcomes.

Executive Directors agree to clear and comprehensive malus and clawback provisions under which awards may be reduced, rescinded or claimed back.

Significant shareholding requirements apply for Executive Directors, including the deferral of 50% of bonus in shares; a post-vesting holding period for LTIP shares and minimum shareholding requirements for both during and after employment.
Predictability

The range of possible values of rewards to individual directors and any other limits or discretions should be identified and explained at the time of approving the policy.

The range of possible values of rewards for Executive Directors is clearly disclosed in graphical form both at the time of approving the policy and in the annual implementation report:

See the charts on page 112 showing the potential future reward opportunity for the Executive Directors split between fixed, target and maximum remuneration scenarios and the effect of future share price increases on the LTIP assuming share price growth of 50% over the period.

See the charts on page 99 showing the minimum, target and maximum potential outcomes for the year.
Proportionality

The link between individual awards, the delivery of strategy and the long-term performance of the Company should be clear and outcomes should not reward poor performance.As shown on pages 112 and 113, individual rewards are aligned to the delivery of strategic business objectives. The Committee sets robust and stretching targets to ensure that there is a clear link between the performance of the Group and the awards made to the Executive Directors and others; and that poor performance is not rewarded. The powers of discretion set out in the DR Policy on page 111 further strengthen the Committee’s ability to ensure that award outcomes reflect business performance and context in both absolute and relative terms.
Alignment to culture

Incentive schemes should drive behaviours consistent with the Company purpose, values and strategy.As set out on pages 24 and 26, IHG has a clear purpose and well-established values and behaviours. Our Strategic Model for high-quality growth explained on page 18 and the KPIs which underpin the delivery of our strategy are shown on pages 42 to 45. Page 42 also sets out how our short and long-term incentive plans are aligned to these strategic objectives. We show on page 100 how other elements of reward, such as salary reviews and, across the wider workforce, the short-term incentive plan and our global recognition scheme reward employees for performance and actions which demonstrate our values and behaviours.

114IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Dilution of Company shares

Incentive plan rules provide that issuance of new shares or reissued treasury shares, when aggregated with all other share schemes, must not exceed 10% of issued share capital in any rolling10-year period.

Policy on payment for loss of office

As per the DR Policy, Executive Directors have a notice period from the Group of 12 months. However, neither notice nor a payment in lieu of notice will be given in the event of gross misconduct. In the event of an Executive Director terminating employment, any

compensation payable will be determined in accordance with the terms of their service contract and the rules of any relevant incentive plan. Where possible, the Group will seek to ensure that, if a leaver mitigates their losses, for example, by finding new employment, there will be a corresponding reduction in compensation payable for loss of office. An Executive Director may have an entitlement to compensation in respect of their statutory rights under employment protection legislation in the UK or other relevant jurisdiction.

The following table sets out the basis on which payments for loss of office may be made:

 

Remuneration component

Circumstances and approach taken (including but not limited to):

Salary and contractual benefits, including pension

Good leaver: paid up to date of termination or in lieu of notice, if applicable.

Other leaver: paid up to date of termination or in lieu of notice, if applicable.

Death: paid up to date of death.

APP award for year of terminationGood leaver:pro-rated award for year up to date of termination, or later date in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion. No accelerated payment, other than in exceptional circumstances and where permitted under the plan rules subject to Committee discretion. Award made 50% cash and 50% in shares deferred for three years from grant, other than in exceptional circumstances and where permitted under the plan rules subject to Committee discretion.
Other leaver: no award for year of termination, other than in case of termination after end of performance period but before award date (in which case cash portion only of award will be paid), and in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion.
Death:pro-rated award for year up to date of death, paid fully in cash and accelerated, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion.

Unvested APP deferred share awards

Good leaver: vest on usual vesting date, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion.

Other leaver: forfeited, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion; and in the event of a termination in connection with a takeover or reconstitution (in which case unvested APP deferred share awards will have accelerated vesting on the date of termination, unless the Committee determines otherwise).

Death: accelerated vesting unless Committee decides otherwise.

Unvested LTIP awardsGood leaver: vest on usual vesting date to the extent that performance conditions are met, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion. Number of shares vesting ispro-rated to date of termination, or other date subject to Committee discretion.
Other leaver: forfeited, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion. No shares awarded or cash paid under any circumstances in the event of termination due to gross misconduct.
Death: accelerated vesting: Committee has discretion to determine number of shares vesting, taking into account proportion of performance period elapsed and extent to which performance conditions are satisfied.

Good leaver status will be applied in accordance with the rules of the APP and LTIP, where applicable, and will normally include retirement with Company agreement,ill-health, the individual’s employing company or business ceasing to be part of the Group or redundancy. In the case of the LTIP rules, the Committee has discretion to apply good leaver status and, in doing so, will consider factors such as personal performance and conduct, overall Group performance and the specific circumstances of the Executive Director’s departure including, but not restricted to, whether the Executive Director is leaving by mutual agreement. The Committee would only seek to exercise this and its other discretions under the APP and LTIP plan rules in exceptional circumstances and the application of any such discretion would be disclosed in full as required in the relevant announcement and Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration.

Use of discretion by the Remuneration Committee

1. Malus and clawback in incentive plans

The APP and LTIP rules allow the Committee discretion to reduce the level of unvested share awards if circumstances occur that, in the reasonable opinion of the Committee, justify a reduction in one or more awards granted to any one or more participants.

Malus provisions relate to unvested awards only. Clawback provisions apply to Executive Directors in respect of the APP cash awards and LTIP cycle awards from 2015/17 onwards. The provision applies for three years from the date of payment (for the APP cash award) and the date of vesting (for the LTIP award).

In respect of APP awards from 2020 onwards and LTIP awards from 2020/22 onwards, the circumstances in which the Committee may consider it appropriate to exercise its discretion for malus and/or clawback are extended to include the following:

an event or series of events occurs which the Committee consider to constitute corporate failure of the Company or the Group;

there has been a material misstatement, error, or misrepresentation in the financial statements of the Group, any member of the Group,

or any business unit or undertaking for which the Participant has significant responsibility (other than as a result of a change in accounting practice);

an award was granted or vests on the basis of erroneous or misleading information, assumptions or calculations;

the action or conduct of a Participant, in the reasonable opinion of the Committee, amounts to fraud or gross misconduct;

the Participant leaves office or employment by reason of summary dismissal by any member of the Group or where the Committee subsequently determines that, prior to leaving, circumstances had arisen which would have justified the Participant’s summary dismissal;

serious reputational damage or significant financial loss to the Company, any member of the Group or a relevant business unit arises as a result of the Participant’s conduct, misconduct or otherwise; or

any other triggers or circumstances occur which the Committee determines justifies the application of malus and/or clawback. This may include, where appropriate, negligence on the part of the Executive Directors.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Policy115


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

These features help ensure alignment between executive reward and shareholder interests and are in line with Corporate Governance Code guidance. All Executive Directors are required to sign (electronically in respect of LTIP awards) forms of acceptance at the time of grant to indicate their acknowledgement and agreement that awards are subject to malus and clawback.

2. Other uses of discretion

The Committee reserves certain discretions in relation to the outcomes for Executive Directors under the Group’s incentive plans. These operate in two main respects:

enabling the Committee to ensure that outcomes under these plans are consistent with the underlying performance of the business and the experience of shareholders, at the same time as providing a high degree of clarity for shareholders as to remuneration structure and potential quantum; and

enabling the Committee to treat leavers in a way that is fair and equitable to individuals and shareholders under the incentive plans.

The discretions that can be applied in the case of leavers under the APP and LTIP are set out in the section ‘Policy on payment for loss of office’ on page 115.

The discretions that can be applied in respect of the APP and LTIP in the event of corporate transactions, such as a takeover or merger, include the ability to determine:

the period for which awards may bepro-rated;

whether awards are payable as cash or shares;

the vesting date for awards and whether or not they may be accelerated;

if a transaction occurs prior to the end of a performance period, the extent to which performance conditions have been met;

in the event that a transaction involves the exchange of IHG PLC shares for shares in another company, whether existing share awards may be replaced by an appropriate proportion of shares in a new company; and

any such action as it may think appropriate if other events happen which may have an effect on awards

Any exercises of discretion by the Committee will be fully disclosed and explained in the relevant year’s Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration.

Approach to recruitment remuneration

The remuneration of any new Executive Director will be determined in accordance with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy on pages 110 to 111 and the elements that would be considered by the Group for inclusion are:

salary and benefits, including defined contribution pension participation for a UK Executive Director;

participation in the APP with 50% cash and 50% deferred share elements:

pro-rated for the year of recruitment to reflect the proportion of the year remaining after the date of commencement of employment; and

if commencement date is after 1 October in the year, no award would normally be made for that year

participation in the LTIP:

pro-rated awards would be made in relation to LTIP cycles outstanding at the time of recruitment; but

nopro-rated award would be made for an LTIP cycle that has less than nine months to run at the date of commencement of employment.

In addition, the Committee may, in its discretion, compensate a newly recruited Executive Director for incentives foregone from previous employment as a result of their resignation. The Committee would seek validation of the value of any potential incentives foregone. Awards made by way of compensation for incentives foregone would be made on a comparable basis, taking account of performance achieved (or likely to be achieved), the proportion of the performance period remaining and the form of the award. Compensation would, as far as possible, be in the form of LTIP or deferred share awards in order to immediately align a new Executive Director with IHG performance.

The maximum annual level of variable remuneration that may be granted to a newly-recruited Executive Director would be in line with that of the existing Executive Directors:

APP award: 200% of salary, of which 50% of any award will be paid in cash and 50% in the form of shares deferred for three years; and

LTIP award: 350% of salary for a full LTIP cycle commencing after appointment for a CEO and 275% of salary for a full LTIP cycle commencing after appointment for other Executive Directors; pluspro-rated awards in relation to LTIP cycles outstanding at the time of recruitment (up to a further 350%/275% of salary).

This excludes any remuneration that constitutes compensation for incentives foregone and providing any relocation and expatriate or international assignment costs.

Consideration of shareholder views

In updating the DR Policy, as explained on page 109, we undertook a comprehensive review of executive remuneration, taking into consideration how it could support the Company’s strategy and better align with shareholders’ interests. Engagement with our largest shareholders has been key to this review and the Committee chair has consulted with shareholders to develop the policy, starting in late 2018 and continuing throughout 2019. This allowed the Committee to hear and reflect on shareholder feedback while developing the policy and helped shareholders better understand our business, the competitive environment for talent and the challenges we face. We have valued this engagement with shareholders and the policy has been refined in direct response to the feedback we received. We remain committed to continuing the dialogue in therun-up to the 2020 AGM and beyond.

Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group

Whilst decisions on remuneration for employees outside the Executive Committee remain the responsibility of Company management, the Committee has historically reviewed pay and employment conditions beyond those of the Executive Committee and has taken this into consideration when establishing and implementing policy for Executive Directors. In line with best practice under the revised Corporate Governance Code, the Committee has set out a schedule of rolling reviews of wider workforce remuneration and related policies to ensure the alignment of incentives and rewards with the Company’s strategy and culture; and to take these into account when setting the policy for Executive Director remuneration.

Over the past year, the Committee has looked at the Company’s reward philosophy and alignment of pay with culture, values and behaviours; and salary and incentives policies and practice, including how reward practices are aligned across all levels of the organisation. This has shown a consistent approach to reward and has informed the Committee’s views on the structure and approach to executive pay. For example, as set out on page 96, there are concerns relating to pay compression at senior levels in the Group, which is part of the reason for addressing Executive Director quantum in the DR Policy; but it remains the Committee’s view that Executive Director remuneration should be subject to robust and stretching performance conditions supported by strong shareholding and governance requirements.

116IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Feedback from employee surveys provide views on a range of employee matters including pay. Throughout the Group, base salary and benefit levels are set in accordance with prevailing market conditions, policies, practice and relevant regulations in the countries in which employees are based. Differences between Executive Director pay policy and that of other employees reflect the position and responsibilities of the individuals, as well as corporate governance practices in respect of Executive Director remuneration. As set out on page 100, a key difference in policy for Executive Directors and other senior management is that a greater proportion of total remuneration is delivered as performance-based incentives.

The Company’s approach to wider workforce engagement under the Corporate Governance Code is set out on page 32 and 33.

Service contracts and notice periods for Executive Directors

The Committee’s policy is for all Executive Directors to have rolling service contracts with a notice period of 12 months. All new appointments will have12-month notice periods, unless, on an exceptional basis to complete an external recruitment successfully, a longer initial notice period reducing to 12 months is used. This is in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

All Executive Directors’ appointments and subsequent re-appointments are subject to election and annualre-election by shareholders at the AGM.

Details of current Executive Directors’ contracts:

 

Executive Director

Directors’ Remuneration Report
 

Date of original appointmentaIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020

 

Notice
period

109


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

LOGO

Single total figure of remuneration: Non-Executive Directors

   

Committee  

        appointments  

  

Date of  

original  

appointment  

  

Fees  

£000  

  

Taxable benefits  

£000  

   

Total  

£000  

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Executive Director              2020                2019                2020                 2019             2020                2019  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Patrick Cescau   LOGO    01/01/13    377    435    7      14      384    449 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Graham Allan   LOGO    01/09/20    24        0      –      24     

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Anne Busquet   LOGO    01/03/15    66    77    1      5      67    82 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Arthur de Haast   LOGO    01/01/20    66        0      –      66     

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ian Dyson   LOGO    01/09/13    88    102    0      2      88    104 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Duriya Farooqui   LOGO    07/12/20    5        0      –      5     

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Jo Harlow   LOGO    01/09/14    88    102    0      2      88    104 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Luke Mayhew   LOGO    01/07/11    64    77    2      2      66    79 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Jill McDonald   LOGO    01/06/13    78    90    0      2      78    92 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Dale Morrison   LOGO    01/06/11    95    110    2      11      97    121 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Malina Ngai   LOGO    01/03/17    25    77    0      8      25    85 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Sharon Rothstein   LOGO    01/06/20    38        0      –      38     

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

LOGO   See page 75 for Board and Committee membership key and attendance.

 

Fees: Fees are paid in line with the DR Policy. As explained on page 100, Non-Executive Directors’ fees were reduced by 30% from 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020. Malina Ngai stepped down from the Board on 07 May 2020 and Luke Mayhew stepped down on 18 December 2020 so all fees and taxable benefits for these Directors ceased on those dates.

Benefits: For Non-Executive Directors, benefits include taxable travel and accommodation expenses to attend Board meetings away from the designated home location. Under concessionary HM Revenue and Custom rules, non-UK based Non-Executive Directors are not subject to tax on travel expenses for the first five years; this is reflected in the taxable benefits for Anne Busquet, Dale Morrison, Malina Ngai and Sharon Rothstein. Due to global restrictions on travel during 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, only the February Board meeting was held in person so taxable travel and accommodation expenses are lower this year.

Other:Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for any incentive awards or for any pension contributions or benefit.

Shares held by Non-Executive Directors as at 31 December 2020:

The Non-Executive Directors who held shares are listed in the table below:

Non-Executive Director  2020    2019b

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Patrick Cescau           11,135            3,605 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ian Dyson   1,500     

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Arthur de Haast   1,000     

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Jo Harlowa   950    950 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Dale Morrisona   2,960    2,960 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Keith Barr 1 July 2017a

12 months

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson1 January 2014

12 months

Elie Maalouf1 January 201812 months

Shares held in the form of American Depositary Receipts.

 

ab

To2019 shares were subject to a share consolidation on 14 January 2019 on the Board.basis of 19 new ordinary shares for every 20 existing ordinary shares.

Non-executive directorships of other companies

The Group recognises that its Executive Directors may be invited to becomeNon-Executive Directors of other companies and that such duties can broaden their experience and knowledge and benefit the Group. IHG therefore permits its Executive Directors to accept onenon-executive appointment (in addition to any positions where the Director is appointed as the Group’s representative), subject to Board approval and as long as this is not, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, likely to lead to a conflict of interest. Any fees from such appointments may be retained by the individual Executive Director.

Remuneration Policy forFees: Non-Executive Directors

The policyfees forNon-Executive Directors set out below,are reviewed and agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. The Chair and Non-Executive Directors have waived any increase for 2021 and fee levels for 2021 will apply for three years from the date of the 2020 AGM.therefore remain as follows:

Non-Executive Director  Role  

            2021  

£000  

  

            2020  

£000  

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Patrick Cescau  Chair of the Board   444     444   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Graham Allan  Non-Executive Director   78     78   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Anne Busquet  Non-Executive Director   78     78   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Arthur de Haast  Non-Executive Director   78     78   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Ian Dyson  Chair of Audit Committee   104     104   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Duriya Farooqui  Non-Executive Director   78     78   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Jo Harlow  Chair of Remuneration Committee   104     104   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Jill McDonald  Chair of Responsible Business Committee   92     92   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Dale Morrison  Senior Independent Non-Executive Director   112     112   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
Sharon Rothstein  Non-Executive Director   78     78   

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

LOGO

The policy forNon-Executive Directors is available to view at

www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate Governance

in the Committees’ section.

If any changes are made to the Policy within that time frame, it will be presented to be voted upon by shareholders.Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in the APP, LTIP nor any IHG pension plan.

Fees and benefits110 100% cashNo change in policyIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Link to strategy

  To attractNon-Executive Directors who have a broad range of skills and experience that add value to our business and help oversee and drive our strategy.

    

  Recognises the value of the role and the individual’s skill, performance and experience.

Operation

Non-Executive Directors’ fees and benefits are set by the Chairman of the Board and Executive Directors; the Chairman’s fees are set by the Committee.

  Fees are reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months from 1 January.

  Consideration is given to business performance, current remuneration competitiveness and average salary increases for the wider IHG employee population.

  Benefits include travel and accommodation in connection with attendance at Board and Committee meetings.

  Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in IHG incentive or pension plans.

  A single fee is determined for each Non- Executive Director role rather than different elements being applied to directorship, or additional services such as Committee and Chair roles.

Maximum opportunity

  Fee increases will be in line with median FTSE 100 increases, taking into account the circumstances of the business and increases in remuneration across the Group, other than where there is a change in role or responsibility or another need arises to reassess the competitiveness of fee level that warrants either a lesser or a more significant increase. Any such change will be fully explained.

  IHG pays the cost of providing benefits as required.

Performance framework

  Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in any performance-related incentive plans.

Details of letters of appointment and notice periods forNon-Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment, which are available upon request from the Company Secretary’s office.

Patrick Cescau, appointedNon-Executive Chairman on 1 January 2013,Chair, is subject to 12 months’ notice. OtherNo other Non-Executive Directors are not subject to notice periods.

AllNon-Executive Directors’ appointments and subsequentre-appointmentsDirectors are subject to election and annualre-election by shareholders at the AGM.

Remuneration Committee details

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Remuneration Committee agrees, on behalf of the Board, all aspects of remuneration of the Executive Directors and the Executive Committee, and agrees the strategy, direction and policy for the remuneration of the senior executives who have a significant influence over the Group’s ability to meet its strategic objectives. Additionally, the Committee reviews wider workforce pay policies and practice to ensure alignment with strategy, values and behaviours and takes this into account when setting Executive Director remuneration. The Committee’s role and responsibilities are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR) which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

LOGO

 The ToR are available on IHG’s website at
 www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key focus areas during the year have been:

evaluating absolute and relative performance on incentive plans for the year ended 2020; and

evaluating potential measures and targets for 2021+ short and long-term incentive plans.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of the Committee membershipsmembership and appointment datesattendance at meetings are set out on page 75.

During 2020, the Committee was supported internally by the Chair, the Group’s CEO and CFO, and the heads of Human Resources and Reward as necessary. All attend by invitation to provide further background information and context to assist the Committee in its duties. They are not present for any discussion that relate directly to their own remuneration or where their attendance would not be appropriate.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee Chair updates the Board on all key issues raised at Committee meetings. Papers and minutes for each meeting are also circulated to all Board members for review and comment.

Stakeholder engagement

The Chair of the Committee engaged extensively with shareholders during 2020 in respect of the DR Policy, both in advance of the AGM and following the vote of less than 80% support at the AGM, in order

to outline the rationale for the changes made to the policy and to understand the range of views held by shareholders and to take these into account in setting and implementing the policy.

In terms of employee engagement, the Company carried out a global engagement survey to address employee satisfaction, covering a number of areas including competitive pay and benefits. These stakeholder engagement processes have informed our review of Executive Director remuneration.

LOGO

The Company’s approach to wider workforce engagement under the Corporate Governance Code is set out on page 92.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the Chair of the Committee and the Chair of the Board.

Other focus areas and activities

In addition to stakeholder consultation following the DR Policy vote, the other focus areas and activities discussed by the Committee during 2020 were:

monitoring 2020 performance against agreed targets as well as in the wider business context and the impact on key stakeholders including employees and shareholders;

reviewing and approving the 2020 annual and long-term incentive results for the Executive Directors and other members of the Executive Committee (EC), including assessing the use of discretion;

reviewing potential measures and targets for 2021+ annual and long-term incentive plans, including working with the Responsible Business Committee on ESG metrics; and

reviewing wider workforce remuneration policy and practice, including EC and wider workforce retirement benefits in the UK and US.

Remuneration advisers

In 2019, IHG appointed Deloitte LLP to act as independent adviser to the Committee and they commenced work in October 2019. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP formally stepped down in early 2020.

Deloitte and PwC are both members of the Remuneration Consultants Group and, as such, operate under the code of conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. The Committee is satisfied that the advice received is objective and independent. Fees of £129,500 were paid to Deloitte and £18,300 to PwC in respect of advice provided to the Committee in 2020. This was in the form of an agreed fee for support in preparation of papers and attendance at meetings, with work on additional items charged at hourly rates. The terms of engagement for Deloitte are available from the Company Secretary’s office upon request. Separately, other parts of Deloitte LLP also advised the Company in relation to corporation tax, mobility and consulting services.

Voting at the Company’s AGMs

There was a vote in respect of the new DR Policy at the 2020 AGM. The outcome of the votes in respect of the DR Policy and Report for 2018 to 2020 are shown on page 79.below:

     Directors’ Remuneration Policy (binding vote)     Directors’ Remuneration Report (advisory vote) 
AGM                Votes for  Votes against  Abstentions     Votes for  Votes against   Abstentions 
2020   112,098,213   33,210,269   3,308,499    143,279,761   5,212,375    124,844 
    (77.14%  (22.86%       (96.49%  (3.51%     
2019             120,939,401   23,116,948    3,867,287 
                 (83.95%  (16.05%     
2018             118,770,985   25,486,193    2,664,237 
                 (82.33%  (17.67%     

Jo Harlow

Chair of the Remuneration Committee

1722 February 20202021

LOGO
 

 

Directors’ Remuneration ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Policy2020 117111


LOGO

118IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019
LOGO




LOGO

 

    

 

Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements2020 119         113

 

 


Group Financial Statements

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

 

Financial Statements and accounting records

The Directors are required to prepare financial statements for the Company and the Group at the end of each financial year in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Under company law directors must not approve the Financial Statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these Financial Statements, IHG Directors are required to:

 

Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

 

Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable;

 

State whether the Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)(‘IFRSs’) adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), for useit applies in the EUEuropean Union and Article 4with international accounting standards as applied in accordance with the provisions of the EU IAS Regulation;Companies Act 2006;

 

State for the Company Financial Statements whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed; and

 

Prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company and the Group will continue in business.

The Directors have responsibility for ensuring that the Group keeps proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Group and the Company to enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Consolidated Financial Statements, Article 4 ofIFRSs adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the EU IAS Regulation.European Union. The Directors are also responsible for the system of internal control, for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Company, and taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules

The Board confirms that to the best of its knowledge:

 

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSIFRSs as issued by the IASBInternational Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) and IFRSIFRSs adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as adopted byit applies in the EU,European Union, and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group taken as a whole; and

 

The Annual Report, including the Strategic Report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

UK Corporate Governance Code

Having taken advice from the Audit Committee, the Board considers that this Annual Report and Form20-F, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and that it provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Disclosure of information to Auditor

The Directors who held office as at the date of approval of this report confirm that they have taken steps to make themselves aware of relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006). None of the Directors are aware of any relevant audit information which has not been disclosed to the Company’s Auditor.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Group, as defined in Rule 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.IFRSs.

The Group’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:

 

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the Group’s transactions and dispositions of assets;

 

Are designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of the Financial Statements in accordance with IFRSIFRSs as issued by the IASB and IFRSIFRSs pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as adopted byit applies in the EU,European Union, and that receipts and expenditure are being made only in accordance with authorisation of management and the Directors of the Company; and

 

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use or disposition of the Group’s assets that could have a material effect on the Financial Statements.

Any internal control framework has inherent limitations and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting at 31 December 20192020 based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (the COSO criteria).

Based on this assessment, management has concluded that as at 31 December 20192020 the Group’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

During the period covered by this document there were no changes in the Group’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting.

The Group’s internal control over financial reporting at 31 December 2019,2020, together with the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements, were audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their report on internal control over financial reporting can be found on page 131.125.

For and on behalf of the Board

 

LOGOLOGO LOGOLOGO
Keith Barr Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
1722 February 20202021 1722 February 20202021
 

 

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Group Financial Statements

 

Independent Auditor’s US Report

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.PLC

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying Group statement of financial position of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (“the Group”(the ‘Group’) as of 31 December 20192020 and 2018,2019, the related Group statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2019,2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “Group‘Group Financial Statements”Statements’). In our opinion, the Group Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group at 31 December 20192020 and 2018,2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2019,2020, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.Board, adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”(‘PCAOB’), the Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2019,2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated 1722 February 20202021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

As discussed in the new accounting standards and presentational changes note to the Group Financial Statements, the Group changed its method of accounting for leases due to the adoption of IFRS 16 –Leases, effective 1 January 2019 under the full retrospective method.

Basis for Opinion

These Group Financial Statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Group’s Financial Statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Group in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Group Financial Statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the Group Financial Statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the Group Financial Statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the Group Financial Statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the Group Financial Statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the Audit Committeeaudit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the Group Financial Statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgements.judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the Group Financial Statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

 

128122 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    


    

 

 

 

Critical Audit Matter

 

Description of the Matter

 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

Accounting for

revenue related to the IHG Rewards Club (“IHGRC”IHGR”) loyalty programme

 

As of 31 December 2019,2020, the Group had deferred revenue of $1,233$1,245 million and for the year ended 31 December 2019,2020, recognised $337$275 million of revenue associated with the IHGRCIHGR loyalty programme.

As more fully described in the accounting policies (critical accounting policies and the use of judgements, estimates and assumptions) and notes 3 and 33 ofto the Group Financial Statements, the Group recognises deferred revenue in an amount that reflects its unsatisfied performance obligations. The Group has determined the related performance obligation is satisfied, and therefore revenue is recognised, in the period in which the IHGRCIHGR member consumes the loyalty points either at a participating hotel or by selecting a reward from a third party. Deferred revenue and revenue recognised in the period are valued at the estimated standalone selling price of the future benefit to the IHGRC members. Consideration for loyalty points earned by IHGRC members, or sold underco-branding arrangements, are received in the period in which the points are issued. The Group engages an external actuary who uses statistical formulae to assist in estimating the future consumption rate of points earned by the members of the IHGRCIHGR loyalty programme (the “ultimate consumption rate”), also referred to as “breakage” being the estimation of the number of points that will never be consumed.

Auditing the deferred revenue balance and recognition of revenue associated with the IHGRC loyalty programme was challenging due to: (i) the complexity and high volume of input data in the model used to determine the deferred revenues, (ii) the judgement involved in estimating the The ultimate consumption rate which is the key assumption in determining the deferred revenue balance and the recognition of revenue associated with the IHGRCIHGR loyalty programme, and (iii) the sensitivity to changes in the ultimate consumption rate toprogramme.

Auditing the deferred revenue balance and the recognition of revenue associated with the IHGRCIHGR loyalty programme.programme was challenging due to the judgement involved in estimating the ultimate consumption rate. Significant estimation uncertainty exists in projecting future IHGRCIHGR members’ spending and consumption activity as the estimate is forward looking. The uncertainty has increased in the current year due to the difficulty in estimating the longer-term impact of Covid-19 on member activity.

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls related to the Group’s process for determining the ultimate consumption rate. For example, we tested controls over the accuracy of the data provided to the external actuary and management’s review and use of the information contained in the external actuary’s report. This included management’s review and approval of the external actuary’s report.estimated return to pre-Covid-19 consumption levels over the longer-term.

 

To test the deferred revenue balance and the recognition of revenue associated with the IHGRCIHGR loyalty programme, our audit procedures included, amongst others, testing the clerical accuracy and significant inputs into the model used by management to determine the IHGRC loyalty programme revenues. We tested the data used by management’s external actuary in their modelling to derive the ultimate consumption rate, notably by reconciling the input data with the Group’s underlying systems and records. We performed analytical review procedures to identify unusual trends or contradictory information in the input data.

 

We considered the professional qualifications and objectivity of management’s external actuary and inspected their reports to identify corroborating or contradictory evidence to the ultimate consumption rate. We involved actuarial specialists as part of our team to calculate an independent estimate of an acceptable range of outcomes of the ultimate consumption rate and assist in assessing the appropriateness of the methodology, data and assumptions used by management to determine the ultimate consumption rate applied by managementapplied. We assessed the reasonableness of management’s estimated return to pre-Covid-19 consumption levels over the longer-term by: evaluating managements’ actions to delay point and member status expirations; comparing the assumption to calculate an independent estimate of an acceptable range of outcomes, which we comparedthe trends observed in geographical markets further into the recovery period, such as Greater China; and benchmarking the assumption to management’s estimate. industry practice.

We performed sensitivity analysis on the ultimate consumption rate to evaluate changes in the deferred revenue balance and the recognition of revenue associated with the IHGRCIHGR loyalty programme. We evaluated the disclosures in the Group Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund 

For the year ended 31 December 2019,2020, the Group recognised $1,373$765 million of System Fund revenues and $1,422$867 million of System Fund expenses. As more fully described in the accounting policies (revenue recognition) and note 33 ofto the Group Financial Statements, the Group operates a System Fund which collects contributions from hotel owners for the specific purpose of the use infunding marketing, the guest reservation systems and the loyalty programme in accordance with the principles agreed with the IHG Owners Association.

 

Auditing the allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund was complex due to (i) the considerations involved in evaluating that the allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund by management was in accordance with the principles agreed with the IHG Owners Association and (ii) the System Fund revenues and expenses being included within IHG’s income statement but eliminated from IHG’s operating profit from reportable segments, which is a key performance measure used by management.

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls related to the Group’s process for allocating revenues and expenses to the System Fund. For example, we tested controls over management’s review and approval of changes to the allocation methodology.

 

To test the allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund, our audit procedures included, amongst others, assessing management’s allocation methodology, by testing a sample of transactions that were classified as System Fund revenuerevenues and expense transactionsexpenses to evaluate the appropriate classification in accordance with the principles agreed with the IHG Owners Association and forming an independent assessmentthe reasonableness of allocation. For example, we tested the revenues andallocation of expenses related tothat would otherwise be classified by the System Fund. Group as exceptional items.

We tested whether any changes made to the allocation methodology were in accordance with the principles agreed with the IHG Owners Association. For example, we inspected the evidence supporting the changes relating to the InterContinental Ambassador programme and the licensing of intellectual property under co-brand credit card agreements.

We assessed whether the effects of Covid-19, the actions taken by management in response, and any potential changes to the allocation methodology as a result, had been reflected in changes to the allocation of revenues and expenses to the System Fund. For example, we evaluated whether the allocation of expenses was significantly impacted by the Group’s reorganisations completed in the year.

 

We performed analytical review procedures over the System Fund revenues and expenses to identify unusual trends invariances to the classification of revenues and expenses.budget. We tested manual journal entries made to System Fund revenues and expenses to evaluate whether the appropriatenessentries were in accordance with the principles agreed with the IHG Owners Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

Independent Auditor’s US ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Independent Auditor’s US Report2020 129123


Group Financial Statements

 

Independent Auditor’s US Report continued

 

Critical Audit Matter

 

Description of the Matter

 

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

Impairment assessments of the Kimpton management contracts and the UK portfolio goodwill andright-of-usenon-current assets asset 

At 31 December 2019,2020, the net bookcarrying value of the Kimpton management contracts was $10 million and the UK portfolio goodwill andright-of-usenon-current asset was $nil and $24 million, respectively.assets totalled $2,796 million. For the year ended 31 December 2019,2020, the Group recognised impairment charges in respect of $50non-current assets totalling $274 million. An additional $41 million $49 million and $32 million were recorded as exceptional items in the Group income statement in relationof impairment was charged to the Kimpton management contracts, the UK portfolio goodwill andSystem Fund.

right-of-use asset, respectively. As more fully described in the accounting policies (criticalcritical accounting policies and the use of judgements, estimates and assumptions)assumptions, and note 13 ofnotes to the Group Financial Statements, the impact of Covid-19 on the Group’s results and forecasts has been considered a trigger for impairment testing of non-current assets. The Group tests intangiblenon-current assets for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 –Impairment of Assets, using valuation techniques involving judgements, estimates and assumptions. The key assumptions used in management’s impairment assessments are cash flow forecasts, mainly driven by RevPAR growth projections, discount rates and judgments made in respect of uncertain contractual positions.

 

Auditing the impairment assessments performed by management was challenging due to the judgement involved in determining the recoverable amount of the Kimpton management contracts (including key money) and the UK portfolio goodwill andright-of-use asset. The significant assumptions, usedin particular the RevPAR growth projections. The risk has increased during the year due to estimate the recoverable amounts of the Kimpton management contractsgreater estimation uncertainty related to Covid-19 disruptions, for example, potential further domestic and the UK portfolio goodwill included discount rates and certain assumptions that form the basis of the cash flow forecasts (e.g. revenue growth rates and gross operating profit). These significant assumptions are forward looking and could be affected byinternational travel restrictions, or future economic and market conditions.

 

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls related to management’s assessments of impairment. For example, we tested controls over management’s preparation and review of cash flow forecasts, valuation modelsincluding over the determination of the RevPAR growth projections and approval of impairment assessments.

 

To test management’s impairment assessments, our audit procedures included, amongst others, evaluating the appropriateness of the methodology assumptions and estimatesassumptions used in the impairment assessments. We involvedcash flow forecasts. Specifically, we analysed management’s historic RevPAR forecasting accuracy and evaluated the reasonableness of the RevPAR growth projections by comparison to external industry data and, where necessary, involving valuation specialists as part of our team to assist in testing the key valuation assumptions, including the discount rates used with reference to external data and to calculatedetermine an independent estimate of an acceptable range.

We assessedevaluated the reasonableness of the cash flow forecasts made in respect of uncertain contractual positions by comparisonmaking enquiries of management, including those outside of a financial reporting and oversight role, and reviewing underlying contractual agreements to current industry, market and economic trends, where applicable, and the Group’s historical data. In addition, we assessed the accuracy of significant assumptions used by management in previous periods by comparing forecasts with actual results. Specifically, for the Kimpton management contracts we evaluated the rate of assumed hotel exits appliedidentify corroborating or contradictory evidence to the cash flow forecasts.judgment made.

 

We tested the clerical accuracy of the impairment models used by management inand assessed the level at which goodwill and other indefinite lived assets were tested. We considered the professional qualifications and objectivity of management’s external valuation specialists and inspected their assessment. In addition, we evaluatedreports to identify corroborating or contradictory evidence to the disclosures provided in note 13estimate of the Group Financial Statements and the classification of the impairment charge as an exceptional item.

Accounting for the acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (“Six Senses”)

On 12 February 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of Six Senses for total consideration of $304 million, as disclosed in note 11 to the Group Financial Statements. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination.recoverable amount.

 

Auditing the acquisition of Six Senses was challenging due to the judgement involved in determining the fair value of the acquired intangible assets, being the brand and management contracts of $189 million and $45 million, respectively. The significant assumptions used to estimate the value of the intangible assets included discount rates and certain assumptions that form the basis of the cash flow forecasts (e.g. royalty rate and the long-term growth rate). These significant assumptions are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls related to the Group’s process over the acquisition accounting and the valuation of intangible assets acquired. For example, we tested controls over management’s review and approval of the external valuation report and the underlying assumptions used in the report.

To test the estimated fair value of the intangible assets, our audit procedures included, amongst others, evaluating the Group’s use of the valuation methodology and testing the significant assumptions used in the valuation, including the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data. We involved valuation specialists as part of our team to assist in our evaluation of the valuation methodology and significant assumptions, including the discount rates, royalty rate and long-term growth rate used by management and to calculate an independent estimate of an acceptable range of the Six Senses brand and management contracts valuations. For example, we compared the significant assumptions that form the basis of the cash flow forecasts to current industry, market and economic trends and to the assumptions used to value similar assets in other acquisitions.

We tested the clerical accuracy of the calculation performed by management in determining the fair value of intangible assets. We evaluated the disclosures provided in note 11the accounting policies and the notes to the Group Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as auditors since the Group’s listing in April 2003 and of

the Group’s predecessor businesses since 1988.

London, England

1722 February 20202021

 

130124 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’s internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2019,2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Company)Group) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2019,2020, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Group statement of financial position of the Company as of 31 December 20192020 and 2018,2019, and the related Group statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2019,2020, and the related notes, and our report dated 1722 February 20202021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorisations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

London, England

1722 February 20202021

LOGO
 

 

Independent Auditor’s US ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |2020 131125


Group Financial Statements

 

Group Financial Statements

Group income statement

 

For the year ended 31 December 2019                Note     

            2019

$m

 

 

    

        2018

        Restated

$m

 

a 

 

    

        2017

        Restated

$m

 

a 

 

For the year ended 31 December 2020               Note      

          2020

$m

      

          2019a

$m  

      

          2018a

$m  

 
Revenue from fee business    3     1,510     1,486     1,379         3         823         1,510         1,486 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels    3     573     447     351     3     169     573     447 
System Fund revenues        1,373     1,233     1,242         765     1,373     1,233 
Reimbursement of costs        1,171     1,171     1,103         637     1,171     1,171 
Total revenue    2     4,627     4,337     4,075     2     2,394     4,627     4,337 
Cost of sales        (790    (688    (554        (354    (782    (671
System Fund expenses        (1,422    (1,379    (1,276        (867    (1,422    (1,379
Reimbursed costs        (1,171    (1,171    (1,103        (637    (1,171    (1,171
Administrative expenses        (385    (415    (355        (267    (385    (415
Share of (losses)/gains of associates and joint ventures    2     (3    (1    3 
Share of losses of associates and joint ventures    2     (14    (3    (1
Other operating income        21     14     84         16     21     14 
Depreciation and amortisation    2     (116    (115    (112    2     (110    (116    (115
Impairment charges    6     (131         (18
Operating profit    2     630     582     744 
                
        
Operating profit analysed as:                 
Impairment loss on financial assets        (88    (8    (17
Other impairment charges    6     (226    (131     
Operating (loss)/profit     2      (153     630      582 
Operating (loss)/profit analysed as:                     

Operating profit before System Fund and exceptional items

        865     832     774         219     865     832 

System Fund

        (49    (146    (34        (102    (49    (146

Operating exceptional items

    6     (186    (104    4     6     (270    (186    (104
          630      582      744           (153     630      582 
Financial income    7     6     5     4     7     4     6     5 
Financial expenses    7     (121    (101    (95    7     (144    (121    (101
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration    25     27     (4         25     13     27     (4
Profit before tax        542     482     653 
(Loss)/profit before tax        (280    542     482 
Tax    8     (156    (132    (118    8     20     (156    (132
Profit for the year from continuing operations        386     350     535 
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations        (260    386     350 
Attributable to:                                
Equity holders of the parent        385     349     534         (260    385     349 
Non-controlling interest        1     1     1              1     1 
        386     350     535         (260    386     350 
Earnings per ordinary share:    10             
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share:    10             
Continuing and total operations:                                
Basic        210.4¢     183.7¢     276.7¢         (142.9)¢     210.4¢     183.7¢ 
Diluted        209.2¢     181.8¢     275.3¢         (142.9)¢     209.2¢     181.8¢ 

 

a

RestatedAmended for the adoption of IFRS 16 (see pages 146 to 149) and presentational changes (see page 149)134).

 

LOGOLOGO 

Notes on pages 139133 to 201199 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

 

132126 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020



Group statement of comprehensive income

 

              2018        2017 
          2019       Restateda      Restateda
For the year ended 31 December 2019  $m   $m   $m 
Profit for the year  386   350   535 
Other comprehensive income         
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:         

Gains on valuation ofavailable-for-sale financial assetsb, net of related tax charge of $3m in 2017

  –   –   41 

Fair value gains reclassified to profit on disposal ofavailable-for-sale financial assetsb

  –   –   (73)

(Losses)/gains on cash flow hedges, net of related tax credit of $nil (2018: including related tax credit of $1m)

  (34)    – 

Costs of hedging

  (6)  (1)  – 

Hedging losses/(gains) reclassified to financial expenses

  38   (8)  – 

Exchange (losses)/gains on retranslation of foreign operations, net of related tax credit of $3m

         

(2018: including related tax credit of $2m, 2017: net of related tax credit of $1m)

  (39)  44   (90)
   (41)  40   (122)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:         

Gains/(losses) on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive incomeb, net of related tax charge of $2m (2018: including related tax charge of $2m)

  10   (14)  – 

Re-measurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans, net of related tax credit of $1m

      

(2018: net of related tax charge of $4m, 2017: $nil)

  (6)    (4)

Deferred tax charge on defined benefit plans arising from significant US tax reform

  –   –   (11)
     (6)  (15)
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year  (37)  34   (137)
Total comprehensive income for the year  349   384   398 
Attributable to:         

Equity holders of the parent

  348   382   396 

Non-controlling interest

      
   349   384   398 
For the year ended 31 December 2020     

          2020

$m

      

          2019

$m

      

          2018

$m

 
(Loss)/profit for the year        (260        386         350 
Other comprehensive income                  
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                  

(Losses)/gains on cash flow hedges, net of related tax credit of $4m (2019: $nil, 2018: including related tax credit of $1m)

    3     (34    5 

Costs of hedging

    (6    (6    (1

Hedging (gains)/losses reclassified to financial expenses

    (13    38     (8

Exchange (losses)/gains on retranslation of foreign operations, net of related tax credit of $4m (2019: net of related tax credit of $3m, 2018: including related tax credit of $2m)

    (85    (39    44 
     (101    (41    40 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                  

(Losses)/gains on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income, net of related tax credit of $4m (2019: net of related tax charge of $2m, 2018: including related tax charge of $2m)

    (43    10     (14

Re-measurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans, net of related tax credit of $1m (2019: net of related tax credit of $1m, 2018: net of related tax charge of $4m)

    (7    (6    8 

Tax related to pension contributions

    1           
     (49    4     (6
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year    (150    (37    34 
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year    (410    349     384 
Attributable to:                  

Equity holders of the parent

    (410    348     382 

Non-controlling interest

         1     2 
     (410    349     384 

LOGONotes on pages 133 to 199 form an integral part of these Group Financial Statements.

LOGO

Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020127


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of changes in equity

       

Equity share

capital

$m

       

Capital

redemption

reserve

$m

       

Shares

held by

employee

share trusts

$m

       

Other

reserves

$m

       

Fair value

reserve

$m

       

Cash flow

hedging

reserve

$m

       

Currency

translation

reserve

$m

       

Retained

earnings

$m

       

IHG share-

holders’

equity

$m

       

Non-

controlling

interest

$m

       

Total

equity

$m

 
At 1 January 2020        151         10         (5        (2,870        57         (6        381         809         (1,473        8         (1,465
Loss for the year                                                            (260       (260               (260
Other comprehensive income                                                                                                
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                                                                                

Losses on cash flow hedges

                                            3                        3                3 

Costs of hedging

                                            (6                       (6               (6

Hedging gains reclassified to financial expenses

                                            (13                       (13               (13

Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations

                                            (2       (83               (85               (85
                                             (18       (83               (101               (101
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                                                                                

Losses on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income

                                    (43                               (43               (43

Gains on equity instruments transferred to retained earnings on disposal

                                    (3                       3                         

Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans

                                                            (7       (7               (7

Tax related to pension contributions

                                                            1        1                1 
                                     (46                       (3       (49               (49
Total other comprehensive loss for the year                                    (46       (18       (83       (3       (150               (150
Total comprehensive loss for the year                                    (46       (18       (83       (263       (410               (410
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts                    (14                                       14                         
Release of own shares by employee share trusts                    18                                        (18                        
Equity-settled share-based cost, net of $3m reclassification to cash-settled awards                                                            27        27                27 
Tax related to share schemes                                                            (1       (1               (1
Exchange adjustments    5                        (5                                                        
At 31 December 2020    156        10        (1       (2,875       11        (24       298        568        (1,857       8        (1,849

All items within total comprehensive loss are shown net of tax.

LOGONotes on pages 133 to 199 form an integral part of these Group Financial Statements.

128IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



       

Equity share

capital

$m

       

Capital

redemption

reserve

$m

       

Shares

held by

employee

share trusts

$m

       

Other

reserves

$m

       

Fair value

reserve

$m

       

Cash flow

hedging

reserve

$m

       

Currency

translation

reserve

$m

       

Retained

earnings

$m

       

IHG share-

holders’

equity

$m

       

Non-

controlling

interest

$m

       

Total

equity

$m

 
At 1 January 2019        146         10         (4        (2,865        47         (4        420         1,111         (1,139        8         (1,131
Profit for the year                                                            385        385        1        386 
Other comprehensive income                                                                                                
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                                                                                

Losses on cash flow hedges

                                            (34                       (34               (34

Costs of hedging

                                            (6                       (6               (6

Hedging losses reclassified to financial expenses

                                            38                        38                38 

Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations

                                                    (39               (39               (39
                                             (2       (39               (41               (41
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                                                                                

Gains on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income

                                    10                                10                10 

Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans

                                                            (6       (6               (6
                                     10                        (6       4                4 
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year                                    10        (2       (39       (6       (37               (37
Total comprehensive income for the year                                    10        (2       (39       379        348        1        349 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts                    (19                                       19                         
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts                    (5                                               (5               (5
Release of own shares by employee share trusts                    23                                        (23                        
Equity-settled share-based cost                                                            41        41                41 
Tax related to share schemes                                                            4        4                4 
Equity dividends paid                                                            (721       (721       (1       (722
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns                                                            (1       (1               (1
Exchange adjustments    5                        (5                                                        
At 31 December 2019    151        10        (5       (2,870       57        (6       381        809        (1,473       8        (1,465

All items within total comprehensive income are shown net of tax.

LOGONotes on pages 133 to 199 form an integral part of these Group Financial Statements.

LOGO

Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020129


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of changes in equity continued

       

Equity share

capital

$m

       

Capital

redemption

reserve

$m

       

Shares

held by

employee

share trusts

$m

       

Other

reserves

$m

       

Fair value

reserve

$m

       

Cash flow

hedging

reserve

$m

       

Currency

translation

reserve

$m

       

Retained

earnings

$m

       

IHG share-

holders’

equity

$m

       

Non-

controlling

interest

$m

       

Total

equity

$m

 
At 1 January 2018        154         10         (5        (2,874        79                  377         898         (1,361        7         (1,354
Impact of adopting IFRS 9a                                    (18                       18                         
At 1 January 2018    154        10        (5       (2,874       61                377        916        (1,361       7        (1,354
Profit for the year                                                            349        349        1        350 
Other comprehensive income                                                                                                
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                                                                                

Gains on cash flow hedges

                                            5                        5                5 

Costs of hedging

                                            (1                       (1               (1

Hedging gains reclassified to financial expenses

                                            (8                       (8               (8

Exchange gains on retranslation of foreign operations

                                                    43                43        1        44 
                                             (4       43                39        1        40 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                                                                                

Losses on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income

                                    (14                               (14               (14

Re-measurement gains on defined benefit plans

                                                            8        8                8 
                                     (14                       8        (6               (6
Total other comprehensive                                 
(loss)/income for the year                                    (14       (4       43        8        33        1        34 
Total comprehensive income for the year                                    (14       (4       43        357        382        2        384 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts                    (19                                       19                         
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts                    (3                                               (3               (3
Release of own shares by employee share trusts                    24                                        (24                        
Equity-settled share-based cost                                                            39        39                39 
Tax related to share schemes                                                            3        3                3 
Equity dividends paid                                                            (199       (199       (1       (200
Exchange adjustments    (8               (1       9                                                         
At 31 December 2018    146        10        (4       (2,865       47        (4       420        1,111        (1,139       8        (1,131

 

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 (see pages 146 to 149).

b

IFRS 9 was applied from 1 January 2018. Under the transition method chosen, comparative information was not restated.

LOGO

Notes on pages 139 to 201 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Group Financial Statements133


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of changes in equity

        

Equity share
capital

$m

   

Capital
  redemption
reserve

$m

  

Shares

held by
employee
  share trusts

$m

  Other
  reserves
$m
    Fair value
reserve
$m
     Cash flow
hedging
reserve
$m
  

Currency
  translation
reserve

$m

    Retained
earnings
$m
  

  IHG share-
holders’
equity

$m

  

Non-
  controlling
interest

$m

  Total equity
$m
 
At 1 January 2019              
(restated for IFRS 16)   146    10   (4  (2,865  47    (4  420   1,111   (1,139  8   (1,131
Profit for the year                          385   385   1   386 
Other comprehensive income                                               
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                               

Losses on cash flow hedges

                    (34        (34     (34

Costs of hedging

                    (6        (6     (6

Hedging losses reclassified to financial expenses

                    38         38      38 

Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations

                       (39     (39     (39
                     (2  (39     (41     (41
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                               

Gains on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income

                10             10      10 

Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans

                          (6  (6     (6
                 10          (6  4      4 
Total other comprehensive income/ (loss) for the year                10    (2  (39  (6  (37     (37
Total comprehensive income for the year                10    (2  (39  379   348   1   349 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts          (19               19          
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts          (5                  (5     (5
Release of own shares by employee share trusts          23                (23         
Equity-settled share-based cost                          41   41      41 
Tax related to share schemes                          4   4      4 
Equity dividends paid                          (721  (721  (1  (722
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns                          (1  (1     (1
Exchange adjustments
   5          (5                      
At 31 December 2019   151    10   (5  (2,870  57    (6  381   809   (1,473  8   (1,465

All items abovewithin total comprehensive income are shown net of tax.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Notes on pages 139133 to 201199 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

 

134130 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

        

Equity share
capital

$m

  

Capital
  redemption
reserve

$m

  

Shares

held by
employee
  share trusts

$m

  Other
  reserves
$m
    Fair value
reserve
$m
    Cash flow
hedging
reserve
$m
  

Currency
  translation
reserve

$m

     Retained
earnings
$m
  

  IHG share-
holders’
equity

$m

  

Non-
  controlling
interest

$m

  Total equity
$m
 
At 1 January 2018             
(restated for IFRS 16)   154   10   (5  (2,874  79      377    898   (1,361  7   (1,354
Impact of adopting IFRS 9a               (18         18          
At 1 January 2018   154   10   (5  (2,874  61      377    916   (1,361  7   (1,354
Profit for the year                         349   349   1   350 
Other comprehensive income                                              
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                              

Gains on cash flow hedges

                  5          5      5 

Costs of hedging

                  (1         (1     (1

Hedging gains reclassified to financial expenses

                  (8         (8     (8

Exchange gains on retranslation of foreign operations

                     43       43   1   44 
                   (4  43       39   1   40 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                              

Losses on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income

               (14            (14     (14

Re-measurement gains on defined benefit plans

                         8   8      8 
                (14         8   (6     (6
Total other comprehensive (loss)/ income for the year               (14  (4  43    8   33   1   34 
Total comprehensive income for the year               (14  (4  43    357   382   2   384 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts         (19               19          
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts         (3                  (3     (3
Release of own shares by employee share trusts         24                (24         
Equity-settled share-based cost                         39   39      39 
Tax related to share schemes                         3   3      3 
Equity dividends paid                         (199  (199  (1  (200
Exchange adjustments   (8     (1  9                       
At 31 December 2018   146   10   (4  (2,865  47   (4  420    1,111   (1,139  8   (1,131

a

IFRS 9 was applied from 1 January 2018. Under the transition method chosen, comparative information was not restated.    

All items above are shown net of tax.

LOGO

Notes on pages 139 to 201 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Group Financial Statements135


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of changes in equity continued

        

Equity share
capital

$m

   

Capital
  redemption
reserve

$m

  

Shares

held by
employee
   share trusts

$m

  Other
    reserves
$m
  

    Fair value
reserve

$m

  

    Currency
translation
reserve

$m

      Retained
earnings
$m
  

    IHG share-
holders’
equity

$m

  

Non-
  controlling
interest

$m

    Total equity
$m
 
At 1 January 2017            
(as previously reported)   141    9   (11  (2,860  111   466   990   (1,154  8   (1,146

Impact of adopting

IFRS 16 (pages 146 to 149)

                   2   (47  (45     (45
At 1 January 2017 (as restated)   141    9   (11  (2,860  111   468   943   (1,199  8   (1,191
Profit for the year                      534   534   1   535 
Other comprehensive income                                          
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                          

Gains on valuation ofavailable-for-sale financial assets

                41         41      41 

Fair value gain reclassified to profit on disposal ofavailable-for-sale financial asset

                (73        (73     (73

Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations

                   (91     (91  1   (90
                 (32  (91     (123  1   (122
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                          

Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans

                      (4  (4     (4

Deferred tax charge on defined benefit plans arising from significant US tax reform

                      (11  (11     (11
                       (15  (15     (15
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year                (32  (91  (15  (138  1   (137
Total comprehensive income for the year                (32  (91  519   396   2   398 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts          (20           20          
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts          (3              (3     (3
Release of own shares by employee share trusts          29            (29         
Equity-settled share-based cost                      29   29      29 
Tax related to share schemes                      9   9      9 
Equity dividends paid                      (593  (593  (3  (596
Exchange adjustments   13    1      (14                  
At 31 December 2017   154    10   (5  (2,874  79   377   898   (1,361  7   (1,354

All items above are shown net of tax.

LOGO

Notes on pages 139 to 201 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

136IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Group statement of financial position

 

                          2018           2017 
                 2019           Restateda           Restateda 
31 December 2019             Note      $m      $m      $m 
31 December 2020                Note       

          2020

$m

                2019  
Restateda
$m  
                2018  
Restateda
$m  
 
ASSETS                                  
Goodwill and other intangible assets    13     1,376     1,143     967          13          1,293         1,376         1,143 
Property, plant and equipment    14     309     273     250      14      201     309     273 
Right-of-use assets    15     490     513     486      15      303     490     513 
Investment in associates and joint ventures    16     110     104     141      16      81     110     104 
Retirement benefit assets    27               3 
Other financial assets    17     284     260     228      17      168     284     260 
Derivative financial instruments    24          7           24      5          7 
Deferred compensation plan investments     25      236     218     193 
Non-current tax receivable        28     31     16           15     28     31 
Deferred tax assets    8     66     63     78      8      113     66     63 
Contract costs    3     67     55     51      3      70     67     55 
Contract assets    3     311     270     241      3      311     311     270 
Totalnon-current assets        3,041     2,719     2,461           2,796     3,259     2,912 
Inventories        6     5     3           5     6     5 
Trade and other receivables    18     666     610     549      18      514     666     610 
Current tax receivable        16     27     101           18     16     27 
Other financial assets    17     4     1     16      17      1     4     1 
Derivative financial instruments    24     1     1           24           1     1 
Cash and cash equivalents    19     195     704     168      19      1,675     195     704 
Contract costs    3     5     5     7      3      5     5     5 
Contract assets    3     23     20     17      3      25     23     20 
Total current assets        916     1,373     861           2,243     916     1,373 
Assets classified as held for sale    12     19                12           19      
Total assets    2     3,976     4,092     3,322           5,039     4,194     4,285 
LIABILITIES                                  
Loans and other borrowings    22     (87    (104    (110     22      (869    (87    (104
Lease liabilities    15     (65    (55    (44     15      (34    (65    (55
Trade and other payables    20     (568    (616    (595     20      (466    (568    (616
Deferred revenue    3     (555    (572    (490     3      (452    (555    (572
Provisions    21     (40    (10    (3     21      (16    (40    (10
Current tax payable        (50    (50    (64          (30    (50    (50
Total current liabilities        (1,365    (1,407    (1,306          (1,867    (1,365    (1,407
Loans and other borrowings    22     (2,078    (1,910    (1,678     22      (2,898    (2,078    (1,910
Lease liabilities    15     (595    (615    (589     15      (416    (595    (615
Derivative financial instruments    24     (20               24      (18    (20     
Retirement benefit obligations    27     (96    (91    (104     27      (103    (96    (91
Deferred compensation plan liabilities     25      (236    (218    (193
Trade and other payables    20     (116    (125    (7     20      (94    (116    (125
Deferred revenue    3     (1,009    (934    (867     3      (1,117    (1,009    (934
Provisions    21     (22    (17    (5     21      (44    (22    (17
Non-current tax payable                  (25
Deferred tax liabilities    8     (118    (124    (95     8      (95    (118    (124
Totalnon-current liabilities        (4,054    (3,816    (3,370          (5,021    (4,272    (4,009
Liabilities classified as held for sale    12     (22               12           (22     
Total liabilities    2     (5,441    (5,223    (4,676          (6,888    (5,659    (5,416
Net liabilities        (1,465    (1,131    (1,354          (1,849    (1,465    (1,131
EQUITY                                  
IHG shareholders’ equity        (1,473    (1,139    (1,361          (1,857    (1,473    (1,139
Non-controlling interest        8     8     7           8     8     8 
Total equity        (1,465    (1,131    (1,354          (1,849    (1,465    (1,131

 

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16deferred compensation plan investments and liabilities (see pages 146 to 149)page 134).

Signed on behalf of the Board,

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

1722 February 20202021

LOGO Notes on pages 133 to 199 form an integral part of these Group Financial Statements.

LOGO

 

LOGO

Notes on pages 139 to 201 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Group Financial Statements2020 137131


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of cash flows

 

                      2018         2017 
                 2019           Restateda           Restateda 
For the year ended 31 December 2019             Note    $m    $m    $m 
Profit for the year        386     350     535 
Adjustments reconciling profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs    26     582     564     371 
For the year ended 31 December 2020                  Note       

            2020

$m

                  2019
$m
                  2018
$m
 
(Loss)/profit for the year          (260    386     350 
Adjustments reconciling (loss)/profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs     26      632     582     564 
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs    26     968     914     906      26      372     968     914 
Contract acquisition costs, net of repayments        (61    (54    (57          (64    (61    (54
Cash flow from operations        907     860     849           308     907     860 
Interest paid        (110    (87    (87          (132    (110    (87
Interest received        3     2     1           2     3     2 
Contingent purchase consideration paid    25     (6               25           (6     
Tax paid on operating activities    8     (141    (66    (147     8      (41    (141    (66
Net cash from operating activities        653     709     616           137     653     709 
Cash flow from investing activities                                  
Purchase of property, plant and equipment        (75    (46    (44          (26    (75    (46
Purchase of intangible assets        (104    (112    (172          (50    (104    (112
Investment in associates and joint ventures        (10    (1    (47          (2    (10    (1
Investment in other financial assets        (9    (33    (30          (5    (9    (33
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired    11     (292    (34          11           (292    (34
Contingent purchase consideration paid    25     (2    (4          25           (2    (4
Capitalised interest paid    7     (5    (5    (6     7      (1    (5    (5
Loan repayments by associates and joint ventures                  9 
Distributions from associates and joint ventures             32                5          32 
Disposal of hotel assets, net of costs and cash disposed          1           
Repayments of other financial assets        4     8     20           13     4     8 
Disposal of equity securities    17               75           4           
Tax paid on disposals    8          (2    (25     8                (2
Net cash from investing activities        (493    (197    (220          (61    (493    (197
Cash flow from financing activities                                  
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts        (5    (3    (3               (5    (3
Dividends paid to shareholders    9     (721    (199    (593     9           (721    (199
Dividend paid tonon-controlling interest        (1    (1    (3               (1    (1
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns        (1                         (1     
Issue of long-term bonds, including effect of currency swaps    23          554           23      1,093          554 
Issue of commercial paper     23      738           
Repayment of long-term bonds     23      (290          
Principal element of lease payments    23     (59    (35    (25     23      (65    (59    (35
Increase/(decrease) in other borrowings    23     127     (268    153 
(Decrease)/increase in other borrowings     23      (125    127     (268
Proceeds from currency swaps    23          3           23      3          3 
Net cash from financing activities        (660    51     (471          1,354     (660    51 
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year        (500    563     (75          1,430     (500    563 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year    19     600     58     117      19      108     600     58 
Exchange rate effects        8     (21    16           86     8     (21
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year    19     108     600     58      19      1,624     108     600 

LOGO Notes on pages 133 to 199 form an integral part of these Group Financial Statements.

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 (see pages 146 to 149).

 

LOGO

Notes on pages 139 to 201 form an integral

part of these Group Financial Statements.

138132 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


Accounting policies

 

General information

This document constitutes the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with UK Listing Rules requirements and the Annual Report on Form20-F in accordance with the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Group(‘the Group’ or IHG)‘IHG’) for the year ended 31 December 20192020 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 1722 February 2020.2021. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Company)‘Company’) is incorporated and domiciled in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

Basis of preparation

The Consolidated Financial Statements of IHG have been prepared on a going concern basis (see below) and under the historical cost convention, except for assets classified as fair value through profit or loss, assets classified as fair value through other comprehensive income and liabilities and derivative financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss.under relevant accounting standards. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)(‘IFRSs’) as issued by the IASB and in accordance with IFRSIFRSs adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as adopted byit applies in the European Union (EU) and with international accounting standards as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. IFRSIFRSs adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as adopted byit applies in the EU differsEuropean Union differ in certain respects from IFRSIFRSs as issued by the IASB. However, the differences have no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements for the years presented.

Going concern

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality industry has been severe. Through 2020, many of the Group’s hotels were temporarily closed, while others experienced historically low levels of occupancy and room rates.

The Group’s fee-based model and wide geographic spread mean that it is well placed to manage through these uncertain times. The Group has taken various actions to manage cash outflows, including a reduction in staff costs, professional fees, capital expenditure and the suspension of the ordinary dividend. Overall fee business costs have been reduced by $150m, and capital expenditure by over $100m on prior year levels. The Group has also taken actions to reduce costs for owners and support them in managing their cash flows. Combined, these actions resulted in the Group mitigating the significant reduction in fee revenue and System Fund assessment fees to generate a free cash flow in the year of $29ma.

The Group has taken steps to strengthen its liquidity, including agreeing amendments of existing covenants on its syndicated and bilateral revolving credit facilities (‘the bank facilities’) until December 2022 and issuing £600m commercial paper under the UK’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (‘CCFF’) which is repayable in March 2021. The covenant amendment agreements introduce a minimum liquidity covenant of $400m tested at half year and full year up to and including 31 December 2022. Minimum liquidity includes undrawn amounts from the bank facilities. The leverage ratio and interest cover covenants have been waived at June 2021 and December 2021. The covenants at June 2022 have been amended to require less than 7.5x for the leverage ratio and greater than 1.5x for interest cover (see note 24). The maturities of the bank facilities have also been extended to September 2023.

In October 2020 the Group issued two new bonds, a four-year 500m 1.625% bond and an eight-year £400m 3.375% bond. At the same time, a tender offer was completed on the £400m 3.875% November 2022 bond and £227m was repaid early from the new bond proceeds. These actions have increased the Group’s liquidity, extended its debt maturity profile and reduced the Group’s overall average cost of bond financing.

a

Definitions for Non-GAAP measures can be found on pages 47 to 51. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable line items within the Group Financial Statements can be found on pages 212 to 216.

As at 31 December 2020 the Group had total liquidity of $2,925m, comprising $1,350m of undrawn bank facilities and $1,575m of cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts and restricted cash).

A period of 18 months has been used, from 1 January 2021 to

30 June 2022, to complete the going concern assessment. There remains unusually limited visibility on the pace and scale of market recovery and therefore there are a wide range of possible planning scenarios over the going concern period. In adopting newthe going concern basis for preparing these financial statements the Directors have considered a scenario (the ‘Base Case’) which is based on a gradual improvement in demand during 2021 as vaccines become more widely available, and a steady but gradual improvement to the end of 2023 by when RevPAR is expected to reach 90% of 2019 levels. Also, it has been assumed that the CCFF is repaid at maturity in March 2021. There are no other debt maturities in the period under consideration. The assumptions applied in the going concern assessment are consistent with those used for Group planning purposes and for impairment testing (see further detail on page 135). Under this scenario, the Group is forecast to generate positive cash flows over the 18-month period of assessment and the bank facilities remain undrawn. The principal risks and uncertainties which could be applicable have been considered and are able to be absorbed within the $400m liquidity covenant and amended covenant requirements.

The Directors have also reviewed a ‘Downside Case’ scenario which assumes a slower impact from vaccine rollout and is based on the performance of the second half of 2020 continuing throughout 2021, with the recovery to 2019 levels starting in 2022. Under this scenario, the Group is also forecast to generate a positive cash flow over the 18-month period and the bank facilities remain undrawn. The Downside Case was used to set the amended covenants and there is limited headroom to the covenants at 30 June 2022 to absorb additional risks. However, based on experience in 2020, the Directors reviewed a number of actions, such as reductions in bonuses and other discretionary spend, creating substantial additional headroom. After these actions are taken, the principal risks and uncertainties which could be applicable can be absorbed within the amended covenant requirements.

In the Downside Case, the Group has substantial levels of existing cash reserves available (approximately $800m at 30 June 2022) and is not expected to draw on the bank facilities. These cash reserves would increase after the additional actions are taken as described above. The Directors reviewed a reverse stress test scenario to determine how much additional RevPAR downside could be absorbed before utilisation of the bank facilities would be required. The Directors concluded that the outcome of this reverse stress test showed that it was very unlikely the bank facilities would need to be drawn.

The leverage and interest cover covenant tests at 30 June 2022, the last day of the assessment period, have been considered as part of the Base Case and Downside Case scenarios. However, as the bank facilities are unlikely to be drawn even in a scenario significantly worse than the downside scenario, the Group does not need to rely on the additional liquidity provided by the bank facilities to remain a going concern. This means that in the event the covenant test was failed, the bank facilities could be cancelled by the lenders but it would not trigger a repayment demand or create a cross-default risk. In the event that a further covenant amendment was required, the Directors believe it is reasonable to expect that such an amendment could be obtained based on prior experience in negotiating the 2020 amendments. The Group also has alternative options to manage this risk including raising additional funding in the capital markets.

Having reviewed these scenarios, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has sufficient resources to continue operating until at least 30 June 2022 and there are no material uncertainties that may cast doubt on the Group’s going concern status. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Financial Statements.

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Accounting policiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020133


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Change in accounting standardspolicy

The Group operates a deferred compensation plan in the US which allows certain employees to make additional provision for retirement, through the deferral of salary with matching company contributions within a dedicated trust. The Group has reassessed the accounting judgement for this plan which was previously not consolidated based on a control analysis as disclosed in the Group’s prior year financial statements. The Group has revisited the judgement regarding the extent of its control over the plan by placing more weighting on some of the Group’s legal rights and, giving consideration to both IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ and IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’, the Group has changed its accounting policy and has recognised the related assets and liabilities on the balance sheet (see note 25). The Group’s obligation to employees under the plan is disclosedlimited to the fair value of assets held by the plan and so the assets and liabilities are valued at the same amount, with no net impact on pages 146profit or loss. The effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements is the recognition and presentation of deferred compensation plan investments of $236m (2019: $218m, 2018: $193m) and matching deferred compensation plan liabilities. There is no net impact on the comparative income statements, nor would there have been any net impact on the Group income statement in earlier periods.

Presentational changes

The presentation of the Group income statement has been amended to 149.include impairment loss on financial assets as a separate line item reflecting the increased size of such losses and therefore providing more reliable and relevant information for the users of the financial statements. Comparatives have been represented on a consistent basis.

Presentational currency

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in millions of US dollars reflecting the profile of the Group’s revenue and operating (loss)/profit which are primarily generated in US dollars or US dollar-linked currencies.

In the Consolidated Financial Statements, equity share capital, the capital redemption reserve and shares held by employee share trusts are translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange on the last day of the period; the resultant exchange differences are recorded in other reserves.

The functional currency of the Parent Company is sterling since this is anon-trading holding company located in the United Kingdom that has sterling denominated share capital and whose primary activity is the payment and receipt of sterling dividends and of interest on sterling denominated external borrowings and inter-company balances.

Critical accounting policies and the use of judgements, estimates and assumptions

In determining and applying the Group’s accounting policies, management are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions. An accounting policy is considered to be critical if its selection or application could materially affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, andor the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.period, or could do so within the next financial year.

Judgements

System Fund

The Group operates a System Fund (the Fund)‘Fund’) to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System and hotel loyalty programme. Assessments are generally levied as a percentage of hotel revenues.

The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, but is managed for the benefit of the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels in the System.

In relation to marketing and reservation services, the Group’s performance obligation under IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ is determined to be the continuous performance of the services rather than the spending of the assessments received. Accordingly, assessment fees are recognised as hotel revenues occur, Fund expenses are charged to the Group income statement as incurred and no constructive obligation is deemed to exist under IAS 37 ‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets’. Accordingly, no liability is recognised relating to the balance of unspent funds.

No other critical judgements have been made in applying the Group’s accounting policies.

Estimates

Management consider that critical estimates and assumptions are used for measuringin the deferred revenue relating to the loyalty programme and in impairment testing, as discussed in further detailareas described below. Estimates and assumptions are evaluated by management using historical experience and other factors believed to be reasonable based on current circumstances, however actual results could differ.circumstances.

LoyaltyprogrammeLoyaltyprogramme

The hotel loyalty programme, IHG Rewards, Club, enables members to earn points, funded through hotel assessments, during each qualifying stay at an IHG branded hotel and consume points at a later date for free accommodation or other benefits. The Group recognises deferred revenue in an amount that reflects IHG’s unsatisfied performance obligations, valued at the stand-alone selling price of the future benefit to the member. The amount of revenue recognised and deferred is impacted by ‘breakage’. On an annual basis the Group engages an external actuary who uses statistical formulae to assist in the estimate of the number of points that will never be consumed (‘breakage’).

Significant estimation uncertainty exists in projecting members’ future consumption activity.activity and how this may be impacted by Covid-19. The Group has extended its policies for points expiration and elite status in response to Covid-19 which, together with the impact of a gradual market recovery, will extend the period over which members consume points. These actions are expected to limit further increases in breakage in the short term and member behaviour patterns are estimated to return to pre-crisis levels over

134IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



the longer term. However, if the outcome of these actions is different to expectations or member behaviour changes significantly during the recovery period, future breakage estimates could increase or decrease. At 31 December 2020, deferred revenue relating to the loyalty programme was $1,245m (2019: $1,233m, 2018: $1,181m). Based on the conditions existing at the balance sheet date, a one percentage point decrease/increase in the breakage estimate relating to earned points would increase/reduce this liability by $50m.

Actuarial gains and losses would correspondingly adjust the amount of System Fund revenues recognised and deferred revenue in the Group statement of financial position.

AtImpairment of non-current assets

During 2020, Covid-19 has resulted in social distancing measures and travel restrictions coming into effect around the world. Occupancy levels have dropped to historic lows and fallen short of the Group’s expectations of reasonably possible outcomes for the 2020 financial year which had been used to assess impairment as at 31 December 2019. Disruption to travel continues, with limited forward visibility on the pace and scale of market recovery.

The impact of this trading downturn on the Group was considered a trigger for impairment testing of all non-current assets whose value is able to be assessed independently. Assets that do not generate independent cash flows were tested for impairment within the cash-generating unit (‘CGU’), or group of CGUs, to which they belong. Discounted cash flow techniques were used in most cases to calculate the recoverable amount, and in certain cases external valuers were engaged to assess fair value less costs of disposal. The key assumption in all the internal cash flow projections is RevPAR growth over the expected recovery period. To estimate this, management used economic and travel demand forecasts from Oxford Economics and Tourism Economics, respectively. These were overlaid with the Group’s expectation of how the pace of a vaccine rollout will result in an industry recovery, together with management’s experience of recovery periods following previous crises. Management assumed that vaccines will become widely available during 2021, which will begin to have a positive impact on travel in the second half of the year. Further adjustments were made to reflect the Group’s performance relative to the industry, taking into account the Group’s weighting to more resilient midscale hotels, and higher exposure to domestic travel and non-groups business. The RevPAR projections used are specific to individual countries or markets, and in the US are specific to each chainscale. In this scenario, Group RevPAR is forecast to recover to 90% of 2019 deferred revenuelevels by the end of 2023, and to 100% by 2025. The five-year recovery period from 2021 assumes that corporate travel recovers slowly as businesses control costs in the wake of the pandemic and that international travel and groups business takes longer to recover due to ongoing social distancing measures. There remains a wide range of possible planning scenarios; the Base Case projections used are consistent with those used for Group planning purposes and for going concern and viability assessments.

Non-current assets subject to a material impairment charge in the year, or where the asset was not impaired but is materially sensitive to impairment on a change in key assumptions, are discussed further below:

North America hotels

An impairment charge of $35m was recognised in the year on property, plant and equipment relating to three premium-branded hotels in North America. The recoverable amount was measured at value in use, using a discounted cash flow approach that measures the loyalty programme was $1,233m (2018: $1,181m). Basedpresent value of projected income flows (over a 10-year period) and the reversion of the property sale. The key assumptions are RevPAR growth (forecast as outlined above), discount rates and terminal capitalisation rates. Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using a US long-term growth rate of 1.7% which does not exceed the long-term average US growth rate. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at pre-tax rates of 11.0%-12.0% and capitalisation rates of 7.5%-9.0% were used to calculate the eventual sales values of the hotels.

The sensitivity to the key assumptions is as follows:

A slower recovery aligned with the Downside Case described on page 133 would have increased the conditions existing atimpairment charge by $4m;

A RevPAR recovery over a four-year period (one year faster than the balance sheet date, aBase Case assumption) would have reduced the impairment charge by $9m; and

A one percentage point increase/decrease in both the breakage estimate relating to outstanding pointsdiscount rate and terminal capitalisation rate used would increase this liability by approximately $16m.

Impairment testing

have resulted in a higher/lower impairment charge of $6m/$8m respectively.

UK portfolio

In 2019, anThe trading conditions relating to the UK portfolio are described in note 6. An impairment charge of $81m has been$50m was recognised during the year on property, plant and equipment in relation to the UK leased portfolio, triggered by trading disruption ashotels. The recoverable amount was measured at value in use, using a resultdiscounted cash flow approach. The key assumptions are 2021 revenues and profits, which are based on hotel budgets. For the purposes of renovationsimpairment testing it is assumed that the landlord will exercise a termination right such that the current leases end in 2022 and that there-branding hotels remain loss-making over this period. On this basis, the recoverable amount of the hotelsproperty, plant and increasingly challenging trading conditionsequipment tested for impairment was assessed as $nil. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of 10.1%.

There is no downward sensitivity to the key assumptions as the value of non-current assets in 2019. Management has reassessed its shortthe UK portfolio is $nil, and medium-term forecasts which assumeno sensitivity to changes in the discount rate. Without a change to the existing lease agreement, there is no reasonably possible change in assumptions that some disruption continues into 2020, and that hotels see progressive trading improvements whenwould cause the renovation andre-branding projects complete. As a result of the impairment, goodwill of $49m recorded on acquisition of the portfolio has been written off in full, with a further $32m recognised as an impairment of the IFRS 16right-of-use asset. Information on the impairment tests performed is included in note 13.recoverable amount to increase above $nil.

Contingent purchase consideration in relation to the UK portfolio comprises the above-market element of the expected lease payments to the landlord and includes variable rentals which are based on hotel performance. A fair value gain of $38m$21m was recorded in the year which included the impact ofarising from a reduction in expected variable rentals payable.payable, which reduced the value of contingent consideration to $nil. As above, there is no significant sensitivity to changes in the key assumptions used. Information on the inputs to the fair value calculation is included in note 25.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Accounting policies139


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Given the materiality of the items and the fact that the same underlying cash flows have been used to test for the impairment and to measure the fair value of contingent purchase consideration, they have been classified as exceptional items (see note 6).

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Accounting policiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020135


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

US corporate headquarters

As a response to workplace efficiency studies conducted in 2019, the reorganisation completed in 2020 (see note 6) and the anticipated impact of Covid-19 on working habits, in 2020 management approved a decision to sublet, and commenced marketing of, approximately half of the space in the Group’s US corporate headquarters. The corporate workforce will be consolidated in the retained space and the area to be sublet is expected to be vacated in the first half of 2021. The sublease rentals are expected to be lower than the head lease rentals which, together with the net impact of the expected time taken and costs incurred to sublet the space, result in the recoverable value of the assets being significantly below carrying value. This has resulted in an impairment charge of $50m at 31 December 2020.

The recoverable amount was measured at fair value less costs of disposal, which is considered to be equivalent to value in use. The key assumptions are the time taken to successfully sublet the whole space (over 2021-2023) and sublease rentals per square foot. A pre-tax discount rate of 8.5% was applied. Within the fair value hierarchy, this is categorised as a $43m charge to the Group income statement and an equivalent reduction in net assets, excluding related tax impacts.Level 3 fair value measurement.

The sensitivity to the key assumptions is as follows:

 

An additional vacancy period of 12 months would result in a one percentage point decreasehigher impairment charge of $4m;

Subletting all floors by the end of 2021 would result in hotel RevPAR growth over the specific projection perioda lower impairment charge of $1m; and

A decrease/increase of 8% in sublease rentals per square foot would have resulted in furthera higher/lower impairment charge of $23m$2m.

$37m of this impairment charge was borne by the System Fund in line with existing principles for cost allocation relating to this facility. The remaining $13m is recognised in the Americas region ($6m) and Central ($7m).

Barclay associate

An impairment charge of $13m has been recognised in 2020. The recoverable amount of the investment has been measured at fair value less costs of disposal, based on the Group’s share of the market value of the hotel less debt in the associate. The hotel was appraised by a professional external valuer using an income capitalisation approach which is a discounted cash flow technique that measures the present value of projected income flows (over a 10-year period) and the reversion of the property sale. Within the fair value hierarchy, this is categorised as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The external valuer assumed a return to 2019 RevPAR levels over a three to four-year period, based on industry data specific to theright-of-use asset New York market and supply factors in the luxury market located close to the InterContinental New York Barclay. The pre-tax discount and capitalisation rates used in the valuation were 7.5% and 6.0%, respectively.

The sensitivity to the key assumptions is as follows:

A slower RevPAR recovery over a $3m higher contingent purchase consideration gain.four to five-year period would have increased the impairment charge by $12m;

 

A quicker RevPAR recovery over a two to three-year period would have reduced the impairment charge by $11m;

A one percentage point increaseincrease/decrease in the discount rate used to discount the projected cash flows would have resulted in furthera $7m higher/lower impairment of $4m tocharge; and

A one percentage point increase/decrease in theright-of-use asset and terminal capitalisation rate used would have resulted in a $1m higher contingent purchase consideration gain.

Kimpton

In 2019, anhigher/lower impairment charge of $50m$8m/$11m respectively.

The impairment charge is presented net of a $4m fair value gain on a put option over part of the Group’s investment in the associate given the interaction between the value of the option and the value of the associate investment. The investment value and option value are presented separately in the Group statement of financial position; the put option value of $4m is presented within derivative financial instruments. The put option has been valued as the excess of the amount receivable under the option (which is based on the Group’s capital invested to date) over fair value, as calculated for impairment testing and described above. The interaction between the associate value and the option results in 75% of any decrease in the fair value of the associate being offset by an equivalent increase in the value of the put option. Applying the sensitivities above, any increase in the value of the associate would reduce the put option value to $nil, resulting in a $4m fair value loss.

Six Senses management agreements

An impairment charge of $41m was recognised during the year on the Six Senses management agreements acquired in 2019. The key assumption is RevPAR growth (forecast as detailed on page 135). Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using a long-term growth rate of 2.0% which does not exceed the long-term growth rate for the relevant markets. On this basis, the recoverable amount of the management agreement portfolio was estimated as $3m. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at pre-tax rates of 8.5%-14.7% depending on the country or region of the contract (see further detail in note 13). The impairment charge relates to the following regions: Americas $5m, EMEAA $33m, Greater China $3m.

There is no significant downside sensitivity as the contracts are valued at $3m. The upside sensitivity to the key assumption is as follows:

A RevPAR recovery over a four-year period (one year faster than the Base Case assumption) would have reduced the impairment charge by $2m.

136IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



InterContinental Boston

No impairment of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets was recognised in respect ofrelation to the Kimpton management contract portfolio acquiredInterContinental Boston in 2015.the year. The impairment results from management’s revised expectations regarding future trading which have been revised downwardsrecoverable amount was measured at value in line with industryuse, using a discounted cash flow approach. The key assumptions are RevPAR growth forecasts,(forecast as outlined on page 135) and discount rate. Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using a US long-term growth rate of hotel exits (‘attrition’)1.7% which has increased to reflect past experience, anddoes not exceed the costlong-term average US growth rate. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of retaining hotels within the portfolio. Information on the impairment test performed is included in note 13.7.7%.

The sensitivity to the key assumptions is as follows:

 

a 10% reduction in projected management feesA slower recovery aligned with the Downside Case described on page 133 would have resulted in furtheran impairment charge of $9m.$18m; and

 

aA one percentage point increase in the discount rate used to discount the projected management fees would have resulted in an impairment charge of $32m.

Trade deposits and contract assets relating to Service Properties Trust

Impairment of trade deposits and loans (included within other financial assets on the Group statement of financial position), and of contract assets, primarily relates to deposits of $66m made to Service Properties Trust (‘SVC’) in connection with a portfolio of management agreements. The deposits were non-interest-bearing and repayable at the end of the management agreement terms and were therefore previously held at a discounted value, with the balance on initial recognition recorded as a contract asset. As a result of Covid-19 the deposit was used in the first six months of 2020 to fund owner returns and was not expected to be recoverable. The deposit ($33m) and associated contract asset ($33m) were therefore impaired in full at 30 June 2020. The management agreements were subsequently terminated on 30 November, and as such there is no sensitivity to further impairment.

Other non-current assets

The impairment testing of $7m.

the Kimpton management contract portfolio is no longer considered to be a significant estimate as the remaining carrying value is not significant and is not materially sensitive to changes in key assumptions.

Details of impairment testing on other non-current assets are contained at:

 

Asset type    Note
Goodwill and brands13
Software13
Management agreements13
Property, plant and equipment14
Right-of-use assets15
Investments in associates16
Trade deposits and loans17
Contract costs3
Contract assets3

Expected credit losses

Occupancy levels have improved since the peak of the pandemic, but remain significantly lower than prior years. As such, cash inflows to hotel owners have been reduced. The Group has undertaken a number of actions to support the liquidity of hotel owners, including the waiver of certain fees, extended credit terms and, where appropriate, the use of payment plans. In comparison to the prior year, the Group has experienced an increase in ‘days sales outstanding’ and a reduction in cash collection. These factors, taken together with limited forward visibility on the assumed attritionpace and scale of market recovery, result in an increased level of uncertainty in calculating expected credit losses (see note 18).

The sensitivity of the amounts provided is as follows:

The provision equates to 20% of gross debt, with each one percentage point change resulting in a $4m change to the provision;

A 10% change in the expected collection rate for 2020amounts provided relating to hotel owners subject to payment plans or identified as distressed would result in a $2m change in the provision; and

A 10% collection rate of amounts over 180 days would reduce the provision by one hotel would have resulted in further impairment of $3m.$8m.

Significant accounting policies

Basis of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements comprise the Financial Statements of the Parent Company and entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has:

 

powerPower over an investee (i.e. existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee);

 

exposure,Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

 

theThe ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns.

All intra-group balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

The assets, liabilities and results of those businesses acquired or disposed of are consolidated for the period during which they were under the Group’s control.

The Group operates a deferred compensation plan in the US which allows certain employees to make additional provision for retirement, through the deferral of salary with matching company contributions. Employees can draw down on the plan in certain limited circumstances during employment. The assets of the plan are held in a company-owned trust which is not consolidated as the relevant activity of the trust, being the investment of the funds in the trust, is directed by the participating employees of the plan and the company has no exposure to the gains and losses resulting from those investment decisions. The assets of the trust are held solely for the benefit of the participating employees and to pay plan expenses, other than in the case of a company insolvency in which case they can be claimed by the general creditors of the company. At 31 December 2019, the trust had assets with a fair value of $218m (2018: $193m).

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to functional currency at the exchange rates ruling on the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency at the relevant rates of exchange ruling on the last day of the period. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the Group income statement except on foreign currency borrowings that provide a hedge against a net investment in a foreign operation. These are taken directly to the currency translation reserve until the disposal of the net investment, at which time they are recycled against the gain or loss on disposal.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill, are translated into US dollars at the relevant rates of exchange ruling on the last day of the period. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into US dollars at average rates of exchange for the period. The exchange differences arising on retranslation are taken directly to the currency translation reserve. On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount recognised in the currency translation reserve relating to that particular foreign operation is recycled against the gain or loss on disposal.

Business combinations and goodwill

On the acquisition of a business, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at their fair value. Contingent liabilities assumed are measured at fair value unless this cannot be measured reliably, in which case they are not recognised but are disclosed in the same manner as other contingent liabilities. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities arising on acquisition is as described in the general principles detailed within the ‘Taxes’ accounting policy note on page 143 with the exception that no deferred tax is provided on taxable temporary differences in connection with the initial recognition of goodwill.

The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration transferred. Contingent purchase consideration is measured at fair value on the date of acquisition, and isre-measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised on the face of the Group income statement below operating profit. Deferred purchase consideration is measured at amortised cost and its unwind is recorded in financial expenses.

Payments of contingent purchase consideration reduce the balance sheet liability. The portion of each payment relating to the original estimate of the fair value of the contingent purchase consideration on acquisition is reported within cash flow from investing activities in the Group statement of cash flows and the portion of each payment relating to the increase or decrease in the liability since the acquisition date is reported within cash flow from operations.

Goodwill is recorded at cost, being the difference between the fair value of the consideration and the fair value of net assets acquired. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses and is not amortised.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually by comparing carrying values of cash-generating units with their recoverable amounts. Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot be subsequently reversed.

Transaction costs are expensed and are not included in the cost of acquisition.

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140Accounting policies IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Intangible assets

Brands

Externally acquired brands are initially recorded at cost if separately acquired or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination, provided the brands are controlled through contractual or other legal rights, or are separable from the rest of the business, and the fair value can be reliably measured. Brands are amortised over their estimated useful lives (and tested for impairment if there are indicators of impairment) or tested for impairment at least annually if determined to have indefinite lives.

The costs of developing internally generated brands are expensed as incurred.

Management agreements

Management agreements acquired as part of a business combination are initially recorded at the fair value attributed to those contracts on acquisition.

The value of management agreements is amortised on a straight-line basis over the contract lives, including any extension periods at the Group’s option.

Software

Acquired and internally developed software are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software. Costs are generally amortised over estimated useful lives of three to five years on a straight-line basis.

Internally generated development costs are expensed unless forecast revenues exceed attributable forecast development costs, in which case they are capitalised and amortised over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment.

Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Land is not depreciated. All other property, plant and equipment are depreciated to a residual value over their estimated useful lives, namely:

buildings – over a maximum of 50 years; and

fixtures, fittings and equipment – three to 25 years.

All depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis. Residual value is reassessed annually.

Property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Assets that do not generate independent cash flows are combined into cash-generating units. If carrying values exceed their estimated recoverable amount, the assets or cash-generating units are written down to the recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. Value in use is assessed based on estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using apre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Impairment losses, and any subsequent reversals, are recognised in the Group income statement.

Leases

On inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether it contains a lease. A contract contains a lease when it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to use the asset and the obligation under the lease to make payments are recognised in the Group statement of financial position as aright-of-use asset and a lease liability.

Lease contracts may contain both lease andnon-lease components. The Group allocates payments in the contract to the lease andnon-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices and applies the lease accounting model only to lease components.

Theright-of-use asset recognised at lease commencement includes the amount of lease liability recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received.Right-of-use assets are depreciated to a residual value over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life and the lease term.Right-of-use assets are also adjusted for anyre-measurement of lease liabilities and are subject to impairment testing. Residual value is reassessed annually.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including‘in-substance fixed’ payments) and variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, less any lease incentives receivable.‘In-substance fixed’ payments are payments that may, in form, contain variability but that, in substance, are unavoidable. In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable.

The lease term includes periods subject to extension options which the Group is reasonably certain to exercise and excludes the effect of early termination options where the Group is not reasonably certain that it will exercise the option. Minimum lease payments include the cost of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain it will purchase the underlying asset after the lease term.

After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities isre-measured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the‘in-substance fixed’ lease payments or as a result of a rent review or change in the relevant index or rate.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as an expense in the period over which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs. In respect of variable leases which guarantee a minimum amount of rent over the lease term, the guaranteed amount is considered to be an‘in-substance fixed’ lease payment and included in the initial calculation of the lease liability. Payments which are‘in-substance fixed’ are charged against the lease liability.

The Group has opted not to apply the lease accounting model to intangible assets, leases oflow-value assets or leases which have a term of less than 12 months. Costs associated with these leases are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Sub-leases of the Group’s assets are generally classified as operating leases as the risks and rewards of ownership are not substantially transferred to thesub-lessee. Rental income arising is accounted for on a straight-line basis in the Group income statement.

Lease payments are presented as follows in the Group statement of cash flows:

short-term lease payments, payments for leases oflow-value assets and variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liabilities are presented within cash flows from operating activities;

payments for the interest element of recognised lease liabilities are included in ‘interest paid’ within cash flows from operating activities; and

payments for the principal element of recognised lease liabilities are presented within cash flows from financing activities.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Accounting policies2020 141137


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity, but is not control or joint control over those policies. A joint venture exists when two or more parties have joint control over, and rights to the net assets of, the venture. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control which only exists when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

In determining the extent of power or significant influence, consideration is given to other agreements between the Group, the investee entity, and the investing partners, including any related management or franchise agreements and the existence of any performance guarantees.

Associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method unless the associate or joint venture is classified as held for sale. Under the equity method, the Group’s investment is recorded at cost adjusted by the Group’s share of post-acquisition profits and losses and other movements in the investee’s reserves. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an associate or joint venture, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to $nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of an associate or joint venture.

If there is objective evidence that an associate or joint venture is impaired, an impairment charge is recognised if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its recoverable amount.

Upon loss of significant influence over an associate or joint control of a joint venture, any retained investment is measured at fair value with any difference to carrying value recognised in the Group income statement.

Financial assets

On initial recognition, the Group classifies its financial assets as being subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), or fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL).

Financial assets which are held to collect contractual cash flows and give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Interest on these assets is calculated using the effective interest rate method and is recognised in the Group income statement as financial income. The Group recognises a provision for expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortised cost. Where there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, provision is made for defaults that are possible within the next 12 months. Where there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, provision is made for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the asset.

The Group has elected to irrevocably designate equity investments as FVOCI when they meet the definition of equity and are not held for trading. Changes in the value of equity investments classified as FVOCI are recorded directly in equity within the fair value reserve and are never recycled to the Group income statement. Dividends from equity investments classified as FVOCI are recognised in the Group income statement as other operating income. Equity instruments classified as FVOCI are not subject to impairment assessment.

Financial assets measured at FVTPL include money market funds and other financial assets which do not have a fixed date of repayment.

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recorded at their original amount less provision for expected credit losses. The Group has elected to apply the simplified version of the expected credit loss model permitted by IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ in respect of trade receivables, which involves assessing lifetime expected credit losses on all balances. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience by region and may be adjusted for specific forward-looking factors. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through the use of a provision account and movements in the provision are recognised in the Group income statement within cost of sales.

When a previously provided trade receivable is uncollectable, it is written off against the provision. Balances which are more than 180 days past due are considered to be in default and are written off the ledgers but continue to be actively pursued. Adjustments to this policy may be made in specific circumstances.

At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether trade receivables are credit-impaired, for example if the customer is in significant financial difficulty.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash comprises cash in hand and demand deposits.

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

Cash and cash equivalents may include amounts which are subject to regulatory or other contractual restrictions and not available for general use by the Group.

Cash balances are classified as other financial assets when subject to a specific charge or contractually ring-fenced for a specific purpose, such that the Group does not control the circumstances or timing of its release.

Money market funds

Money market funds are held at FVTPL, with distributions recognised in financial income.

Bank and other borrowings

Bank and other borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received less directly attributable transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Finance charges, including the transaction costs and any discount or premium on issue, are recognised in the Group income statement using the effective interest rate method.

Borrowings are classified asnon-current when the repayment date is more than
12 months from theperiod-end date or where they are drawn on a facility with more than 12 months to expiry.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging

Derivatives are initially recognised and subsequentlyre-measured at fair value. The method of recognising there-measurement depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged (see below).

Changes in the fair value of derivatives which have either not been designated as hedging instruments or relate to the ineffective portion of hedges are recognised immediately in the Group income statement.

Documentation outlining the measurement and effectiveness of any hedging arrangement is maintained throughout the life of the hedge relationship.

Interest arising from currency derivatives and interest rate swaps is recorded in either financial income or expenses over the term of the agreement, unless the accounting treatment for the hedging relationship requires the interest to be taken to reserves.

142IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Interest paid reported within the Group statement of cash flows includes interest paid on the Group’s bonds, net of the effect of the related derivative financial instruments.

Cash flow hedges

Financial instruments are classified as cash flow hedges when they hedge exposure to variability in cash flows that are attributable to either a highly probable forecast transaction or a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability.

Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and the cash flow hedging reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. When the hedged item is recognised, the cumulative gains and losses on the related hedging instrument are reclassified to the Group income statement, within financial expenses.

Net investment hedges

Financial instruments are classified as net investment hedges when they hedge the Group’s net investment in foreign operations.

Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and the currency translation reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. The cumulative gains and losses remain in equity until a foreign operation is sold, at which point they are reclassified to the Group income statement.

Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the Group statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously. To meet these criteria, the right ofset-off must not be contingent on a future event and must be legally enforceable in all of the following circumstances: the normal course of business, the event of default and the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Group and all of the counterparties.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that a payment will be made and a reliable estimate of the amount payable can be made. If the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is discounted using a currentpre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability.

In respect of litigation, provision is made when management consider it probable that payment may occur even though the defence of the related claim may still be ongoing through the court process.

Taxes

Current tax

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from, or paid to, the tax authorities, including interest. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised in respect of temporary differences between the tax base and carrying value of assets and liabilities including on property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, application fees, contract costs, unrelieved tax losses, unremitted profits from subsidiaries, gains rolled over into replacement assets, and other short-term temporary differences.

Judgement is used when assessing the extent to which deferred tax assets, particularly in respect of tax losses, should be recognised. Deferred tax assets are therefore recognised to the extent that it is regarded as probable that there will be sufficient and suitable taxable profits (including the future release of deferred tax liabilities) in the relevant legal entity or tax group against which such assets

can be utilised in the future. For this purpose, forecasts of future taxable profits are considered by assessing the Group’s forecast revenue and profit models, taking into account future growth predictions and operating cost assumptions. Accordingly, changes in assumptions to the Group’s forecasts may have an impact on the amount of future taxable profits and therefore the period over which any deferred tax assets might be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset or liability will be settled, based on rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Where deferred tax assets and liabilities arise in the same entity or group of entities and there would be a legal right to offset the assets and liabilities were they to reverse, the assets and liabilities are also offset on the Group statement of financial position. Otherwise, the assets and liabilities are not offset.

Retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged to the Group income statement as they fall due.

Defined benefit plans

Plan assets are measured at fair value and plan liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method, discounted at an interest rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent currency and term to the plan liabilities. The difference between the value of plan assets and liabilities at theperiod-end date is the amount of surplus or deficit recorded in the Group statement of financial position as an asset or liability. An asset is recognised when the employer has an unconditional right to use the surplus at some point during the life of the plan or on itswind-up.

The service cost of providing pension benefits to employees, together with the net interest expense or income for the year, is charged to the Group income statement within ‘administrative expenses’. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit asset or liability, after any asset restriction. Past service costs and gains, which are the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation for employee service in prior periods resulting from plan amendments, are recognised immediately the plan amendment occurs. Settlement gains and losses, being the difference between the settlement cost and the present value of the defined benefit obligations being settled, are recognised when the settlement occurs.

Re-measurements comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest) and changes in the amount of any asset restrictions. Actuarial gains and losses may result from: differences between the actuarial assumptions underlying the plan liabilities and actual experience during the year or changes in the actuarial assumptions used in the valuation of the plan liabilities.Re-measurement gains and losses, and taxation thereon, are recognised in other comprehensive income and are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Actuarial valuations are carried out on a regular basis and are updated for material transactions and other material changes in circumstances (including changes in market prices and interest rates) up to the end of the reporting period.

Assets held for sale

Assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than continuing use and a sale is highly probable and expected to complete within one year. For a sale to be highly probable, management need to be committed to a plan to sell the asset and the asset must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Accounting policies143


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Assets designated as held for sale are held at the lower of carrying amount at designation and fair value less costs to sell.

Depreciation and amortisation is not charged against assets classified as held for sale.

Disposal ofnon-current assets

The Group recognises sales proceeds and any related gain or loss on disposal on completion of the sales process. In determining whether the gain or loss should be recorded, the Group considers whether it:

has a continuing managerial involvement to the degree associated with asset ownership;

has transferred the significant risks and rewards associated with asset ownership; and

can reliably measure and will actually receive the proceeds.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

Fee business revenue

Under franchise agreements, the Group’s performance obligation is to provide a licence to use IHG’s trademarks and other intellectual property. Franchise royalty fees are typically charged as a percentage of hotel gross rooms revenues and are treated as variable consideration, recognised as the underlying hotel revenues occur.

Under management agreements, the Group’s performance obligation is to provide hotel management services and a licence to use IHG’s trademarks and other intellectual property. Base and incentive management fees are typically charged. Base management fees are typically a percentage of total hotel revenues and incentive management fees are generally based on the hotel’s profitability or cash flows. Both are treated as variable consideration. Like franchise fees, base management fees are recognised as the underlying hotel revenues occur. Incentive management fees are recognised over time when it is considered highly probable that the related performance criteria for each annual period will be met, provided there is no expectation of a subsequent reversal of the revenue.

Application andre-licensing fees are not considered to be distinct from the franchise performance obligation and are recognised over the life of the related contract.

Franchise and management agreements also contain a promise to provide technology support and network services to hotels. A monthly technology fee, based on either gross rooms revenues or the number of rooms in the hotel, is charged and recognised over time as these services are delivered. Technology fee income is included in Central revenue.

Technical service fees are received in relation to design and engineering support provided prior to opening of certain hotel properties. These services are a distinct performance obligation and the fees are recognised as revenue over the pre-opening period in line with the stage of completion of the project.

IHG’s global insurance programme provides coverage to managed hotels for risks such as US workers’ compensation, employee and general liability. Premiums are payable by the hotels to the third-party insurance provider. As some of the risk is reinsured by the Group’s captive insurance company (‘the Captive’), SCH Insurance Company, premiums paid from the third-party insurance provider to the Captive are recognised as revenue as premiums are earned.

Contract assets

Amounts paid to hotel owners to secure management and franchise agreements (‘key money’) are treated as consideration payable to a customer. A contract asset is recorded which is recognised as a deduction to revenue over the initial term of the contract. Where loans are provided to an owner the difference, if any, between the face and market value of the loan on inception is capitalisedrecognised as a contract asset.

Performance guaranteesTypically, contract assets are not financial assets as they represent amounts paid by the Group at the beginning of a contract, and so are tested for impairment based on value in use rather than with reference to expected credit losses. Contract assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If carrying values exceed the recoverable amount determined by reference to estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate, the contract assets are written down to the recoverable amount.

In limited cases, the Group may provide performance guarantees to third-party hotel owners to secure management agreements. The expected value of payments under performance guarantees reduces the overall transaction price and is treatedrecognised as a reductiondeduction to revenue over the lifeterm of the contract.

Contract costs

Certain costs incurred to secure management and franchise agreements, typically developer commissions, are capitalised and amortised as an expense over the initial term of the related contract. These costs are presented as ‘contract costs’ in the Group statement of financial position.

Contract costs are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If carrying values exceed the recoverable amount determined by reference to estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate, the contract costs are written down to the recoverable amount.

Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels

At its owned, leased and managed lease hotels, the Group’s performance obligation is to provide accommodation and other goods and services to guests. Revenue includes rooms revenue and food and beverage sales, which isare recognised when the rooms are occupied and food and beverages are sold. Guest deposits received in advance of hotel stays are recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. They are recognised as revenue along with any balancing payment from the guest when the associated stay occurs, or are returned to the customer in the event of a cancellation.

138IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Cost reimbursements

In a managed property, the Group typically acts as employer of the general manager and, in some cases, other employees at the hotel and is entitled to reimbursement of these costs. The performance obligation is satisfied over time as the employees perform their duties, consistent with when reimbursement is received. Reimbursements for these services are shown as revenue with an equal matching employee cost, with no profit impact. Certain other costs relating to both managed and franchised hotels are also contractually reimbursable to IHG and, where IHG is deemed to be acting as principal in the provision of the related services, the revenue and cost are shown on a gross basis.

System Fund and other co-brandrevenues

The Group operates a System Fund (the Fund)‘Fund’) to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation System and hotel loyalty programme. The Fund also receivesbenefits from proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-partyco-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term, but is managed for the benefit of the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels in the System.

Under both franchise and management agreements, the Group is required to provide marketing and reservations services, as well as other centrally managed programmes. These services are provided by the Fund and are funded by assessment fees. Costs are incurred and allocated to the Fund in accordance with the principles agreed with the IHG Owners Association. The Group acts as principal in the provision of the services as the related expenses primarily comprise payroll and marketing expenses under contracts entered into by the Group. The assessment fees from hotel owners are generally levied as a percentage of hotel revenues and are recognised as those hotel revenues occur.

Certain travel agency commission revenues within the Fund are recognised on a net basis, where it has been determined that IHG is acting as agent.

In respect of the loyalty programme (IHG Rewards Club)Rewards), the related performance obligation is to arrange for the provision of future benefits to members on consumption of previously earned reward points. Members have a choice of benefits: reward nights at an IHG hotel or other goods or services provided by third parties. Under its franchise and management agreements, IHG receives assessment fees based on total qualifying hotel revenue from IHG Rewards Club members’ hotel stays.

The Group’s performance obligation is not satisfied in full until the member has consumed the points at a participating hotel or selected a reward from a third party. Accordingly, loyalty assessments are deferred in an amount that reflects the stand-alone selling price of the future benefit to the member. Revenue is impacted by a ‘breakage’ estimate of the number of points that will never be consumed. On an annual basis, the Group engages an external actuary who uses statistical formulae to assist in formulating this estimate, which is adjusted to reflect actual experience up to the reporting date.

144IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


As materially all of the points will be either consumed at IHG managed or franchised hotels owned by third parties, or exchanged for awards provided by third parties, IHG is deemed to be acting as agent on consumption and therefore recognises the related revenue net of the cost of reimbursing the hotel or third party that is providing the benefit.

Performance obligations under the Group’sco-brandingco-brand arrangementscredit card agreements comprise:

 

arranging
a)

Arranging for the provision of future benefits to members who have earned points or free night certificates;

b)

Marketing services; and

c)

Providing the provision of future benefits to members who have earned points or free night certificates;

marketing services; and

providing theco-brand partner with the right to access the loyalty programme.

Revenue from a) and b) are reported within System Fund revenues. Prior to 1 January 2020, revenue from co-brand credit card agreements relating to the right to access the loyalty programme.programme was recorded within the Fund. As of 1 January 2020, this revenue is recorded within fee business revenue (see note 3).

Fees from these agreements comprise fixed amounts normally payable at the beginning of the contract, and variable amounts paid on a monthly basis. Variable amounts are typically based on the number of points and free night certificates issued to members and the marketing services performed by the Group. Total fees are allocated to the performance obligations based on their estimated stand-alone selling prices. Revenue allocated to marketing and licensing obligations is recognised on a monthly basis as the obligation is satisfied. Revenue relating to points and free night certificates is recognised when the member has consumed the points or certificates at a participating hotel or has selected a reward from a third party, net of the cost of reimbursing the hotel or third party that is providing the benefit.

Judgement is required in estimating the stand-alone selling prices which are based upon generally accepted valuation methodologies regarding the value of the licence provided and the number of points and certificates expected to be issued. However, the value of revenue recognised and the deferred revenue balance at the end of the year is not materially sensitive to changes in these assumptions.

Contract costs

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Accounting policiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020139

Certain


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Exceptional items

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. The presentation of information excluding exceptional items allows a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the Group and provides consistency with the Group’s internal management reporting. Exceptional items are identified by virtue of their size, nature, or incidence so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to assess underlying trends in the financial performance of the Group and its reportable segments. In determining whether an event or transaction is exceptional, management considers quantitative as well as qualitative factors.

Examples of exceptional items that meet the above definition and which have been presented as exceptional items in prior years include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals and reorganisation costs.

Government grants

Government grants are recognised where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be complied with. Government grants relating to costs are recognised on a systematic basis within the Group income statement as an offset to the costs which the grants are intended to compensate.

Business combinations and goodwill

On the acquisition of a business, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at their fair value. Contingent liabilities assumed are measured at fair value unless this cannot be measured reliably, in which case they are not recognised but are disclosed in the same manner as other contingent liabilities. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities arising on acquisition is as described in the general principles detailed within the ‘Taxes’ accounting policy note on page 144 with the exception that no deferred tax is provided on taxable temporary differences in connection with the initial recognition of goodwill.

The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration transferred. Contingent purchase consideration is measured at fair value on the date of acquisition and is re-measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised on the face of the Group income statement below operating loss/profit. Deferred purchase consideration is measured at amortised cost and the effect of unwinding the discount is recorded in financial expenses.

Payments of contingent purchase consideration reduce the balance sheet liability. The portion of each payment relating to the original estimate of the fair value of the contingent purchase consideration on acquisition is reported within cash flow from investing activities in the Group statement of cash flows and the portion of each payment relating to the increase or decrease in the liability since the acquisition date is reported within cash flow from operations.

Goodwill is recorded at cost, being the difference between the fair value of the consideration and the fair value of net assets acquired. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses and is not amortised.

Transaction costs are expensed and are not included in the cost of acquisition.

Intangible assets

Brands

Externally acquired brands are initially recorded at cost if separately acquired or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination, provided the brands are controlled through contractual or other legal rights, or are separable from the rest of the business, and the fair value can be reliably measured. Brands are amortised over their estimated useful lives (and tested for impairment if there are indicators of impairment) or tested for impairment at least annually if determined to have indefinite lives.

The costs of developing internally generated brands are expensed as incurred.

Management agreements

Management agreements acquired as part of a business combination are initially recorded at the fair value attributed to those contracts on acquisition.

The value of management agreements is amortised on a straight-line basis over the contract lives, including any extension periods at the Group’s option.

Software

Acquired and internally developed software are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to secure managementacquire and franchise agreements, typically developer commissions,bring to use the specific software. Following initial recognition, the asset is carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Costs are generally amortised over estimated useful lives of three to five years on a straight-line basis with the exception of the Guest Reservation System which is amortised over 10 years (see page 167).

Internally generated development costs are capitalised and amortised over the initial termestimated useful life of the related contract. Theseasset when all of the following can be demonstrated: the ability and intention to complete the project; that the completed software will generate probable future economic benefits; the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the project; and the ability to measure the expenditure.

Costs incurred in the research phase before the above criteria are met are expensed.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment.

Repairs and maintenance costs are presentedexpensed as ‘Contract costs’incurred.

Land is not depreciated. All other property, plant and equipment are depreciated to a residual value over their estimated useful lives, namely:

Buildings – over a maximum of 50 years; and

Fixtures, fittings and equipment – three to 25 years.

All depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis. Residual value is reassessed annually.

140IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Leases

On inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether it contains a lease. A contract contains a lease when it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to use the asset and the obligation under the lease to make payments are recognised in the Group statement of financial position.position as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.

ContractLease contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components. The Group allocates payments in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices and applies the lease accounting model only to lease components.

The right-of-use asset recognised at lease commencement includes the amount of lease liability recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are depreciated to a residual value over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life and the lease term. Right-of-use assets are also adjusted for any re-measurement of lease liabilities and are subject to impairment testing. Residual value is reassessed annually.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including ‘in-substance fixed’ payments) and variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, less any lease incentives receivable. ‘In-substance fixed’ payments are payments that may, in form, contain variability but that, in substance, are unavoidable. In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable.

The lease term includes periods subject to extension options which the Group is reasonably certain to exercise and excludes the effect of early termination options where the Group is reasonably certain that it will not exercise the option. Minimum lease payments include the cost of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain it will purchase the underlying asset after the lease term.

After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is re-measured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the ‘in-substance fixed’ lease payments or as a result of a rent review or change in the relevant index or rate.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as an expense in the period over which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.

The Group has opted not to apply the lease accounting model to intangible assets, leases of low-value assets or leases which have a term of less than 12 months. Costs associated with these leases are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Subleases of the Group’s assets are classified as operating leases when the risks and rewards of ownership are not substantially transferred to the sub-lessee. Rental income arising is accounted for on a straight-line basis in the Group income statement.

Lease payments are presented as follows in the Group statement of cash flows:

Short-term lease payments, payments for leases of low-value assets and contract costsvariable lease payments that are reviewednot included in the measurement of the lease liabilities are presented within cash flows from operating activities;

Payments for the interest element of recognised lease liabilities are included in ‘interest paid’ within cash flows from operating activities; and

Payments for the principal element of recognised lease liabilities are presented within cash flows from financing activities.

Associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity, but is not control or joint control over those policies. A joint venture exists when two or more parties have joint control over, and rights to the net assets of, the venture. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control which only exists when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

In determining the extent of power or significant influence, consideration is given to other agreements between the Group, the investee entity, and the investing partners, including any related management or franchise agreements and the existence of any performance guarantees.

Associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method unless the associate or joint venture is classified as held for sale. Under the equity method, the Group’s investment is recorded at cost adjusted by the Group’s share of post-acquisition profits and losses, and other movements in the investee’s reserves, applying consistent accounting policies. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an associate or joint venture, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to $nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of an associate or joint venture.

If there is objective evidence that an associate or joint venture is impaired, an impairment charge is recognised if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its recoverable amount.

Upon loss of significant influence over an associate or joint control of a joint venture, any retained investment is measured at fair value with any difference to carrying value recognised in the Group income statement.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Non-financial assets are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.recoverable and, in the case of goodwill and brands with indefinite lives, at least annually. Assets that do not generate independent cash flows are allocated to the cash-generating unit (‘CGU’), or group of CGUs, to which they belong. If carrying values exceed their estimated recoverable amount, the assets or CGUs are written down to the recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. Value in use is assessed based on estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Impairment losses, and any subsequent reversals, are recognised in the Group income statement.

With the exception of goodwill, an assessment is made at each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that previously recognised impairment losses no longer exist or have decreased. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the impairment loss was recognised. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years.

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Accounting policiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020141


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Financial assets

On initial recognition, the Group classifies its financial assets as being subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (‘FVOCI’), or fair value through profit or loss (‘FVTPL’).

Financial assets which are held to collect contractual cash flows and give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Interest on these assets is calculated using the effective interest rate method and is recognised in the Group income statement as financial income. The Group recognises a provision for expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortised cost. Where there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, provision is made for defaults that are possible within the next 12 months. Where there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, provision is made for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the asset.

The Group has elected to irrevocably designate equity investments as FVOCI when they meet the definition of equity and are not held for trading. Changes in the value of equity investments classified as FVOCI are recorded directly in equity within the fair value reserve and are never recycled to the Group income statement. On disposal of equity investments, any related balance within the fair value reserve is reclassified to retained earnings. Dividends from equity investments classified as FVOCI are recognised in the Group income statement as other operating income when the dividend has been declared, when receipt of the funds is probable, and when the dividend is not a return of invested capital. Equity instruments classified as FVOCI are not subject to impairment assessment.

Financial assets measured at FVTPL include money market funds and other financial assets which do not have a fixed date of repayment.

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. A provision for impairment is made for lifetime expected credit losses. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience by region and number of days past due. Adjustments are made where management’s expectations of credit losses change.

Trade receivables are written off once determined to be uncollectable.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash comprises cash in hand and demand deposits.

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

Cash and cash equivalents may include amounts which are subject to regulatory or other contractual restrictions and not available for general use by the Group.

Cash balances are classified as other financial assets when subject to a specific charge or contractually ring-fenced for a specific purpose, such that the Group does not control the circumstances or timing of its release.

Money market funds

Money market funds are held at FVTPL, with distributions recognised in financial income.

Bank and other borrowings

Bank and other borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received less directly attributable transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Borrowings are classified as non-current when the repayment date is more than 12 months from the period-end date or where they are drawn on a facility with more than 12 months to expiry.

Finance costs

Financial income and expenses comprise income and charges on the Group’s financial assets and liabilities and related hedging instruments.

Finance charges relating to bank and other borrowings, including transaction costs and any discount or premium on issue, are recognised in the Group income statement using the effective interest rate method.

In the statement of cash flows, interest paid and received is presented within cash from operating activities, including any fees and discounts on issuance or settlement of borrowings.

Borrowing costs attributable to the acquisition or development of assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to prepare for their intended use are capitalised as part of the asset cost.

Capitalised interest paid is presented within investing activities in the statement of cash flows.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging

Derivatives are initially recognised and subsequently re-measured at fair value. The method of recognising the re-measurement depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged (see below).

Changes in the fair value of derivatives which have either not been designated as hedging instruments or relate to the ineffective portion of hedges are recognised immediately in the Group income statement.

Documentation outlining the measurement and effectiveness of any hedging arrangement is maintained throughout the life of the hedge relationship.

142IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Interest arising from currency derivatives and interest rate swaps is recorded in either financial income or expenses over the term of the agreement, unless the accounting treatment for the hedging relationship requires the interest to be taken to reserves.

Interest paid reported within the Group statement of cash flows includes interest paid on the Group’s bonds, including the effect of the related derivative financial instruments.

Cash flow hedges

Financial instruments are designated as cash flow hedges when they hedge exposure to variability in cash flows that are attributable to either a highly probable forecast transaction or a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability.

Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and the cash flow hedging reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. When the hedged item is recognised, the cumulative gains and losses on the related hedging instrument are reclassified to the Group income statement, within financial expenses.

Net investment hedges

Financial instruments are designated as net investment hedges when they hedge the Group’s net investment in foreign operations.

Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and the currency translation reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. The cumulative gains and losses remain in equity until a foreign operation is sold, at which point they are reclassified to the Group income statement.

Fair value measurement

The Group measures each of the following at fair value on a recurring basis:

Financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL;

Financial assets measured at FVOCI; and

Derivative financial instruments.

Other assets are measured at fair value when impaired or remeasured on classification as held for sale by reference to fair value less costs of disposal. Additionally, the fair value of other financial assets and liabilities requires disclosure.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is measured by reference to the principal market for the asset or liability assuming that market participants act in their economic best interests.

The fair value of a non-financial asset assumes the asset is used in its highest and best use, either through continuing ownership or by selling it.

The Group uses valuation techniques that maximise the use of relevant observable inputs using the following valuation hierarchy:

Level 1:Quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:Other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3:Techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect
on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable
market data.

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

Further disclosures on the particular valuation techniques used by the Group are provided in note 25.

Where significant assets (such as property) are valued by reference to fair value less costs of disposal, an external valuation will normally be obtained using professional valuers who have appropriate market knowledge, reputation and independence.

Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the Group statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously. To meet these criteria, the right of set-off must not be contingent on a future event and must be legally enforceable in all of the following circumstances: the normal course of business; the event of default; and the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Group and all of the counterparties.

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Accounting policiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020143


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that a payment will be made and a reliable estimate of the amount payable can be made. If the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is discounted using a current pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability.

In respect of litigation, provision is made when management consider it probable that payment may occur and the amount can be reliably estimated even though the defence of the related claim may still be ongoing through the court process.

Taxes

Current tax

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from, or paid to, the tax authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised in respect of temporary differences between the tax base and carrying value of assets and liabilities including property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, application fees, contract costs, unrelieved tax losses, associates, gains rolled over into replacement assets, deferred compensation and other short-term temporary differences.

Judgement is used when assessing the extent to which deferred tax assets, particularly in respect of tax losses, should be recognised. Deferred tax assets are therefore recognised to the extent that it is regarded as probable that there will be sufficient and suitable taxable profits (including the future release of deferred tax liabilities) in the relevant legal entity or tax group against which such assets can be utilised in the future. For this purpose, forecasts of future taxable profits are considered by assessing the Group’s forecast revenue and profit models, taking into account future growth predictions and operating cost assumptions.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset or liability will be settled, based on rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Where deferred tax assets and liabilities arise in the same entity or group of entities and there would be a legal right to offset the assets and liabilities were they to reverse, the assets and liabilities are also offset on the Group statement of financial position. Otherwise, the assets and liabilities are not offset.

Retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged to the Group income statement as they fall due.

Defined benefit plans

Plan liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method, discounted at an interest rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent currency and term to the plan liabilities. The value of plan liabilities at the period-end date is the amount of deficit recorded in the Group statement of financial position.

The service cost of providing pension benefits to employees, together with the net interest expense or income for the year, is charged to the Group income statement within ‘administrative expenses’. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the defined benefit liability. Past service costs and gains, which are the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation for employee service in prior periods resulting from plan amendments, are recognised immediately when the plan amendment occurs. Settlement gains and losses, being the difference between the settlement cost and the present value of the defined benefit obligations being settled, are recognised when the settlement occurs.

Re-measurements comprise actuarial gains and losses which may result from differences between the actuarial assumptions underlying the plan liabilities and actual experience during the year or changes in the actuarial assumptions used in the valuation of the plan liabilities. Re-measurement gains and losses, and taxation thereon, are recognised in other comprehensive income and are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Actuarial valuations are carried out on a regular basis and are updated for material transactions and other material changes in circumstances (including changes in market prices and interest rates) up to the end of the reporting period.

Assets and liabilities held for sale

Assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than continuing use and a sale is highly probable and expected to complete within one year. For a sale to be highly probable, management need to be committed to a plan to sell the asset and the asset must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value.

Assets designated as held for sale are held at the lower of carrying amount at designation and fair value less costs of disposal.

Depreciation and amortisation is not charged against assets classified as held for sale.

144IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Disposal of non-current assets

The Group recognises sales proceeds and any related gain or loss on disposal on completion of the sales process. In determining whether the gain or loss should be recorded, the Group considers whether it:

Has a continuing managerial involvement to the degree associated with asset ownership;

Has transferred the significant risks and rewards associated with asset ownership; and

Can reliably measure and will actually receive the proceeds.

Share-based payments

The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to fair value at the date at which the right to the shares is granted. Fair value is determined by an external valuer using option pricing models.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which any performance or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (vesting date).

The income statement charge for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised at the beginning and end of that period. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market ornon-vesting condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market ornon-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

Fair value measurement

The Group measures financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL, financial assets measured at FVOCI, and derivative financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets when impaired orre-measured on classification as held for sale by reference to fair value less costs of disposal. Additionally, the fair value of other financial assets and liabilities requires disclosure.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is measured by reference to the principal market for the asset or liability assuming that market participants act in their economic best interests.

The fair value of anon-financial asset assumes the asset is used in its highest and best use, either through continuing ownership or by selling it.

The Group uses valuation techniques that maximise the use of relevant observable inputs using the following valuation hierarchy:

Level 1:

quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3:techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

Further disclosures on the particular valuation techniques used by the Group are provided in note 25.

Where significant assets (such as property) are valued by reference to fair value less costs of disposal, an external valuation will normally be obtained using professional valuers who have appropriate market knowledge, reputation and independence.

Exceptional items

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. The presentation of information excluding exceptional items allows a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the Group and provides consistency with the Group’s internal management reporting. Exceptional items are identified by virtue of either their size or nature so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to assess underlying trends in the financial performance of the Group and its regional operating segments. Exceptional items can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals and restructuring costs.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Accounting policies145


Group Financial Statements

New accounting standards and presentational changes

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

IFRS 16, which supersedes IAS 17, sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosureAdoption of leases and requires lessees to account for most leases under a singleon-balance sheet model. The Group has a number of material property and equipment leases.

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 using the full retrospective method of adoption with the date of initial application being 1 January 2019. The Group elected to use the transition practical expedient allowing the standard to be applied only to contracts that were previously identified as leases applying IAS 17 at the date of initial application. The Group also elected to use the recognition exemptions for lease contracts that, at the commencement date, have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not contain a purchase option (‘short-term leases’), lease contracts for which the underlying asset is of low value(‘low-value assets’), and leases of intangible assets.

Before the adoption of IFRS 16, the Group classified each of its leases at the inception date as either a finance lease or an operating lease. A lease was classified as a finance lease if it transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased asset to the Group; otherwise it was classified as an operating lease. Finance leases were capitalised at the commencement of the lease at the inception date fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments were apportioned between interest (recognised as finance cost) and reduction of the lease liability. In an operating lease, the leased asset was not capitalised, and the lease payments were recognised as rent expense in the Group income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any prepaid rent and accrued rent were recognised within prepayments and trade and other payables, respectively.

Under IFRS 16, the Group recognisesright-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e. the date the underlying asset is available for use).Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for anyre-measurement of lease liabilities. The cost ofright-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received. Unless the Group is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the leased assets at the end of the lease term, recognisedright-of-use assets are depreciated to a residual value over the shorter of their estimated useful life or lease term.Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment testing.

At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including‘in-substance fixed’ payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expense in the period over which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.

The lease acquired with the UK portfolio acquisition (see note 11) includes variable lease payments where rentals are linked to the performance of the hotels by way of reductions in rentals in the event that lower than target cash flows are generated by the hotels. In the event that rent reductions are not applicable, the Group’s exposure to this type of rental payment in excess of amounts reflected in the measurement of lease liabilities is £46m per annum over the remaining lease term of 24 years. Additional rentals, which are uncapped, are also payable and are calculated as a percentage

of the profit earned by the hotels. Two German hotel leases operate under a similar structure (see note 15).

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is re-measured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the‘in-substance fixed’ lease payment or a change in the assessment regarding the purchase of the underlying asset.

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of equipment (i.e. those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease oflow-value assets recognition exemption to leases that are considered of low value. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases oflow-value assets are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Lessornew accounting under IFRS 16 is substantially unchanged from IAS 17. The Group is not party to any material leases where it acts as a lessor.

In accordance with the full retrospective method of adoption, the Group applied IFRS 16 at the date of initial application as if it had always been effective at the commencement date of existing lease contracts. Accordingly, the comparative information in these Consolidated Financial Statements has been restated, as summarised and set out below.

For the 12 months ended 31 December 2018:

Depreciation expense increased by $35m relating to the depreciation of newright-of-use assets recognised.

Rent expense decreased by $51m relating to previous operating leases.

Financial expenses increased by $19m relating to the interest expense on additional lease liabilities recognised.

Income tax expenses decreased by $1m relating to the tax effect of these changes.

Net cash from operating activities increased by $43m and the combination of cash from investing and financing activities reduced by the same amount, representing repayments of principal on the recognised lease liabilities.

At 31 December 2018:

Right-of-use assets of $513m were recognised and presented separately in the Group statement of financial position. This includes $174m relating to leased assets previously recognised under finance leases, included within property, plant and equipment.

Lease liabilities of $670m were recognised and presented separately in the Group statement of financial position. Finance lease liabilities of $235m previously included in loans and other borrowings are now included in lease liabilities.

Prepayments of $3m and trade and other payables of $35m related to leases previously classified as operating leases were derecognised.

Net deferred tax liabilities decreased by $10m because of the deferred tax impact of the changes in assets and liabilities.

The net effect of these adjustments increased the Group’s net liabilities by $54m.

146IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Impact of IFRS 16 on the Group income statement

      Year ended 31 December 2018     Year ended 31 December 2017 
      

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   

As

restated

$m

     

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   

As

restated

$m

 
Revenue from fee business   1,486        1,486    1,379        1,379 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels   447        447    351        351 
System Fund revenues   1,233        1,233    1,242        1,242 
Reimbursement of costs   1,171        1,171    1,103        1,103 
Total revenue   4,337        4,337    4,075        4,075 
Cost of sales   (706   18    (688   (571   17    (554
System Fund expenses   (1,379       (1,379   (1,276       (1,276
Reimbursed costs   (1,171       (1,171   (1,103       (1,103
Administrative expenses   (448   33    (415   (388   33    (355
Share of (losses)/gains of associates and joint ventures   (1       (1   3        3 
Other operating income   14        14    84        84 
Depreciation and amortisation   (80   (35   (115   (78   (34   (112
Impairment charge               (18       (18
Operating profit   566    16    582    728    16    744 
Financial income   5        5    4        4 
Financial expenses   (82   (19   (101   (76   (19   (95
Fair value losses on contingent purchase consideration   (4       (4            
Profit before tax   485    (3   482    656    (3   653 
Tax   (133   1    (132   (115   (3   (118
Profit for the year from continuing operations   352    (2   350    541    (6   535 

 

Impact of IFRS 16 on the Group statement of comprehensive income

 

 

      Year ended 31 December 2018     Year ended 31 December 2017 
      

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   

As

restated

$m

     

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   

As

restated

$m

 
Profit for the year   352    (2   350    541    (6   535 
Exchange gains/(losses) on retranslation of foreign operations, including related tax credit of $2m (2017: net of related tax credit of $1m)   43    1    44    (88   (2   (90
Other items   (10       (10   (47       (47
Total comprehensive income for the year   385    (1   384    406    (8   398 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  New accounting standards and presentational changes147


Group Financial Statements

New accounting standards and presentational changes continued

Impact of IFRS 16 on the Group statement of financial position

      31 December 2018     31 December 2017 
       

As previously
reported

$m

   IFRS 16
adoption
$m
   As
restated
$m
     

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   As
restated
$m
 
Property, plant and equipment    447    (174   273    425    (175   250 
Right-of-use assets        513    513        486    486 
Deferred tax assets    60    3    63    75    3    78 
Othernon-current assets    1,870        1,870    1,647        1,647 
Totalnon-current assets    2,377    342    2,719    2,147    314    2,461 
Trade and other receivables    613    (3   610    551    (2   549 
Other current assets    763        763    312        312 
Total current assets    1,376    (3   1,373    863    (2   861 
Total assets    3,753    339    4,092    3,010    312    3,322 
Loans and other borrowings    (120   16    (104   (126   16    (110
Lease liabilities        (55   (55       (44   (44
Trade and other payables    (618   2    (616   (597   2    (595
Other current liabilities    (632       (632   (557       (557
Total current liabilities    (1,370   (37   (1,407   (1,280   (26   (1,306
Loans and other borrowings    (2,129   219    (1,910   (1,893   215    (1,678
Lease liabilities        (615   (615       (589   (589
Trade and other payables    (158   33    (125   (36   29    (7
Deferred tax liabilities    (131   7    (124   (101   6    (95
Othernon-current liabilities    (1,042       (1,042   (1,001       (1,001
Totalnon-current liabilities    (3,460   (356   (3,816   (3,031   (339   (3,370
Total liabilities    (4,830   (393   (5,223   (4,311   (365   (4,676
Net liabilities    (1,077   (54   (1,131   (1,301   (53   (1,354
Currency translation reserve    419    1    420    377        377 
Retained earnings    1,166    (55   1,111    951    (53   898 
Other equity    (2,670       (2,670   (2,636       (2,636
IHG shareholders’ equity    (1,085   (54   (1,139   (1,308   (53   (1,361
Non-controlling interest    8        8    7        7 
Total equity    (1,077   (54   (1,131   (1,301   (53   (1,354

148IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Impact of IFRS 16 on the Group statement of cash flows

     Year ended 31 December 2018     Year ended 31 December 2017 
      

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   

As

restated

$m

     

As previously

reported

$m

   

IFRS 16

adoption

$m

   

As

restated

$m

 
Profit for the year   352    (2   350    541    (6   535 
Adjustments reconciling profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs   502    62    564    308    63    371 
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs   854    60    914    849    57    906 
Contract acquisition costs, net of repayments   (54       (54   (57       (57
Cash flow from operations   800    60    860    792    57    849 
Interest paid   (70   (17   (87   (69   (18   (87
Interest received   2        2    1        1 
Tax paid on operating activities   (66       (66   (147       (147
Net cash from operating activities   666    43    709    577    39    616 
Landlord contribution to property, plant and equipment   8    (8       14    (14    
Other cash flows from investing activities   (197       (197   (220       (220
Net cash from investing activities   (189   (8   (197   (206   (14   (220
Principal element of lease payments       (35   (35       (25   (25
Other cash flows from financing activities   86        86    (446       (446
Net cash from financing activities   86    (35   51    (446   (25   (471
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year   563        563    (75       (75
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year   58        58    117        117 
Exchange rate effects   (21       (21   16        16 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year   600        600    58        58 

Impact of IFRS 16 on basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share

 

 

     Year ended 31 December 2018     Year ended 31 December 2017 
      

As previously

reported

cents

   

IFRS 16

adoption

cents

   

As

restated

cents

     

As previously

reported

cents

   

IFRS 16

adoption

cents

   

As

restated

cents

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share   184.7    (1.0   183.7    279.8    (3.1   276.7 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share   182.8    (1.0   181.8    278.4    (3.1   275.3 

Presentational changes

The presentation of the Group income statement has been amended to include exceptional items within the line item to which they relate, with a separate analysis of operating profit before System Fund and exceptional items.

Fair value gains and losses on contingent purchase consideration reported within financial expenses in 2018 are now presented as a separate line item on the face of the Group income statement.

Other standards adopted

From 1 January 2019,2020, the Group has applied the amendments to:

IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates1 and Joint Ventures’ relating to long-term interests to which the equity method is not applied;IAS 8 ‘Definition of Material’;

IFRS 3 ‘Definition of a Business’;

IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’ relating to prepayment features with negative compensation;IAS 39 and IFRS 7 ‘Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Phase 1’;

IFRS 16 ‘Covid-19 IFRIC 23 ‘Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments’;

IAS 19 ‘Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement’related Rent Concessions’; and

Other existing standards arising from

References to the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015–2017 cycle.

Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards.

None of these amendments have had a material impact on the Group’s reported financial performance or position.

New standards issued but not yet effective

In 2019,2020, the IASB published ‘Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 7’. 16’ with an effective date of 1 January 2021.

From 1 January 2022, the Group will also apply the amendments to:

IAS 37 ‘Onerous Contracts: Cost of Fulfilling a Contract’;

IAS 16 ‘Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use’; and

Other existing standards arising from the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2018 – 2020 cycle.

The effective date for the Amendment to IAS 1 ‘Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current’ has been deferred to

1 January 2023.

There is no anticipated material impact fromfor these amendments on the Group’s reported financial performance or position.

The effective date for IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’ ishas been deferred to 1 January 2021.2023. The Group has not yet determined the impact of this standard on the Group’s reported financial performance or position.

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Accounting policiesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  New accounting standards and presentational changes2020 149145


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements

1. Exchange rates

The results of operations have been translated into US dollars at the average rates of exchange for the year. In the case of sterling, the translation rate is $1=£0.78 (2018:(2019: $1=£0.75, 2017:0.78, 2018: $1=£0.78)0.75). In the case of the euro, the translation rate is $1=0.89 (2018:0.88 (2019: $1=0.85, 2017:0.89, 2018: $1=0.89)0.85).

Assets and liabilities have been translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange on the last day of the year. In the case of sterling, the translation rate is $1=£0.73 (2019: $1=£0.76, (2018:2018: $1=£0.78, 2017: $1=£0.74)0.78). In the case of the euro, the translation rate is $1=0.89 (2018:0.81 (2019: $1=0.87, 2017:0.89, 2018: $1=0.83)0.87).

2. Segmental information

The Group has four reportable segments reflecting its geographical regions and its Central functions:

Americas;

EMEAA;

Greater China; and

Central.

Central functions include technology, sales and marketing, finance, human resources and corporate services; Central revenue arises principally from technology fee income.

No operating segments have been aggregated to form these reportable segments.

Management monitors the operating results of these reportable segments for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. Each of the geographical regions is led by its own Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Group Chief Executive Officer.

The System Fund is not viewed as being part of the Group’s core operations as it is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG over the longer term. As such, its results are not regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM)(‘CODM’) and it does not constitute an operating segment under IFRS 8. Similarly, reimbursements of costs are not reported to the CODM and so are not included within the reportable segments.

Segmental performance is evaluated based on operating profit or loss and is measured consistently with operating profit or loss in the Group Financial Statements, excluding System Fund and exceptional items. Group financing activities, fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration and income taxes are managed on a Group basis and are not allocated to reportable segments.

Revenue

 

          2020           2019           2018 
Year ended 31 December   

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

    

            2017

$m

       $m       $m       $m 
Americas    1,040     1,051     999      512      1,040      1,051 
EMEAA    723     569     457      221      723      569 
Greater China    135     143     117      77      135      143 
Central    185     170     157      182      185      170 
Revenue from reportable segments    2,083     1,933     1,730      992      2,083      1,933 
System Fund revenues    1,373     1,233     1,242      765      1,373      1,233 
Reimbursement of costs    1,171     1,171     1,103      637      1,171      1,171 
Total revenue    4,627     4,337     4,075      2,394      4,627      4,337 

146IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Profit2. Segmental information continued

(Loss)/profit

 

              2020             2019             2018 
Year ended 31 December               2019
$m
                2018
Restated
$m
                2017
Restated
$m
       $m     $m     $m 
Americas (see below)    700     673     648 
Americas     296     700     673 
EMEAA    217     206     175      (50    217     206 
Greater China    73     70     53      35     73     70 
Central    (125    (117    (102     (62    (125    (117
Operating profit from reportable segments    865     832     774      219     865     832 
System Fund    (49    (146    (34     (102    (49    (146
Operating exceptional items (note 6)    (186    (104    4      (270    (186    (104
Operating profit    630     582     744 
Net finance costs    (115    (96    (91
Operating (loss)/profit     (153    630     582 
Net finance expenses     (140    (115    (96
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration    27     (4          13     27     (4
Profit before tax    542     482     653 
(Loss)/profit before tax     (280    542     482 
Tax    (156    (132    (118     20     (156    (132
Profit for the year    386     350     535 
(Loss)/profit for the year     (260    386     350 

All items above relate to continuing operations.

Operating profit from reportable segments includes $4m business interruption insurance proceeds and $4m favourable litigation settlement, both in the Americas region, and $3m gain on disposal of hotel assets in EMEAA. In 2019, included $10m in 2019,business interruption insurance proceeds relating to the Americas region, which isregion. These amounts are included in ‘other operating income’ in the Group income statement.

150IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


2. Segmental informationNon-cash items included within operating profit from reportable segmentscontinued

Assets

 

31 December    

            2019

$m

     

2018

        Restated

$m

 
Americas    1,784     1,656 
EMEAAa    978     738 
Greater China    136     110 
Central    772     755 
Segment assets    3,670     3,259 
Unallocated assets:            
  Derivative financial instruments    1     8 
  Tax receivable    44     58 
  Deferred tax assets    66     63 
  Cash and cash equivalents    195     704 
Total assets    3,976     4,092 

a  Includes assets classified as held for sale of $19m (2018: $nil).

      
Liabilities      
31 December    

2019

$m

     

2018

Restated

$m

 
Americas    (971    (995
EMEAAa    (398    (386
Greater China    (80    (61
Central    (206    (225
Segment liabilities    (1,655    (1,667
Unallocated liabilities:            
  Loyalty andco-brand deferred revenue and other payables    (1,339    (1,291
  Loans and other borrowings    (2,165    (2,014
  Derivative financial instruments    (20     
  Tax payable    (50    (50
  Deferred tax liabilities    (118    (124
  Deferred and contingent purchase considerationb    (94    (77
Total liabilities    (5,441    (5,223

a

Includes liabilities classified as held for sale of $22m (2018: $nil).

b

Excludes UK portfolio which is included in EMEAA. 2018 has been restated accordingly.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes151


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Segmental informationcontinued

Other segmental information

Year ended 31 December 2020     

Americas
$m

        EMEAA
$m
      

Greater

China
$m

        Central
$m
        Group
$m
 
Depreciation and amortisationa     41       21      6       42       110 
Share-based payments cost     7       3      2       7       19 
Share of losses of associates and joint ventures     14                           14 
Year ended 31 December 2019     

    Americas

$m

     

    EMEAA

$m

   

    Greater

China

$m

     

    Central

$m

     

    Group

$m

      Americas
$m
        EMEAA
$m
      Greater
China
$m
        Central
$m
        Group
$m
 
Capital expenditure (page 153)   57      71          137      265 
Non-cash items:                      

Depreciation and amortisationa

   44      25    5      42      116 

Share-based payments cost

   9      4    2      13      28 

Share of losses/(gains) of associates and joint ventures

   9      (6               3 

Impairment charges

   50      81                131 
Year ended 31 December 2018     

Americas

Restated

$m

     

EMEAA

Restated

$m

   

Greater

China

Restated

$m

     

Central

Restated

$m

     

Group

Restated

$m

 
Capital expenditure (page 153)    74      33    2      142      251 
Non-cash items:                      

Depreciation and amortisationa

    46      17    7      45      115      44       25      5       42       116 

Share-based payments cost

    8      4    3      12      27      9       4      2       13       28 

Share of losses/(gains) of associates and joint ventures

    6      (5               1      9       (6                   3 
Year ended 31 December 2017     

Americas

Restated

$m

     

EMEAA

Restated

$m

   

Greater

China

Restated

$m

     

Central

Restated

$m

     

Group

Restated

$m

 
Capital expenditure    120      26    2      202      350 
Non-cash items:                      
Year ended 31 December 2018     Americas
$m
        EMEAA
$m
      Greater
China
$m
        Central
$m
        Group
$m
 

Depreciation and amortisationa

    42      15    5      50      112      46       17      7       45       115 

Share-based payments cost

    6      4    3      8      21      8       4      3       12       27 

Share of losses/(gains) of associates and joint ventures

    1      (4               (3     6       (5                   1 

Impairment charge

    18                      18 

 

a

Included in the $110m (2019: $116m, (2018: $115m, 2017: $112m)2018: $115m) of depreciation and amortisation is $82m (2018: $86m, 2017: $78m) relating to administrative expenses and $34m (2018: $29m 2017: $34m)(2019: $32m, 2018: $27m) relating to cost of sales.sales in owned, leased and managed lease hotels, and $81m (2019: $84m, 2018: $88m) relating to other assets. A further $62m (2019: $54m, (2018: $49m, 2017: $41m)2018: $49m) of depreciation and amortisation was recorded within System Fund expenses.

 

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152Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


2. Segmental informationcontinued

Reconciliation of capital expenditure

Year ended 31 December 2019    

Americas

$m

  

        EMEAA

$m

       

        Greater

China

$m

       

        Central

$m

       

        Group

$m

 
Capital expenditure per management reporting   57   71                137        265 
Goodwill      4                        4 
Contract acquisition costs   (27  (35                       (62
Timing differences and other adjustments   4   1                (4       1 
Additions per the Group Financial Statements   34   41                133        208 
Comprising additions to:                                    

Goodwill and other intangible assets

      4                104        108 

Property, plant and equipment

   19   29                29        77 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

   14                           14 

Other financial assets

   1   8                        9 
    34   41                133        208 
Year ended 31 December 2018    

Americas

Restated

$m

  

EMEAA

Restated

$m

       

Greater

China

Restated

$m

       

Central

Restated

$m

       

Group

Restated

$m

 
Capital expenditure per management reporting   74   33        2        142        251 
Contract acquisition costs   (32  (26                       (58
Timing differences and other adjustments   1                           1 
Additions per the Group Financial Statements   43   7        2        142        194 
Comprising additions to:                                    

Intangible assets

                      112        112 

Property, plant and equipment

   13   2        2        30        47 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

   3                           3 

Other financial assets

   27   5                        32 
    43   7        2        142        194 
Geographical information            
Year ended 31 December          

2019

$m

      

2018

$m

      

2017

$m

 
Revenue

 

                      
United Kingdom

 

        265     151     74 
United States

 

        1,957     1,950     1,845 
China

 

        214     222     201 
Rest of World

 

        818     781     713 
          3,254     3,104     2,833 
System Fund (note 33)

 

        1,373     1,233     1,242 
          4,627     4,337     4,075 

For the purposes of the above table, hotel and reimbursable revenues are determined according to the location of the hotel and other revenue is attributed to the country of origin. In addition to the United Kingdom, revenue relating to an individual country is separately disclosed when it represents 10% or more of total revenue. System Fund revenues are not included in the geographical analysis as the Group does not monitor the Fund’s revenue by location of the hotel, or in the case of the loyalty programme, according to the location where members consume their rewards.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes2020 153147


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

2. Segmental informationcontinued

31 December    

            2019

$m

     

2018

    Restated

$m

 
Non-current assets            
United Kingdom    184     205 
United States    1,632     1,643 
Rest of World    847     510 
     2,663     2,358 

Capital expenditure

Year ended 31 December 2020      Americas
$m
      EMEAA
$m
      Greater
China
$m
      Central
$m
      Group
$m
 
Capital expenditure per management reporting     46        44        2        56        148 
Contract acquisition costs     (33       (29       (2               (64
Timing differences and other adjustments     17        4                (1       20 
Additions per the Group Financial Statements     30        19                55        104 
Comprising additions to:                                           

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     1        1                50        52 

Property, plant and equipment

     12        13                5        30 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

     17                                17 

Other financial assets

             5                        5 
      30        19                55        104 
Year ended 31 December 2019      Americas
$m
       EMEAA
$m
       Greater
China
$m
       Central
$m
       Group
$m
 
Capital expenditure per management reporting     57        71                137        265 
Goodwill             4                        4 
Contract acquisition costs     (27       (35                       (62
Timing differences and other adjustments     4        1                (4       1 
Additions per the Group Financial Statements     34        41                133        208 
Comprising additions to:                                           

Goodwill and other intangible assets

             4                104        108 

Property, plant and equipment

     19        29                29        77 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

     14                                14 

Other financial assets

     1        8                        9 
      34        41                133        208 

148IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



2. Segmental information continued

         

Geographical information

         
Year ended 31 December    

2020

$m

     

2019

$m

     

2018

$m

 
Revenue                  
United Kingdom    77     265     151 
United States    1,067     1,957     1,950 
Rest of World    485     1,032     1,003 
     1,629     3,254     3,104 
System Fund (note 33)    765     1,373     1,233 
     2,394     4,627     4,337 
For the purposes of the above table, fee business, owned, leased and managed lease and reimbursable revenues are determined according to the location of the hotel and other revenue is attributed to the country of origin. In addition to the United Kingdom, revenue relating to an individual country is separately disclosed when it represents 10% or more of total revenue. System Fund revenues are not included in the geographical analysis as the Group does not monitor the Fund’s revenue by location of the hotel, or in the case of the loyalty programme, according to the location where members consume their rewards.

 

31 December     2020
$m
     2019
$m
 
Non-current assets

 

            
United Kingdom

 

    72     184 
United States

 

    1,487     1,632 
Rest of World

 

    700     847 
      2,259     2,663 

For the purposes of the above table,non-current assets comprise goodwill and other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment,right-of-use assets, investments in associates and joint ventures,non-current contract costs andnon-current contract assets. In addition to the United Kingdom,non-current assets relating to an individual country are separately disclosed when they represent 10% or more oftotal non-current assets, as defined above.

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020149


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

3. Revenue

Disaggregation of revenue

The following table presents Group revenue disaggregated by type of revenue stream and by reportable segment:

 

Year ended 31 December 2019       

Americas

$m

     

    EMEAA

$m

     

    Greater
China

$m

     

    Central

$m

     

    Group

$m

 
Year ended 31 December 2020     Americas
$m
       EMEAA
$m
   

    Greater
China

$m

       Central
$m
       Group
$m
 
Franchise and base management fees  840      247      87            1,174     452    93    61        606 
Incentive management fees  13      90      48            151     5    14    16        35 
Central revenue           ��         185      185                 182    182 
Revenue from fee business  853      337      135      185      1,510     457    107    77    182    823 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels  187      386                  573     55    114            169 
  1,040      723      135      185      2,083     512    221    77    182    992 
System Fund revenues (note 33)                       1,373                 765 
Reimbursement of costs                       1,171                 637 
Total revenue                       4,627                 2,394 
Year ended 31 December 2018    Americas
$m
     EMEAA
$m
     

Greater
China

$m

     Central
$m
     

Group

$m

 
Franchise and base management fees   835      227      94            1,156 
Incentive management fees   18      93      49            160 
Central revenue                     170      170 
Revenue from fee business   853      320      143      170      1,486 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels   198      249                  447 
   1,051      569      143      170      1,933 
System Fund revenues (note 33)                       1,233 
Reimbursement of costs                       1,171 
Total revenue                       4,337 
Year ended 31 December 2017    Americas
$m
     EMEAA
$m
     

Greater
China

$m

     Central
$m
     

Group

$m

 
Franchise and base management fees   795      204      73            1,072 
Incentive management fees   16      90      44            150 
Central revenue                     157      157 
Revenue from fee business   811      294      117      157      1,379 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels   188      163                  351 
           999              457              117              157              1,730 
System Fund revenues (note 33)                       1,242 
Reimbursement of costs                       1,103 
Total revenue                       4,075 

154Following communication with the IHG Owners Association, fees and expenses associated with the InterContinental Ambassador programme (the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts paid-for loyalty programme) previously reported within Central revenue have been moved into the System Fund to align with the treatment of IHG’s other brand loyalty programmes. Revenue arising from the licence of intellectual property under co-brand credit card agreements previously recorded within the System Fund is now recorded within Central revenue (see page 139). This change is effective from 1 January 2020. For the year ended 31 December 2020, this change resulted in an increase of $20m to Central revenue and $21m to operating profit from reportable segments, and an equivalent reduction to System Fund revenues and increase to System Fund operating loss. Had this arrangement existed in the prior year, Central revenue and operating profit in 2019 would have been $18m and $22m higher respectively (2018: $15m and $20m respectively); System Fund revenues would have reduced and System Fund operating loss would have increased by the same amounts.  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


 

Year ended 31 December 2019     

    Americas

$m

   

    EMEAA

$m

   

    Greater
China

$m

   

    Central

$m

   

    Group

$m

 
Franchise and base management fees    840    247    87        1,174 
Incentive management fees    13    90    48        151 
Central revenue                185    185 
Revenue from fee business    853    337    135    185    1,510 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels    187    386            573 
     1,040    723    135    185    2,083 
System Fund revenues (note 33)                        1,373 
Reimbursement of costs                        1,171 
Total revenue                        4,627 

 

3. Revenuecontinued

Year ended 31 December 2018         Americas
$m
       EMEAA
$m
   

    Greater
China

$m

       Central
$m
       Group
$m
 
Franchise and base management fees    835    227    94        1,156 
Incentive management fees    18    93    49        160 
Central revenue                170    170 
Revenue from fee business    853    320    143    170    1,486 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels    198    249            447 
     1,051    569    143    170    1,933 
System Fund revenues (note 33)                        1,233 
Reimbursement of costs                        1,171 
Total revenue                        4,337 

Contract balances

 

   

2019

$m

    

2018

$m

      

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

 
Trade receivables (note 18)    514     474     309     515 
Contract assets    334     290     336     334 
Deferred revenue            (1,564            (1,506    (1,569    (1,564

A trade receivable is recorded when the Group has issued an invoice and has an unconditional right to receive payment. In respect of franchise fees, base and incentive management fees, Central revenue and revenues from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, the invoice is typically issued as the related performance obligations are satisfied, as described on page 144.138.

150IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



3. Revenue continued

Contract assets (including performance guarantees)

Contract assets are recorded in respect of key money payments; the difference, if any, between the initial face and market value of loans made to owners; and the value of payments under performance guarantees.

 

   

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

       

    2020
$m

          2019
$m
 
At 1 January    290     258      334     290 
Costs paid    64     58      74     64 
Recognised as a deduction to revenue    (22    (19     (25    (22
Impairment charges     (53     
Repayments    (1    (2          (1
Exchange and other adjustments    3     (5     6     3 
At 31 December    334     290      336     334 
Analysed as:                 

Current

    23     20      25     23 

Non-current

    311     270      311     311 
    334     290      336     334 

Key money is recognised as a contract asset when the trigger event for payment is met and payment becomes unconditional. The Group also has future commitments for key money payments which are contingent upon future events and may reverse.

At 31 December 2019,2020, the amount of performance guarantees included within trade and other payables was $2m (2018: $3m)$1m (2019: $2m) and the maximum payout remaining under such guarantees was $85m (2018: $42m)$72m (2019: $85m). In estimating amounts due under performance guarantees, the Group has considered ‘force majeure’ provisions within its management agreements.

Impairment of contract assets relates primarily to deposits made to SVC of $33m (see page 137). The remaining impairment of $20m relates to key money and performance guarantee payments on individual properties which are supported by future franchise and management fees. As a result of the expected impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent recovery period on trading, all significant contract assets were tested for impairment using cash flow projections which reflect the five-year RevPAR recovery period outlined on page 135. The key assumptions are the RevPAR growth forecasts and the pre-tax discount rates used, which were 8.4%-9.3% for Americas, 9.5%-10.4% for Europe, 14.1% for other EMEAA and 13.3% for Greater China.

Of the total impairment including SVC balances, $42m relates to the Americas region and $11m relates to the EMEAA region.

Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue is recognised when payment is received before the related performance obligation is satisfied. The main categories of deferred revenue relate to the Loyaltyloyalty programme,co-branding agreements and franchise application andre-licensing fees.

 

    

Loyalty

    programme

$m

 

Other

co-brand

fees

$m

 

Application &

re-licensing

fees

$m

   

Other

$m

   

Total

$m

      Loyalty
    programme
$m
 

Other
    co-brand
fees

$m

 

    Application &
re-licensing
fees

$m

     Other
$m
 

    Total

$m

 
At 1 January 2018   1,057   88   163    49    1,357 
Acquisition of businesses             8    8 
Increase in deferred revenue   540      36    67    643 
Recognised as revenue   (416  (11  (23   (47   (497
Exchange and other adjustments         (1   (4   (5
At 31 December 2018   1,181   77   175    73    1,506 
At 1 January 2019    1,181   77   175   73   1,506 
Acquisition of businesses             2    2              2   2 
Increase in deferred revenue  533     26    64    623     533      26   64   623 
Recognised as revenue  (481 (11 (25   (49   (566    (481  (11  (25  (49  (566
Exchange and other adjustments        (4   3    (1          (4  3   (1
At 31 December 2019  1,233  66  172    93    1,564     1,233   66   172   93   1,564 
At 31 December 2019        
Increase in deferred revenue    344     14  45  403 
Recognised as revenue    (332 (11 (20 (39 (402
Exchange and other adjustments            4  4 
At 31 December 2020    1,245  55  166  103  1,569 
Analysed as:                         

Current

  476  11  25    43    555     376  11  22  43  452 

Non-current

  757  55  147    50    1,009     869  44  144  60  1,117 
  1,233  66  172    93    1,564     1,245  55  166  103  1,569 
At 31 December 2018        
Analysed as:             
At 31 December 2019            

Current

   491   11   23    47    572     476   11   25   43   555 

Non-current

   690   66   152    26    934     757   55   147   50   1,009 
   1,181   77   175    73    1,506     1,233   66   172   93   1,564 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes155


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

3. Revenuecontinued

TheThis table on the previous page does not include amounts which were received and recognised as revenue in the same year. Amounts recognised as revenue were included in deferred revenue at the beginning of the year.

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020151


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

3. Revenue continued

Loyalty programme revenues, shown gross in the table on the previous page, are presented net of the corresponding redemption cost in the Group income statement.

Other deferred revenue includes technical service fees and guest deposits received by owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations

The Group has applied the practical expedient in IFRS 15 not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as at the end of the reporting period for all amounts where the Group has a right to consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Group’s performance completed to date (including franchise and management fees).

Amounts received and not yet recognised related to performance obligations that were unsatisfied at 31 December 20192020 are as follows:

 

    2019     2018       2020       2019 
      Loyalty and
co-brand
$m
       Other
$m
       Total
$m
       Loyalty and
co-brand
$m
       Other
$m
   Total
$m
 
Expected to be recognised in:    

Loyalty and

co-brand

$m

  

            Other

$m

   

            Total

$m

     

Loyalty and

co-brand

$m

   

            Other

$m

   

            Total

$m

 
Expected timing of recognition                      
Less than one year  487   68    555    502    70    572      387    65    452      487    68    555 
Between one and two years  292   34    326    257    31    288      313    40    353      292    34    326 
Between two and three years  176   30    206    158    26    184      249    29    278      176    30    206 
Between three and four years  115   27    142    106    22    128      176    24    200      115    27    142 
Between four and five years  79   27    106    75    20    95      73    22    95      79    27    106 
More than five years  150   79    229    160    79    239      102    89    191      150    79    229 
  1,299   265    1,564    1,258    248    1,506      1,300    269    1,569      1,299    265    1,564 

Contract costs

Movements in contract costs, typically developer commissions, are as follows:

 

     

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

           2020
$m
        2019
$m
 
At 1 January    60     58      72     60 
Costs incurred    19     9      11      19 
Amortisation    (7    (7     (9    (7
Exchange and other adjustments     1      
At 31 December    72     60      75     72 
Analysed as:                 

Current

    5     5      5     5 

Non-current

    67     55      70     67 
    72     60      75     72 

Contract costs were tested for impairment during the year. As contract costs typically constitute a very small percentage of deal value, no impairment was identified.

 

156152 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

4. Staff costs and Directors’ emolumentsremuneration

 

   

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

    

        2017

$m

       

      2020

$m

       

      2019

$m

       

      2018

$m

 
Staff costs                           
Wages and salaries    1,982     1,956     1,868      1,233      1,982      1,956 
Social security costs    131     127     106      86      131      127 
Pension and other post-retirement benefits:                           
Defined benefit plans (note 27)    3     19     5      3      3      19 
Defined contribution plans    64     63     61      36      64      63 
    2,180     2,165     2,040      1,358      2,180      2,165 
Analysed as:                           
Costs borne by IHGa    735     708     645      500      735      708 
Costs borne by the System Fundb    313     347     339      242      313      347 
Costs reimbursed    1,132     1,110     1,056      616      1,132      1,110 
    2,180     2,165     2,040      1,358      2,180      2,165 

 

a

Includes $27m classified as exceptional relating to reorganisation programmes and $nil (2019: $9m, (2018: $21m, 2017: $13m)2018: $21m) classified as exceptional relating to the comprehensive efficiency programme.programme completed in 2019. In 2018, included $15m classified as exceptional relating to termination of the US funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan.

 

b

Includes $20m relating to the 2020 corporate reorganisation programme and $nil (2019: $8m, (2018: $21m, 2017: $9m)2018: $21m) relating to the comprehensive efficiency programme.programme completed in 2019.

               2019              2018              2017 
Average number of employees, including part-time employees                  
Employees whose costs are borne by IHG:                  
  Americas    2,170     2,225     2,149 
  EMEAA    5,227     3,255     2,267 
  Greater China    339     324     294 
  Central    1,900     1,794     1,948 
     9,636     7,598     6,658 
Employees whose costs are borne by the System Fund    4,800     5,214     5,555 
Employees whose costs are reimbursed    22,207     22,518     22,577 
     36,643     35,330     34,790 
       

2019

$m

      

2018

$m

      

2017

$m

 
Directors’ emoluments                  
Base salaries, fees, performance payments and benefits    6.4     7.1     4.9 

LOGO

More detailed information on the emoluments, pensions, share awards and shareholdings

for each Director is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 109.

5. Auditor’s remuneration paidStaff costs are presented net of government support income of $36m received in 2020. This primarily relates to Ernst & Young LLPemployee costs at certain of the Group’s leased hotels. Additionally, ongoing support has been received in the form of tax credits which have also been applicable in prior years and which relate to the Group’s corporate office presence in certain countries. The income has been recognised as a reduction to the payroll costs that the grants and credits are intended to compensate. There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attaching to these grants.

 

      2020       2019       2018 
Average number of employees, including part-time employees               
Employees whose costs are borne by IHG:               
Americas     1,931      2,170      2,225 
EMEAA     4,088      5,227      3,255 
Greater China     314      339      324 
Central     1,813      1,900      1,794 
     8,146      9,636      7,598 
Employees whose costs are borne by the System Fund     4,686      4,800      5,214 
Employees whose costs are reimbursed     15,980      22,207      22,518 
     28,812      36,643      35,330 
      

2020

$m

       

2019

$m

       

2018

$m

 
Directors’ remuneration               
Base salaries, fees, performance payments and benefits     4.2      6.4      7.1 

LOGO More detailed information on the remuneration including pensions, share awards and shareholdings for each Director is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 111.

LOGO More detailed information on the remuneration including pensions, share awards and shareholdings for each Director is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 111.

     

5. Auditor’s remuneration paid to Ernst & Young LLP            
   

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

    

        2017

$m

       2020
$m
       2019
$m
       2018
$m
 
Audit of the Financial Statementsa    3.0     3.3     3.0      3.0      3.0      3.3 
Audit of subsidiaries    3.2     2.9     2.2      3.3      3.2      2.9 
Audit-related assurance services    0.2     0.2     0.2      0.2      0.2      0.2 
Other assurance services    1.3     1.3     1.0 
Tax compliance              0.1 
Other assurance servicesb     1.1      1.3      1.3 
Othernon-audit services not covered by the above    0.1     0.1     0.2      0.1      0.1      0.1 
    7.8     7.8     6.7      7.7      7.8      7.8 

 

a

Includes $nil (2018:In 2018, included $0.4m 2017: $0.5m) of additional fees for specific procedures performed in relation to the implementation of new accounting standards.

b

Excludes fees of $0.2m which have not yet been incurred.

Audit fees in respect of the pension scheme were not material.

 

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes2020 157153


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

6. Exceptional items

        Note           2020
$m
          2019
$m
          2018
$m
 
Operating exceptional items:                          
Cost of sales:                          

Derecognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

     (a)(h)      22           

Gain on lease termination

     (b)      30           

Provision for onerous contractual expenditure

     (h)      (10          

Reorganisation costs

     (c)(h)      (8          
             34           
Administrative expenses:                          

Reorganisation costs

     (c)      (19    (20    (56

Acquisition and integration costs

     (d)      (6    (7    (15

Litigation

     (e)      (5    (28    (18

Pension settlement cost

     27                (15
             (30    (55    (104
Impairment loss on financial assets     (f)      (48          
Other impairment charges:                          

Goodwill

     (h)           (49     

Management agreements

     13      (48    (50     

Property, plant and equipment

     14, (h)      (90          

Right-of-use assets

     15, (h)      (16    (32     

Associates

     16      (19          

Contract assets

     3      (53          
             (226    (131     
Operating exceptional items            (270    (186    (104
Financial expenses     (g)      (14          
Fair value gains on contingent purchase consideration     (h)      21     38      
Exceptional items before tax            (263    (148    (104
Tax on exceptional items     (i)      52     20     22 
Exceptional tax     (j)                5 
Tax            52     20     27 
Operating exceptional items analysed as:                          

Americas

            (118    (62    (36

EMEAA

            (128    (109    (12

Greater China

            (5         (1

Central

            (19    (15    (55
             (270    (186    (104

The above items are treated as exceptional by reason of their size, nature, or incidence, as further described on page 140.

All items above relate to continuing operations.

 

       

            2019

$m

     

        2018

$m

     

2017

        Restated

$m

 
Operating exceptional items:                   
Administrative expenses:                   

Acquisition and integration costs

     (7    (15    (15

Litigation

     (28    (18     

Reorganisation costs

     (20    (56    (36

Pension settlement cost

          (15     
      (55    (104    (51
Other operating income and expenses:                   

Gain on disposal of equity securities measured at fair value (note 17)

               73 
                73 
Impairment charges:                   

Goodwill (note 13)

     (49          

Management agreements (note 13)

     (50          

Right-of-use assets (note 15)

     (32          

Associates (note 16)

               (18
      (131         (18
Total operating exceptional items     (186    (104    4 
Fair value gains on contingent purchase consideration (note 25)     38           
                    
Exceptional items before tax     (148    (104    4 
Tax:                   
Tax on exceptional items     20     22     (2
Exceptional tax          5     87 
Total tax (note 8)     20     27     85 
Operating exceptional items analysed as:                   

Americas

     (62    (36    37 

EMEAA

     (109    (12    (4

Greater China

          (1     

Central

     (15    (55    (29
      (186    (104    4 
154IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



6. Exceptional items continued

(a) Derecognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

The UK portfolio leases and two German hotel leases contain guarantees that the Group will fund any shortfalls in lease payments up to an annual and cumulative cap. Previously the minimum ‘in-substance fixed’ lease payments were estimated to be equal to the cumulative amount guaranteed under the lease agreements and therefore a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability equal to the guaranteed amount were recognised. The unprecedented impact of Covid-19 and subsequent restrictions have resulted in a reassessment of the estimate of ‘in-substance fixed’ lease payments, as there is no floor to the rent reductions applicable under these leases, and the circumstances in which no rent would be payable are no longer considered to be remote.

As a result, the right-of-use assets ($49m) and lease liabilities ($71m) associated with these leases have been derecognised as they are now considered to be fully variable. This resulted in a net gain of $22m.

(b) Gain on lease termination

On 14 December 2020 as a consequence of the termination of the SVC portfolio agreement, the lease of InterContinental San Juan was terminated. The right-of-use assets ($60m) and lease liabilities ($90m) associated with this hotel have therefore been derecognised, resulting in a net gain of $30m.

(c) Reorganisation costs

In 2020, reorganisation costs relate to the UK portfolio (see below), other owned and leased hotels and a corporate reorganisation completed in the year reflecting the reassessment of near-term priorities and the resources needed to support reduced levels of demand. An additional $20m relating to the corporate restructuring was charged to the System Fund.

In 2019 and 2018, related to a comprehensive efficiency programme to fund a series of new strategic initiatives to drive an acceleration in IHG’s future growth. The programme was completed in 2019 and no further restructuring costs related to this programme were incurred in 2020. The 2019 cost included consultancy fees of $6m (2018: $25m) and severance costs of $8m (2018: $18m). An additional $28m (2018: $47m) was charged to the System Fund.

(d) Acquisition and integration costs

RelatesIn 2019, primarily related to the acquisitionsacquisition of Six Senses Regent and the UK portfolio (see note 11) and in 2017, related2020, relates to the integration of that business into the operations of the Group.

(e) Litigation

In 2020, relates to the cost of integrating Kimpton which was acquired on 16 January 2015.

Litigation

In 2019, primarily represents management’s best estimatesettlement of a settlement$14m agreed in the year in respect of a lawsuit filed againstin the GroupEMEAA region, offset primarily by the partial release of the 2019 provision related to a lawsuit in the Americas region which has been settled in the year (see note 21). In 2019, primarily represented management’s best estimate of the settlement in respect of the Americas lawsuit, together with the cost of an arbitration award made against the Group in the EMEAA region.

In 2018, primarily related to a material settlement agreed in respect of a lawsuit filed against the Group in the Americas region, together with associated legal fees.

Reorganisation costs(f) Impairment loss on financial assets

Comprises $33m and $15m related to SVC and other trade deposits and loans respectively (see note 17).

(g) Financial expenses

In September 2017,October 2020 management undertook actions to strengthen liquidity and extend the Group launched a comprehensive efficiency programme to fund a seriesmaturity profile of new strategic initiatives to drive an acceleration in IHG’s future growth. The programme is centred around strengthening the Group’s organisational structure to redeploy resources to leverage scaledebt. The Group issued a tender offer for its £400m 3.875% 2022 bonds resulting in a repayment of £227m and concurrently issued 500m 1.625% 2024 bonds and £400m 3.375% 2028 bonds. The exceptional charge includes the highest opportunity marketspremium on repayment and segments. The programme was completed in 2019. The cost includes consultancyassociated write-off of fees of $6m (2018: $25m, 2017: $24m) and severance costs of $8m (2018: $18m, 2017: $8m). An additional $28m (2018: $47m, 2017: $9m) has been chargeddiscount.

(h) Exceptional items relating to the System Fund.UK portfolio

Included within exceptional items are the following items relating to the UK portfolio:

      

    2020
$m

         2019
$m
         2018
$m
 
Operating exceptional items:                  
Cost of sales:                  

Derecognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

    18           

Provision for onerous contractual expenditure

    (10          

Reorganisation costs

    (4          
     4           
Other impairment charges:                  

Goodwill

         (49     

Property, plant and equipment

    (50          

Right-of-use assets

         (32     
     (50    (81     
Operating exceptional items    (46    (81     
Fair value gains on contingent purchase consideration (note 25)    21     38      
Exceptional items before tax    (25    (43     

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158Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020155


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

6. Exceptional itemscontinued

Pension settlement cost(h) Exceptional items relating to the UK portfolio continued

Arose fromThe UK portfolio has continued to experience hugely challenging trading conditions as a result of Covid-19, with all 12 hotels closing for business in March 2020. The impact of Covid-19 and subsequent restrictions on travel caused the terminationUK leased hotels to be closed for extended periods during 2020. Hotels which were able to open temporarily during the year experienced historically low occupancies. 11 of the US funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan (see note 27).hotels were closed as at 31 December 2020 and all hotels were closed during January 2021.

As described on page 155, the right-of-use asset ($22m) and lease liability ($40m) relating to the UK portfolio have been derecognised as a result of the re-estimation of the ‘in-substance fixed’ rent payable under the leases, resulting in a gain of $18m. The leases are now considered to be fully variable.

Under the terms of the leases, the Group is committed to certain items of contractual expenditure. A $10m provision was recognised to the extent the costs of the remaining contractual expenditure exceeded the future economic benefits expected to be received under the leases.

The hotels have incurred a total cost of $4m to restructure hotel operations in response to the future impact of Covid-19 on hotel occupancy and revenues. The reorganisation was completed in 2020.

Impairment testing was performed on the remaining property, plant and equipment in the portfolio using management forecasts covering a five-year period. The testing performed and key assumptions are detailed on page 135. In 2019, goodwill ($49m) and the right-of-use asset ($32m) (prior to derecognition) were impaired as a result of trading disruption arising from hotel renovations and rebranding.

Contingent purchase consideration comprises the present value of the above-market element of the expected lease payments to the lessor. The above-market assessment is determined by comparing the expected lease payments as a percentage of forecast hotel operating profit (before depreciation and rent) with market metrics, on a hotel by hotel basis. A fair value gain of $21m was recognised in the period (2019: $38m), arising from a reduction in expected future rentals payable such that there is no remaining above-market element. The key assumptions are detailed on page 135.

As a result of the adjustments outlined above, non-current assets, lease liabilities and contingent consideration relating to the UK portfolio were all measured at $nil at 31 December 2020.

(i) Tax on exceptional items

In 2019, comprises a currentThe tax credit of $4m on reorganisation costs (2018: $11m, 2017: $13m), a $6m deferred tax credit in respect of litigation costs (2018: $5m current tax credit), a $1m deferred tax charge representing the net tax impact of theright-of-use asset impairment and the fair value gain on contingent purchase consideration, a $13m deferred tax credit in relation to the management agreement impairment and a $2m prior year deferred tax charge relating to a 2014 disposal. Additionally, in 2018 there was a $6m tax credit ($5m current tax and $1m deferred tax) arising from the US pension settlement, a $2m current tax credit in respect of acquisition and integration costs (2017: deferred tax credit $6m) and a $2m prior year current tax charge on the 2017 sale of a minority investment (2017: $28m). Additionally in 2017 there was a $7m deferred tax credit in respectimpacts of the impairment charge relating toexceptional items are shown in the InterContinental Barclay associate.table below:

       2020      2019      2018 
        Current tax
$m
   Deferred tax
$m
      Current tax
$m
   Deferred tax
$m
      Current tax
$m
  Deferred tax
$m
 
Derecognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities         (4                 
Provision for onerous contractual expenditure         2                  
Reorganisation costs     3    2     4         11    
Acquisition and integration costs     1                  2    
Litigation                  6     5    
Pension settlement cost                       5   1 
Impairment of financial assets     4    2                  
Other impairment charges     6    37         18         
Financial expenses         3                  
Fair value gains on contingent purchase consideration         (4        (6        
Adjustments in respect of prior yearsa                  (2    (2   
      14    38     4    16     21   1 
Total current and deferred tax          52          20         22 

a

In 2019, related to a 2014 disposal. In 2018, related to the 2017 sale of a minority investment.

(j) Exceptional tax

In 2018, related to a $5m tax credit in regard to US tax reform impacts. 2017 has been restated to reflect there-measurement arising from the significant US tax reform on the deferred taxes created by IFRS 16. The 2017 restated amounts include $32m current tax charge and $109m deferred tax credit as a result of the US tax reform and a $10m deferred tax credit representing a reduction in the Group’s unremitted earnings provision.

All items above relate to continuing operations.

 

LOGO156 

The above items are treated as exceptional by reason

of their size or nature, as further described on page 145.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



7. Finance costs

 

     

            2019

$m

    

2018

            Restated

$m

    

2017

            Restated

$m

           2020
$m
          2019
$m
          2018
$m
 
Financial income                          
Financial income on deposits and money market funds     3     2     1      2     3     2 
Interest income on loans and other assets     3     3     3      2     3     3 
     6     5     4      4     6     5 
Financial expenses                          
Interest expense on bonds and syndicated facility     78     61     58 
Interest expense on external borrowings     102     78     61 
Interest expense on lease liabilities     41     39     39      37     41     39 
Capitalised interest     (5    (5    (6     (1    (5    (5
Unwind of discount on deferred purchase considerationa     1     1      
Other chargesb     6     5     4 
Unwind of discount on deferred purchase consideration     1     1     1 
Other chargesa     5     6     5 
     121     101     95      144     121     101 
Analysed as:             
Financial expenses before exceptional items     130     121     101 
Exceptional financial expenses (note 6)     14           
     144     121     101 

 

a

Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration have been disclosed on the face of the Group income statement. The 2018 comparatives have been restated accordingly.

b

Other charges compriseincludes bank charges andnon-bank interest expense.

During the year, $3m (2019: $13m, (2018: $14m, 2017: $7m)2018: $14m) was payable to the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme relating to interest on the accumulated balance of cash received in advance of the consumption of points awarded. The expense and corresponding System Fund interest income are eliminated within financial expenses.

Capitalised interest relates to the System Fund. The rate used for capitalisation of interest was 2.9% (2019: 3.1% (2018: 3.0%, 2017:2018: 3.0%).

The deferred purchase consideration relates to the Regent acquisition (see note 25)Net interest payable on a frozen GAAP basis as calculated for bank covenants was $111m (2019: $99m).

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes159


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

Further details are provided on page 181.

8. Tax

Tax on (loss)/profit

 

             2019
$m
    2018
 Restated
$m
    2017
 Restated
$m
           2020
$m
          2019
$m
          2018
$m
 
Income tax             
UK corporation tax at 19.00% (2018: 19.00%, 2017: 19.25%):             
Current tax             
UK corporation tax at 19.00%:             

Current period

     5     10     10           5     10 

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

     13     4     (2     (2    13     4 
     18     14     8      (2    18     14 
Foreign tax:                          

Current period

     154     95     210      43     154     95 

Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised

     (2    (1    (13     (2    (2    (1

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

     (11    (13    2      (5    (11    (13
     141     81     199      36     141     81 
Total current tax     159     95     207 
Deferred tax:             
     34     159     95 
Deferred tax             

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

     11     39     (8     (35    11     39 

Changes in tax rates and tax lawsa

     2     1     (56

Adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assetsb

     (2    (2    (9
Changes in tax rates and tax laws     (8    2     1 
Adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assetsa     (14    (2    (2
Reduction in deferred tax expense by previously unrecognised deferred tax assets     (1          

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

     (14    (1    (16     4     (14    (1
Total deferred tax     (3    37     (89
Total income tax charge for the year     156     132     118 
     (54    (3    37 
Further analysed as tax relating to:             

Profit before exceptional itemsc

     176     159     203 
Income tax (credit)/charge for the year     (20    156     132 
Analysed as tax relating to:             
Profit before exceptional itemsb     32     176     159 

Exceptional items:

                          

Tax on exceptional items (note 6)

     (20    (22    2      (52    (20    (22

Exceptional tax (note 6)

          (5    (87               (5
     156     132     118      (20    156     132 

 

a

In 2017, predominantly reflects a change in US tax rates following significant US tax reforms.

b

Represents a reassessment of the recovery of recognised andoff-balance sheet deferred tax assets in line with the Group’s profit forecasts.

 

cb

Includes $41m (2019: $113m, (2018: $93m, 2017: $157m)2018: $93m) in respect of US taxes.

All items above relate to continuing operations.

 

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160Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020157


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

8. Taxcontinued

                  Totala            
Before exceptional items
and System Fundb
 
 
            2019
%
     2018
    Restated
%
     2017
    Restated
%
           2019
%
     2018
    Restated
%
     2017
    Restated
%
 
Reconciliation of tax charge                                    
UK corporation tax at standard rate    19.0     19.0     19.3     19.0     19.0     19.3 
Tax credits    (0.8    (0.5    (0.5    (0.6    (0.3    (0.5
System Fundc    1.1     5.0     0.9     (0.5    (0.5    (0.4
Impairment charges    1.7                          
Other permanent differences    1.3     0.6     0.8     0.8     0.3     0.6 
Non-recoverable foreign taxesd    3.2     0.7     0.3     2.4     0.5     0.3 
Net effect of different rates of tax in overseas businessese    6.7     4.6     14.6     5.5     3.7     13.9 
Effects of changes in tax rates resulting from significant US tax reform              (8.7               
Release of provision for taxation on unremitted earnings following significant US tax reform              (7.8               
Transition tax liability arising from significant US tax reform              4.8                
Effect of other changes in tax rates and tax laws    (0.4    0.3     0.3     (0.3    0.2     0.3 
Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised    (0.4    (0.4    (1.9    (0.3    (0.3    (1.8
Effect of adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assets    (0.4    0.1     (1.4    (0.3    0.1     (1.3
Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior periods    (2.2    (2.0    (2.6    (1.9    (1.0    (1.1
             28.8             27.4             18.1             23.8             21.7             29.3 

       Totala      

Before exceptional items 

and System Fundb

 
        2020
%
      2019
%
      2018
%
      2020
%
      2019
%
      2018
%
 
Reconciliation of tax charge                                     
UK corporation tax at standard rate     19.0     19.0     19.0     19.0     19.0     19.0 
Tax credits     0.5     (0.8    (0.5    (1.7    (0.6    (0.3
System Fundc     (6.6    1.1     5.0     (1.1    (0.5    (0.5
Impairment charges          1.7                     
Other permanent differences     (4.2    1.3     0.6     12.1     0.8     0.3 
Non-recoverable foreign taxesd     (5.1    3.2     0.7     16.9     2.4     0.5 
Net effect of different rates of tax in overseas businessese     (4.5    6.7     4.6     18.9     5.5     3.7 
Effect of changes in tax rates and tax lawsf     2.9     (0.4    0.3     (9.6    (0.3    0.2 
Reduction in current tax expense by previously unrecognised deferred tax assets     0.7     (0.4    (0.4    (2.4    (0.3    (0.3
Items on which deferred tax arose but where no deferred tax is recognisedg     (1.9              5.1           
Effect of adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assetsh     5.1     (0.4    0.1     (16.9    (0.3    0.1 
Reduction in deferred tax expense by previously unrecognised deferred tax assets     0.3                          
Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior periods     0.9     (2.2    (2.0    (2.7    (1.9    (1.0
      7.1     28.8     27.4     37.6     23.8     21.7 

 

a 

Calculated in relation to total (losses)/profits including exceptional items and System Fund.

 

b 

Calculated in relation to profits excluding exceptional items and System Fund earnings.

 

c 

The System Fund is, in general, not subject to taxation.

 

d 

InThe large increase in 2020 when compared to 2019 is as a result of the material decrease in Group profitability. This has meant that the Group has no longer been able to obtain effective relief for withholding taxes incurred on its revenues and in respect of other taxes, primarily in the US and Singapore. The increase from 2018 IHG recognisedto 2019 was caused by the recognition in 2018 of a benefitcarryback claim in the US in respect of foreign tax credits in the US that were carried back against 2017 tax. In 2019, this carry back benefit is not available which has led to an increase in irrecoverable tax by 1.8 percentage points on the underlying rate before exceptional items and System Fund. These credits are disclosed within unrecognised deferred tax.credits.

 

e 

Before exceptional items and System Fund includes 18.9 percentage points (2019: 4.9 percentage points, (2018:2018: 4.2 percentage points, 2017: 13.3 percentage points) driven by the relatively high blended US federalrate, which includes US Federal and State taxes as well as Base Erosion and Anti-Avoidance Tax (‘BEAT’). In 2020, the lower profitability has resulted in a large impact of BEAT, and the trading results in the year have led to a higher proportion of the Group’s profit being taxed in the US.

f

In 2020, the UK Government reversed a previously enacted drop to the UK rate of corporation tax. This has led to an increase in value to the Group’s existing deferred tax rate.assets in the UK, contributing to a benefit to the Group effective tax rate, before exceptional items and System Fund, of 7.9 percentage points.

g

Predominantly in respect of losses arising in the year.

h

During 2020, the Group simplified its Group structure leading to an increase to existing deferred tax assets within the UK.

A reconciliation between total tax rate and tax rate before exceptional items and System Fund is shown below:

 

             2019              2018
Restated
              2017
Restated
       

2020

       2019       2018 
   Profit
        before tax
$m
            Tax
$m
            Rate
%
    

Profit
        before tax

$m

            Tax
$m
    

        Rate

%

    Profit
        before tax
$m
            Tax
$m
    

        Rate

%

       (Loss)/
profit
before tax
$m
                  Tax
$m
      

          Rate

%

       Profit
  before tax
$m
                   Tax
$m
       

          Rate

%

       Profit
before tax
$m
                 Tax
$m
       

        Rate

%

 
Group income statement    542     156     28.8     482     132     27.4     653     118     18.1      (280    (20    7.1      542      156      28.8      482      132      27.4 
Adjust for:                                                                               

Exceptional items (note 6)

    148     20         104     27         (4    85          263     52          148      20           104      27      

System Fund

    49              146              34               102               49                 146            

Other

                                     (3    
    739     176     23.8     732     159     21.7     683     200     29.3      85     32     37.6      739      176      23.8      732      159      21.7 

 

LOGO

LOGO

Information concerningNon-GAAP measures

can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 5547 to 59.51.

158IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



8. Tax continued

Tax paid

Total net tax paid during the year of $41m (2019: $141m, (2018: $68m, 2017: $172m)2018: $68m) comprises $41m (2019: $141m, (2018: $66m, 2017: $147m)2018: $66m) paid in respect of operating activities and $nil (2018: $2m, 2017: $25m)(2019: $nil, 2018: $2m) paid in respect of investing activities.

The total tax paid includes, in respect of the US:

payments of $29m (2019: $80m, 2018: $54m); and

refunds arising from earlier periods of $24m (2019: $nil, 2018: $34m);

and in respect of the UK:

payments of $2m (2019: $13m, 2018: $23m); and

refunds arising from earlier periods of $nil (2019: $nil, 2018: $11m).

A reconciliation of tax paid to the total tax charge in the Group income statement is as follows:

 

           2019
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
       

        2020
$m

              2019
$m
              2018
$m
 
Current tax charge in the Group income statement    (159    (95    (207     (34    (159    (95
Current tax credit in the Group statement of comprehensive income    2     1      
Current tax (charge)/credit in the Group statement of comprehensive income     (1    2     1 
Current tax credit taken directly to equity    4     8     12           4     8 
Total current tax charge    (153    (86    (195     (35    (153    (86
Movements to tax contingencies within the Group income statementa    3     (4    (3
Movements to tax contingenciesa     (8    3     (4
Timing differences of cash tax paid and foreign exchange differences    9     22     26      2     9     22 
Tax paid per cash flow    (141    (68    (172     (41    (141    (68

 

a

Tax contingency movements are included within the current tax charge but do not impact cash tax paid in the year. Settlement of tax contingencies are included within cash tax paid in the year but not recorded in the current year tax charge.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes161


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

8. Taxcontinued

Current tax

Within current tax payable is $33m (2018: $29m)$25m (2019: $33m) in respect of uncertain tax positions.

The calculation of the Group’s total tax charge involves consideration of applicable tax laws and regulations in many jurisdictions throughout the world. From time to time, the Group is subject to tax audits and uncertainties in these jurisdictions. The issues involved can be complex and disputes may take a number of years to resolve.

Where the interpretation of local tax law is not clear, management relies on judgement and accounting estimates to ensure all uncertain tax positions are adequately provided for in the Group Financial Statements. This may involve consideration of some or all of the following factors:

 

strength of technical argument, impact of case law and clarity of legislation;

 

professional advice;

 

experience of interactions, and precedents set, with the particular taxing authority; and

 

agreements previously reached in other jurisdictions on comparable issues.

The largest single contingency item within the current tax payable balance does not exceed $9m (2018: $8m)$8m (2019: $9m).

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020159


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

8. Tax continued

Deferred tax

 

   Property,
plant,
equipment
and
 

Other

intangible

assets and
contract
assets

 Application
fees and
contract
 Deferred
gains on
 Deferred
gains on
   Employee     Undistributed
earnings of
 

Other

short-term
temporary
differencesa

 Total        




Property,
plant,
equipment
and
software
$m
 
 
 
 
 
 
  


Other
intangible
assets
$m
 
 
 
 
  

Application
fees

$m

 
 

 

  


Deferred
gains on
loan notes
$m
 
 
 
 
  
Associates
$m
 
 
  
Losses
$m
 
 
  

Employee
benefits
$m
 
 
 
  


Deferred
compen-

sation
$m

 
 

 
 

  

Credit
losses
$m
 
 
 
  

Contract
costs
$m
 
 
 
  


Other
short-term
temporary
differences

$m

 
 
 
a 

 

  
Total
$m
 
 
    software  Restated  costs  loan notes  investments      Losses   benefits  subsidiaries  Restated  Restated 
    $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m   $m  $m  $m  $m 
At 1 January 2018    (98  (2  25   (34  (54 40   20      86   (17
Group income statement    (26  (8  4   (1  (2 (4)      (2  2   (37
Assets of businesses acquired    4   (11                   10   3 
Group statement of comprehensive income                     (2     (2  (4
Group statement of changes in equity                           (5  (5
Exchange and other adjustments                  (1)            (1
At 31 December 2018    (120  (21  29   (35  (56 35   18   (2  91   (61
At 1 January 2019   (120  (18  43   (35  (56  35   30   42   1   (14  31   (61
Group income statement      1  (2 1  (2 (9)     2  12  3       3      1   (2  (9  1   (1  11   (2  1   3 
Assets of businesses acquired                          2  2                                  2   2 
Group statement of comprehensive income                     1     (1                        1            (1   
Exchange and other adjustments    1  1           1   1        4    1   1            1   1               4 
At 31 December 2019    (119 (19 27  (34 (58 27   20     104  (52   (119  (14  43   (34  (58  27   33   41   12   (16  33   (52
Group income statement  23  14  (2       28     1  10  (1 (19 54 
Group statement of comprehensive income                 6  1           8  15 
Group statement of changes in equity                    (1             (1
Exchange and other adjustments  1     1     1     1           (2 2 
At 31 December 2020  (95    42  (34 (57 61  34  42  22  (17 20  18 

 

a 

Primarily relatesThe above table has been re-presented in order to provisions, accruals,separately disclose the deferred tax on ‘deferred compensation’ and ‘credit losses’ (both previously disclosed in ‘other short-term temporary differences’), to disaggregate the deferred tax on ‘application fees’ and ‘contract costs’, to present deferred tax on share-based payments,right-of-usecompensation within ‘employee benefits’ (previously disclosed within ‘other short-term temporary differences’) and to disclose deferred taxes on ‘contract assets’ within ‘other short-term temporary differences’ (previously disclosed within ‘Other intangible assets lease liabilities and contingent purchase consideration.contract assets’).

Deferred gainsThe deferred tax on investments represent tax which would crystallise upon a sale of a related joint venture, associate or other equity investment. Deferred gains onthe loan notes representrepresents tax whichthat is expected to fallcome due for payment in 2025 (2018:(2019: 2025). The deferred tax asset recognised in respect of losses of $27m (2018: $35m) is wholly$61m (2019: $27m) comprises $60m in respect of revenue losses. losses (2019: $27m) and $1m in respect of capital losses (2019: $nil). There is no tax in respect of uncertain tax positions recorded within deferred taxes.

A deferred tax asset of $4m (2018:$95m (2019: $4m) has been recognised in legal entities which have made a loss in the current or the previous year. Of the 2020 amount, $89m (2019: $nil) is recognisedwithin the UK tax group and predominantly represents revenue tax losses and future tax deductions for amortisation.

The recoverability of these UK deferred tax assets has been assessed by:

starting with the Group profit forecasts prepared by management, consistent with those used when reviewing for impairment (see page 135);

overlaying tax principles to those forecasts; and

following the methodology required by IAS 12.

This has demonstrated that $87m of the UK deferred tax assets should reverse over a 10-year period. Under UK law, tax losses do not expire, although can only be offset against 50% of annual UK taxable profits, and accordingly, if the anticipated recovery to previous profitability were to be over a longer period, the length of time for recovery of the deferred tax asset would increase.

The remaining $2m of the UK deferred tax asset is in a legal entity which suffered a taxwas loss making in the current or preceding period. This deferred tax asset has been recognised on the basis of the future expected performance of the entity2019 and became profitable in question. Offset against2020, and is forecast to remain so. Additional UK deferred tax assets is $nil (2018: $nil)of $14m are recognised in respect of uncertain tax positions.legal entities which were profitable in both the current and previous years.

160IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



8. Tax continued

The closing balance is further analysed by key territory as follows:

 

      Property,
plant,
equipment
and
software
$m
  

Other

intangible
assets and

contract
assets

$m

  

Application
fees and
contract
costs

$m

  Deferred
gains on
loan notes
$m
  Deferred
gains on
investments
$m
    Losses
$m
   Employee
benefits
$m
   Undistributed
earnings of
subsidiaries
$m
   Other
short-term
temporary
differences
$m
   Total
$m
 
UK    6   5   (1        21    4        20    55 
US    (125  (18  33   (34  (58  1    16        74    (111
Other       (6  (5        5            10    4 
     (119  (19  27   (34  (58  27    20        104    (52

162IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


8. Taxcontinued

   Property,            
   plant,            Other  
   equipment   Other    Deferred      Deferred     short-term  
   and   intangible   Application   gains on     Employee   compen-   Credit   Contract   temporary  
   software   assets   fees   loan notes   Associates   Losses   benefits   sation   losses   costs   differences   Total 
    $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m 
UK   19   9            50   10            15   103 
US       (115  (10  42   (34  (57  5   23   42   16   (11  10   (89
Other   1   1            6   1      6   (6  (5  4 
At 31 December 2020   (95     42   (34  (57  61   34   42   22   (17  20   18 

The analysis of the deferred tax balance after considering the offset of assets and liabilities within entities where there is a legal right to do so is as follows:

 

       ��      2020                2019  
  $m    $m  
     

        2019

$m

      

2018

    Restated

$m

   

 

   

 

 
Analysed as:            

  

 

   

 

 

Deferred tax assets

    66     63    113     66  

  

 

   

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

    (118    (124   (95)    (118) 
    (52    (61  

 

   

 

 
   18     (52) 

  

 

   

 

 

The Group does not recognise deferred tax assets if it cannot anticipate being able to offset them against existing deferred tax liabilities or against future profits or gains.

The total unrecognised deferred tax position is as follows:

 

  Gross     Unrecognised deferred tax   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
              2020                 2019                 2020                 2019   
   Gross    Unrecognised deferred tax   $m     $m     $m     $m   
   

        2019

$m

    

        2018

Restated

$m

    

2019

$m

   

2018 

Restated 

$m 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Revenue losses    413     448     65   67    467      413      76      65   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Capital losses    541     516     95   90    562      541      109      95   
Total losses    954     964     160   157 
Foreign tax credits    13          13   – 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1,029      954      185      160   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Tax credits   12      13      12      13   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Leases    25     25     7      –      25      –      7   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Othera    2     24     1      19      2      3      1   
    994     1,013     181   171   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1,060      994      200      181   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

a

Primarily relates to costs incurred in prior years for which tax relief has not been obtained.

There is no expiry date to any of the above unrecognised assets other than for the losses and foreign tax credits as shown in the table below:

     Gross     Unrecognised deferred tax 
      

        2019

$m

     

        2018

$m

     

2019

$m

    

2018

$m

 
Expiry date:                       

2020

    2               

2021

    31     28     6    6 

2022

    10     10     2    2 

2023

    2     1          

2024

    4     4     1     

2025

    91     92     20    21 

After 2025

    24     46     17    3 

There is no expiry date to any of the above unrecognised assets other than for the losses and tax credits as shown in the table below:

       Gross     Unrecognised deferred tax   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
               2020                 2019                 2020                 2019   
   $m     $m     $m     $m   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Expiry date        

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2021   33      31      8      6   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2022   11      10      3      2   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2023   2      2      –      –   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2024   5      4    1      1   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2025   110      91      26      20   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2026   1      –      –      –   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
2027   3      3      1      1   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
After 2027   24      21      17      16   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

No deferred tax liability has been recognisedprovided in respect of $0.9bn (2018: $0.8bn)$0.5bn (2019: $0.9bn) of taxable temporary differences relating to subsidiaries (comprising undistributed earnings and net inherent gains) because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Tax risks, policies and governance

Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee. Procedures to minimise risk include the preparation of thorough tax risk assessments for all transactions carrying material tax risk and, where appropriate, material tax uncertainties are discussed and resolved with tax authorities in advance. IHG’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business. In addition, as a result of its business profile as a hotel manager and also as a residual legacy from prior acquisitions, IHG has a small number of subsidiaries in jurisdictions commonly portrayed as tax havens. IHG manages such subsidiaries on a basis consistent with its business principles (for example, by making some foreign incorporated companies UK tax resident or by operating others so that local profits are commensurate with local activity).

LOGO

 

LOGONotes to the Group Financial Statements 

Information concerning the Group’s tax governance can be

found in the Taxation section of the StrategicIHG  |  Annual Report on page 73.

and Form 20-F 2020
161


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

8. Tax continued

Factors that may affect the future tax charge

Many factors will affect the Group’s future tax rate, the key ones being future legislative developments, future profitability of underlying subsidiaries and tax uncertainties.

There are many potential futureThe impact of Covid-19 has resulted in changes to worldwide taxation systems asthe Group’s current geographic profit mix and this trend is expected to continue for at least the short term. This is likely to result in a resulthigher than usual tax rate for the Group in the short term.

Worldwide tax reform continues, most notably with the OECD’s review into “Tax Challenges Arising from Digitalisation”, and this could impact the tax profile of the potential adoption by individual territories of recommendations ofGroup over the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, and other similar initiatives being driven by the OECD, governments and tax authorities.longer term. The Group continues to monitor activity in this area.

AtThe Group anticipates the current time, the exact detail of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union remains unknown. Based upon the Group’s profile and areas that have been publicly discussed, the Group doeswill not anticipate the exit to cause a material impact on its future underlying effective tax rate.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes163


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

9. Dividends

 

   

2019
cents

per share

    2018
cents
per share
    2017
cents
per share
    

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

    

            2017

$m

   2020     2019     2018               
Paid during the year:                        
  cents     cents     cents                 2020                 2019                 2018   
      per share         per share         per share     $m     $m     $m   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Paid during the year            

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Final (declared for previous year)

    78.1     71.0     64.0     139     130     127    –      78.1      71.0      –      139      130   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Interim

    39.9     36.3     33.0     72     69     62    –      39.9      36.3      –      72      69   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Special (note 29)

    262.1          202.5     510          404    –      262.1      –      –      510      –   
    380.1     107.3     299.5     721     199     593   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   –      380.1      107.3      –      721      199   
Proposed (not recognised as a liability at 31 December):                        

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
Proposed (not recognised as a liability at 31 December)            

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Final

    85.9     78.1     71.0     156     141     135    –      –      78.1      –      –      141   

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

TheOn 20 March 2020, the Board withdrew its recommendation of a final dividend in respect of 2019 of 85.9¢ per ordinary share, a payment of which would have had a cash outflow of approximately $150m in the first half of 2020. A final dividend in respect of 2020 is not proposed and there was no interim dividend for approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 7 May 2020year. The Board will consider future dividends once visibility of the pace and is payable on the shares in issue at 3 April 2020.scale of market recovery has improved.

10. Earnings(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share

Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss for the year available for IHG equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, excluding investment in own shares, in issue during the year.

Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share is calculated by adjusting basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share to reflect the notional exercise of the weighted average number of dilutive ordinary share awards outstanding during the year.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share is disclosed in order to show performance undistorted by exceptional items and changes in the fair value of contingent purchase consideration, to give a more meaningful comparison of the Group’s performance.

Additionally, earnings attributable to the System Fund are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share, as IHG has an agreement with the IHG Owners Association to spend Fund income for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System such that the Group does not make a gain or loss from operating the Fund over the longer term.

IHG also records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards Club programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG. The Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System. As the Fund is included in the Group income statement, these amounts are included in reported Group net financial expenses. Given that all results related to the Fund are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share, these interest amounts are deducted from profit or loss available for equity holders.

Continuing and total operations              2019      

2018

    Restated

      

2017

    Restated

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share                   
Profit available for equity holders ($m)     385     349     534 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)     183     190     193 
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)     210.4     183.7     276.7 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share                   
Profit available for equity holders ($m)     385     349     534 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)     184     192     194 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)     209.2     181.8     275.3 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share                   
Profit available for equity holders ($m)     385     349     534 
Adjusting items:                   

System Fund revenues and expenses ($m)

     49     146     34 

Interest attributable to the System Fund ($m)

     (18    (19    (13

Tax attributable to the System Fund ($m)

               3 

Operating exceptional items ($m) (note 6)

     186     104     (4

Change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration ($m) (note 25)a

     (27    4      

Tax on exceptional items ($m) (note 6)

     (20    (22    2 

Exceptional tax ($m) (note 6)

          (5    (87
Adjusted earnings ($m)     555     557     469 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)     183     190     193 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (cents)     303.3     293.2     243.0 
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share                   
Adjusted earnings ($m)     555     557     469 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)     184     192     194 
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)     301.6     290.1     241.8 

a

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share for 2018 has been restated to exclude the change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration.

 

164162 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

10. Earnings(Loss)/earnings per ordinary sharecontinued

      

2019

    millions

 

 

     

2018

    millions

 

 

     

2017

    millions

 

 

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares is calculated as:                     

Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares

     183      190      193 

Dilutive potential ordinary shares

     1      2      1 
      184      192      194 

Continuing and total operations             2020              2019              2018 
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share                  
(Loss)/profit available for equity holders ($m)    (260    385     349 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)    182     183     190 
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share (cents)        (142.9        210.4         183.7 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share                  
(Loss)/profit available for equity holders ($m)    (260    385     349 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)    182     184     192 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per ordinary share (cents)    (142.9    209.2     181.8 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share                  
(Loss)/profit available for equity holders ($m)    (260    385     349 
Adjusting items:                  

System Fund revenues and expenses ($m)

    102     49     146 

Interest attributable to the System Fund ($m)

    (4    (18    (19

Operating exceptional items ($m) (note 6)

    270     186     104 

Exceptional financial expenses ($m) (note 6)

    14           

Change in fair value of contingent purchase consideration ($m) (note 25)

    (13    (27    4 

Tax on exceptional items ($m) (note 6)

    (52    (20    (22

Exceptional tax ($m) (note 6)

              (5
Adjusted earnings ($m)    57     555     557 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)    182     183     190 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (cents)    31.3     303.3     293.2 
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share                  
Adjusted earnings ($m)    57     555     557 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)    182     184     192 
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)    31.3     301.6     290.1 
       2020
millions
      2019
millions
      2018
millions
 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares is calculated as:                  
    Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares    182     183     190 
    Dilutive potential ordinary shares         1     2 
     182     184     192 

The effect of the notional exercise of outstanding ordinary share awards is anti-dilutive in 2020, and therefore has not been included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.

LOGO Information concerning Non-GAAP measures can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 47 to 51.

LOGO

 

LOGONotes to the Group Financial Statements 

Information concerningNon-GAAP measures

can be found in the StrategicIHG  |  Annual Report on pages 55 to 59.

and Form 20-F 2020
163


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

11. Acquisition of businesses

Six Senses

On 12 February 2019, the Group acquired a 100% ownership interest in Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (Six Senses). (‘Six Senses isSenses’), a leading operator oftop-tier luxury hotels, resorts and spas with a world-renowned reputation for wellness and sustainability. Six Senses will sit at the top of IHG’s luxury portfolio.

Six Senses contributed revenue of $38m and an operating loss of $7m for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date. The results of Six Senses are included in the EMEAA and Greater China reportable segments. If the acquisition had taken place at 1 January 2019, there would have been no material difference to reported Group revenue and operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and thetotal purchase consideration have been finalisedwas $304m, comprising $299m paid on acquisition, including the settlement of working capital, and reflect facts and circumstances that existed at the date$5m of acquisition:

            $m
Identifiable intangible assets:

Brands

189

Management agreements

45
Right-of-use assets19
Othernon-current assets8
Trade and other receivables12
Cash and cash equivalents7
Other current assets1
Trade and other payables(14
Lease liabilities(19
Other liabilities(2
Net identifiable assets acquired246
Goodwill58
Total purchase consideration304
Comprising:

Cash paid on acquisition, including working capital settlement

299

Contingent purchase considerationa

5
304

a

Payable upon certain conditions being met relating to a pipeline property.contingent purchase consideration. The range of possible outcomes is $nil to $5m.

The goodwill is attributable to the global growth opportunities identified for the acquired business. The full amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

At the date of acquisition, the fair value of trade receivablesnet assets acquired was $8m, with$246m, including brands of $189m, management agreements of $45m, and a corresponding carryingright-of-use asset of $19m offset by an equal lease liability. Goodwill recognised was $58m.

The contingent purchase consideration has been revalued as at 31 December 2020 (see note 25).

The value of $10m. The difference between the fair valuemanagement agreements and the carrying amount reflects the expected credit loss.

No contingent liabilitiesright-of-use assets recognised on acquisition were recognised as a result of the acquisition.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes165


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

11. Acquisition of businessescontinuedimpaired by $41m and $5m respectively in 2020 (see notes 13 and 15).

UK portfolio – acquisition of additional hotels

On 14 February 2019, following on from25 July 2018, the UK portfolioGroup completed a deal completed in 2018 to operate 10 UKnine hotels under long-term leases from Covivio (see below),which operated under the Principal and De Vere Hotels brands. An additional leased hotel was added to the portfolio on 13 November 2018 bringing the total to 10 at 31 December 2018. On 14 February 2019, the Group added a further two hotels to the portfolio bringing the total hotels in the UK portfolio to 12.

The total purchase consideration for the two12 hotels was $11m,$73m, comprising purchase consideration$10m paid on acquisition, a working capital refund of $1m$3m and $66m of contingent purchase considerationconsideration. The fair value of $10m. the net assets acquired was $14m and goodwill of $64m was recognised, of which $12m was recognised in 2019.

Goodwill and non-current assets acquired were impaired in full during 2019 and 2020 such that the remaining value is $nil (see note 6).

The contingent purchase consideration has beenwas revalued to $nil as at 31 December 2019,2020 (see note 25).

The two additional hotels contributed revenue of $15m and an operating profit of $1m for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date. The results of the hotels are included in the EMEAA business segment. If the acquisition had taken place at 1 January 2019, there would have been no material difference to reported Group revenue and operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed primarily comprise goodwill of $12m, of which $nil is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, and aright-of-useRegent asset of $6m offset by an equal lease liability. The goodwill was attributable to the trading potential of the acquired hotel operations and growth opportunities.

Acquisitions completed in 2018

Regent

On 1 July 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of a 51% controlling interest in an agreement with Formosa International Hotels Corporation (FIH)(‘FIH’) to acquire the Regent‘Regent Hotels and Resorts& Resorts’ brand and associated management agreements (Regent)(‘Regent’). The Group acquired 51% of the issued share capital of Regent Hospitality Worldwide, Inc (RHW)(‘RHW’), 100% of the issued share capital of Regent International Hotels Limited and 100% of the issued share capital of Regent Berlin GmbH.

Put and call options exist over the remaining 49% shareholding in RHW which are exercisable in a phased manner from 2026. As the decision-making powers related to the remaining shares are not substantive in driving RHW’s returns and FIH do not share in any costs associated with the future development of the Regent brand, it has been determined that the Group has a present ownership interest in the remaining shares. As such, RHW has been accounted for as 100% owned with nonon-controlling interest recognised.

The total purchase consideration was $88m, comprising $13m paid on acquisition, $22m of deferred purchase consideration and $53m of contingent purchase consideration. The contingent purchase consideration has been revalued as at 31 December 2019, (see note 25).

The fair value of the net assets acquired was $53m, including brands of $57m and management agreements of $6m. Goodwill recognised was $35m.

UK portfolio

On 25 July 2018, the Group completed a deal to operate nine hotels under long-term leases from Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions) which operated under the Principal and De Vere Hotels brands. An additional leased hotel was added to the portfolio on 13 November 2018 bringing the total to 10 at 31 December 2018.

The total purchase consideration was $62m, comprising $9m paid on acquisition, a working capital refund of $3m and $56m of contingent purchase consideration. The contingent purchase consideration has been revalued as at 31 December 2019,2020 (see note 25).

The fair value of the net assets acquired was $14m, including property, plant and equipment of $25m and a deferred tax asset of $14m, less deferred revenue of $8m, a stamp duty liability of $14m and net working capital of $6m. Following adoption of IFRS 16, aright-of-use asset of $51m wasmanagement agreements recognised offseton acquisition were impaired by an equal lease liability. Goodwill, initially recognised as $48m, was increased by $4m$2m in the current year due to the finalisation of the provisional fair values assigned to working capital balances. Goodwill and theright-of-use asset were subsequently impaired during 2019,2020 (see note 13).

Cash flows relating to acquisitions

 

   

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

  

  

   

        2020

$m

       

        2019

$m

       

        2018

$m

 
Cash paid on acquisition, including working capital settlement    299     22          299     22 
Settlement of stamp duty liability    3     14          3     14 
Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired    (7    (2         (7    (2
Less: working capital settlement received in year following acquisition    (3              (3     
Net cash outflow arising on acquisitions    292     34          292     34 

 

166164 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

 

12. Assets and liabilities classified assold and held for sale

One hotel, the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport, which is included in the EMEAA business segment, isNo assets were classified as held for sale at 31 December 2019. 2020.

During the year ended 31 December 2020 the Group entered into an agreement to sell its interestsold one hotel in EMEAA, the hotel for $2m. The sale and assignment of the lease is expected to complete in early 2020.

On reclassificationHoliday Inn Melbourne Airport. This was classified as held for sale there wasat 31 December 2019, with no change to the carrying value.value on initial classification. Total consideration of $2m was received. Net of disposal costs a total gain of $3m is included in ‘other operating income’ in the Group income statement.

13. Goodwill and other intangible assets

        Goodwill
$m
  Brands
$m
   Software
$m
  Management
agreements
$m
  Other
intangibles
$m
  

Total

$m

 
Cost                           
At 1 January 2019    455   250    781   77   18   1,581 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)    70   189       45      304 
Additions    4       98      6   108 
Capitalised interest           5         5 
Disposals           (22        (22
Exchange and other adjustments           2      (1  1 
At 31 December 2019    529   439    864   122   23   1,977 
Additions           50      2   52 
Disposals           (29        (29
Exchange and other adjustments    8       1         9 
At 31 December 2020    537   439    886   122   25   2,009 
Amortisation and impairment                           
At 1 January 2019    (142      (281  (10  (5  (438
Provided           (35  (3  (2  (40
System Fund expense           (46     (1  (47
Impairment charge    (49         (50     (99
Disposals           22         22 
Exchange and other adjustments    1                1 
At 31 December 2019    (190      (340  (63  (8  (601
Provided           (36  (1  (1  (38
System Fund expense           (51     (2  (53
Impairment charge              (48     (48
System Fund impairment charge           (4        (4
Disposals           29         29 
Exchange and other adjustments    (1               (1
At 31 December 2020    (191      (402  (112  (11  (716
Net book value                           
At 31 December 2020    346   439    484   10   14   1,293 
At 31 December 2019    339   439    524   59   15   1,376 
At 1 January 2019    313   250    500   67   13   1,143 

LOGO

 

        2019

$m

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale
Assets classified as held for sale:

Property, plant and equipment

Notes to the Group Financial Statements 3

Right-of-use assets

15

Trade and other receivables

1
19
Liabilities classified as held for sale:

Trade and other payables

(2

Lease liabilities

(20
(22

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes2020 167165


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

13. Goodwill and other intangible assets

        

    Goodwill

$m

  

        Brands

$m

  

        Software

$m

  

    Management

agreements

$m

  

Other

    intangibles

$m

  

            Total

$m

 
Cost                           
At 1 January 2018     377   193   745   71   13   1,399 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)     83   58      6      147 
Additions           107      5   112 
Capitalised interest           5         5 
Disposals           (72        (72
Exchange and other adjustments     (5  (1  (4        (10
At 31 December 2018     455   250   781   77   18   1,581 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)     70   189      45      304 
Additions     4      98      6   108 
Capitalised interest           5         5 
Disposals           (22        (22
Exchange and other adjustments           2      (1  1 
At 31 December 2019     529   439   864   122   23   1,977 
Amortisation and impairment                           
At 1 January 2018     (140     (281  (7  (4  (432
Provided           (36  (3  (1  (40
System Fund expense           (37        (37
Disposals           67         67 
Exchange and other adjustments     (2     6         4 
At 31 December 2018     (142     (281  (10  (5  (438
Provided           (35  (3  (2  (40
System Fund expense           (46     (1  (47
Impairment charges     (49        (50     (99
Disposals           22         22 
Exchange and other adjustments     1               1 
At 31 December 2019     (190     (340  (63  (8  (601
Net book value                           
At 31 December 2019     339   439   524   59   15   1,376 
At 31 December 2018     313   250   500   67   13   1,143 
At 1 January 2018     237   193   464   64   9   967 

Goodwill and brands

Brands

Brands relate to the acquisitions of Kimpton ($193m), Regent ($57m) and Six Senses ($189m). They are each considered to have an indefinite life given their strong brand awareness and reputation, and management’s commitment to continued investment in their growth. The brands are protected by trademarks and there are not believed to be any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that limit the useful lives of the brands. In the hotel industry there are a number of brands that have existed for many years and IHG has brands that are over 60 years old.

168IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


    

    

 

13. Goodwill and other intangible assetscontinued

Goodwill and brands

Allocation of goodwill and brands to CGUs

The Group’s cash-generating units (CGUs) reflectCGUs are consistent with prior years; however, the level at which goodwill is monitored by management has changed to the Group’s geographical regions, differentiated where material between franchisedoperating segments, namely Americas, EMEAA and managed operations, togetherGreater China. This better reflects (i) how the Group’s performance is monitored, including the measurement of overheads at a regional level with no measurement at any lower level, and (ii) how management executes on its regional strategies. Both of these factors have become more pronounced in the year as a result of historic lows in occupancy levels, the termination of the SVC portfolio of management agreements (see page 137), and the corporate reorganisation. In addition to changing the level at which goodwill is tested, the same approach has been applied to the Group’s brands with indefinite lives; testing brands at the same level goodwill is allocated is consistent year on year. Prior to making this change, management reconfirmed each of the brands, which relate to the Group’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, have indefinite lives and continue to form an integral part of the Group’s strategy. Under the prior methodology, the CGU with the UK portfolio.smallest headroom was Americas Managed; impairment tests were performed using the prior methodology (i.e. with no aggregation of CGUs) using the Base Case scenario (see below) and the Downside Case scenario (see page 133). No impairment arose under either scenario.

The table below summarises the movements in the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite life brands were allocated to CGUsand the final allocation foryear-end impairment testing purposes as follows:at 31 December 2020.

 

        2019       2018 
      

    Goodwill

$m

  

    Brands

$m

       

    Goodwill

$m

   

    Brands

$m

 
CGU                       
Americas Managed     95   289      69    203 
Americas Franchised     37         37     
EMEAA – Europe Managed     48   46      29    13 
EMEAA – Europe Franchised     10         10     
EMEAA – rest of region     140   88      113    23 
Greater China     9   16      7    11 
UK portfolio     49              
Allocated to CGUs     388   439      265    250 
Unallocateda              48     
      388   439      313    250 
Less: UK portfolio impairment     (49             
Net book value at 31 December     339   439      313    250 

a

The UK portfolio goodwill remained unallocated at 31 December 2018 pending completion of the portfolio acquisition in early 2019.

        

At

1 January

2020

$m

   

Additions

$m

   

Reallocation

$m

  

Exchange

differences

$m

   

Impairment

$m

  

At

31 December

2020

$m

 
Goodwill and brands                              
Americas Managed     384        (384          
Americas Franchised     37        (37          
Americas (group of CGUs)             421          421 
EMEAA – Europe Managed     94        (94          
EMEAA – Europe Franchised     10        (10          
EMEAA – rest of region     228        (228          
EMEAA (group of CGUs)             332   7       339 
Greater China     25                  25 
      778           7       785 
        

At

1 January

2019

$m

   

Additions

$m

   

Reallocation

$m

  

Exchange

differences

$m

   

Impairment

$m

  

At

31 December

2019

$m

 
Goodwill and brands                              
Americas Managed     272    112              384 
Americas Franchised     37                  37 
EMEAA – Europe Managed     42    52              94 
EMEAA – Europe Franchised     10                  10 
EMEAA – rest of region     136    92              228 
Greater China     18    7              25 
UK portfolio             49       (49   
Unallocated     48        (49  1        
      563    263       1    (49  778 

Impairment testing other thanof goodwill and brands (excluding the UK portfolioportfolio)

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs, or groups of CGUs, have been determined from value in use calculations. These calculations include a three-year period usingpre-tax cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budgets approved by management, incorporating growth rates based on management’s past experience and industry growth forecasts. The key assumptions that underpin the financial budgets areassumption is RevPAR growth and net System size growth. RevPAR is based on market forecasts provided by Oxford Economics adjusted for historical experience of how the Group has performed compared to these expectations.expected recovery period (see page 135). Cash flows beyond the three-yearfive-year period are extrapolated using terminal growth rates that do not exceed the average long-term growth rates for the relevant markets. A 10% contingency factor is applied to reduce all cash flow projections before being discounted usingpre-tax rates that are based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted to reflect the risks specific to the business model and territory of the CGU being tested.

166IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



13. Goodwill and other intangible assets continued

The weighted average terminal growth rates andpre-tax discount rates used, which are considered to be key assumptions, are as follows:

 

        2019       2018 
      

Terminal

growth

rate %

   

Pre-tax

discount

rate %

       

Terminal

growth

rate %

   

Pre-tax

discount

rate %

 
Americas Managed     1.9    9.6      2.0    10.5 
Americas Franchised     1.9    8.6      2.0    9.6 
EMEAA – Europe Managed     1.5    8.9      2.0    11.4 
EMEAA – Europe Franchised     1.5    7.9      2.0    10.5 
EMEAA – rest of region     3.3    11.6      3.5    13.4 
Greater China                 2.5                10.8                  2.5            12.3 
      ��2020       2019a 
        

Terminal

growth

rate

%

   

Pre-tax

discount

rate

%

       

Terminal

growth

rate

%

   

Pre-tax

discount

rate

%

 
Americas     1.7    8.5      1.9    8.8 
EMEAA     1.9    12.1      2.1    9.1 
Greater China     2.5    13.3      2.5    10.8 

Impairment was not required at either 31 December 2019 or 31 December 2018.

a

Re-presented to reflect the weighted average terminal growth rates and pre-tax discount rates applied across the groups of CGUs.

Given the contingency factor applied to the cash flow projections and the significant amounts by which theThe recoverable amounts of the CGUs, exceedor groups of CGUs, exceeded their carrying value such that no impairment has arisen.

The recoverable amounts managementof the CGUs, or groups of CGUs, have determined thatalso been calculated for the Downside Case scenario (see page 133) with no impairment charges would not arise from reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes169


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

13. Goodwill and other intangible assetscontinuedarising.

UK portfolio

For impairment testing of the UK portfolio, which is reported within the EMEAA reportable segment, each hotel is deemed to be a CGU. The 12 individual hotels are treated as a group for impairment testing of goodwill, and the IFRS 16right-of-use asset, as neither of these assets cangoodwill cannot be allocated to individual hotels other than on an arbitrary basis. Theright-of-use asset cannot be allocated as there is one framework lease which covers all of the hotels,Impairment charges in 2019 and the‘in-substance fixed’ payments recognised as a lease liability arise from the rent guarantee which relates to the whole portfolio.

The UK portfolio has experienced trading disruption2020 are summarised in the year as a result of renovations andre-branding of these hotels and increasingly challenging trading conditions in 2019. Management has reassessed its short and medium-term forecasts which assume that some disruption continues into 2020, and that hotels see progressive trading improvements when the renovation andre-branding projects complete. The recoverable amount of the UK portfolio as at 31 December 2019 has been determined based on a value in use calculation using cash flow projections for a five-year period. These cash flow projections usepre-tax cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budgets approved by management, incorporating growth rates from industry forecasts and management’s expectation of growth in the hotels following completion of the renovation andre-branding projects. Cash flows from 2025 to the end of the lease term are extrapolated using a 1.5% growth rate that is in linenote 6, with the long-term average growth rate for the UK hotel industry. Thepre-tax discount rate applied to the cash flow projections is 9.7%. As a result of this analysis, management has recognised an impairment charge of $81m in the current year; $49m against the carrying value of the goodwill, which is now written down to $nil, and $32m against theright-of-use asset. The impairment charge is recorded as a separate line in the Group income statement. The sensitivity of the value in use calculation to changes in key assumptions is discloseddetailed on page 140. No impairment of the hotels’ property, plant and equipment was required, based on the fair value less costs to sell of these assets. A replacement cost methodology was used to value these assets, which were either initially recognised at fair value on acquisition or acquired during 2019.

The same underlying cash flows are used to measure the fair value of the contingent purchase consideration liability, which was reduced by $38m in the year (see note 25) resulting in a corresponding gain in the Group income statement. The net impact before tax therefore resulting from the reassessment of the hotel cash flows was a $43m charge to the Group income statement, being impairment of $81m less the fair value gain of $38m, and an equivalent reduction in net assets.

The IFRS 16 lease accounting for the UK portfolio is set out in note 15.135.

Software

Software includes $288m$274m relating to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System with Amadeus. Of this amount, $135m$141m relating to Phase 2 of the project is not yet being amortised as Phase 2it has not been completedcompleted; the project is expected to complete and rolled out to hotels.commence amortisation in the first half of 2021. Phase 1 is being amortised over 10 years, with nineeight years remaining at 31 December 2019,2020, reflecting the Group’s experience of the long life of guest reservation systems and the initial term over which the Group is party to a technology agreement with Amadeus.

Substantially all software additions are internally developed. Individual assets were reviewed for impairment in the year, with $4m impairment charged to the System Fund relating to projects which are no longer expected to complete.

Management agreements

Management agreements relate to contracts recognised at fair value on acquisition. The weighted average remaining amortisation period for all management agreements is 18 years (2019: 26 years).

2020 impairment testing of management agreements

The impairment charge of $50m$48m relates to the Kimpton ($5m), Regent ($2m) and Six Senses ($41m) management contractagreement portfolios acquired in 2015, 2018 and 2019 respectively. The key assumption is RevPAR growth (detailed on page 135). Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using long-term growth rates that do not exceed the average long-term growth rates for the relevant markets.

Contracts were valued at the higher of value in use and fair value less costs of disposal, using discounted cash flow techniques that measure the present value of projected income flows. Where the recoverable amount is measured at fair value, this is categorised as a Level 3 fair value measurement.

Management agreement portfolios Region Basis of recoverable amount      

Recoverable

amount

$m

   

Long-term

growth

rate

%

   

Pre-tax

discount

rate

%

 
Kimpton Americas Value in use     4    1.7    8.4 
Regent Greater China         Value in use     3    2.0-4.6    7.0-15.9 
Six Senses (open hotels) EMEAA Fair value less costs of disposal                 2.0    8.9-14.7 
  Greater China Fair value less costs of disposal         2.0    9.9 
Six Senses (pipeline) Americas Value in use     1    2.0    9.8 
 EMEAA Value in use     2    2.0    8.9 
  Greater China Value in use         2.0    8.5 

Sensitivities relating to the Six Senses portfolio are detailed on page 136. The recoverable amount of management agreements is $10m which is the maximum sensitivity to further impairment.

2019 impairment testing of management agreements

The 2019 impairment charge of $50m related to the Kimpton management agreement portfolio acquired in 2015 and resultsarose from revised expectations regarding future trading, the rate of hotel exits (‘attrition’) and the cost of retaining hotels in the portfolio. The net book value tested for impairment includes related contract assets. The recoverable amount iswas based on value in use calculations using management fee projections based on near-term industry projected growth rates for the US upper upscale sector and a long-term stabilised growth rate of 2.0%. The projected income flows have beenwere discounted at a rate of 8.0% (2018: 9.0%). The sensitivity of the value in use calculations to changes in key assumptions is disclosed on page 140.

At 31 December 2019, the net book value and remaining amortisation period of the most significant acquired management agreements were:

 

      

            Net book value

$m

     

Remaining

        amortisation period

Years

 
Kimpton    10     20 
Six Senses (note 11)    44     30 

The weighted average remaining amortisation period for all management agreements is 26 years (2018: 25 years).

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170Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020167


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

    

 

14. Property, plant and equipment

 

   

        Land and

buildings

Restated

$m

 

        Fixtures,

fittings

and

equipment

$m

 

        Total

$m

       

Land and

buildings

$m

 

Fixtures,

fittings

and

equipment

$m

 

Total

$m

 
Cost                 
At 1 January 2018    205   449   654 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)       26   26 
Additions    8   39   47 
Fully depreciated assets written off    (11  (167  (178
Disposals       (29  (29
Exchange and other adjustments    (3  (4  (7
At 31 December 2018    199   314   513 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)    1  1  2 
At 1 January 2019     199   314   513 
Acquisition of businesses     1   1   2 
Additions    9  68  77      9   68   77 
Transfers to assets classified as held for sale (note 12)      (12 (12        (12  (12
Fully depreciated assets written off    (2 (60 (62     (2  (60  (62
Disposals      (6 (6        (6  (6
Exchange and other adjustments      2  2         2   2 
At 31 December 2019    207  307  514      207   307   514 
Depreciation and impairment        
At 1 January 2018    (78  (326  (404
Provided    (6  (34  (40
System Fund expense       (8  (8
Additions     2  28  30 
Fully depreciated assets written off    11   167   178        (17 (17
Disposals       25   25      (1 (2 (3
Exchange and other adjustments    1   8   9        6  6 
At 31 December 2018    (72  (168  (240
At 31 December 2020     208  322  530 
Depreciation and impairment         
At 1 January 2019     (72  (168  (240
Provided    (3 (35 (38     (3  (35  (38
System Fund expense      (2 (2        (2  (2
Transfers to assets classified as held for sale (note 12)      9  9         9   9 
Fully depreciated assets written off    2  60  62      2   60   62 
Disposals      4  4         4   4 
At 31 December 2019    (73 (132 (205     (73  (132  (205
Provided     (4 (33 (37
System Fund expense       (5 (5
Impairment charge     (39 (51 (90
System Fund impairment charge       (5 (5
Fully depreciated assets written off       17  17 
Disposals     1  1  2 
Exchange and other adjustments       (6 (6
At 31 December 2020     (115 (214 (329
Net book value                 
At 31 December 2020     93  108  201 
At 31 December 2019    134  175  309      134   175   309 
At 31 December 2018    127   146   273 
At 1 January 2018    127   123   250 
At 1 January 2019     127   146   273 

The Group’s property, plant and equipment mainly comprises buildings and leasehold improvements on 26 open23 hotels (2018: 23 open(2019: 26 hotels), but also offices and computer hardware, throughout the world.

Impairment testing of property, plant and equipment

Total impairment charges of $90m were recognised in relation to property, plant and equipment in the year, in addition $5m was recognised in the System Fund.

For impairment testing of hotel properties, each hotel is deemed to be a CGU. Covid-19 was considered as a trigger for impairment testing for all hotel assets and impairment charges of $50m were recognised in relation to the UK portfolio and $35m relating to three premium-branded hotels in North America, both based on value in use calculations. The key assumptions and sensitivities relating to these assets are detailed on page 135.

Impairment charges of $3m were also recognised in relation to three development land sites held by the Group in the US which were measured at fair value. The sites were appraised by a professional external valuer using comparable sales data. Within the fair value hierarchy, this is categorised as a Level 3 measurement.

Impairment charges of $7m were recognised in relation to property, plant and equipment in the US corporate headquarters. The key assumptions and sensitivities are detailed on page 136. $5m of this impairment charge was borne by the System Fund in line with existing principles for cost allocation relating to this facility.

168IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



14. Property, plant and equipment continued

Net book value by operating segment

The table below analyses the net book value of the Group’s property, plant and equipment by operating segment at 31 December 2019:2020:

 

      

Americas

$m

   

EMEAA

$m

   

Greater

China

$m

   

Central

$m

   

Total

$m

 
Land and buildings    120    1        13    134 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment    43    55        77    175 
             163    56        90    309 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes171


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

        

Americas

$m

   

EMEAA

$m

   

Greater

China

$m

   

Central

$m

   

Total

$m

 
Land and buildings     81    1        11    93 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment     46    10        52    108 
      127    11        63    201 

15. Leases

Right-of-use assets

 

   

    Property

$m

 

        Other

$m

 

        Total

$m

       

Property

$m

 

Other

$m

 

Total

$m

 
Cost                 
At 1 January 2018    740   10   750 
Additions and otherre-measurements    19   1   20 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)    51      51 
Terminations    (8  (6  (14
Exchange and other adjustments    (10     (10
At 31 December 2018    792   5   797 
At 1 January 2019     792   5   797 
Additions and otherre-measurements    39  1  40      39   1   40 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)    25     25      25      25 
Transfers to assets classified as held for sale (note 12)    (23    (23     (23     (23
Terminations    (15 (1 (16     (15  (1  (16
Exchange and other adjustments    4     4      4      4 
At 31 December 2019    822  5  827      822   5   827 
Depreciation and impairment        
At 1 January 2018    (257  (7  (264
Provided    (34  (1  (35
System Fund expense    (4     (4
Additions and other re-measurements     12  1  13 
Derecognition     (93    (93
Terminations    8   6   14      (125 (2 (127
Exchange and other adjustments    5      5      1     1 
At 31 December 2018    (282  (2  (284
At 31 December 2020     617  4  621 
Depreciation and impairment         
At 1 January 2019     (282  (2  (284
Provided    (37 (1 (38     (37  (1  (38
System Fund expense    (5    (5     (5     (5
Impairment charge    (32    (32     (32     (32
Transfers to assets classified as held for sale (note 12)    8     8      8      8 
Terminations    14  1  15      14   1   15 
Exchange and other adjustments    (1    (1     (1     (1
At 31 December 2019    (335 (2 (337     (335  (2  (337
Provided     (34 (1 (35
System Fund expense     (4    (4
Impairment charge     (16    (16
System Fund impairment charge     (32    (32
Derecognition     44     44 
Terminations     64  1  65 
Exchange and other adjustments     (3    (3
At 31 December 2020     (316 (2 (318
Net book value                 
At 31 December 2020     301  2  303 
At 31 December 2019    487  3  490      487   3   490 
At 31 December 2018    510   3   513 
At 1 January 2018    483   3   486 
At 1 January 2019     510   3   513 

The Group’s leased assets mainly comprise hotels and offices. Leases contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The term of property leases ranges from1-99 years. The weighted average lease term remaining on the Group’s top teneight leases (which comprise 91%92% of theright-of-use asset net book value) is 4253 years.

Many of the Group’s property leases contain extension or early termination options, which are used for operational flexibility. TwoOne of the Group’s top teneight leases containcontains a material extension optionsoption which areis not included in the calculation of the lease asset and liability as neither of these extensionsthe extension would not take effect before 2031. The value of the undiscounted rental payments relating to these two leasesthis lease and not included in the value of the lease asset and liability is $525m.$288m. Additionally, the Group has the option to extend the term of the InterContinental Boston lease for two additional 20-year terms, the first of which would take effect from 2105. These extension options have not been included in the calculation of the lease liability.

LOGO

 

172Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020169


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

15. Leasescontinued

Impairment testing of right-of-use assets

For impairment testing of hotel properties, each hotel is deemed to be a CGU. The impact of Covid-19 and the recovery period on trading was considered as a trigger for impairment testing for all hotel assets and an impairment charge of $5m was recognised relating to one hotel in the EMEAA region, based on value in use calculations. Trading projections reflect the five-year RevPAR recovery period outlined on page 135 and estimated future cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of 8.8%.

Additionally, impairment charges of $43m were recognised in relation to the US corporate headquarters, using the assumptions described on page 136. $32m of this impairment charge was borne by the System Fund in line with existing principles for cost allocation relating to this facility.

Other right-of-use assets were also tested for impairment with no resulting charge, the most significant of which was the InterContinental Boston, which has non-current assets with a total carrying value of $195m. Details of the testing performed and sensitivities are contained on page 137.

Terminations

The lease of the InterContinental San Juan was terminated in 2020, resulting in a total gain of $30m (see note 6). Other terminations relate mainly to office properties where the lease was terminated in the period.

Lease liabilities

Total lease liabilities are analysed as follows:

 

Denominated in the following currencies:

   

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

 

        2020

$m

       

        2019

$m

 

Currency

                

US dollars

    514     528            385      514 

Sterling

    52     61            10      52 

Euros

    43     29            7      43 

Other

    51     52            48      51 
    660     670            450      660 
Analysed as:                        

Current

    65     55            34      65 

Non-current

    595     615            416      595 
   660    670            450      660 

 

Amounts recognised in profit or loss

The following amounts were recognised as expense/(income) in the year:

      

        2019

$m

     

            2018

$m

     

            2017

$m

 
Depreciation ofright-of-use assets    38     35     34 
System Fund depreciation ofright-of-use assets    5     4     5 
Expense relating to variable lease payments    58     48     30 
Expense relating to short-term leases andlow-value assets    3     3     2 
Income fromsub-leasingright-of-use assets    (2    (2    (2
Impairment charge    32           
Recognised in operating profit    134     88     69 
Interest on lease liabilities    41     39     39 
Total recognised in the Group income statement    175     127     108 
Amounts recognised in profit or loss          
The following amounts were recognised as expense/(income) in the year:          
          
        

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

 

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

     35     38     35 

System Fund depreciation of right-of-use assets

     4     5     4 

Impairment charge

     16     32      

System Fund impairment charge

     32           

Derecognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

     (22          

Gain on lease termination

     (30          

Expense relating to variable lease payments

     7     58     48 

Expense relating to short-term leases and low-value assets

     2     3     3 

Income from sub-leasing right-of-use assets

     (1    (2    (2

Recognised in operating (loss)/profit

     43     134     88 

Interest on lease liabilities

     37     41     39 

Total recognised in the Group income statement

     80     175     127 

Amounts recognised in the Group statement of cash flows

As restated for IFRS 16, totalTotal cash paid during the year relating to leases of $104m (2019: $159m, (2018: $132m, 2017: $87m)2018: $132m) comprises $39m (2019: $100m, (2018: $97m, 2017: $62m)2018: $97m) paid in respect of operating activities and $65m (2019: $59m, (2018: $35m, 2017: $25m)2018: $35m) paid in respect of financing activities.

Variable lease payments

Variable lease payments are payable under certain of the Group’s hotel leases and arise where the Group is committed to making additional lease payments that are contingent on the performance of the hotels.

TheVariable lease payments relating to the UK portfolio and two German hotel leases include variable lease payments where rentalshotels are linked to the performance of the hotels by way of reductionsdiscussed in rentals in the event that lower than target cash flows are generated by the hotels. In the event that rent reductions are not applicable, the Group’s exposure to this type of rental payment in excess of amounts reflected in the measurement of lease liabilities is as follows:

UK portfolio: £46m per annum over the remaining lease term of 24 years,

German hotels:16m per annum over the next six years and10m per annum for the next 24 years thereafter.

Additional rentals, which are uncapped, are also payable in respect of these hotels and are calculated as a percentage of the profit earned by the hotels.

The UK and German leases also contain guarantees that the Group will fund any shortfalls in lease payments up to annual and cumulative caps. There are a limited number of options for the Group to top up the guaranteed amount in the event the guarantee is utilised beyond a certain level. Although there are scenarios in which rent reductions would apply such that no rent would be payable, management consider the likelihood of these occurring to be remote. As such, the cumulative guaranteed amount is judged to be an‘in-substance fixed’ lease payment and therefore recognised as aright-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability. Theright-of-use asset is depreciated over the lease term and the lease liability is reduced by the amount of rental payments under the guarantee. During the year, total depreciation of $3m (2018: $2m, 2017: $1m) was charged to the income statement and total lease payments of $26m (2018: $3m) were charged against the lease liability.

Theright-of-use asset relating to the UK portfolio was impaired by $32m during the year (see note 13) and rental payments of $17m (2018: $3m) were charged against the lease liability in respect of this portfolio.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes173


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

15. Leasescontinued6.

Exposure to future cash outflows

At 31 December 2019,2020, the Group was committed to future cash outflows of $3m (2018: $1m)$nil (2019: $3m) relating to leases that have not yet commenced. These will be recorded as aA lease liability is recorded when the leased assets are available for use by the Group.

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in note 24.

The undiscounted future cash flows receivable fromsub-leased subleased properties amount to $2m (2019: $3m, (2018: $3m, 2017: $4m)2018: $3m).

170IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



16. Investment in associates and joint ventures

 

      

    Associates

$m

  

Joint

    ventures

$m

  

        Total

$m

 
Cost              
At 1 January 2018    151   27   178 
Additions    3      3 
Share of (losses)/gains    (6  5   (1
Dividends and distributions    (5  (32  (37
Exchange    (3     (3
At 31 December 2018    140      140 
Additions    14      14 
Share of (losses)/gains    (3     (3
Dividends    (7     (7
Exchange    1      1 
At 31 December 2019    145      145 
Impairment              
At 1 January 2018    (37     (37
Exchange    1      1 
At 31 December 2018    (36     (36
Exchange    1      1 
At 31 December 2019    (35     (35
Net book value              
At 31 December 2019    110      110 
At 31 December 2018    104      104 
At 1 January 2018    114   27   141 
      

        2020

$m

 

 

    

        2019

$m

 

 

Cost             
At 1 January     145     140 
Additions     17     14 
Share of (losses)/gains     (14    (3
System Fund share of losses     (1     
Dividends and distributions     (7    (7
Exchange and other     (4    1 
At 31 December     136     145 
Impairment             
At 1 January     (35    (36
Charge for the yeara     (23     
Exchange and other     3     1 
At 31 December     (55    (35
Net book value     81     110 

a

In note 6 the $23m impairment charge is presented net of $4m gain on related put option.

Barclay associate

The Group held one material associate investment at 31 December 2019,2020, a 19.9% interest in 111 East 48th Street Holdings, LLC (the ‘Barclay associate’) which owns InterContinental New York Barclay, (the hotel), a hotel managed by the Group. The hotel reopened for trading in April 2016 following a major renovation. The investment is classified as an associate and equity accounted. Whilst the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence through certain decision rights, approval rights relating to the hotel’s operating and capital budgets rest solely with the 80.1% majority member. The Group’s ability to receive cash dividends is dependent on the hotel generating sufficient income to satisfy specified owner returns.

In March 2017,Due to the Group invested $43msignificant trading impact of Covid-19 and resulting restrictions in New York, the hotel was closed for most of 2020 and does not expect to reopen until Spring 2021. The 2021 closure period and the significant impact on RevPAR during the recovery period is considered to affect the hotel valuation, hence impairment testing was performed on the Barclay associate, resulting in conjunction withan impairment charge of $13m. There is also a refinancingrelated put option which was valued at $4m. Details of the hotel. The cash was used to repay a $43m supplemental bank loan for which the Group had previously provided an indemnity for 100% of the related obligations. As a consequence, the indemnity was extinguished.

Impairment charges of $18m in 2017, related to the Barclay associate, resulted from the depressed trading outlook for the New York hotel marketput option, impairment testing performed and the high costs of renovating the hotel. The recoverable amount of the investment was measured at its fair value less costs of disposal, basedsensitivities are contained on the Group’s share of the market value of the hotel less debt in the associate. The hotel was appraised by a professional external valuer using an income capitalisation approach which is a discounted cash flow technique that measures the present value of projected income flows (over a10-year period) and the reversion of the property sale. Within the fair value hierarchy, this is categorised as a Level 3 fair value measurement. In addition to the projected income flows, the key assumptions used were a discount rate of 7.3% and a terminal capitalisation rate of 6.3%.

174IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


16. Investment in associates and joint venturescontinuedpage 136.

Summarised financial information in respect of the Barclay associate is set out below:

 

   

            31 December

2019

$m

    

            31 December

2018

$m

 
31 December     

        2020

$m

 

 

    

        2019

$m

 

 

Non-current assets    515     529      497     515 
Current assets    75     70      32     75 
Current liabilities    (22    (17     (19    (22
Non-current liabilities    (323    (319     (247    (323
Net assets    245     263      263     245 
Group share of reported net assets at 19.9%    49     52      52     49 
Adjustments to reflect capitalised costs, and additional rights and obligations under the shareholder agreement    4     7 
Adjustments to reflect impairment, capitalised costs, and additional rights and obligations under the shareholder agreement     (9    4 
Carrying amount    53     59      43     53 
Year ended 31 December     

2020

$m

 

 

    

2019

$m

 

 

Revenue     16     108 
Loss from continuing operations and total comprehensive loss for the year     (52    (17
Group’s share of loss for the year, including the cost of funding owner returns     (13    (10

 

       

            12 months to

31 December

2019

$m

     

            12 months to

31 December

2018

$m

 
Revenue    108     103 
Loss from continuing operations and total comprehensive loss for the period    (17    (13
Group’s share of loss for the period, including the cost of funding owner returns    (10    (8
LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020171


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

16. Investment in associates and joint ventures continued

Other associates and joint ventures

The summarised aggregated financial information for individually immaterial associates and joint ventures is set out below. These are mainly investments in entities that own hotels which the Group manages.

 

      

Associates

       

Joint ventures

       

Total

 
      

        2019

$m

       

        2018

$m

       

        2017

$m

       

        2019

$m

       

        2018

$m

       

        2017

$m

       

        2019

$m

       

        2018

$m

       

        2017

$m

 
                  
Share of gains/(losses)                                                              
Operating profits before exceptional items    7      2      6            5      1      7      7      7 
       Associates       Joint ventures       Total 
        

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

               2018
$m
               2020
$m
               2019
$m
               2018
$m
               2020
$m
                  2019
$m
               2018
$m
 
Share of (losses)/gains                                                             
(Losses)/profits from continuing operations and total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the year     (3)     7      2      2            5      (1)     7      7 

Impairment testing was performed on other associate investments containing hotel assets using management forecasts covering a five-year period, as detailed on page 135. This resulted in impairment of two associates, both in the Americas region, by a total of $8m. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at pre-tax rates of 12.0% and 8.4%, resulting in recoverable amounts of $1m and $4m respectively.

A further associate with a value of $5m at 31 December 2019 was liquidated in 2020. A final dividend of $3m was received and the remaining investment of $2m was impaired to $nil; the charge is recognised within Central costs.

During 2018, the Group received a distribution of $32m from a joint venture following the sale of the hotel owned by the joint venture. A further $2m was received in 2020 on liquidation of the joint venture.

17. Other financial assets

      

            2019

$m

       

            2018

$m

 
Equity securities:             

Quoted equity shares

    8      8 

Unquoted equity shares

    125      108 
     133      116 
Restricted funds:             

Shortfall reserve deposit

    25      25 

Ring-fenced amounts to satisfy insurance claims:

             

    Cash

    11      12 

    Money market funds

    16      16 

Bank accounts pledged as security

    41      40 

Other

    5      2 
     98      95 
Trade deposits and loansa    57      50 
     288      261 
Analysed as:             

Current

    4      1 

Non-current

    284      260 
     288      261 

a

Includes $3m (2018: $nil) measured at fair value through profit or loss.

        

        2020

$m

       

        2019

$m

 
Equity securities:              

Equity shares quoted on an active market

           8 

Other equity shares

     88      125 
      88      133 
Restricted funds:              

Shortfall reserve deposit

     9      25 

Ring-fenced amounts to satisfy insurance claims:

              

Cash

     3      11 

Money market funds

     15      16 

Bank accounts pledged as security

     43      41 

Other

     3      5 
      73      98 
Trade deposits and loans     8      57 
      169      288 
Analysed as:              

Current

     1      4 

Non-current

     168      284 
      169      288 

 

172IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Group Financial Statements  |  Notes175


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

 


    

17. Other financial assetscontinued

Equity securities

Equity securities are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income and mainly comprise strategic investments in entities that own hotels which the Group manages. The methodology to calculate fair value and the sensitivities to the relevant significant unobservable inputs are detailed in note 25. The fair value of the most significant investments at 31 December 20192020 together with the dividend income received in 20192020 is as follows:

       

2019

 
    

Fair value

$m

      

Dividend 

incomea

$m 

 
     
     
Investment in entity which owns:             

InterContinental The Willard Washington DC

    36      1 

InterContinental San Francisco

    31      2 

InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong

    23      1 

       2020 
        Fair value
$m
        Dividend
incomea
$m
 
Investment in entity which owns:              

InterContinental The Willard Washington DC

     22       

InterContinental San Francisco

     15      1 

InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong

     27       

 

a

Reported within ‘other operating income’ in the Group income statement.

On 13 December 2017, the sale of Avendra, LLC (Avendra) to Aramark Services, Inc., resulted in the Group receiving cash proceeds of $75m from its 6.29% interest in Avendra and the recording of a $73m exceptional gain in the Group income statement (see note 6). Prior to the sale, the Group’s investment in Avendra was included in unquoted equity shares. Avendra is a North American hospitality procurement services provider.

Restricted funds

The shortfall reserve deposit is held for the specific purpose of funding shortfalls in owner returns relating to the Barclay associate. No amounts required release from the deposit during the current or prior year.The calculation of shortfalls is subject to ‘force majeure’ clauses which include epidemics. Any shortfalls funded are subject to potential clawback in future years. The maximum length of time for which the restricted funds will be held is the life of the hotel management agreement. $16m was withdrawn from the deposit during the current year in connection with the refinancing of the hotel’s senior bank loan and to fund working capital requirements.

Amounts ring-fenced to satisfy insurance claims are principally held in the Group’s Captive, which is a regulated entity. Further disclosures are included inentity (see note 21.21).

The bank accounts pledged as security (£31m) are subject to a charge in favour of the members of the UK unfunded pension arrangement (see note 27). The amounts pledged as security may change in future years subject to the trustees’ agreement and updated actuarial valuations. The bank accounts will continue to be pledged as security until the date at which the UK unfunded pension liabilities have been fully discharged, unless otherwise agreed with the trustees.

Trade deposits and loans

TradeIn 2019, trade deposits and loans include deposits of $66m (2018: $66m) made to a hotel owner in connection with a portfolio of management agreements. The deposits arenon-interest-bearing and repayable at the end of the management agreement terms, and are therefore held atincluded a discounted value related to deposits made to SVC. The deposits ($33m) were impaired in full in the year (see page 137) and the contracts were subsequently terminated on 30 November 2020.

Expected credit losses

Other financial assets with a total value of $32m (2018: $30m); the discount unwinds$66m (2019: $136m) are subject to the Group income statementexpected credit loss model requirements of IFRS 9. Equity securities, money market funds and other amounts measured at fair value are excluded. With the exception of the expected credit loss arising on trade deposits and loans (see below), expected credit losses are considered to be immaterial. Included within ‘financial income’ overtrade deposits and loans is an owner loan with a principal value of $6m where repayments due in 2020 have not been received; this loan was impaired in full in the period to repayment.year. Other trade deposits and loans are not past due.

        

        2020

$m

       

        2019

$m

 
Trade deposits and loans:             

Gross and net balance with no significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition

     4     54 

Gross balance with a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition

     19      

Provision for lifetime expected credit lossesa

     (15     

a

Comprises $6m and $9m relating to the Americas and EMEAA regions respectively.

Credit risk

Restricted funds are held with bank counterparties which are rated at least A+ based on Standard and Poor’s ratings. Trade deposits and loans are not past due.

The maximum exposure to credit risk of other financial assets at the end of the reporting period by geographic region is as follows:

 

     

            2019

$m

      

            2018

$m

 

        2019

$m

 
Americas    169      162      72      169 
EMEAA    81      68      64      81 
Greater China    38      31      33      38 
    288      261      169      288 

LOGO

 

176Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020173


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

18. Trade and other receivables

 

      

            2019

$m

      

            2018

Restated

$m

 
Current             
Trade receivables    514      474 
Other receivables    37      27 
Prepayments    114      108 
Receivables from associates    1      1 
     666      610 
        

        2020

$m

               2019
$m
 
Trade receivablesa     309      515 
Other receivables     129      37 
Prepayments     76      114 
      514      666 

a

Including cost reimbursements of $26m (2019: $67m).

Trade and other receivables are held at amortised cost.

Trade receivables arenon-interest-bearing and are generally on payment terms of up to 30 days. The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates their carrying value.

Other receivables includes $77m relating to the UK portfolio rent. The Group has deferred rent payments due since 1 April 2020 (other than payments of ground rent) with consideration given to the UK Government and other commercial tenant protection measures which are in place up to 31 March 2021. A final rent reconciliation is expected in mid-2021, at which point no further rent will be payable and any rent paid in relation to 2020 will be recoverable from the landlord. $65m has been recognised within trade and other payables in relation to the rents due under the leases at 31 December, with the receivable balance reflecting the recovery of both amounts due and amounts paid in 2020.

Expected credit losses

The impairment charge in respect of trade receivables was $40m (2019: $8m). This amount and $48m relating to trade deposits and loans (see note 17) comprise the total impairment loss on financial assets in the Group income statement. A further impairment charge of $24m was recognised within System Fund expenses (2019: $12m).

In the Group’s interim financial statements as at 30 June 2020, exceptional items included an impairment of trade receivables of $22m which had been determined to be directly as a result of Covid-19. The subsequent improvement in cash collection and the considerations required to identify whether subsequent expected credit losses over the extended period of the pandemic are due to Covid-19 have resulted in none of the full year $40m impairment of trade receivables being presented within exceptional items.

Expected credit losses were calculated as follows:

By applying the Group’s historical policy for estimating the expected credit loss provision, supported by the Group’s prior experience; and

By identifying hotel owners subject to payment plans or identified as distressed and applying a percentage provision to all outstanding receivables.

The net balances presented in the table below could result in additional credit losses if they are ultimately found to be uncollectible.

The ageing of trade and other receivables excluding prepayments, at the end of the reporting period is:is shown below; the ageing reflects the initial terms under the invoice rather than the revised terms where payment flexibility has been provided to owners. Expected credit losses relating to other receivables are immaterial.

 

   

2019

      

2018

 
   

            Gross

$m

   

        Credit loss

allowance

$m

 

            Net

$m

      

            Gross

$m

   

        Credit loss

allowance

$m

 

            Net

$m

 
2019 
          Gross
$m
        Credit loss
allowance
$m
      Net
$m
       Gross
$m
        Credit loss
allowance
$m
      Net
$m
 
Not past due    400    (3 397      356    (1  355      153       (1     152      363       (3     360 
Past due 1 to 30 days    74    (3 71      71    (1  70      59       (2     57      74       (3     71 
Past due 31 to 90 days    56    (5 51      52    (2  50      61       (6     55      56       (5     51 
Past due more than 90 days    40    (7 33      34    (7  27      40       (7     33      35       (7     28 
Past due more than 180 days     74       (62     12      5             5 
    570    (18 552      513    (11  502      387       (78     309      533       (18     515 

Trade and other receivables over 180 days past due are written off, but continue to be actively pursued. The credit risk relating to balances not past due is not deemed to be significant.

The movement in the allowance for expected lifetime credit losses of trade and other receivables during the year is as follows:

 

   

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

    

            2017

$m

 
           2018
$m
 
At 1 January    (11    (77    (69     (18    (11    (77
Adjustment arising on adoption of IFRS 9a         67                     67 
Provided    (20    (28    (15
Amounts written back              2 
Impairment loss     (40    (8    (17
System Fund impairment loss     (24    (12    (11
Amounts written off    14     26     6      7     14     26 
Exchange adjustments    (1    1     (1
Exchange and other adjustments     (3    (1    1 
At 31 December    (18    (11    (77     (78    (18    (11

 

a

IFRS 9 was applied from 1 January 2018. Under the transition method chosen, comparative information was not restated.

174IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



18. Trade and other receivables continued

Credit risk

The Group trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures.

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments, at the end of the reporting period by geographic region is as follows:

 

      

            2019

$m

       

            2018

$m

 
Americas    359      325 
EMEAA    141      125 
Greater China    52      52 
     552      502 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes177


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

       

         2020

$m

      

         2019

$m

 
Americas    212     359 
EMEAA    183     141 
Greater China    43     52 
     438     552 

19. Cash and cash equivalents

 

     

            2019

$m

    

            2018

$m

 

        2019

$m

 
Cash at bank and in hand    160     202      104     160 
Short-term deposits         158      358      
Money market funds    35     76      892     35 
Repurchase agreements         268      321      
Cash and cash equivalents as recorded in the Group statement of financial position    195     704      1,675     195 
Bank overdrafts (note 22)    (87    (104     (51    (87
Cash and cash equivalents as recorded in the Group statement of cash flows    108     600      1,624     108 

Cash at bank and in hand includes bank balances of $95m (2018: $106m)$55m (2019: $95m) which are matched by bank overdrafts of $87m (2018: $104m)$51m (2019: $87m) under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used forday-to-day cash management purposes and are managed as closely as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position with the matching overdrafts held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK. Accordingly, bank overdrafts are included within cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the cash flow statement.

Short-term deposits, money market funds and repurchase agreements are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

At 31 December 2019, $6m (2018: $nil)2020, $5m (2019: $6m) is restricted for use on capital expenditure in the UK portfoliounder hotel lease agreements and therefore not available for wider use by the Group. An additional $16m (2018: $2m)$44m (2019: $16m) is held within countries from which funds are not currently able to be repatriated to the Group’s central treasury company.

Details of the credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is included in note 24.

20. Trade and other payables

 

   

              2019

$m

      

            2018

Restated

$m

 

        2019

$m

 
Current                   
Trade payables    90      132      80      90 
Other tax and social security payable    42      44      37      42 
Other payables    97      94      146      97 
Contingent purchase consideration    1      7 
Deferred purchase consideration (note 25)     13       
Contingent purchase consideration (note 25)           1 
Accruals    338      339      190      338 
    568      616      466      568 
Non-current                   
Other payables    3      1      4      3 
Deferred purchase consideration    23      22 
Contingent purchase consideration    90      102 
Deferred purchase consideration (note 25)     11      23 
Contingent purchase consideration (note 25)     79      90 
    116      125      94      116 

Deferred purchase consideration relatesOther payables includes $65m relating to the acquisition of Regent and contingent purchase consideration relates to the acquisitions of Regent, the UK portfolio and Six Sensesrent (see note 25)18).

LOGO

 

178Notes to the Group Financial Statements IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020175


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

21. Provisions

 

      

Security

incidents

$m

  

    Litigation

$m

  

    Insurance

reserves

$m

  

         Total

$m

 
At 1 January 2018   5   3      8 
Reclassification from other trade and other payables         25   25 
(Released)/provided   (2  (1  7   4 
Utilised   (3     (7  (10
At 31 December 2018      2   25   27 
Provided      30   13   43 
Utilised         (8  (8
At 31 December 2019      32   30   62 
        Litigation
$m
  Insurance
reserves
$m
  

Onerous
contractual
expenditure
(note 6)

$m

  Other
$m
   Total
$m
 
At 1 January 2019     2   25          27 
Provided, of which $28m is recorded within exceptional items     30   13          43 
Utilised        (8         (8
At 31 December 2019     32   30          62 
Reclassification from trade and other payables     2             2 
Provided, of which $10m is recorded within exceptional items     7   13   10   4    34 
Utilised     (20  (7  (3      (30
Released, of which $9m is recorded within exceptional items     (9            (9
Exchange adjustments           1       1 
At 31 December 2020     12   36   8   4    60 

 

     

    2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

 
Analysed as:                  
Current    40     10      16      40 
Non-current    22     17      44      22 
    62     27      60      62 

Litigation

The litigation provision which mainly relatesis principally related to amounts charged duringmanagement’s best estimate of settlements required in respect of lawsuits filed against the year as describedGroup in note 6, is expectedthe Americas region. The Group expects the provision to be principally utilised within 12 months.

There are certain indemnities and claims that the Group will be able to pursue in relation to these matters, although it is not practicable to quantify the amounts at this point in time.

In 2019, amounts were provided primarily representing management’s best estimate of settlement in respect of a lawsuit filed against the Group in the Americas region, together with the cost of an arbitration award against the Group in the EMEAA region. The amounts utilised in 2020 principally reflect the final resolution of these matters.

The amount released in the year principally relates to the lawsuit within the Americas region (see above) as the Group was able to enforce certain indemnities such that the Group did not have to settle the full amount which had been provided.

Insurance reserves

The Group self-insures certain risks relating to its corporate operations and owned and leased properties, and also acts as third-party insurer for certain risks of its managed hotels. The insurance reserves held mainly relate to general liability, workers compensation, US medical and employment practices liability insurances. The amounts are based on reserves held principally in the Group’s captiveCaptive insurance company, SCH Insurance Company (SCHIC), and are established using independent actuarial assessments wherever possible, or a reasonable assessment based on past claims experience.

Over and above the actuarially determined reserves, the Group is potentially exposed to claims with individual caps which do not exceed $4m for periods prior to 2011 and up to $25m$40m in aggregate for periods since 2011, noting that actual claims did not differ significantly to estimates in 20192020 or 2018.2019.

Amounts utilised within the reserves are paid to a third-party insurer for subsequent settlement with the claimant. In order to protect the third-party insurer against the solvency risk of SCHIC,the Captive, the Group has outstanding letters of credit (see note 31).

In respect of the managed hotels, the Group received insurance premiums of $19m (2018: $11m, 2017: $9m)(2019: $19m, 2018: $11m) and incurred claims expense of $16m (2019: $18m, (2018: $10m, 2017: $9m)2018: $10m). Insurance premiums earned are included in Central revenue.

Other

Includes dilapidations provisions and is expected to be utilised over a two to three-year period.

 

176IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Group Financial Statements  |  Notes179


Group Financial Statements

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued


 

    

22. Loans and other borrowings

 

     

2019

       

2018

Restated

       2020       2019 
       Current
$m
   Non-current
$m
   

Total

$m

         Current
$m
   Non-current
$m
   

Total

$m

         Current
$m
     Non-current
$m
       Total
$m
         Current
$m
     Non-current
$m
       Total
$m
 
Unsecured bank loans        125    125                                      125    125 
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022        528    528          509    509 
£173m 3.875% bonds 2022         235    235          528    528 
500m 1.625% bonds 2024         611    611               
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025        399    399          385    385          413    413          399    399 
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026        462    462          447    447          479    479          462    462 
500m 2.125% bonds 2027        564    564          569    569          618    618          564    564 
£400m 3.375% bonds 2028         542    542               
Commercial paper     818        818               
        2,078            2,078          1,910    1,910      818    2,898    3,716          2,078    2,078 
Bank overdrafts    87        87      104        104      51        51      87        87 
Total loans and other borrowings    87    2,078    2,165      104    1,910            2,014      869    2,898    3,767      87    2,078    2,165 
Denominated in the following currencies:                                           
Sterling    2    1,389    1,391          1,341    1,341      821    1,669    2,490      2    1,389    1,391 
US dollars    82    125    207      94        94      31        31      82    125    207 
Euros    1    564    565      8    569    577      13    1,229    1,242      1    564    565 
Other    2        2      2        2      4        4      2        2 
    87    2,078    2,165      104    1,910    2,014      869    2,898    3,767      87    2,078    2,165 

Unsecured bank loans

Unsecured bank loans are borrowings under the Group’s Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities. Amounts are classified asnon-current when the facilities have more than 12 months to expiry.

The Syndicated Facility comprises a $1,275m five-year revolving credit facility maturing in March 2022.

Theand the Bilateral Facility comprises a $75m revolving credit facility maturingfacility. During 2020, the maturities of both facilities have been extended for 18 months to September 2023. The covenant tests have been waived or amended as detailed in March 2022. note 24.

The Bilateral Facility contains the same terms and covenants as the Syndicated Facility (see note 24).

A variable rate of interest is payable on amounts drawn under both facilities, which was 2.42%were undrawn at 31 December 2019.2020. The maximum amount drawn under the combined facilities during the year was $690m (2019: $475m).

£400m173m 3.875% bonds 2022

The£400m 3.875% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 28 November 20122012. On 8 October 2020 £227m were repurchased at 104.4% of face value. The premium on repayment and associated write-off of fees and discount totalling $14m are classified as exceptional costs due to their size and nature (see note 6). The remaining bonds are repayable in full on 28 November 2022. Interest is payable annually on 28 November. The bonds were initially priced at 98.787% of face value and are unsecured.

€500m 1.625% bonds 2024

The 1.625% fixed interest euro bonds were issued on 8 October 2020 and are repayable in full on 8 October 2024. Interest is payable annually on 8 October. The bonds were initially priced at 99.563% of face value and are unsecured. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time the bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into sterling (see note 24).

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

The 3.75% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 14 August 2015 and are repayable in full on 14 August 2025. Interest is payable annually on 14 August. The bonds were initially priced at 99.014% of face value and are unsecured.

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

The 2.125% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 24 August 2016 and are repayable in full on 24 August 2026. Interest is payable annually on 24 August. The bonds were initially priced at 99.45% of face value and are unsecured.

€500m 2.125% bonds 2027

The 2.125% fixed interest euro bonds were issued on 15 November 2018 and are repayable in full on 15 May 2027. Interest is payable annually on 15 May. The bonds were initially priced at 99.53% of face value and are unsecured. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time the bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into sterling (see note 24).

£400m 3.375% bonds 2028

The 3.375% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 8 October 2020 and are repayable in full on 8 October 2028. Interest is payable annually on 8 October. The bonds were initially priced at 98.966% of face value and are unsecured.

Commercial paper

The Group issued £600m under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (‘CCFF’), maturing on 16 March 2021. The paper was priced at 99.556% of face value and is unsecured.

Bank overdrafts

Bank overdrafts are matched by equivalent amounts of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements (see note 19).

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020177


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

22. Loans and other borrowings continued

Facilities provided by banks

 

                2019                 2018       2020       2019 
      

    Utilised

$m

   

Unutilised

$m

   

Total

$m

           Utilised
$m
   

Unutilised

$m

   

Total

$m

       Utilised
$m
   Unutilised
$m
   Total
$m
       Utilised
$m
   Unutilised
$m
   Total
$m
 
Committed     125    1,225            1,350          1,350              1,350          1,350    1,350      125    1,225    1,350 
Uncommitted         54    54          53    53          50    50          54    54 
     125    1,279    1,404          1,403    1,403          1,400    1,400      125    1,279    1,404 

 

              2019
$m
    2018 $m             2020
$m
              2019
$m
 
Unutilised facilities expire:         
Expiry of unutilised facilities          
Within one year     54     53      50      54 
After two but before five years     1,350           1,350      1,350      1,225 
     1,404     1,403      1,400      1,279 

Utilised facilities are calculated based on actual drawings and may not agree to the carrying value of loans held at amortised cost.

180IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


23. Net debt

 

      

        2019

$m

                 2018
Restated
$m
 
Cash and cash equivalents    195     704 
Loans and other borrowings – current    (87    (104

  –non-current

    (2,078    (1,910
Lease liabilities                     – current    (65    (55
                                              –non-current    (595    (615
                                              – classified as held for sale (note 12)    (20     
Derivative financial instruments hedging debt values (note 24)    (15    15 
Net debt    (2,665    (1,965
Movement in net debt            
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts    (500    563 
Add back cash flows in respect of other components of net debt:            

Principal element of lease payments

    59     35 

Issue of long-term bonds, including effect of currency swaps

         (554

(Increase)/decrease in other borrowings

    (127    268 
(Increase)/decrease in net debt arising from cash flows    (568    312 
Non-cash movements:            

Lease obligations

    (43    (27

Increase in accrued interest

    (7    (3

Acquisition of businesses (note 11)

    (25    (51

Exchange and other adjustments

    (57    57 
(Increase)/decrease in net debt    (700    288 
Net debt at beginning of the year    (1,965    (2,253
Net debt at end of the year    (2,665    (1,965
           2020
$m
      2019
$m
 
Cash and cash equivalents       1,675     195 
Loans and other borrowings – current     (869    (87
  non-current     (2,898    (2,078
Lease liabilities – current     (34    (65
  non-current     (416    (595
  – classified as held for sale (note 12)          (20
Derivative financial instruments hedging debt values (note 24)     13     (15
Net debt       (2,529    (2,665

 

Movement in net debt             
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts     1,430     (500
Add back financing cash flows in respect of other components of net debt:             

Principal element of lease payments

     65     59 

Issue of long-term bonds, including effect of currency swaps

     (1,093     

Issue of commercial paper

     (738     

Repayment of long-term bonds

     290      
Decrease/(increase) in other borrowings     125     (127
Decrease/(increase) in net debt arising from cash flows     79     (568
Other movements:             

Lease liabilities

     144     (43

Increase in accrued interest

     (5    (7

Acquisitions and disposals

     19     (25

Exchange and other adjustments

     (101    (57
Decrease/(increase) in net debt     136     (700
Net debt at beginning of the year     (2,665    (1,965
Net debt at end of the year     (2,529    (2,665

 

LOGOLOGO 

Information concerningNon-GAAP measures

can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 5547 to 59.51.

Net debt on a frozen GAAP basis as calculated for bank covenants was $2,375m (2019: $2,241m). Further details are provided on page 181.

178IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



23. Net debt continued

Loans and other borrowings (excluding bank overdrafts), lease liabilities, and currency swaps comprise the liabilities included in the financing activities section of the Group statement of cash flows and their movements are analysed as follows:

 

  

At 1 January
2019
Restated

$m

   

Financing
cash flows

$m

   Exchange
adjustments
$m
   

Acquisition

of businesses
$m

     Other
$m
    

At 31 December
2019

$m

       

    At 1 January

2020

$m

   

Financing

      cash flows

$m

 

Exchange

      adjustments

$m

 

        Disposal

$m

 

        Othera

$m

 

    At 31 December

2020

$m

 
Unsecured bank loans       127    (2             125      125    (125            
Lease liabilities  670    (59   1    25     43     680      680    (65 (2 (19 (144 450 
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022  509        18         1     528 
£173m 3.875% bonds 2022     528    (290       (3 235 
500m 1.625% bonds 2024         585  26        611 
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025  385        13         1     399      399      13     1  413 
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026  447        15              462      462      16     1  479 
500m 2.125% bonds 2027  569        (12        7     564      564      53     1  618 
£400m 3.375% bonds 2028         511  29     2  542 
Commercial paper         738  78     2  818 
  2,580    68    33    25     52     2,758      2,758    1,354  213  (19 (140 4,166 
Currency swaps  (7                27     20 
Currency swaps (exchange of principal)     20    (3          17 
Currency swaps (initial fee received)         3        (3   
  2,573    68    33    25     79     2,778      2,778    1,354  213  (19 (143 4,183 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notesa181

Includes $90m lease termination relating to InterContinental San Juan (see note 6).


Group Financial Statements

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

23. Net debtcontinued

    

At 1 January
2018
Restated

$m

   

Financing

cash flows
Restated
$m

   Exchange
adjustments
Restated
$m
   

Acquisition

of businesses
Restated

$m

     Other
Restated
$m
 

At 31 December
2018

Restated

$m

       

    At 1 January
2019

$m

 

Financing

      cash flows

$m

 

Exchange

      adjustments

$m

 

Acquisition

      of businesses

$m

   

        Other

$m

   

    At 31 December

2019

$m

 
Unsecured bank loans   262    (268   3          3            127   (2          125 
Lease liabilities   633    (35   (6   51      27   670      670   (59  1   25    43    680 
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022   538        (30         1   509      509      18       1    528 
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025   406        (23         2   385      385      13       1    399 
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026   472        (26         1   447      447      15           462 
500m 2.125% bonds 2027       559    9          1   569      569      (12      7    564 
   2,311    256    (73   51      35   2,580      2,580   68   33   25    52    2,758 
Currency swaps:                   

Exchange of principal

       (5             (2  (7

Initial fee received

       3              (3   
Currency swaps     (7            27    20 
       (2             (5  (7     2,573   68   33   25    79    2,778 
   2,311    254    (73   51      30   2,573 

24. Financial risk management and derivative financial instruments

Overview

The Group is exposed to financial risks that arise in relation to underlying business activities. These risks include: market risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and capital risk. There are Board approved policies in place to manage these risks. Treasury activities to manage these risks may include money market investments, repurchase agreements, spot and forward foreign exchange instruments, currency swaps, interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk comprises: foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk. Financial instruments affected by market risk include loans and other borrowings, cash and cash equivalents, debt and equity investments and derivatives.

Foreign exchange risk

The US dollar is the predominant currency of the Group’s revenue and cash flows. Movements in foreign exchange rates can affect the Group’s reported profit or loss, net liabilities and its interest cover. The most significant exposures of the Group are in currencies that are freely convertible. The Group’s reported debt has an exposure to borrowings held in sterling and euros. The Group holds its bond debt in sterling which is the primary currency of shareholder returns and to minimise exchange risk in its holding companies.returns. US dollars are also borrowed to reflect the predominant trading currency and to act as a net investment hedge of US dollar denominated assets.

The Group transacted currency swaps in 2018 at the same time as the500m 2.125% 2027 and 500m 1.625% 2024 bonds were issued in November 2018 and October 2020 in order to swap the bonds’ proceeds and interest flows into sterling (see page 183)180).

From time to time, the Group hedges a portion of forecast foreign currency income by taking out forward exchange contracts. There were no such contracts in place at either 31 December 20192020 or 31 December 2018.2019.

Interest rate risk

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk in relation to its fixed and floating rate borrowings. The Group’s policy requires a minimum of 50% fixed rate debt over the next 12 months. With the exception of overdrafts, 94%100% of borrowings were fixed rate debt at 31 December 2019 (2018: 100%2020 (2019: 94%).

If required, the Group uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. The Group designates interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. No interest rate swaps were used to manage interest rate exposure during 2020, 2019, 2018, or 2017.2018.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020179


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

24. Financial risk management and derivative financial instruments continued

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are recorded in the Group statement of financial position at fair value (see note 25) as follows:

 

Hedging instrument  Hedged risk  Hedge classification    

        2019

$m

             2018
$m
 
Description Hedge relationship           2020
$m
           2019
$m
 
Put option None     4      
Currency swaps  Foreign exchange  Cash flow hedge  (20   7  Cash flow hedge     (17    (20
Short-dated foreign exchange swaps  Foreign exchange  Net investment hedge  1    1  Net investment hedge          1 
        (19   8        (13    (19
Analysed as:                       
Non-current assets             7        5      
Current assets        1    1             1 
Non-current liabilities        (20           (18    (20
        (19   8        (13    (19

The carrying amount of currency swaps of $(20)$(17)m (2018: $7m)(2019: $(20)m) comprises $13m gain (2019: $15m loss (2018: $15m gain)loss) relating to exchange movements on the underlying principal, included within net debt (see note 23), and $30m loss (2019: $5m loss (2018: $8m loss) relatedrelating to other fair value movements.

Details of the credit risk on derivative financial instruments are included on page 185.

182IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


24. Financial risk management and derivative financial instrumentscontinued183.

Cash flow hedges

The currencyCurrency swaps werehave been transacted atto swap the same timeproceeds from the euro bonds to sterling as the500m 2.125% bonds were issued in November 2018. Under the terms of the swaps, £436m was borrowed and500m deposited for eight and a half years with a fixed interest rate of 3.5% payable on the sterling leg. The currency swaps are designated as hedging instruments of the foreign exchange risk inherent in the bonds’ cash flows. follows:

Date of designation      Pay leg  Interest rate  Receive leg  Interest rate  Maturity  Risk  Hedge type  Hedged item

 

    

 

November 2018    £436m  3.5%  500m  2.125%  May 2027  Foreign exchange  Cash flow  500m 2.125% bonds 2027    

 

    

 

October 2020    £454m  2.7%  500m  1.625%  October 2024  Foreign exchange  Cash flow  500m 1.625% bonds 2024    

 

    

 

Hedge ineffectiveness arises where the cumulative changes in the fair value of the swaps exceed the change in the fair value of the bonds.

The change in the fair value of hedging instruments used to measure hedge ineffectiveness in the period mirrors that of the hypothetical derivative (hedged item) and was $30m (2018: $9m)$7m (2019: $30m).

Hedge ineffectiveness may occur due to any opening fair value of the hedging instrument, or a change in the credit risk of the Group or counterparty. There was no ineffectiveness in 20192020 or 2018.2019.

Amounts recognised in the cash flow hedging reserve are analysed in note 29.

Net investment hedges

The Group designates the following as net investment hedges of its foreign operations, being the net assets of certain Group subsidiaries with a US dollar functional currency:

Borrowings under the Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities; and

Short-dated foreign exchange swaps.

The designated risk is the spot foreign exchange risk and interest on these financial instruments is taken through financial income or expense.

Short-dated foreign exchange swaps are used to manage sterling surplus cash and reduce US dollar borrowings whilst maintaining operational flexibility. The maximum amount held during the year as net investment hedges and tested for effectiveness at calendar quarter ends were short-dated foreign exchange swaps with principals of $100m (2018:$nil (2019: $100m).

There is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument as the net investment creates a translationforeign exchange risk that will match the foreign exchange risk on the USDUS dollar borrowing. The Group has established a hedge ratio of 1:1 as the underlying risk of the hedging instrument is identical to the hedged risk component.

The change in value of hedging instruments recognised in the currency translation reserve through other comprehensive income was $2m$1m loss (2018: $21m(2019: $2m loss). There was no ineffectiveness recognised in the Group income statement during the current or prior year.

180IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



24. Financial risk management and derivative financial instruments continued

Interest and foreign exchange risk sensitivities

The following table shows the impact of a general strengthening in the US dollar against sterling and euro on the Group’s (loss)/profit before tax and net liabilities, and the impact of a rise in US dollar, euro and sterling interest rates on the Group’s (loss)/profit before tax. The impact of the strengthening in the euro against sterling on net liabilities is also shown, as this impacts the fair value of the currency swaps.

 

                 2019 
$m 
                2018 
Restated 
$m 
                2017a  
$m  
              2020
$m
             2019
$m
            2018
$m
 
Increase/(decrease) in profit before tax                            
Sterling: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall  4.0   4.1   4.0   5¢ fall     5.9      4.0     4.1 
Euro: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall  (2.6)  (2.4)  (2.1)  5¢ fall     0.3      (2.6    (2.4
US dollar interest rates 1% increase  (1.6)  (0.9)  (2.9)  1% increase     2.2      (1.6    (0.9
Sterling interest rates 1% increase  0.6   5.5   0.3   1% increase     12.9      0.6     5.5 
Decrease/(increase) in net liabilities                            
Sterling: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall  39.9   25.9   44.1   5¢ fall     30.2      39.9     25.9 
Euro: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall  24.1   23.8   (4.1)  5¢ fall     50.6      24.1     23.8 
Sterling: euro exchange rate 5¢ fall  33.0   31.9   –   5¢ fall     68.2      33.0     31.9 

a

As the change in sensitivities dueIn 2020, interest rate sensitivity relates to cash balances and would only be realised to adoption of IFRS 16 is insignificant, 2017 has not been restated.

The impact of a weakening in the US dollar or a fall in interestextent deposit rates would be the reverse of the above values.increase by 1%.

Interest rate sensitivities include the impact of hedging and are calculated based on theyear-end net debt position.

IHG|  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |Group Financial Statements|  Notes  183


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

24. Financial risk management and derivative financial instrumentscontinued

Liquidity risk

Group policy ensures sufficient liquidity is maintained to meet all foreseeable medium-term cash requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations. The Group has taken steps to strengthen its liquidity in the year (see page 133).

Cash and cash equivalents are held in short-term deposits, repurchase agreements, and cash funds which allow daily withdrawals of cash. Most of the Group’s funds are held in the UK or US, although $16m (2018: $2m)$44m (2019: $16m) is held in countries where repatriation is restricted (see note 19).

Medium and long-term borrowing requirements are met through committed bank facilities and bonds as detailed in note 22. Short-term borrowing requirements may be met from drawings under uncommitted overdrafts and facilities.facilities, and are currently met by commercial paper issued under the CCFF.

The Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities contain two financial covenants: interest cover and a leverage ratio. Covenants are monitored on a ‘frozen GAAP’ basis excluding the impact of IFRS 16 and are tested at half year and full year on a trailing 12-month basis.

The interest cover covenant requires a ratio of Covenant EBITDA: Covenant interest payable above 3.5:1 and the leverage ratio requires Covenant net debt divided bydebt: Covenant EBITDA of below 3.5:1. Covenant EBITDA is calculated (on a frozen GAAP basis) as operating profit before exceptional items, depreciation and amortisation and System Fund revenues and expenses. Covenants

These covenants have been waived from 30 June 2020 through 31 December 2021 and have been relaxed for test dates in 2022.

A minimum liquidity covenant of $400m has been introduced which will be tested at each test date up to and including 31 December 2022. For covenant purposes, liquidity is defined as unrestricted cash and cash equivalents (net of bank overdrafts) plus undrawn facilities with a remaining term of at least six months.

2019

    and prior

30 June

    2020 to 31

December

2021

    30 June

2022

31

    December

2022

        30 June

2023

Amended covenant test levels for Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities
Leverage<3.5xwaived<7.5x<6.5x<3.5x
Interest cover>3.5xwaived>1.5x>2.0x>3.5x
Liquidityn/a$400m$400m$400mn/a

The following table details performance against covenant tests. The measures used in these tests are monitoredcalculated on a ‘frozen GAAP’frozen GAAP basis excludingand do not align to the impact of IFRS 16. values reported by the Group as Non-GAAP measures:

        

       2020

$m

       

       2019

$m

 
Covenant EBITDA     272      897 
Covenant net debt     2,375      2,241 
Covenant interest payable     111      99 
Leverage     8.73      2.50 
Interest cover     2.45      9.06 
Liquidity     2,925      n/a 

The interest margin payable on the Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities is linked to the leverage ratio and can vary between LIBOR + 0.90% and LIBOR + 2.75%.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020181


Group has been in compliance with all ofFinancial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

24. Financial risk management and derivative financial covenants in its loan documents throughout the year and expects to continue to have significant headroom for the foreseeable future.instruments continued

The following are the undiscounted contractual cash flows of financial liabilities, including interest payments. Liabilities relating to the Group’s deferred compensation plan are excluded; their settlement is funded entirely by the realisation of the related deferred compensation plan investments and no net cash flow arises. The payment profile of contingent purchase consideration has been based on management’s forecasts and could in reality be different from expectations.

 

      

  Less than

1 year

$m

 

    Between

1 and 2

years

$m

 

    Between

2 and 5

years

$m

 

    More than

5 years

$m

 

        Total

$m

 
31 December 2020             
Non-derivative financial liabilities:             

Bank overdrafts

     51           51 

£173m 3.875% bonds 2022

     9  245        254 

500m 1.625% bonds 2024

     10  10  634     654 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

     15  15  456     486 

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

     10  10  31  488  539 

500m 2.125% bonds 2027

     13  13  39  640  705 

£400m 3.375% bonds 2028

     19  18  55  601  693 

Commercial paper

     819           819 

Lease liabilities

     57  55  136  3,257  3,505 

Trade and other payables (excluding deferred and contingent purchase consideration)

     453  2  1  1  457 

Deferred and contingent purchase consideration

     13  5  13  81  112 
Derivative financial liabilities:             

Currency swaps hedging 500m 1.625% bonds 2024 outflows

     16  16  652     684 

Currency swaps hedging 500m 1.625% bonds 2024 inflows

     (10 (10 (634    (654

Currency swaps hedging 500m 2.125% bonds 2027 outflows

     21  21  63  627  732 

Currency swaps hedging 500m 2.125% bonds 2027 inflows

     (13 (13 (39 (640 (705
    

Less than
1 year

$m

 Between
1 and 2
years
$m
 Between
2 and 5
years
$m
 More than
5 years
$m
 Total
$m
       

Less than

1 year

$m

 

Between

1 and 2

years

$m

 

Between

2 and 5

years

$m

 

More than

5 years

$m

 

Total

$m

 
31 December 2019                        
Non-derivative financial liabilities:                        

Bank overdrafts

  87           87      87            87 

Unsecured bank loans

  125           125      125            125 

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

  21  21  548     590      21   21   548      590 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

  15  15  45  411  486      15   15   45   411   486 

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

  10  10  29  482  531      10   10   29   482   531 

500m 2.125% bonds 2027

  12  12  36  597  657      12   12   36   597   657 

Lease liabilities

  97  116  193  3,451  3,857      97   116   193   3,451   3,857 

Trade and other payables (excluding deferred and contingent purchase consideration)

  567  1  1  1  570      567   1   1   1   570 

Deferred and contingent purchase consideration

  3  20  19  120  162      3   20   19   120   162 
Derivative financial liabilities:                        

Forward foreign exchange contracts

  (1          (1     (1           (1

Currency swaps hedging500m 2.125% bonds 2027 outflows

  20  20  61  627  728      20   20   61   627   728 

Currency swaps hedging500m 2.125% bonds 2027 inflows

  (12 (12 (36 (597 (657     (12  (12  (36  (597  (657
    Less than
1 year
Restated
$m
 Between
1 and 2
years
Restated
$m
 Between
2 and 5
years
Restated
$m
 More than
5 years
Restated
$m
 Total
Restated
$m
 
31 December 2018           
Non-derivative financial liabilities:           

Bank overdrafts

   104            104 

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

   20   20   550      590 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

   14   14   43   412   483 

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

   10   10   28   475   523 

500m 2.125% bonds 2027

   6   12   37   621   676 

Lease liabilities

   93   93   226   3,479   3,891 

Trade and other payables (excluding deferred and contingent purchase consideration)

   609      1      610 

Deferred and contingent purchase consideration

   7   8   37   262   314 
Derivative financial liabilities:           

Forward foreign exchange contracts

   (1           (1

Currency swaps hedging500m 2.125% bonds 2027 outflows

   20   20   58   625   723 

Currency swaps hedging500m 2.125% bonds 2027 inflows

   (6  (12  (37  (621  (676

 

184182 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


        

 


 

    

    

24. Financial risk management and derivative financial instrumentscontinued

Credit risk

Cash and cash equivalents and derivatives

Credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is minimised by operating a policy on the investment of surplus cash that generally restricts counterparties to those with a BBBBBB- credit rating or better or those providing adequate security. The Group uses long-term credit ratings from Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings as a basis for setting its counterparty limits.

In order to manage the Group’s credit risk exposure, the treasury function sets counterparty exposure limits using metrics including credit ratings, the relative placing of credit default swap pricings, tier 1 capital and share price volatility of the relevant counterparty.

The Group’s cash and cash equivalents held in money market funds was invested in fundsRepurchase agreements are fully collateralised investments, with a AAAmaturity of three months or less. The Group accepts only government or supranational bonds where the lowest credit rating at 31 December 2019.

Exposureis AA- or better as collateral. In the event of default, ownership of these securities would revert to credit riskthe Group. The securities held as collateral are to protect against default by the counterparty.

The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, with the maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of each financial asset, including derivative financial instruments.

Expected credit losses

Cash at bank and in hand, short-term deposits, trade and other receivables and those other financial assets which are classified and measured at amortised cost are subject to the The expected credit loss model requirements of IFRS 9. With the exception of tradeon cash and other receivables (see note 18) the expected credit losscash equivalents is considered to be immaterial.

The table below analyses the Group’s short-term deposits, money market funds and repurchase agreement collateral classified as cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2020 by counterparty credit rating:

        

AAA

$m

   

AA

$m

   

AA-

$m

   

A+

$m

   

A

$m

   

A-

$m

   

Total

$m

 
Short-term deposits             98    165    94    1    358 
Money market funds     892                        892 
Repurchase agreement collateral             238                    65                    18                    –                    –                    –                    321 

Capital risk management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern. The capital structure consists of net debt, issued share capital and reserves totalling $1,192m at 31 December 2019 (2018: $826m restated).reserves. The structure is managed to maintainwith the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating, to provide ongoing returns to shareholders and to service debt obligations, whilst maintaining maximum operational flexibility. A key characteristic of IHG’s managed and franchised business model is that it is highly cash generative, with a high return on capital employed. Surplus cash is either reinvested in the business, used to repay debt or returned to shareholders.

The Group’s debt is monitored on the basis of a cash flow leverage ratio, being net debt divided by EBITDA, with the objectiveadjusted EBITDA. The Group has a stated aim of maintaining this ratio at 2.5x to 3.0x. The ratio at 31 December 2020 (which differs from the ratio as calculated on a frozen GAAP basis for covenant tests) was 7.69 (2019: 2.72).

The Group currently has a senior unsecured long-term credit rating of BBB- from Standard and Poor’s. In the event this rating was downgraded below BBB- there would be an investment grade credit rating.additional step-up coupon of 1.25% payable on the bonds which would result in additional interest of approximately $36m per year.

LOGO

 

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |Group Financial Statements|  Notes2020 185183


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

 

25. Classification and measurement of financial instruments

Accounting classification

 

      

            2019

$m

      2018
Restated
$m
               2020
$m
      

2019  

    Restateda

$m  

 
Financial assets                  
Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income:                  

Equity securities (note 17)

     133     116      88     133 
Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss:                  

Money market funds:

                  

Cash and cash equivalents (note 19)

     35     76      892     35 

Other financial assets (note 17)

     16     16      15     16 

Other financial assets (note 17)

     3                3 

Derivative financial instruments (note 24)

     1     8      5     1 

Deferred compensation plan investments

     236     218 
     1,148     273 
     55     100 
Financial assets measured at amortised cost:                  

Cash and cash equivalents (note 19)

     160     628      783     160 

Other financial assets (note 17)

     136     129      66     136 

Trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments (note 18)

     552     502      438     552 
     848     1,259      1,287     848 
Financial liabilities                  
Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss:                  

Contingent purchase consideration (note 20)

     (91    (109     (79    (91

Derivative financial instruments (note 24)

     (20          (18    (20

Deferred compensation plan liabilities

     (236    (218
     (333    (329
     (111    (109
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:                  

Loans and other borrowings (note 22)

     (2,165    (2,014     (3,767    (2,165

Trade and other payables, excluding deferred and contingent purchase consideration (note 20)

     (570    (610     (457    (570

Deferred purchase consideration (note 20)

     (23    (22     (24    (23
     (2,758    (2,646     (4,248    (2,758

a

Restated for deferred compensation plan investments, see page 134.

Right of offset

Other than in relation to cash pooling arrangements (see note 19), there are no financial instruments with a significant fair value subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and other similar agreements that are not offset in the Group statement of financial position.

 

186184 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


        

 


 

    

    

25. Classification and measurement of financial instrumentscontinued

Fair values – hierarchy and valuation techniques

Fair value hierarchy

The following table provides the carrying value, fair value and position in the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities. Financial assets and financial liabilitiesThose measured at amortised cost are only included if their carrying amount is not a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

     

2019

      

2018

Restated

       2020      2019 
         Fair value          Fair value          Fair value         Fair value 
     Carrying
value
   Level 1
$m
   Level 2
$m
   Level 3
$m
   Total
$m
      Carrying
value
   Level 1
$m
   Level 2
$m
     Level 3
$m
   Total
$m
       

    Carrying

value

$m

 

    Level 1

$m

 

      Level 2

$m

 

        Level 3

$m

 

        Total

$m

      

    Carrying

value

$m

 

    Level 1

$m

 

      Level 2

$m

 

      Level 3

$m

 

        Total

$m

 
Assets                                                           
Equity securities    133    8        125    133     116    8          108    116      88        88  88     133   8      125   133 
Derivative financial instruments    1        1        1     8        8          8      5     1  4  5     1      1      1 
Money market funds    51    51            51     92    92              92      907  907      �� 907     51   51         51 
Deferred compensation plan investments     236  236        236     218   218         218 
Trade deposits and loans    3            3    3                                              3         3   3 
Liabilities                                                           
Derivative financial instruments    (20       (20       (20        ���                    (18    (18    (18    (20     (20     (20
Contingent purchase consideration    (91           (91   (91    (109             (109   (109     (79       (79 (79    (91        (91  (91
Deferred purchase consideration    (23   (24           (24    (22   (22             (22     (24 (26       (26    (23  (24        (24
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022    (528   (567           (567    (509   (543             (543
£173m 3.875% bonds 2022     (235 (248       (248    (528  (567        (567
500m 1.625% bonds 2024     (611 (630       (630                 
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025    (399   (435           (435    (385   (399             (399     (413 (448       (448    (399  (435        (435
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026    (462   (465           (465    (447   (417             (417     (479 (489       (489    (462  (465        (465
500m 2.125% bonds 2027    (564   (601           (601    (569   (566             (566     (618 (650       (650    (564  (601        (601
£400m 3.375% bonds 2028     (542 (603       (603                 
Deferred compensation plan liabilities     (236 (236       (236    (218  (218        (218

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the year and no transfers into and out of Level 3.

Valuation techniques

Quoted $8m was transferred into Level 3 relating to equity securities moneylisted on quoted markets which are no longer active.

Valuation techniques

Money market funds, deferred compensation plan investments and bonds

The fair value of quoted equity shares, money market funds, deferred compensation plan investments and the bonds is based on their quoted market price.

Unquoted equity shares

Unquoted equity securities are fair valued using the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelinesa discounted cash flow model, either by applying an average price-earnings (P/E) ratio for a competitor group to the earnings generated by the investmentinternally or by reference to share of net assets if the investment is currently loss-making or a recent property valuation is available. The average P/E ratio for the year was 23.2 (2018: 19.9) and anon-marketability factor of 30% (2018: 30%) was applied.

using professional external valuers. The significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the sharesequity securities are RevPAR growth (based on the P/E ratio,RevPAR recovery assumptions detailed on page 135 or market-specific growth assumptions used by external valuers), pre-tax discount rate (which ranged from 6.4% to 10.0%), and a non-marketability factor (which ranged from 20.0% to 30.0%). In prior years, an average price-earnings (P/E) ratio was applied, however, due to the impact of Covid-19 P/E ratios have increased significantly, resulting in an increased level of uncertainty in the implied valuations and share of net assets.therefore management’s view is that an income approach using discounted cash flows gives a more reliable valuation.

Applying a one-year slower/faster RevPAR recovery period would result in a $6m/$8m (decrease)/increase in fair value respectively. A 10%one percentage point increase/(decrease) in the average P/E ratiodiscount rate would result in a $2m (2018: $2m) increase/$12m/$16m (decrease)/increase in the fair value of the shares.respectively. A five percentage point increase/(decrease) in thenon-marketability factor would result in a $2m (2018: $1m) increase/$5m (2019: $2m) (decrease)/increase in the fair value of the shares. A 10% increase/(decrease) in share of net assets would result in a $9m (2018: $8m) increase/(decrease) in the fair value of the shares.value.

Derivative financial instruments

DerivativesShort-dated foreign exchange swaps are fair valued using discounted future cash flows, taking into consideration exchange rates prevailing on the last day of the reporting period and interest rates from observable swap curves. Currency swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted back based on quoted forward exchange rates and the applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates. Adjustments for credit risk use observable credit default swap spreads.

The put option over part of the Group’s investment in the Barclay associate has been valued as the excess of the amount receivable under the option (which is based on the Group’s capital invested to date) over fair value, as calculated for impairment testing using discounted future cash flows as described on page 136.

Deferred purchase consideration

Deferred purchase consideration arose in respect of the acquisition of Regent, and comprises the present value of $13m payable in 2021 and $13m payable in 2024. The discount rate applied is based on observable US corporate bond rates of similar term to the expected payment dates.

 

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |Group Financial Statements|  Notes2020 187185


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

 

25. Classification and measurement of financial instrumentscontinued

Contingent purchase consideration

Regent $66m (2018: $55m)$74m (2019: $66m)

Comprises the present value of the expected amounts payable on exercise of the put and call options to acquire the remaining 49% shareholding in Regent (see note 11). The amount payable on exercise of the options is based on the annual trailing revenue of RHW (see page 136) in the year preceding exercise, with a floor applied. The options are exercisable in a phased manner from 2026 to 2033. The value of the contingent purchase consideration is subject to periodic reassessment as interest rates and RHW revenue expectations change. The range of possible outcomes remains unchanged from the date of acquisition at $81m to $261m (undiscounted).

At 31 December 2019,2020, it is assumed that $39m will be paid in 2026 to acquire an additional 25% of RHW with the remaining 24% acquired in 2028 for $42m. This assumes that the options will be exercised at the earliest permissible date which is consistent with the assumption made on acquisition. The amount recognised in the financial statements is the discounted value of the total expected amount payable of $81m. The discount rate applied is based on observable US corporate bond rates of similar term to the expected payment dates. The range of possible outcomes remains unchanged from the date of acquisition at $81m to $261m (undiscounted).

The significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the contingent purchase consideration are the projected trailing revenues of RHW and the date of exercising the options. If the annual trailing revenue of RHW were to exceed the floor by 10%, the amount of the contingent purchase consideration recognised in the Group Financial Statements would increase by $7m (2018: $5m)(2019: $7m). If the date for exercising the options is assumed to be 2033, the amount of the undiscounted contingent purchase consideration would be $86m (2018:(2019: $86m).

UK portfolio $20m (2018: $54m)$nil (2019: $20m)

ComprisesThe contingent purchase consideration comprises the present value of the above-market element of the expected lease payments to Covivio (see note 11).the lessor. The above-market assessment is determined by comparing the expected lease payments as a percentage of forecast hotel operating profit (before depreciation and rent) with market metrics, on a hotel by hotel basis. There is no floor to the amount payable and no maximum amount. Market rents were initially determined with assistance of professional third-party advisors.advisers. The fair value is subject to periodic reassessment as interest rates and expected lease payments change.

A fair value adjustment of $38m$21m was recognised in the year, resulting in a reduction to the value of the liability arising mainly from a reduction in expected future rentals payable.

Forecast base rentals have been discounted at 9.25% based on the CBRE prime freehold regional yield benchmark, adjusted to reflect rental growth, the leasehold nature of the assets and variable rental structure. Forecast profit share rentals have been discounted at 9.7% based on the Group’s cost of capital, adjusted upwards to reflect the higher degree of variability inherent in the profit share rentals.

payable such that there is no above-market element (see note 6). The significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the contingent purchase consideration are the projected lease payments and the discount rates used. The impact ofis not sensitive to reasonably possible changes in these assumptions is detailed on(see page 140.135).

Six Senses $5m (2018: $nil)(2019: $5m)

It isCurrently expected that $5m willto be payablepaid in 2022, upon certain conditions being met relating to a project to open a pipeline property, currently expected to be paid in 2021.property. If the conditions are not met, no amounts will be paid. The impact of discounting is not material.

Level 3 reconciliation

The following table reconciles the movements in the fair values of financial instruments classified as Level 3 during the year:

 

     

Other financial
assets

$m

   

Contingent purchase
consideration

$m

       

Other financial

assets

$m

 

Derivative financial

instruments

$m

   

Contingent purchase

consideration

$m

 
At 1 January 2018      117     
Additions      4     
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)          (109
Disposals      (1    
Valuation losses recognised in other comprehensive income      (10    
Contingent purchase consideration paid, included in net cash from investing activities          4 
Change in fair value          (4
Exchange and other adjustments      (2    
At 31 December 2018      108    (109
At 1 January 2019     108       (109
Additions      8          8        
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)      1    (15     1       (15
Disposals      (1         (1       
Valuation gains recognised in other comprehensive income      12          12        
Contingent purchase consideration paid:                   
Included in net cash from operating activities          6             6 
Included in net cash from investing activities          2             2 
Change in fair value (of which $38m is recorded within exceptional items)          27             27 
Exchange and other adjustments          (2            (2
At 31 December 2019      128    (91     128       (91
Additions     5        
Transfers into Level 3     8        
Repayments and disposals     (5       
Valuation losses recognised in other comprehensive income     (47       
Change in fair valuea       4    13 
Exchange and other adjustments     (1      (1
At 31 December 2020     88  4    (79

a

$21m fair value gain on contingent purchase consideration and $4m gain on derivative financial instruments are recognised as exceptional items in the Group income statement (see note 6). The remaining $8m fair value loss on contingent purchase consideration relates to Regent.

 

188186 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

    

26. Reconciliation of (loss)/profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs

 

    

            2019

$m

     

            2018

Restated

$m

     

            2017

Restated

$m

      

      2020

$m

 

 

    

      2019

$m

a 

 

    

      2018

$m

a 

 

Profit for the year  386    350    535 
(Loss)/profit for the year     (260    386     350 
Adjustments for:                      

Net financial expenses

  115    96    91      140     115     96 

Fair value (gains)/losses on contingent purchase consideration

  (27   4          (13    (27    4 

Income tax charge (note 8)

  156    132    118 

Tax (credit)/charge (note 8)

     (20    156     132 

Depreciation and amortisation

  116    115    112      110     116     115 

System Fund depreciation and amortisation

  54    49    41      62     54     49 

Impairment charges (note 6)

  131        18 

Other operating exceptional items (including System Fund) (note 6)

  83    151    (13

Impairment loss on financial assets

     88     8     17 

System Fund impairment loss on financial assets

     24     12     11 

Other impairment charges (note 6)

     226     131      

System Fund other impairment charges

     41           

Other operating exceptional items (note 6)

     (4    55     104 

System Fund other operating exceptional items (note 6)

     20     28     47 

Share of losses of associates and joint ventures

     14     3     1 

System Fund share of losses of associates and joint ventures

     1           

Share-based payments cost

  42    38    27      32     42     38 

Dividends from associates and joint ventures (note 16)

  7    5    4 

Increase in trade and other receivables

  (50   (43   (71

Dividends from associates and joint ventures

     2     7     5 

Decrease in inventories

     1           

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

     38     (70    (71

Increase in contract costs

  (11   (3   (5     (2    (11    (3

Increase in deferred revenue

  57    141    43      1     57     141 

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables

  (63   11    38      (69    (63    11 

Utilisation of provisions, net of charge (note 21)

  7    (6    

Utilisation of provisions, net of charge, excluding exceptional items

     16     7     (6

Retirement benefit contributions, net of costs

  (3   (12   (1     (3    (3    (12

Cash flows relating to exceptional items

  (55   (137   (44     (87    (55    (137

Contract assets deduction in revenue

  21    19    17      25     21     19 

Other movements in contract assets

     (7    (1    3 

Other items

  2    4    (4     (4          
Total adjustments  582    564    371      632     582     564 
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs  968    914    906      372     968     914 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notesa189

Amended for presentational changes, see page 134.


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

27. Retirement benefits

UK

Since 6 August 2014, UK retirement and death in service benefits are provided for eligible employees by the IHG UK Defined Contribution Pension Plan. Members, including those who have been auto-enrolled since 1 September 2013, are provided with defined contribution arrangements under this plan; benefits are based on each individual member’s personal account. The plan is HM Revenue and& Customs registered and governed by an independent trustee, assisted by professional advisers as and when required. The overall operation of the plan is subject to the oversight of The Pensions Regulator.

The former defined benefit plan, the InterContinental Hotels UK Pension Plan, was wound up on 21 July 2015 following the completion of thebuy-out and transfer of the defined benefit obligations to Rothesay Life on 31 October 2014.

Residual defined benefit obligations remain in respect of additional benefits provided to members of an unfunded pension arrangement (UK plan)(‘UK plan’) who were affected by lifetime or annual allowances under the former defined benefit arrangements. Accrual under this arrangement ceased with effect from 1 July 2013 and acash-out offer in 2014 resulted in the extinguishment of approximately 70% of the unfunded pension obligations. The CompanyGroup meets the benefit payment obligations of the remaining members as they fall due. A charge over certain ring-fenced bank accounts totalling $41m$43m (£31m) at 31 December 20192020 (see note 17) is currently held as security on behalf of the remaining members.

US

During 2018, the Group completed a termination of the US funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan (the Plan)(‘the Plan’), which involved certain qualifying members receivinglump-sumcash-outlump-sum cash-out payments of $20m with the remaining pension obligations subject to abuy-out by Banner Life Insurance Company (Banner)(‘Banner’), a subsidiary of Legal & General America, through the purchase of a group annuity contract for $124m. Banner assumed responsibility for the payment of the Plan’s pension obligations on 12 June 2018. A further amount of $6m was transferred to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in respect of members who it had not been possible to trace. The transactions were funded using the assets of the Plan and a final CompanyGroup contribution of $12m, $1.5m of which was subsequently returned to the CompanyGroup as a‘mistake-in-fact’ contribution refund. The net pension settlement cost of $15m was recorded as an exceptional item in 2018.

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020187


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

27. Retirement benefits continued

The Group continues to maintain the unfunded Inter-Continental HotelsNon-qualified Pension Plans (US plans)(‘US plans’) and unfunded

Inter-Continental InterContinental Hotels Corporation Postretirement Medical, Dental, Vision and Death Benefit Plan (US(‘US post-retirement plan)plan’), both of which are defined benefit plans. Both plans are closed to new members. A Retirement Committee, comprising senior CompanyGroup employees and assisted by professional advisorsadvisers as and when required, has responsibility for oversight of the plans.

Other

The Group also operates a number of smaller pension schemes outside the UK, the most significant of which is a defined contribution scheme in the US; there is no material difference between the pension costs of, and contributions to, these schemes.

 

190IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


27. Retirement benefitscontinued

     Defined benefit obligation     Fair value of plan assets     Net defined benefit liability/(asset) 
             2019             2018             2017             2019             2018             2017             2019             2018             2017 
      $m     $m     $m     $m     $m     $m     $m     $m     $m 
At 1 January    91     250     244          (152    (148    91     98     96 
Recognised in profit or loss                                                      
Interest expense/(income)    3     6     9          (2    (5    3     4     4 
Administration costs                             1               1 
Exceptional item: settlement loss         14               1               15      
     3     20     9          (1    (4    3     19     5 
Recognised in other comprehensive income                                                      
Actuarial loss/(gain) arising from changes in:                                                      
  Demographic assumptions    (1         (1                   (1         (1
  Financial assumptions    9     (14    9                    9     (14    9 
  Experience adjustments    (1    (3    2                    (1    (3    2 
Return on plan assets                        8     (9         8     (9
Re-measurement loss/(gain)    7     (17    10          8     (9    7     (9    1 
Exchange adjustments    1     (1    2                    1     (1    2 
     8     (18    12          8     (9    8     (10    3 
Other                                                      
Company contributions                   (6    (16    (6    (6    (16    (6
Benefits paid    (6    (11    (15    6     11     15                
Settlement payments         (150              150                     
     (6    (161    (15         145     9     (6    (16    (6
At 31 December    96     91     250               (152    96     91     98 
Comprising:                                                      
  UK unfunded plan    26     24     29                    26     24     29 
  US unfunded plans    48     45     51                    48     45     51 
  US funded plan              146               (152              (6
  US unfunded post-retirement plans    22     22     24                    22     22     24 
     96     91     250               (152    96     91     98 
     Defined benefit obligation     Fair value of plan assets     Net defined benefit liability/(asset) 
      2019
$m
     2018
$m
     2017
$m
     2019
$m
     

2018

$m

     

2017

$m

     2019
$m
     2018
$m
     2017
$m
 
Movement in asset restriction                                                      
At 1 January                        3               3      
Recognised in other comprehensive income                        (3    3          (3    3 
At 31 December                             3               3 

At 31 December 2017, there was a net defined benefit liability of $101m comprised of a net retirement benefit asset of $3m (after the asset restriction of $3m) and a retirement benefit obligation of $104m.

       Defined benefit obligation      Fair value of plan assets      Net defined benefit liability/(asset) 
        

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

      

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

      

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

 
At 1 January     96     91     250               (152    96     91     98 
Recognised in profit or loss                                                       
Interest expense/(income)     3     3     6               (2    3     3     4 
Exceptional item: settlement loss               14               1               15 
      3     3     20               (1    3     3     19 
Recognised in other comprehensive income                                                       
Actuarial loss/(gain) arising from changes in:                                                       

Demographic assumptions

     (3    (1                        (3    (1     

Financial assumptions

     10     9     (14                   10     9     (14

Experience adjustments

     1     (1    (3                   1     (1    (3
Return on plan assets                              8               8 
Re-measurement loss/(gain)     8     7     (17              8     8     7     (9
Exchange adjustments     2     1     (1                   2     1     (1
      10     8     (18              8     10     8     (10
Other                                                       
Group contributions                    (6    (6    (16    (6    (6    (16
Benefits paid     (6    (6    (11    6     6     11                
Settlement payments               (150              150                
      (6    (6    (161              145     (6    (6    (16
At 31 December     103     96     91                    103     96     91 
Comprising:                                                       

UK unfunded plan

     31     26     24                    31     26     24 

US unfunded plans

     50     48     45                    50     48     45 

US unfunded post-retirement plans

     22     22     22                    22     22     22 
      103     96     91                    103     96     91 
       

Defined benefit obligation

      

Fair value of plan assets

      Net defined benefit liability/(asset) 
        

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

      

2018

$m

      

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

      

2018

$m

      

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

      

2018

$m

 
Movement in asset restriction                                                       
At 1 January                              3               3 
Recognised in other comprehensive income                              (3              (3
At 31 December                                              

For the yearsyear ended 31 December 2018, and 31 December 2017, the total amount ofre-measurement gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income, including the movement in the asset restriction, werewas a gain of $12m and a loss of $4m respectively.$12m.

 

188IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Group Financial Statements  |  Notes191


Group Financial Statements

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued


 

    

27. Retirement benefitscontinued

Assumptions

The principal financial assumptions used by the actuaries to determine the defined benefit obligations are:

 

               2019               2018               2017                2020               2019               2018 
   %    %    %    %    %    % 
UK plan only:                        
Pension increases    2.7     3.2     3.2     3.0     2.7     3.2 
Inflation rate    2.7     3.2     3.2     3.0     2.7     3.2 
                        
Discount rate:                        
UK plan    2.1     3.0     2.6     1.4     2.1     3.0 
US plans    2.9     3.9     3.3     1.9     2.9     3.9 
US post-retirement plan    2.9     4.0     3.3     2.0     2.9     4.0 
                        
US Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for the next year:            
Pre-65 (ultimate rate reached in 2028)    6.7     7.1     7.7 
Post-65 (ultimate rate reached in 2028)    7.1     7.6     8.7 
US healthcare cost trend rate assumed for the next year:            
Pre-65 (ultimate rate reached in 2029)    6.4     6.7     7.1 
Post-65 (ultimate rate reached in 2029)    6.8     7.1     7.6 
Ultimate rate that the cost rate trends to    4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5 

Mortality is the most significant demographic assumption. The current assumptions for the UK are based on the S2PAS3PA ‘light’ year of birth tables with projected mortality improvements using the CMI_2018CMI_2019 model and a 1.25% per annum long-term trend and a smoothing parameter(‘s-kappa’) of 7.5 with age rated down by 0.7weightings of 95% and 2.3 years82% for pensioners and 0.598% and 2.6 years81% fornon-pensioners, male and female respectively. In the US, the current assumptions use rates from thePri-2012 Mortality Study and Generationally Projected with ScaleMP-2019MP-2020 mortality tables.

The assumptions used for life expectancy at retirement age are as follows:

 

                      UK                   US                   UK                 US 
      2019 2018       2017 2019       2018 2017      2020   2019     2018   2020     2019   2018 
          Years       Years           Years       Years           Years       Years              Years            Years              Years            Years              Years            Years 
Current pensioners at 65a – male     24    24      24   21      21    21     24     24     24     22     21     21 
– female     26    26      26   23      23    23     26     26     26     23     23     23 
Future pensioners at 65b – male     25    25      25   22      22    22     25     25     25     23     22     22 
– female     28    28      28   24      24    24     28     28     28     24     24     24 

a Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) following retirement at the end of the reporting period.

a

Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) following retirement at the end of the reporting period.

b Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) relating to an employee retiring in 2037.

b

Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) relating to an employee retiring in 2040.

The assumptions allow for expected increases in longevity.

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020189


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

27. Retirement benefits continued

Sensitivities

Aone-year increaseChanges in assumptions used for determining retirement benefit costs and obligations may have an impact on the Group income statement and the Group statement of financial position. The key assumptions are the discount rate, the rate of inflation, the assumed mortality rates would increaserate and the defined benefit obligation by $4.2m (2018: $3.9m, 2017: $10.5m).

A one percentage point increase in assumed healthcare costs trend rate would increaserate. The sensitivity analysis below relates to the accumulated post-employment benefit obligations at 31 December 2019 by $1.7m (2018: $1.7m, 2017: $1.9m)obligation and a one percentage point decrease would decreaseis based on extrapolating reasonable changes in these assumptions, using year-end conditions and assuming no interdependency between the obligations by $1.6m (2018: $1.6m, 2017: $1.8m)assumptions:

                                 $m
Increase/(decrease) in liabilities
Discount rate0.25% decrease3.2
0.25% increase(3.2
Inflation rate0.25% decrease(1.4
0.25% increase1.4
Mortality rateOne-year increase                5.7
Healthcare costs trend rate1% decrease(1.6
1% increase1.7

Future payments

CompanyGroup payments are expected to be $6m in 2020.2021.

The estimated future benefit payments are:

 

    2019     2018 
     $m     $m 
Within one year   6     5 
Between one and five years   22     23 
More than five years   36     38 
    64     66 

Average duration

The average duration of the pensions obligations is:

     
    

2019

Years

 

 

    

2018

Years

 

 

UK plan       18.0         19.5 
US plans   9.3     9.2 
US post-retirement plan   9.8     9.6 
                2020                 2019 
     $m     $m 
Within one year   6     6 
Between one and five years   22     22 
More than five years   101     107 
    129     135 

Average duration

The average duration of the pensions obligations is:

              2020                2019 
   Years    Years 
UK plan  19.0    18.0 
US plans  9.3    9.3 
US post-retirement plan  9.9    9.8 

 

192190 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

28. Share-based payments

Annual Performance Plan

Under the IHG Annual Performance Plan (APP)(‘APP’), eligible employees (including Executive Directors) can receive all or part of their bonus in the form of deferred shares and/or receiveone-off awards of shares. Deferred shares are released on the third anniversary of the award date. Under the terms of awards that are referred to in this note, a fixed percentage of the award is made in the form of shares. Awards under the APP are conditional on the participants remaining in the employment of a participating company or leaving for a qualifying reason as per the plan rules. The award of deferred shares under the APP is at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee.

The number of shares is calculated by dividing a specific percentage of the participant’s annual performance-related award by the average of the middle market quoted prices on the three consecutive dealingbusiness days immediately precedingfollowing the dateannouncement of grant.the Group’s results for the relevant financial year. A number of executives participated in the APP during the year and conditional rights over 138,268 (2019: 217,122, (2018: 175,944, 2017: 234,918)2018: 175,944) shares were awarded to participants. In 20192020, this number included 27,245 (2019: 86,126, (2018: 48,771, 2017: 79,471)2018: 48,771) shares awarded as part of recruitment terms or forone-off individual awards.

The APP plan rules for the APP were approved by shareholders at the AGM on 2 May 2014 and apply to awards made in respect of the 2015 and subsequent financial years. The plan rules contain substantially the same terms as the superseded plan rules.AGM.

Long Term Incentive Plan

The Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)(‘LTIP’) allows Executive Directors and eligible employees to receive conditional share awards, which normally have a vesting period of three years. In addition, certain awards to Executive Directors are subject to a further two-year holding period after vesting.

Performance-related awards: Awards to the Executive Directors, and some awards to other eligible employees, are granted subject to the achievement of performance conditions set by the Remuneration Committee, which are normally measured over the vesting period.

Restricted stock units: Awards to eligible employees are granted subject to continued employment.

Awards are normally made annually and, except in exceptional circumstances, will not exceed three3.5 times salary for eligible employees. The planLTIP provides for the grant of ‘nil cost options’ to participants as an alternative to conditional share awards. During the year, conditional rights over 1,078,752 (2019: 826,313, (2018: 784,119, 2017: 805,045)2018: 784,119) shares were awarded to employees under the plan, comprising 382,658 (2019: 286,746, (2018: 257,240, 2017: 280,458)2018: 257,240) performance-related awards and 696,094 (2019: 539,567, (2018: 526,879, 2017: 524,587)2018: 526,879) restricted stock units.

The LTIP plan rules for the LTIP were first approved by shareholders at the 2014 AGM on 2 May 2014, and applywere most recently amended and approved by shareholders at the 2020 AGM.

Colleague Share Plan

The Colleague Share Plan gives eligible corporate employees the opportunity to awards made in respectpurchase shares up to an annual limit of $1,000 (or local currency equivalent limit) or such other amount determined by the Board or its duly authorised committee. After the end of the2015-17 plan year, the participant will be awarded the right to receive one matching share for every purchased share (subject to continued employment). If the participant holds the purchased shares until the second anniversary of the end of the plan year, the conditional right to matching shares vests. During the year, 36,298 (2019: nil, 2018: nil) shares were purchased by participating employees. Matching shares will be awarded for the first cycle in 2021 and subsequent LTIP cycles. The plan rules contain substantially the same terms as the superseded plan rules.will vest after 12 months.

 

LOGOLOGO 

More detailed information on the performance measures for awards to

Executive Directors is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 109.111.

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020191


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

28. Share-based payments continued

The Group recognised a cost of $19m (2019: $28m, (2018: $27m, 2017: $21m)2018: $27m) in operating (loss)/profit and $nil (2019: $1m, (2018: $1m, 2017: $2m)2018: $1m) within exceptional administrative expenses related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions during the year, net of $11m (2019: $12m, (2018: $11m, 2017: $6m)2018: $11m) borne by the System Fund. The Group also recognised a cost of $2m (2018: $nil, 2017:(2019: $2m, 2018: $nil) in operating (loss)/profit related to cash-settled share-based payment transactions.

No consideration was received in respect of ordinary shares issued under option schemes during 2020, 2019 2018 or 2017.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes193


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

28. Share-based paymentscontinued2018.

The Group uses separate option pricing models and assumptions depending on the plan. The following table sets out information about awards granted in 2020, 2019 and 2018 under the APP and 2017:LTIP. The total fair value of the Colleague Share Plan is not significant.

 

             APP              LTIP              APP              LTIP 
                   Monte Carlo Simulation and                    Monte Carlo Simulation and 
   Binomial valuation model         Binomial valuation model    Binomial valuation model    Binomial valuation model 
   2019    2018    2017    2019    2018    2017    2020    2019    2018    2020    2019    2018 
Weighted average share price    4,597.0p     4,645.0p     3,781.0p     4,850.0p     4,774.0p     4,300.0p 
Weighted average share price (pence)    3,771.0     4,597.0     4,645.0     3,450.0     4,850.0     4,774.0 
Expected dividend yield    n/a     n/a     n/a     2.16%     2.27%     2.05%     n/a     n/a     n/a     1.48%     2.16%     2.27% 
Risk-free interest rate                0.72%     0.84%     0.10%                 0.02%     0.72%     0.84% 
Volatilitya                19%     25%     24%                 33%     19%     25% 
Term (years)    3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0 

 

a

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price corresponding to the expected life of the share award.

Movements in the awards outstanding under the schemes are as follows:

 

  APP         LTIP    APP         LTIP 
  

        Number of shares

thousands

      

    Performance-related

awards

Number of shares
thousands

 

Restricted

stock units
            Number of  shares
thousands

            Number of shares
thousands
          Performance-related
awards
Number of  shares
thousands
 

Restricted 

stock units 
                 Number of shares 
thousands 

Outstanding at 1 January 2017   685     4,201   449 
Granted   235     280   525 
Vested   (263    (928   
Share capital consolidation   (21        
Lapsed or cancelled   (20    (1,160  (58
Outstanding at 31 December 2017   616     2,393   916 
Outstanding at 1 January 2018    616     2,393  916 
Granted   176     257   527     176     257  527 
Vested   (199    (702       (199    (702 – 
Lapsed or cancelled   (2    (860  (142    (2    (860 (142)
Outstanding at 31 December 2018   591     1,088   1,301     591     1,088  1,301 
Granted  217     287  540     217     287  540 
Vested  (276    (293 (422    (276    (293 (422)
Share capital consolidation  (21            (21      – 
Lapsed or cancelled  (15    (387 (144    (15    (387 (144)
Outstanding at 31 December 2019  496     695  1,275     496     695  1,275 
Granted    138     383  696 
Vested    (188    (179 (413)
Lapsed or cancelled    (33    (85 (137)
Outstanding at 31 December 2020    413     814  1,421 
Fair value of awards granted during the year (cents)                   
2020    4,965.9     2,473.5  4,397.5 
2019  5,888.7     4,985.6  5,862.1     5,888.7     4,985.6  5,862.1 
2018   6,066.2     4,748.7   5,966.0     6,066.2     4,748.7  5,966.0 
2017   4,959.3     4,133.2   5,251.0 
Weighted average remaining contract life (years)                   
At 31 December 2020    1.0     1.4  1.3 
At 31 December 2019  1.1     1.3  1.2     1.1     1.3  1.2 
At 31 December 2018   1.0     0.8   1.2     1.0     0.8  1.2 
At 31 December 2017   1.2     0.6   1.7 

The above awards do not vest until the performance and service conditions have been met.

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards vested during the year was 4,584.8p (2018: 4,583.8p)4,874.5p (2019: 4,584.8p). The closing share price on 31 December 20192020 was 5,208.0p4,690.0p and the range during the year was 4,092.0p2,385.5p to 5,738.0p.5,223.0p.

 

194192 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

29. Equity

Equity share capital

 

  

Number

of shares
millions

      Nominal
value
$m
    Share
premium
$m
       

Equity

share
capital
$m

   

Number

    of shares

millions

      

    Nominal

value

$m

    

Share

    premium

$m

      

Equity

share

        capital

$m

 
Allotted, called up and fully paid                                   
At 1 January 2017 (ordinary shares of 18318/329p each)   206      48    93      141 
Share capital consolidation   (9                
Exchange adjustments         5    8      13 
At 31 December 2017 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)   197      53    101      154 
At 1 January 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)  197      53    101      154 
Exchange adjustments         (3   (5)      (8  –      (3   (5)     (8
At 31 December 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)   197      50    96      146   197      50    96      146 
Share capital consolidation  (10                  (10)         –       
Exchange adjustments         2    3      5   –      2         5 
At 31 December 2019 (ordinary shares of 20340/399p each)  187      52    99      151   187      52    99      151 
Exchange adjustments  –      1         5 
At 31 December 2020 (ordinary shares of 20340/399p each)  187      53    103      156 

The authority given to the Company at the AGM held on 37 May 20192020 to purchase its own shares was still valid at 31 December 2019.2020. A resolution to renew the authority will be put to shareholders at the AGM on 7 May 2020.2021.

The Company no longer has an authorised share capital.

On 21 February 2017, the Group announced a $400m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 5 May 2017, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 45 new ordinary shares of 1917/21p per share for every 47 existing ordinary shares of 18318/329p, which became effective on 8 May 2017. The special dividend was paid to shareholders on 22 May 2017. The dividend and share consolidation had the same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore previously reported earnings per share had not been restated.

In October 2018, the Group announced a $500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 11 January 2019, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 19 new ordinary shares of 20340/399p per share for every 20 existing ordinary shares of 1917/21p, which became effective on 14 January 2019 and resulted in the consolidation of 10m shares. The special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019 at a cost of $510m. The dividend and share consolidation had the same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore previously reported earnings per share has not been restated.

At 31 December 2019,2020, the balance classified as equity share capital includes the total net proceeds (both nominal value and share premium) on issue of the Company’s equity share capital, comprising 20340/399p shares. The share premium reserve represents the amount of proceeds received for shares in excess of their nominal value.

The nature and purpose of the other reserves shown in the Group statement of changes in equity on pages 134128 to 136130 of the Group Financial Statements is as follows:

Capital redemption reserve

This reserve maintains the nominal value of the equity share capital of the Company when shares are repurchased or cancelled.

Shares held by employee share trusts

Comprises $1.4m (2019: $4.9m, (2018: $3.6m, 2017: $5.4m)2018: $3.6m) in respect of 0.05m (2019: 0.1m, (2018: 0.2m, 2017:2018: 0.2m) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC ordinary shares held by employee share trusts, with a market value at 31 December 20192020 of $3.1m (2019: $9.6m, (2018: $8.3m, 2017: $12.1m)2018: $8.3m).

Other reserves

Comprises the merger and revaluation reserves previously recognised under UK GAAP, together with the reserve arising as a consequence of the Group’s capital reorganisation in June 2005. The revaluation reserve relates to the previous revaluations of property, plant and equipment which were included at deemed cost on adoption of IFRS. Following the change in presentational currency to the US dollar in 2008, this reserve also includes exchange differences arising on retranslation toperiod-end exchange rates of equity share capital, the capital redemption reserve and shares held by employee share trusts.

Fair value reserve

This reserve records movements in the value of financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

 

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Group Financial Statements

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Equitycontinued

Cash flow hedging reserve

The cash flow hedging reserve is analysed as follows:

     Cash flow hedging reserve                   Cash flow hedging  reserve 
  

Value of

currency

swaps
$m

 

Costs of
hedging

$m

 

Total

$m

   

Value of

    currency

swaps

$m

  

Costs of

        hedging

$m

 

            Total 

$m 

At 1 January 2018            –      – 
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income      (1  (1  –    (1 (1)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income   4      4        
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses   (8     (8  (8)     (8)
Deferred tax   1      1        
At 31 December 2018   (3  (1  (4  (3)   (1 (4)
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income     (6 (6  –    (6 (6)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income  (34    (34  (34)     (34)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  38     38   38      38 
At 31 December 2019  1  (7 (6     (7 (6)
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (6 (6)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income  (1)     (1)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  (13)     (13)
Deferred tax       
Exchange adjustments  (2)     (2)
At 31 December 2020  (11)   (13 (24)

Value of currency swaps comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of hedging instruments used in cash flow hedges pending subsequent recognition in profit or loss.

Costs of hedging reflects the gain or loss which is excluded from the designated hedging instrument relating to the foreign currency basis spread of currency swaps. It is initially recognised in other comprehensive income and accounted for similarly to changes in value of currency swaps.

Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to financial expenses comprise $8m (2018: $1m)$9m (2019: $8m) net interest payable on the currency swaps and an exchange lossgain of $22m (2019: $30m (2018: $9m gain)loss) which offsets a corresponding gain/lossloss/gain on the500m 2.125% bonds.bonds and 500m 1.625% bonds (2019: 500m 2.125% bonds).

Currency translation reserve

This reserve records the movement in exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign operations and exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings and derivative financial instruments that provide a hedge against net investments in foreign operations. On adoption of IFRS, cumulative exchange differences were deemed to be $nil as permitted by IFRS 1.$nil.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations outstanding at 31 December 20192020 was $nil (2019: $1m asset, (2018:2018: $1m asset, 2017: $nil)asset).

Treasury shares

During 2019,2020, 0.6m (2019: 0.8m, (2018: 0.8m, 2017: 0.9m)2018: 0.8m) treasury shares were transferred to the employee share trusts. As a result of the 2019 share consolidation, the number of shares held in treasury reduced by 0.3m during 2019 (2017: reduced by 0.4m).2019. At 31 December 2019,2020, 5.1m shares (2019: 5.7m, shares (2018: 6.8m, 2017: 7.6m)2018: 6.8m) with a nominal value of $1.4m (2019: $1.6m, (2018: $1.7m, 2017: $2.0m)2018: $1.7m) were held as treasury shares at cost and deducted from retained earnings.

Non-controlling interest

Anon-controlling interest is equity in a subsidiary of the Group not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group.Non-controlling interests are not material to the Group.

30. Capital and other commitments

 

         2019
$m
         2018
$m
 
Contracts placed for expenditure not provided for in the Group Financial Statements:           
  Property, plant and equipmenta   52     46 
  Intangible assets   7     7 
  Key money   135     83 
    194     136 

a 2018 included a commitment to spend $33m on the acquired UK portfolio (see note 11) within two and a half years of the acquisition date.

A loan facility of $5m (2018: $5m) has also been made available to a hotel owner; this was undrawn at 31 December 2019.

                  2020
$m
     

            2019 

$m 

Contracts placed for expenditure not provided for in the Group Financial Statements          
Property, plant and equipment    17    52 
Intangible assets    2    
     19    59 

The Group has also committed to invest a further $6m (2018: $nil)(2019: $6m) in one of its associates.

 

196194 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

31. Contingencies and guarantees

Security incidents

In 2016, the Group was notified of (a) a security incident at a number of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data, and (b) security incidents at a number of IHG branded hotels including the installation of malware on servers that processed payment cards used at restaurants and bars of 12 IHG managed properties, together the Security Incidents. The Group has now reached agreement with the impacted card networks on the amount of assessments payable and the total amount of $3m has now been settled under the Group’s insurance programmes.

The Group may also be exposed to investigations regarding compliance with applicable State and Federal data security standards, and legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the Security Incidents. Due to the general nature of the regulatory inquiries received and class action filings to date, other than described below, it is not practicable to make a reliable estimate of the possible financial effects of any such claims on the Group at this time. These contingent liabilities are potentially recoverable under the Group’s insurance programmes, although specific agreement will need to be reached with the relevant insurance providers at the time any claim is made.

To date, four lawsuits have been filed against IHG entities relating to the Security Incidents. One of these has beenIncidents, with one subsequently withdrawn and a settlement has been agreedin 2018. Settlement in respect of another with an expected total paymentone lawsuit was agreed in 2019, and a further lawsuit was settled on 2 September 2020. Both of less than $2m, all of which isthese settlements are expected to be paid under the Group’s insurance programmes.

The fourth lawsuit remains open. The claimant alleges that security failures allowed customers’ financial information to be compromised. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A separate claim was filed in 2019 against Kimpton. The allegations relate to a breach of the reservation system previously used by Kimpton. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

Litigation

From time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of each being always subject to many uncertainties inherent in litigation. In particular,These legal claims and proceedings are in various stages and include disputes related to specific hotels where the potential materiality is not yet known; such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, have not in the recent past and are not likely to have a significant effect on the Group’s financial position or profitability.

Two claims were filed on 19 March 2018 and 6 December 2018 against the Group and other hotel companies, alleging violations of anti-trust regulations. One of the matters is currently subjecta class action, and both suits allege that the defendant hotel companies conspired to eliminate competitive branded keyword search advertising in the claims listed under ‘Legal proceedings’ on page 236. hotel industry, which allegedly raised prices for hotel rooms in violation of applicable law. The Group disputes the allegations. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

The Group has also given warranties in respect of the disposal of certain of its former subsidiaries. It is the view of the Directors that, other than to the extent that liabilities have been provided for in these Group Financial Statements (see note 21), it is not possible to quantify any loss to which these proceedings or claims under these warranties may give rise, however, as at the date of reporting, the Group does not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Group’s financial position.

OtherThird-party bank loans

At 31 December 2019, the Group had outstanding letters of credit of $33m (2018: $29m) mainly relating to the Group’s Captive. The letters of credit do not have set expiry dates, but are reviewed and amended as required.

In limited cases, the Group may guarantee bankpart of mortgage loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels under IHG management or franchise agreements. These contractsguarantee arrangements are treated as insurance contracts as IHG is insuring the bank against default by the hotel, with a liability only being recognised in the event that a payout becomes probableprobable. At 31 December 2020, there were guarantees of up to $56m in place (2019: $55m). During 2020, the underlying mortgage loans have been subject to periods of forbearance, deferring debt service payments; and/or, in the case of several loans, have been modified to be interest only through a given time period.

The largest guarantee is $21m; the underlying managed hotel is temporarily closed and is currently subject to a principal and interest forbearance agreement. Although an entity of the Group is severally liable for this amount, there is a cross-indemnity that the Group would seek to pursue for the other partners’ share of any amount funded under the guarantee.

Other

At 31 December 2020, the Group had outstanding letters of credit of $43m (2019: $33m) mainly relating to the Group’s Captive (see note 21). At 31 December 2019, there were guaranteesThe letters of $55mcredit do not have set expiry dates, but are reviewed and amended as required.

The Group has made business insurance claims in place (2018: $43m).relation to a small number of owned, leased and managed properties relating to the impact of Covid-19. It is not currently possible to determine the amounts which may be recovered.

At 31 December 2019,

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020195


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group had no other contingent liabilities (2018: $nil).Financial Statements continued

32. Related party disclosures

  

2019

$m

       2018
$m
   2017
$m
   

         2020  

$m  

     

        2019

$m

     

        2018  

$m  

Total compensation of key management personnel

                      
Short-term employment benefits  15.8      18.2    21.3   10.5      15.8    18.2  
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans  0.5      0.5    0.6   0.3      0.5    0.5  
Equity compensation benefits  12.1      13.0    10.2 
Termination benefits             1.9 
Equity compensation benefitsa  2.3      12.1    13.0  
        28.4          31.7        34.0   13.1      28.4    31.7  

a

As measured in accordance with IFRS 2.

There were no other transactions with key management personnel during the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 2018 or 2017.

2018. Key management personnel comprises the Board and Executive Committee.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes197


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

32. Related party disclosurescontinued

Related party disclosures for associates and joint ventures are as follows:

 

  

Associates

    

Joint ventures

   

Total

   Associates    Joint ventures   Total 
      2019
$m
        2018
$m
       2017
$m
        2019
$m
       2018
$m
        2017
$m
           2019
$m
          2018
$m
           2017
$m
   

        2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

   

        2018

$m

    

        2020

$m

   

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

   

      2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

   

        2018

$m

 
Revenue from associates and joint ventures  10     9    8     –     1     1   10     10    9   1     10    9              1   1     10    10 
Other amounts owed by associates and joint ventures  3     1    2     –             3     1    2   11     3    1                 11     3    1 
Amounts owed to associates and joint ventures  (4    (2        –            �� (4    (2      (4    (4   (2                (4    (4   (2

The Group has provided a guarantee of $12m (2019: $12m) against the bank loan of one associate (see note 31) and has provided performance guarantees with a maximum pay-out remaining of $10m (2019: $10m) (see note 3).

The Group funds shortfalls in owner returns relating to the Barclay associate (see note 17). In addition, loans both to and from the Barclay associate of $237m (2018:(2019: $237m) are offset in accordance with the provisions of IAS 32 and presented net in the Group statement of financial position. Interest payable and receivable under the loans is equivalent (average interest rate of 2.1%0.8% in 2019 (2018: 2.7%2020 (2019: 2.1%)) and presented net in the Group income statement.

33. System Fund

System Fund revenues comprise:

 

     

2019

$m

       

2018

$m

    

2017

$m

 
Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels       1,036      979    934 
Loyalty programme revenuesa   337      254    308 
    1,373          1,233        1,242 

a Loyalty programme revenue is shown net of the cost of point redemptions.

     

          2020

$m

       

         2019

$m

    

         2018

$m

 
Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels   490      1,036    979 
Loyalty programme revenues, net of the cost of point redemptions   275      337    254 
    765      1,373    1,233 

System Fund expenses include:

 

   

    2019

$m

    

2018
Restated

$m

       

2017
Restated

$m

   

          2020  

$m  

   

         2019

$m

      

         2018  

$m  

Marketing    461     427      405   109      461    427  
Payroll costs (note 4)    313     347      339   242      313    347  
Depreciation and amortisation    54     49      41   62      54    49  
Impairment loss on financial assets (note 18)  24      12    11  
Other impairment charges  41          –  

 

198196 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

34. Group companies

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of entities in which the Group has an interest of greater than or equal to 20%, the registered office and effective percentage of equity owned as at 31 December 20192020 are disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, the share capitalownership interest disclosed comprises either ordinary shares, certificated or un-certificated membership interests which are indirectly held by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

 

Fully owned subsidiaries

“IHG Management” d.o.o. Beograd (j)

24th Street Operator Sub, LLC (g) (k)

36th Street IHG Sub, LLC (g) (k)

426 Main Ave LLC (g) (k)

46 Nevins Street Associates, LLC (g) (k)

2250 Blake Street Hotel, LLC (g) (k)

Allegro Management LLC (g) (k)

Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC (g) (k)

American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd. (m)

Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (n)

Barclay Operating Corp. (cj)

BHMC Canada Inc. (o)

BHR Holdings B.V. (p)

BHR Pacific Holdings, Inc. (k)

BHTC Canada Inc. (o)

Blythswood Square Glasgow Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

BOC Barclay Sub LLC (g) (cj)

Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company (k)

Café Biarritz (n)

Cambridge Lodging LLC (g) (k)

Capital Lodging LLC (g) (k)

CF Irving Owner, LLC (g) (k)

CF McKinney Owner, LLC (g) (k)

CF Waco Owner, LLC (g) (k)

Compañiaía Inter-Continental De Hoteles

El Salvador SA (n)

Crowne Plaza LLC (g) (k)

Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC (g) (k)

Dunwoody Operations, Inc. (k)

Edinburgh George Street Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

Edinburgh IC Limited (s)(cr)

EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC (g) (k)

General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation (b) (l)

Grand Central Glasgow Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd. (t)

H.I. (Ireland) Limited (u)

H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd (ac)

HI Sugarloaf, LLC (g) (ci)

Hale International Ltd. (v)(ct)

HC International Holdings, Inc. (w)

HH France Holdings SAS (x)

HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V. (p)

HH Hotels (Romania) SRL (y)

HIM (Aruba) NV (z)

Hoft Properties LLC (g) (k)

Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC (g) (k)

Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (ab)

Holiday Inns (China) Ltd (ac)

Holiday Inns (Chongqing), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SASHolding (x)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS (x)

Holiday Inns (England) Limited (n)

Holiday Inns (Germany), LLC (g) (l)

Holiday Inns (Guangzhou), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Middle East) Limited (ac)

Holiday Inns (Philippines), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns (UK), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (aa)

Holiday Inns Inc. (k)

Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns of America (UK) Limited (n)

Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V. (ad)

Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation (k)

Holiday Pacific LLC (g) (k)

Holiday Pacific Partners, LP (k)

Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings)

Limited (n)

Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited (n)

Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL (n)

IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH (ae)

IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal,

Lda (af)

IC International Hotels Limited Liability

Company (ag)

IHC Buckhead, LLC (g) (ci)

IHC Edinburgh (Holdings) (n)

IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Hotel Limited (n)

IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC London (Holdings) (n)

IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC May Fair Hotel Limited (n)

IHCM-H (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited (n)

IHC UK (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC United States (Holdings) Corp. (b) (k)

IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHG (Marseille) SAS (x)

IHG (Myanmar) Ltd (ah)

IHG (Thailand) Limited (aj)

IHG Amsterdam Management BV (p)

IHG Bangkok Ltd (v)(ct)

IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos

Ltda (ak)

IHG Civ HoldingCo-Investment Fund, LLC (g) (k)

IHG Civ Holding Main Fund, LLC (g) (k)

IHG Commission Services SRL (co)

IHG Community Development, LLC (g) (ci)

IHG de Argentina SA (al)

IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL (co)

IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda (bd)

IHG Franchising DR Corporation (k)

IHG Franchising, LLC (g) (k)

IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited (an)

IHG Hotels Limited (n)

IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty

Limited (b) (aa)

IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited (ao)

IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Limited (ap)

IHG International Partnership (n)

IHG Istanbul Otel Yönetim Limited Sirketi (bx)

IHG Japan (Management) LLC (ar)

IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC (ar)

IHG Management (Maryland) LLC (g) (as)

IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V. (p)

IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd (cc)

IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC (g) (cj)

IHG Management SL d.o.o (bo)

IHG Mexico Operaciones SA de CV (ab)

IHG Orchard Street Member, LLC (g) (k)

IHG Peru SRL (dd)

IHG PS Nominees Limited (n)

IHG Sermex SA de CV (ab)

IHG Systems Pty Ltd (b) (aa)

IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft. (at)

IHG Technology Solutions LLC (k)

IND East Village SD Holdings, LLC (g) (k)

InterContinental Berlin Service Company

GmbH (au)

InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited (c) (n)

InterContinental (PB) 1 (n)

InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited (n)

InterContinental Brasil Administracao de

de Hoteis Ltda (q)

Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp. (k)

InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L. (by)

Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation (k)

InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH (au)

InterContinental Hotel Düsseldorf GmbH (av)

Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada (aw)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating

Corp. (ax)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning

Corp. (ax)

InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc. (az)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (ai)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation (k)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela

C.A. (ba)

Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited (b) (m)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific)

Pte Ltd (ai)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty

Limited (aa)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc. (o)

InterContinental Hotels Group (España) SA (by)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China)

Limited (ac)

InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd (aq)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc. (l)

InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand)

Limited (an)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd. (bb)

InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services

Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil

Limitada (bc)

InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee

Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp. (e) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, LLC (b) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company (n)

InterContinental Hotels Italia, S.r.L. (be)

InterContinental Hotels Limited (a) (n)

InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH (bf)

InterContinental Hotels Management Montenegro d.o.o. (ce)

InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation (ck)

Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc. (k)

Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited (bg)

InterContinental Management AM LLC (cm)

InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD (bp)

InterContinental Management France SAS (x)

InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.oZ.o.o (cn)

InterContinental Overseas Holdings, LLC (k)

KG Benefits LLC (g) (k)

KG Gift Card Inc. (bz)

KG Liability LLC (g) (k)

KG Technology, LLC (g) (k)

KHP Washington Operator LLC (g) (k)

KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC (g) (k)

KHRG 851 LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Aertson LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Alexis, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Allegro, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Argyle, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Austin Beverage Company, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Baltimore, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Born LLC (g) (k)

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes199


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

34. Group companiescontinued

Fully owned subsidiariescontinued

KHRG Boston Hotel, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Bozeman LLC (g)(k)

KHRG Buckhead LLC (k)

KHRG Canary LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Cayman LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd. (k)

KHRG Dallas LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Dallas Beverage Company LLC (k)

KHRG DC 1731 LLC (g) (k)

KHRG DC 2505 LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Employer, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Goleta LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Gray LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Gray U2 LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Huntington Beach LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Key West LLC (g) (k)

KHRG King Street, LLC (g) (k)

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Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020197


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

34. Group companies continued

Fully owned subsidiaries continued

KHRG La Peer LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Miami Beach LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Muse LLC (g) (k)

KHRG New Orleans LLC (g) (k)

KHRG NPC LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Palladian LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Philly Monaco LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Pittsburgh LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Porsche Drive LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Reynolds LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Riverplace LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Sacramento LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Savannah LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Schofield LLC (g) (k)

KHRG SFD LLC (g) (k)

KHRG SF Wharf LLC (g) (k)

KHRG SF Wharf U2 LLC (g) (k)

KHRG South Beach LLC (g) (k)

KHRG State Street LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Sutter LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Sutter Union LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Taconic LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Tariff LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Texas Hospitality, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Texas Operations, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Tryon LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Vero Beach, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Vintage Park LLC (g) (k)

KHRG VZ Austin LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Wabash LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Westwood, LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Wilshire LLC (g) (k)

Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC (g) (k)

Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC (g) (k)

Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC (g) (k)

Louisiana Acquisitions Corp. (k)

Luxury Resorts and Spas (France) SAS (dc)

Manchester Oxford Street Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC (g) (k)

Met Leeds Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

MH Lodging LLC (g) (k)

Oxford Spires Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Oxford Thames Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

PML Services LLC (g) (as)

Pollstrong Limited (n)

Powell Pine, Inc. (k)

Priscilla Holiday of Texas, Inc. (cl)

PT Regent Indonesia (bh)

PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia (bh)

Raison d’Etre Holdings (BVI) Limited (ct)(v)

Raison d’Etre Services (BVI) Limited (ct)(v)

Raison d’Etre Spas, LLC (k)

Raison d’Etre Spas, Sweden AB (db)

Regent Asia Pacific Hotel Management Ltd (bw)

Regent Asia Pacific Management Ltd (cp)

Regent Berlin GmbH (cq)

Regent International Hotels Ltd (bw)

Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P. (ci)

Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh OpCo Limited (n)

Russell London Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC (g) (as)

SC Hotels International Services, Inc. (k)

SC Leisure Group Limited (n)

SC NAS 2 Limited (n)

SC Quest Limited (n)

SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc. (l)

SCH Insurance Company (bi)

SCIH Branston 3 (n)(cb)

Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and

and Hotel Management SAE (ch)

SF MH Acquisition LLC (g) (k)

Six Continents Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA (bj)

Six Continents Hotels International Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels, Inc. (k)

Six Continents International Holdings B.V. (p)

Six Continents Investments Limited (f) (n)

Six Continents Limited (n)

Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Restaurants Limited (n)

SixCo North America, Inc. (w)

Six Senses AmericaAmericas IP LLC (k)

Six Senses Capital Pte. Ltd (cr)(ay)

Six Senses North America Management LLC (k)

SLC Sustainable Luxury Cyprus Limited (cs)

Solamar Lodging LLC (g) (k)

Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd. (v)

Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited (v)

SPHC Group Pty Ltd. (aa)

SPHC Management Ltd. (bq)

St David’s Cardiff Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited (ct)

Sustainable Luxury Hospitality (Thailand) Limited (cu)(v)

Sustainable Luxury Lanka Pvt. Ltd (cv)

Sustainable Luxury Maldives Private Limited (cw)

Sustainable Luxury Management (Thailand) Limited (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Mauritius Limited (cx)

Sustainable Luxury Operations (Thailand) Ltd (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Services (BVI) Limited (ct)(v)

Sustainable Luxury Singapore Private.Private Limited (cr)(ai)

Sustainable Luxury UK Limited (cy)

Sustainable Luxury USA Limited (cz)

Sustainable Luxury Vietnam Company Limited (da)

The Grand Central Hotel Glasgow Limited (n)

The Met Hotel Leeds Limited (n)

The Principal Edinburgh George Street Limited (n)

The Principal London Limited (n)

The Principal Manchester Limited (n)

The Principal York Limited (n)

The Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh Limited (s)

Universal de Hoteles SA (bj)Vista Rockville FF&E, LLC (as)

White Shield Insurance Company Limited (bk)

Wotton House Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

York Station Road Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Subsidiaries where the effective interest

is less than 100%

IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC (74.66%) (ar)

IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co., Ltd. (66%) (ar)

Regent Hospitality Worldwide, Inc. (51%) (bt)

Sustainable Luxury HoldingsHolding (Thailand) Limited

(49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Hospitality (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Management (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Operations (Thailand) Ltd (99.98%) (j) (cu)

Universal de Hoteles SA (9.99%) (j) (bj)

World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation

(74.11%) (bl)

Associates, joint ventures and other

111 East 48th Street Holdings LLC (19.9%) (g) (h) (k)

Alkoer, S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (h) (cg)

BCRE IHG 180 Orchard Holdings LLC (49%) (g) (cf)

Beijing Orient Express Hotel Co., Ltd. (16.24%(16.15%) (bm)

Blue Blood (Tianjin) Equity Investment

Management Co., Limited (30.05%) (bn)

Carr Clark SWW Subventure, LLC (26.67%) (g) (ca)

Carr Waterfront Hotel, LLC (11.46%) (g) (h) (ca)

China Hotel Investment Limited (30.05%) (i) (am)

Desarrollo Alkoer Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V.

(50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Saltillo S. de R.L. de C.V.

(50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Silao S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

EDG Alpharetta EH LLC (0%) (d) (h) (r)

Gestion Hotelera Gestel, C.A. (50%) (c) (h) (ba)

Groups360 LLC (13.15%(13.05%) (h) (k)

H.I. Soaltee Hotel Company Private Ltd (33.4%(26%) (br)

Hotel JV Services LLC (17.8%) (c) (g) (cb)

Inter-Continental Hotels Saudi Arabia Limited

(40%) (bs)

NF III Seattle, LLC (25%) (g) (cc)(r)

NF III Seattle Op Co, LLC (25%) (g) (r)

Nuevas Fronteras S.A. (23.66%) (cd)

Panacon (33.33%) (ce)

President Hotel & Tower Co Ltd. (30%) (bu)

Shanghai Yuhuan Industrial Development Co., Ltd (1%) (da)

Sustainable Luxury Gravity Global Private Limited

(51%) (h) (de)

SURF-Samui Pte. Ltd (49%) (ay)

Tianjin ICBCI IHG Equity Investment Fund

Management Co., Limited (21.04%) (bv)

 

   Key Key

    (a) (a)

Directly owned by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    (b) (b)

Ordinary shares and preference shares

    (c) (c)

Ordinary A and ordinary B shares

    (d) (d)

8% cumulative preference shares

    (e) (e)

1/1/4vote ordinary shares and ordinary shares

    (f) (f)

Ordinary shares, 5% cumulative

preference shares and 7% cumulative preference shares

    (g) (g)

The entities do not have share capital and are governed by an operating agreement

    (h) (h)

Accounted for as associates and joint ventures due to IHG’s decision-making rights contained in the partnership agreement

    (i) (i)

Accounted for as an other financial asset due to IHG being unable to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity

    (j)Minority interest relates to one or more individual shareholders who are employed or were previously employed by the entity
 

 

200198 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

Registered addresses

(j)

Krunska 73, Beograd, 11000, Serbia

Registered addresses
(k)

251 Little Falls Drive,

3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, DE 19808,19810, USA

(l)

2908 Poston Avenue, Nashville,

205 Powell Place, 37027 Brentwood, TN 37203,37027, USA

(m)

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda

(n)

Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR, UK

(o)

199

333 Bay Street, Suite 2800, Commerce Court West,400, Toronto ON M5L 1A9,M5H 2R2, Ontario, Canada

(p)

Kingsfordweg 151, 1043 GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands

(q)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite3s-A,01420-0003s-A, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil

(r)

20200 W Dixie Highway, Suite #908, Miami, FL 33180,

The Corporation Trust Centre, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA

(s)

Caledonian Exchange, 19a Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HE, UK

(t)

Building 4, No. 13 Xiao Gang Zhong Ma Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China

(u)

29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 AY28, Ireland

(v)

Craigmuir Chambers,

Flemming House, Wickhams Cay, P.O.Box 662, Road Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands

(w)

Wilmington Trust SP Services, Inc. 1105 North Market Street, Suite 1300, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA

(x)

31–33 rue Mogador, 75009 Paris, France

(y)

Bucharest, 1st District, 50–52 Buzesti St, 83 module, 11 floor, Romania

(z)

230 J E Irausquin Boulevard, Palm Beach, Aruba

(aa)

Level 11, 20 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

(ab)

Ontario # 1050, Col. Providencia. Guadalajara, Jalisco CP 44630, Mexico

(ac)

Level 54, Hopewell Center, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong

SAR
(ad)

Rond Punt Schumanplein

Rond-Point Robert Schuman 11, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

(ae)

QBC 4 – Am Belvedere 4, 1100, Vienna, Austria

(af)

Avenida da Republica, no 52 – 9, 1069 – 211, Lisbon, Portugal

(ag)

24, Rusakovskaya Str., Moscow 107014, Russian Federation

(ah)

10 Bo Yar Zar

No. 84, Pan Hlaing Street, Kyaukkone YankinUnit #1, Level 8, Uniteam Marine Office Building, Sanchuang Township, Yangon, Myanmar

(ai)

230 Victoria Street,#13-00 Bugis Junction Towers, 188024, Singapore

(aj)

973 President Tower, 7th Floor, Units 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7I, 7F, 7G and 7H, Ploenchit Road, Khwaeng Lumpini, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok Metropolis, 10330, Thailand

(ak)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite3S-B,01420-0003S-B, 01420-000 SaoSão Paulo, Brazil

(al)

Avenida Cordoba 1547, piso 8, oficina A, Buenos Aires, Argentina

(am)

The Phoenix Centre, George Street, Belleville St. Michael, Barbados

(an)

Level 10, 2 Commerce Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1000, New Zealand

(ao)

1, Murtala Muhammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

(ap)

Central Office Park Unit 4, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion 0157, South Africa

(aq)

11th Floor, Building No. 10, Tower C, DLFPhase-II, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon, Haryana-122002, India

(ar)

(ar)

20th Floor, Toranomon Kotohira Tower, 2–8, Toranomon1-chome,Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

(as)

2 Wisconsin Circle #700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
(as)

(at)

HIQ Corporate Services Inc., 715 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA

(at)

1052 Budapest, Apáczai Csere János u. 12–14,12 – 14A, Hungary

(au)

(au)

Budapester Str. 2, 10787 Berlin, Germany

(av)

(av)

Koenigsallee 59,D-40215, Dusseldorf, Germany

(aw)

(aw)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite3S-E,01420-0003S-E, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(ax)

1980 Pérodeau Street, Vaudreuil-Dorion J7V 8P7, Quebec, Canada
(ax)

(ay)

InterContinental Montreal, 360 St. Antoine Street West, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3X4, Canada

(ay)

168 Robinson Road,#12-01,#16-01 Capital Tower, 068912,SIF Building, 068899, Singapore

(az)

(az)

361 San Francisco Street Penthouse, San Juan, PR 00901, Puerto Rico

(ba)

(ba)

Hotel Tamanaco Inter-Continental, Final Av. Ppal, Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela

(bb)

(bb)

22nd Floor, Citigroup Tower, No. 33 Huayuanshiqiao Road, Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China

(bc)

(bc)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite3S-C,01420-0003S-C, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(bd)

(bd)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite3S-D,01420-0003S-D, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(be)

(be)

Viale Monte Nero n.84, 20135 Milano, Italy

(bf)

(bf)

Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 6 – 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

(bg)

(bg)

JurisTax Services Ltd, Level 12, NeXTeracom Tower II, Ebene, Mauritius

(bh)

(bh)

Menara Impreium 22nd Floor, Suite D, JI. HR. Rasuna Said Kav.1, GunturSub-district, Setiabudi District, South Jakarta 12980, Indonesia

(bi)

(bi)

150 South Champlain Street,Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC, 30 Main St., Suite 500, P.O. Box 1489, Burlington, VT 05401,05402-1489, USA

(bj)

(bj)

Calle 49, Sur 45 A 300 Of 1102 Envigado Antioquia, Colombia

(bk)

(bk)

Suite B, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway, Gibraltar

(bl)

(bl)

Suite 2500, 1000 De La Gauchetiere St. West, Montreal QC H3B 0A2, Canada

(bm)

(bm)

Room 311, Building 1, No 6 East Wen Hua Yuan Road, Beijing Economy and Technology Development Zone, Beijing, P.R.China

(bn)

(bn)

Room N306, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R. China

(bo)

(bo)

Cesta v Mestni log 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

(bp)

(bp)

37A Professor Fridtjof Nansen Street, 5th Floor, District Sredets, Sofia, 1142, Bulgaria

(bq)

(bq)

C/o Holiday Inn & Suites, Cnr Waigani Drive & Wards Road, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

(br)

(br)

Tahachal, Kathmandu, Nepal

(bs)

(bs)

Madinah Road, Jeddah, P.O Box 9456, Post Code 21413, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(bt)

(bt)

Maples Corporate Services Ltd. – PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman –KY-1104, KY- 1104, Cayman Islands

(bu)

(bu)

971, 973 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

(bv)

(bv)

Room R316, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R. China

(bw)

(bw)

14th Floor, South China Building,1-3 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong SAR

(bx)

(bx)

Eski Büyükdere Cd. Park Plaza No:14 K:4 Maslak – Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey

(by)

(by)

Paseo de la Castellana 49, 28046Recoletos 37 – 41, 28004 Madrid, Spain

(bz)

(bz)

2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, Sacramento, CA 95833-3505, USA

(ca)

(ca)

Carr Hospitality, LLC, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20004, USA

(cb)

Two Snowhill Snow Hill Queensway Birmingham B4 6GA
(cb)

(cc)

Krunska 73, Beograd, 11000, Serbia

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, DE 19805, USA(cd)

(cc)

2000 Monarch Tower, 3424 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30326, USA

(cd)

Moreno 809 2 Piso, Buenos Aires, Argentina

(ce)

Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog 149 – 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
(ce)

(cf)

Pan-American Life Insurance Company, 601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

(cf)

Brack Capital Real Estate Ltd., 885 Third Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA

(cg)

(cg)

Avenida Ejercito Nacional Mexicano No. 769, Torre B Piso 8, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México, CP 11520, Mexico

(ch)

(ch)

Ground Floor, Al Kamel Law Building, Plot52-b, Banks Area, Six of October City, Egypt

(ci)

2985 Gordy Parkway, 1st Floor, Marietta, GA 30066, USA
(ci)

(cj)

600 Mamaroneck Avenue #400, 10528 Harrison, NY 10528, USA

40 Technology Pkwy(ck)

8275 South #300 Norcross GA 30092, USA

(cj)

80 State Street, Albany NY 12207-2543, USA

(ck)

2215-B Renaissance Drive,Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, NV 89119,89123, USA

(cl)

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, TX 77056, USA
(cl)

(cm)

11003 Onion Creek Court, Austin, TX 78747, USA

(cm)

23/6 D. Anhaght Str., Yerevan, 0069, Armenia

(cn)

(cn)

Generation Park Z – ul. Towarowa 28,00-839 Warsaw, Poland

(co)

(co)

Suite 1, Ground Floor, The Financial Services Centre, Bishops Court Hill, St. Michael, Barbados, BB14004

(cp)

(cp)

Brumby Centre, Lot 42, Jalan Muhibbah, 87000 Labuan F.T., Malaysia

(cq)

(cq)

Charlottenstrasse 49, Berlin, 10117, Germany

(cr)

C/O BDO LLP, 4 Atlantic Quay, 70 York Street, Glasgow G2 8JX, UK
(cr)

(cs)

Trident Corporate Services (Singapore) Pte. Limited, 96 Robinson Road,#16-01 SIF Building, 068899, Singapore

(cs)

ATS Services Limited, Capital Center, 9th Floor,2-4 Arch. Makarios III Ave., 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus

(ct)

(ct)

Conyers Corporate Services (BVI) Ltd, Commerce House, WickhamsStart Chambers, Wickham’s Cay 1, POII, P.O. Box 3140,2221, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands

(cu)

(cu)

57, 9th Floor, Park Ventures Ecoplex, Unit902-904, Wireless Road, Limpini, Pathum Wan Bangkok 10330, Thailand

(cv)

(cv)

Shop No. 9/5 Thambiah Ave,L3-6, Amity Building, No. 125, Highlevel Road, Maharagama, Colombo, 7, Sri Lanka

(cw)

(cw)

Premier Chambers, M.Lux Lodge, 1st Floor, Orchid Magu, Male, Republic of Maldives

(cx)

(cx)

Venture Corporate Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Level 3, Tower 1, Nexteracom Towers, Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius

(cy)

(cy)

Berg Kaprow Lewis LLP, 35 Ballards Lane, DX 57284 Finchley 2, London, N3 1XW, UK

(cz)

251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE19808, USA.
(cz)

(da)

Corporation Service Company, 1180 Ave. Of the Americas,

1st Floor, No.68, Zhupan Road, Zhuqiao Town, Pudong New York 10036, USAArea, Shanghai, China

(db)

(da)

PDD Building, 162 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

(db)

Grevgatan 13, 11453 Stockholm, Sweden

(dc)

(dc)

95 Blvd. Berthier, 75017 Paris, France

(dd)

(dd)

Bernardo MontengudoMonteagudo 201, 15076, Lima, Peru

(de)

(de)

B-11515 Bhikaj Cama Place, New Delhi, South Delhi, India, 110066

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Additional

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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Additional Information213


Additional Information

Other financial information

    

Use ofNon-GAAP measures

In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional measures (described asNon-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance.Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Further explanation in relation to these measures and their definitions can be found on pages 5547 to 59. Prior year comparables have been restated as explained on page 59.

51.

Underlying revenueRevenue and underlying operating profitNon-GAAP reconciliations

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2020

Reportable segments

     Revenue     Operating profit 
      

            2020

$m

      

            2019

$

                 Change
$m
      

        Change

%

                 2020
$m
                  2019
$m
             Change
$m
      

        Change

%

 
Per Group income statement       2,394     4,627    (2,233    (48.3      (153    630    (783    (124.3
System Fund    (765    (1,373   608     (44.3   102     49    53     108.2 
Reimbursement of costs    (637    (1,171   534     (45.6                  
Operating exceptional items                      270     186    84     45.2 
Reportable segments    992     2,083    (1,091    (52.4   219     865    (646    (74.7
                     

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                   
Fee business    823     1,510    (687    (45.5   278     813    (535    (65.8
Owned, leased and managed lease    169     573    (404    (70.5   (59 ��  52    (111    (213.5
      992        2,083       (1,091       (52.4      219        865       (646       (74.7

 

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

                     
     Revenue     Operating profit 
      

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

     

Change

$m

      

Change

%

     

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

     

Change

$m

      

Change

%

 
Reportable segments (see above)    992     2,083    (1,091    (52.4   219     865    (646    (74.7
Significant liquidated damages    (1    (11   10     (90.9   (1    (11   10     (90.9
Owned asset disposalsa    (2    (12   10     (83.3   (3    (2   (1    50.0 
Currency impact                           (2         
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    989     2,060    (1,071    (52.0   215     850    (635       (74.7%) 

a

The results of the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport have been removed in 2020 (being the year of disposal) and the prior year to determine underlying growth compared to the prior year.

Underlying fee revenue

     Revenue 
        

            2020

$m

      

            2019

$m

     

        Change

$m

      

        Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)    823     1,510    (687    (45.5
Significant liquidated damages    (1    (11   10     (90.9
Currency impact         (4   4      
Underlying fee revenue    822     1,495    (673    (45.0)ª 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

212IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Highlights by region for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)

Americas

     Revenue    Operating profitb 
      

        2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

          Change
$m
    

    Change

%

            2020
$m
              2019
$m
        Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    512    1,040     (528   (50.8   296     700    (404    (57.7
                    

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                          
Fee business    457    853     (396   (46.4   323     663    (340    (51.3
Owned, leased and managed lease    55    187     (132   (70.6   (27    37    (64    (173.0
      512     1,040        (528    (50.8    296        700     (404       (57.7
                    
Reportable segments (see above)    512    1,040     (528   (50.8   296     700    (404    (57.7
Currency impact        (5    5             (4   4      
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    512    1,035     (523   (50.5   296     696    (400    (57.5

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

EMEAA

    Revenue    Operating profitb 
     

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

    

    Change

$m

      

    Change

%

    

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

    

    Change

$m

      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2   221     723    (502    (69.4   (50    217    (267    (123.0
                    

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                            
Fee business   107     337    (230    (68.2   (18    202    (220    (108.9
Owned, leased and managed lease   114     386    (272    (70.5   (32    15    (47    (313.3
     221        723     (502       (69.4    (50       217     (267       (123.0
                    
Reportable segments (see above)   221     723    (502    (69.4   (50    217    (267    (123.0
Significant liquidated damages   (1    (11   10     (90.9   (1    (11   10     (90.9
Owned asset disposalsc   (2    (12   10     (83.3   (3    (2   (1    50.0 
Currency impact        4    (4             2    (2     
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit   218     704    (486    (69.0   (54    206    (260    (126.2

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

c

The results of the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport have been removed in 2020 (being the year of disposal) and the prior year to determine underlying growth compared to the prior year.

Greater China

     Revenue    Operating profitb 
      

        2020

$m

      

         2019

$m

         Change
$m
      

    Change

%

            2020
$m
               2019
$m
          Change
$m
     

     Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    77     135     (58    (43.0   35      73    (38    (52.1
                       

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                             
Fee business     77        135      (58       (43.0    35         73     (38     (52.1
                       
Reportable segments (see above)    77     135     (58    (43.0   35      73    (38    (52.1
Currency impact         2     (2                        
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    77     137     (60    (43.8   35      73    (38    (52.1

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020213


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2019

Reportable segments

 

  

Revenue

   

Operating profit

       Revenue       Operating profit 
            2019
$m
      

        2018

$m

           Change
$m
      

        Change

%

             2019
$m
              2018
Restated
$m
           Change
$m
      

        Change

%

       

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

               2019
$m
               2018
$m
           Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement  4,627     4,337    290     6.7   630     582    48     8.2      4,627     4,337     290     6.7      630      582      48     8.2 
System Fund  (1,373    (1,233   (140    11.4   49     146    (97    (66.4     (1,373    (1,233    (140    11.4      49      146      (97    (66.4
Reimbursement of costs  (1,171    (1,171                                (1,171    (1,171                                 
Operating exceptional items                    186     104    82     78.8                           186      104      82     78.8 
Reportable segments  2,083     1,933    150     7.8    865     832     33      4.0      2,083     1,933     150     7.8      865      832      33     4.0 
                                                
Reportable segments analysed as:                                                                                  

Fee business

  1,510     1,486    24     1.6   813     793    20     2.5      1,510     1,486     24     1.6      813      793      20     2.5 

Owned, leased and managed lease

  573     447    126     28.2   52     39    13     33.3      573     447     126     28.2      52      39      13     33.3 
   2,083      1,933     150      7.8    865      832     33      4.0       2,083      1,933      150      7.8       865       832       33      4.0 

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

                    
  

Revenue

   

Operating profit

 
  

2019

$m

      2018
Restated
$m
   

Change

$m

      

Change

%

   

2019

$m

    2018
Restated
$m
   

Change

$m

      

Change

%

 
Reportable segments (see above)  2,083     1,933    150     7.8   865     832    33     4.0 
Significant liquidated damages  (11    (13   2     (15.4  (11    (13   2     (15.4
Current year acquisitionsa  (53        (53       6         6      
Currency impactb        (24   24              (6    6       
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit  2,019     1,896    123     6.5   860     813     47      5.8 

Underlying fee revenue

       Revenue 
        

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)     1,510     1,486     24     1.6 
Significant liquidated damages     (11    (13    2     (15.4
Acquisitionsa     (14         (14     
Currency impact          (17    17      
Underlying fee revenue     1,485     1,456     29     2.0b  

 

a

The results of acquired businesses (Six Senses and two UK portfolio hotels) are removed only in the year of acquisition when determining underlying growth compared to the prior year, see note 11 to the Group Financial Statements.

b

Excludes $1m of adverse currency impact to both revenue and operating profit related to significant liquidated damages in the Greater China region.

Underlying fee revenue

    

Revenue

 
           2019
$m
            2018
Restated
$m
      Change
$m
      

  Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)   1,510     1,486    24     1.6 
Significant liquidated damages   (11    (13   2     (15.4
Current year acquisitions   (14        (14     
Currency impacta        (17   17      
Underlying fee revenue   1,485     1,456    29     2.0b 

a

Excludes $1m of adverse currency impact to both revenue and operating profit related to significant liquidated damages in the Greater China region.year.

 

b

Reported as a KPI on page 43.44.

214IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


Highlights by region for the year ended 31 December 2019 (continued)

Americas

     Revenue    

Operating profitb

 
          2019
$m
    2018
      Restated
$m
          Change
$m
    

    Change

%

          2019
$m
        2018
    Restated
$m
        Change
$m
       

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    1,040    1,051     (11   (1.0   700      673    27      4.0 
                      
Reportable segments analysed asª:                                                            

Fee business

    853    853             663      638    25      3.9 

Owned, leased and managed lease

    187    198     (11   (5.6   37      35    2      5.7 
      1,040     1,051        (11    (1.0    700         673     27         4.0 
                      
Reportable segments (see above)    1,040    1,051     (11   (1.0   700      673    27      4.0 
Currency impact        (2    2              (2   2       
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    1,040    1,049     (9   (0.9   700      671    29      4.3 

aRevenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b Before exceptional items.

EMEAA

    

Revenue

    

Operating profitb

 
         2019
$m
      2018
    Restated
$m
        Change
$m
       

    Change

%

        2019
$m
       2018
    Restated
$m
        Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2   723     569    154     27.1    217     206    11     5.3 
                    
Reportable segments analysed asª:                                                            

Fee business

   337     320    17     5.3    202     202          

Owned, leased and managed lease

   386     249    137     55.0    15     4    11     275.0 
     723        569     154        27.1     217        206     11        5.3 
                    
Reportable segments (see above)   723     569    154     27.1    217     206    11     5.3 
Significant liquidated damages   (11    (7   (4    57.1    (11    (7   (4    57.1 
Current year acquisitions   (53        (53        6         6      
Currency impact        (15   15              (6   6      
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit   659        547    112     20.5     212     193    19     9.8 

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

Greater China

    Revenue    Operating profitb 
         2019
$m
       2018
    Restated
$m
          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

          2019
$m
       2018
    Restated
$m
        Change
$m
     

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2   135      143    (8    (5.6   73      70    3     4.3 
                      
Reportable segments analysed asª:                                                            

Fee business

    135         143     (8       (5.6    73         70     3      4.3 
                      
Reportable segments (see above)   135      143    (8    (5.6   73      70    3     4.3 
Significant liquidated damages         (6   6               (6   6      
Currency impactc         (5   5               (1   1      
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit   135      132    3     2.3    73      63    10     15.9 

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

c  Excludes $1m of adverse currency impact to both revenue and operating profit related to significant liquidated damages.

IHG|  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |Additional Information|  Other financial information215


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2018

Reportable segments

     

Revenue

     

Operating profit

 
          2018
$m
         2017
$m
         Change
$m
     

    Change

%

         2018
Restated
$m
         2017
Restated
$m
         Change
$m
     

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement    4,337     4,075     262     6.4     582     744     (162    (21.8
System Fund    (1,233    (1,242    9     (0.7    146     34     112     329.4 
Reimbursement of costs    (1,171    (1,103    (68    6.2                     
Operating exceptional items                        104     (4    108     (2,700.0
Reportable segments    1,933     1,730     203     11.7     832     774     58     7.5 
                        
Reportable segments analysed as:                                                        

Fee business

    1,486     1,379     107     7.8     793     731     62     8.5 

Owned, leased and managed lease

    447     351     96     27.4     39     43     (4    (9.3
      1,933      1,730      203      11.7      832      774      58      7.5 

       Revenue      Operating profit 
        

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

              2018
$m
               2017
$m
          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement     4,337     4,075     262     6.4     582      744     (162    (21.8
System Fund     (1,233    (1,242    9     (0.7    146      34     112     329.4 
Reimbursement of costs     (1,171    (1,103    (68    6.2                      
Operating exceptional items                         104      (4    108     (2,700.0
Reportable segments     1,933     1,730     203     11.7     832      774     58     7.5 
                          

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                          
Fee business     1,486     1,379     107     7.8     793      731     62     8.5 
Owned, leased and managed lease     447     351     96     27.4     39      43     (4    (9.3
         1,933        1,730        203        11.7        832         774        58        7.5 

Underlying fee revenue

 

                

Revenue

       Revenue 
          2018
$m
          2017
Restated
$m
           Change
$m
      

    Change

%

       

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

            Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)     1,486     1,379      107     7.8      1,486     1,379      107     7.8 
Significant liquidated damages     (13          (13          (13          (13     
Current year acquisitionsa     (1          (1     
Acquisitionsa     (1          (1     
Currency impact          4      (4               4      (4     
Underlying fee revenue     1,472     1,383      89     6.4b      1,472     1,383      89     6.4b 

 

a

The results of acquired businesses (Regent and the UK portfolio) are removed only in the year of acquisition when determining underlying growth compared to the prior year.

 

b

Reported as a KPI on page 43.

Fee margin reconciliation

            2019
$m
          2018
Restated
$m
          2017
Restated
$m
 
Revenue                   
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (page 154)     1,510     1,486     1,379 
Significant liquidated damages     (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (19    (11    (9
      1,480     1,462     1,370 
Operating profit                   
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (page 214 and above)     813     793     731 
Significant liquidated damages     (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (1    (1     
      801     779     731 
                    
Fee margina     54.1%     53.3%     53.4% 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

 

216214 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    


Fee margin reconciliation

        

    2020

$m

      

    2019

$m

      

      2018

$m

      

      2017

$m

 
Revenue                         
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (page 150)     823     1,510     1,486     1,379 
Significant liquidated damages     (1    (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (19    (19    (11    (9
      803     1,480     1,462     1,370 
Operating profit                         
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (pages 212 and 214)     278     813     793     731 
Significant liquidated damages     (1    (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (3    (1    (1     
      274     801     779     731 
                          
Fee margina     34.1%     54.1%     53.3%     53.4% 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 45.

Net capital expenditure reconciliation

       

12 months ended

31 December

 
$m      

      2020

$m

      

      2019

$m

 
Net cash from investing activities     (61    (493
Adjusted for:             

Contract acquisition costs net of repayments

     (64    (61

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

     58     49 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

          292 

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

          2 
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211
Analysed as:             

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including contract acquisition costs, net of repayments of $64m (2019: $61m))

     (107    (147

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

     17     (15

Capital expenditure: System Fund capital investments

     23     (49
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211

a

Excludes depreciation on right-of-use assets.

Gross capital expenditure reconciliation

       12 months ended
31 December
 
$m      

      2020

$m

      

      2019

$m

 
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211
Add back:             

Disposal receipts

     (18    (4

Repayments of contract acquisition costs

          (1

Distributions from associates and joint ventures

     (5     

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

     (58    (49
Gross capital expenditure     (148    (265
Analysed as:             

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including gross contract acquisition costs of $64m (2019: $62m))

     (107    (148

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

     (6    (19

Capital expenditure: System Fund capital investments

     (35    (98
Gross capital expenditure     (148    (265

a

Excludes depreciation on right-of-use assets.

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020215


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

    

    

 

Gross and net capital expenditure reconciliation

    12 months ended
31 December
 
$m       2019
$m
          2018
Restated
$m
 
Net cash from investing activities   (493    (197
Adjusted for:           

Contract acquisition costs net of repayments

   (61    (54

Tax paid on disposals

        2 

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

   49     45 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

   292     34 

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

   2     4 
Net capital expenditure   (211    (166
Add back:           

Disposal receipts

   (4    (8

Repayments of contract acquisition costs

   (1    (2

Distributions from associates and joint ventures

        (32

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

   (49    (45
Gross capital expenditure   (265    (253
Analysed as:           

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including gross contract acquisition costs of $62m (2018: $56m))

   (148    (116

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

   (19    (38

Capital expenditure: System Fund investments

   (98    (99
Gross capital expenditure   (265    (253

a

Excludes depreciation onright-of-use assets.

Free cash flow reconciliation

 

      

12 months ended 31 December

       12 months ended 31 December 
          2019
$m
          2018
Restated
$m
          2017
Restated
$m
          2016ª
$m
          2015ª
$m
      

        2020

$m

 

 

    

        2019

$m

 

 

    

        2018

$m

 

 

    

        2017

$m

 

 

    

        2016

$m

ª 

 

Net cash from operating activities     653     709     616     710     569      137     653     709     616     710 
Less:                     
Adjusted for:                     

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

     6                               6                

Principal element of lease payments

     (59    (35    (25               (65    (59    (35    (25     

Purchase of shares by employee share trusts

     (5    (3    (3    (10    (47          (5    (3    (3    (10

Capital expenditure: maintenance (excluding contract acquisition costs)

     (86    (60    (72    (54    (56     (43    (86    (60    (72    (54

Cash receipt from renegotiation of long-term partnership agreement

                    (95                              (95
Free cash flowb     509     611     516     551     466      29     509     611     516     551 

 

a

Not restated forDoes not include the impact of IFRS 15 or IFRS 16.

 

b

Reported as a KPI on page 44.45.

Adjusted interest reconciliation

       

12 months ended

31 December

 
        

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

 
Net financial expenses             
Financial income     4     6 
Financial expenses     (144    (121
      (140    (115
Adjusted for:             

Interest payable on balances with the System Fund

     (3    (13

Capitalised interest relating to System Fund assets

     (1    (5

Exceptional financial expenses

     14      
      10     (18
Adjusted interest     (130    (133

Adjusted EBITDAª reconciliation

        

        2020

$m

      

          2019

$m

       

           2018

$m

 
Operating profit     (153    630      582 
Add back                    

System Fund result

     102     49      146 

Operating exceptional items

     270     186      104 

Depreciation and amortisation

     110     116      115 
Adjusted EBITDA     329     981      947 

a

For covenant purposes, calculated on a frozen GAAP basis, adjusted EBITDA is $272m (2019: $897m).

 

216IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |Additional Information|  Other financial information217


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Adjusted interest reconciliation

       12 months ended
31 December
 
              2019
$m
        2018
Restated
$m
 
Net financial expenses             
Financial income     6     5 
Financial expenses     (121    (101
      (115    (96
Adjusted for:             

Interest payable on balances with the System Fund

     (13    (14

Capitalised interest relating to System Fund assets

     (5    (5
      (18    (19
Adjusted interest     (133    (115

218IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

 

Revenue per available room (RevPAR), average daily rate and occupancy

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry. RevPAR comprises IHG System rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). Occupancy rate is rooms occupied by hotel guests expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available. ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and average daily rate are presented on a comparable basis comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparableyear-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

The following tables present RevPAR statistics for the year ended 31 December 20192020 and a comparison to 2018.2019. Fee business and owned, leased and managed lease statistics are for comparable hotels and include only those hotels in the Group’s System at 31 December 20192020 and franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease by the Group since 1 January 2018.2019. The comparison with 20182019 is at constant US$ exchange rates.

 

      

Fee business

       Owned, leased and
managed lease
       Fee business       

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
      2019       Change vs
2018
       2019       Change vs
2018
       2020       

Change vs

2019

       2020       

Change vs

2019

 
Americas                                        
InterContinental                                        
Occupancy     72.4%      (1.7)ppt       84.4%      1.5ppt       24.9%      (47.2)ppt             
Average daily rate     $212.82      3.0%       $334.81      1.1%       $178.70      (16.0%)             
RevPAR     $154.00      0.7%       $282.72      3.0%       $44.46      (71.0%)             
Kimpton                                        
Occupancy     79.8%      1.1ppt             –       28.4%      (50.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $243.92      0.7%            –       $212.25      (15.5)%             
RevPAR     $194.62      2.2%            –       $60.31      (69.7)%             
Crowne Plaza                                        
Occupancy     66.6%      (1.3)ppt             –       27.6%      (36.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $129.08      0.3%             –       $104.03      (18.6)%             
RevPAR     $86.00      (1.6%)            –       $28.76      (65.1)%             
Hotel Indigo                                        
Occupancy     74.7%      0.7ppt             –       39.1%      (33.0)ppt             
Average daily rate     $164.99      (0.7%)            –       $129.15      (20.6)%             
RevPAR     $123.20      0.2%             –       $50.46      (57.0)%             
EVEN Hotels                                        
Occupancy     81.7%      2.6ppt       81.9%      6.0ppt       30.2%      (45.4)ppt      41.2%      (34.8)ppt 
Average daily rate     $174.86      (8.3%)      $158.03      (6.5%)      $104.18      (35.4)%      $104.80      (29.9)% 
RevPAR     $142.91      (5.3%)      $129.50      0.9%       $31.42      (74.2)%      $43.21      (62.0)% 
Holiday Inn                                        
Occupancy     66.5%      (0.5)ppt       83.3%      0.9ppt       36.5%      (29.4)ppt      32.1%      (51.3)ppt 
Average daily rate     $113.65      0.1%       $182.50      5.0%       $98.21      (13.4)%      $179.34      (1.7)% 
RevPAR     $75.54      (0.7%)      $152.10      6.2%       $35.90      (52.0)%      $57.56      (62.2)% 
Holiday Inn Express                                        
Occupancy     69.3%      0.2ppt             –       45.7%      (23.1)ppt             
Average daily rate     $114.01      (0.2%)            –       $100.19      (12.1)%             
RevPAR     $79.00      0.1%             –       $45.81      (41.6)%             
Staybridge Suites                                        
Occupancy     76.5%      0.1ppt             –       55.4%      (19.3)ppt             
Average daily rate     $119.50      (0.1%)            –       $100.48      (13.7)%             
RevPAR     $91.47      0.1%             –       $55.69      (36.0)%             
Candlewood Suites                                        
Occupancy     73.5%      (0.5)ppt             –       61.7%      (10.6)ppt             
Average daily rate     $86.04      (0.4%)            –       $78.97      (9.8)%             
RevPAR     $63.22      (1.1%)            –       $48.74      (23.0)%             

LOGO

 

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |Additional Information|  Other financial information2020 219217


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

    

 

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancycontinued

 

      

Fee business

       Owned, leased and
managed lease
       Fee business       

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
          2019           Change vs
2018
           2019           Change vs
2018
       2020       

Change vs

2019

       2020       

Change vs

2019

 
EMEAA                                        
InterContinental                                        
Occupancy     73.5%      0.9ppt       66.0%      (1.2)ppt      31.9%      (40.5)ppt      24.5%      (49.7)ppt 
Average daily rate     $202.75      0.2%       $215.99      3.4%      $157.63      (20.2)%      $304.25      0.6% 
RevPAR     $149.06      1.5%       $142.51      1.5%      $50.34      (64.8)%      $74.65      (66.7)% 
Crowne Plaza                                        
Occupancy     74.2%      0.5ppt                   30.2%      (43.5)ppt             
Average daily rate     $118.81      (1.2%)                  $105.13      (13.4)%             
RevPAR     $88.13      (0.6%)                  $31.72      (64.5)%             
Hotel Indigo                                        
Occupancy     81.0%      1.2ppt                   27.8%      (51.1)ppt             
Average daily rate     $143.62      0.0%                   $107.49      (25.3)%             
RevPAR     $116.40      1.5%                   $29.90      (73.7)%             
Holiday Inn                                        
Occupancy     73.5%      0.3ppt       94.1%      (1.2)ppt      31.9%      (41.6)ppt             
Average daily rate     $98.11      (1.0%)      $138.36      3.9%      $80.88      (17.8)%             
RevPAR     $72.14      (0.5%)      $130.22      2.6%      $25.80      (64.3)%             
Holiday Inn Express                                        
Occupancy     79.0%      1.6ppt                   35.4%      (41.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $88.66      (0.9%)                  $67.29      (22.4)%             
RevPAR     $70.04      1.2%                   $23.85      (64.5)%             
Staybridge Suites                                        
Occupancy     74.7%      (1.1)ppt                   41.4%      (30.2)ppt             
Average daily rate     $122.47      (2.5%)                  $114.94      (7.7)%             
RevPAR     $91.48      (3.9%)                  $47.61      (46.6)%             
Greater China                                        
InterContinental                                        
Occupancy     66.9%      1.1ppt                   45.1%      (18.7)ppt             
Average daily rate     $123.39      (6.1%)                  $103.33      (10.6)%             
RevPAR     $82.52      (4.6%)                  $46.64      (36.8)%             
HUALUXE                                        
Occupancy     51.7%      3.3ppt                   44.6%      (6.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $66.53      (0.3%)                  $58.78      (8.2)%             
RevPAR     $34.39      6.6%                   $26.24      (20.4)%             
Crowne Plaza                                        
Occupancy     61.2%      (0.3)ppt                   40.6%      (18.3)ppt             
Average daily rate     $76.04      (4.5%)                  $67.84      (10.7)%             
RevPAR     $46.52      (4.9%)                  $27.54      (38.4)%             
Hotel Indigo                                        
Occupancy     66.6%      0.0ppt                   42.7%      (19.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $140.06      (8.0%)                  $108.63      (17.8)%             
RevPAR     $93.23      (8.1%)                  $46.34      (44.0)%             
Holiday Inn                                        
Occupancy     65.8%      (0.1)ppt                   39.6%      (22.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $66.16      (3.8%)                  $52.50      (16.4)%             
RevPAR     $43.52      (4.0%)                  $20.80      (46.9)%             
Holiday Inn Express                                        
Occupancy     62.8%      0.1ppt                   43.4%      (17.7)ppt             
Average daily rate     $47.20      (4.9%)                  $37.18      (16.5)%             
RevPAR     $29.66      (4.7%)                  $16.14      (40.6)%             

 

220218 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    


Directors’ Report

 

 

This Directors’ Report includes the information required to be given in line with the Companies Act or, where provided elsewhere, an appropriate cross reference is given. The Corporate Governance Report approved by the Board is provided on pages 7974 to 95111 and incorporated by reference herein.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings

The Group has over 400 subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings.related undertakings (including branches). A complete list of these entitiessubsidiaries and associated undertakings disclosed in accordance with the Companies Act is provided at note 34 of the Group Financial Statements on pages 199197 to 201.199.

Directors

For biographies of the current Directors see pages 80 and 81.

LOGOFor biographies of the current Directors see pages 76 to 79.

Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) liability insurance and existence of qualifying indemnity provisions

The Company maintains the Group’s D&O liability insurance policy, which covers Directors and Officers of the Company defending civil proceedings brought against them in their capacity as Directors or Officers of the Company (including those who served as Directors or Officers during the year). There were no indemnity provisions relating to the UK pension plan for the benefit of the Directors during 2019.2020.

Articles of AssociationColleague Share Plan

The Company’s ArticlesColleague Share Plan gives eligible corporate employees the opportunity to purchase shares up to an annual limit of Association may only be amended$1,000 (or local currency equivalent limit) or such other amount determined by special resolution and are available on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance. A summary is provided on pages 233 and 234.

Shares

Share capital

The Company’s issued share capital at 31 December 2019 consisted of 187,717,720 ordinary shares of 20340399 pence each, including 5,684,427 shares held in treasury, which constituted 3.0%Board or its duly authorised committee. After the end of the total issuedplan year, the participant will be awarded the right to receive one matching share capital (including treasury shares)for every purchased share (subject to continued employment). There are no special control rights or restrictions on share transfers or limitations onIf the holdingparticipant holds the purchased shares until the second anniversary of any classthe end of shares.

the plan year, the conditional right to matching shares vests. During 2019, 801,242the year, 36,298 (2019: nil, 2018: nil) shares were transferred from treasury topurchased by participating employees. Matching shares will be awarded for the employee share ownership trust.first cycle in 2021 and will vest after 12 months.

In January 2019, the Company’s issued share capital was subject to a 19 for 20 share consolidation effective as of 14 January 2019 (see page 211) as part of which 6,827,020 treasury shares were consolidated.

LOGOMore detailed information on the performance measures for awards to Executive Directors is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 111.

As far as is known to management, IHG is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another company or by any government. The Board focuses on shareholder value-creation. When it decides to return capital to shareholders, it considers all of its options, including share buybacks and special dividends.

Share issues and buybacks

In 2019, the Company did not issue any new shares, nor did it buy back any existing shares.

LOGO

 

Dividends

 

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020191


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

28. Share-based payments continued

The Group recognised a cost of $19m (2019: $28m, 2018: $27m) in operating (loss)/profit and $nil (2019: $1m, 2018: $1m) within exceptional administrative expenses related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions during the year, net of $11m (2019: $12m, 2018: $11m) borne by the System Fund. The Group also recognised a cost of $2m (2019: $2m, 2018: $nil) in operating (loss)/profit related to cash-settled share-based payment transactions.

No consideration was received in respect of ordinary shares issued under option schemes during 2020, 2019 or 2018.

The Group uses separate option pricing models and assumptions depending on the plan. The following table sets out information about awards granted in 2020, 2019 and 2018 under the APP and LTIP. The total fair value of the Colleague Share Plan is not significant.

                     APP                     LTIP 
                             Monte Carlo Simulation and 
     Binomial valuation model     Binomial valuation model 
      2020     2019     2018     2020     2019     2018 
Weighted average share price (pence)    3,771.0     4,597.0     4,645.0     3,450.0     4,850.0     4,774.0 
Expected dividend yield    n/a     n/a     n/a     1.48%     2.16%     2.27% 
Risk-free interest rate                      0.02%     0.72%     0.84% 
Volatilitya                      33%     19%     25% 
Term (years)    3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0 

a

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price corresponding to the expected life of the share award.

Movements in the awards outstanding under the schemes are as follows:

     APP          LTIP 
              Number of shares
thousands
          Performance-related
awards
Number of  shares
thousands
  

Restricted 

stock units 
                 Number of shares 
thousands 

Outstanding at 1 January 2018    616     2,393  916 
Granted    176     257  527 
Vested    (199    (702 – 
Lapsed or cancelled    (2    (860 (142)
Outstanding at 31 December 2018    591     1,088  1,301 
Granted    217     287  540 
Vested    (276    (293 (422)
Share capital consolidation    (21      – 
Lapsed or cancelled    (15    (387 (144)
Outstanding at 31 December 2019    496     695  1,275 
Granted    138     383  696 
Vested    (188    (179 (413)
Lapsed or cancelled    (33    (85 (137)
Outstanding at 31 December 2020    413     814  1,421 
Fair value of awards granted during the year (cents)              
2020    4,965.9     2,473.5  4,397.5 
2019    5,888.7     4,985.6  5,862.1 
2018    6,066.2     4,748.7  5,966.0 
Weighted average remaining contract life (years)              
At 31 December 2020    1.0     1.4  1.3 
At 31 December 2019    1.1     1.3  1.2 
At 31 December 2018    1.0     0.8  1.2 

The above awards do not vest until the performance and service conditions have been met.

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards vested during the year was 4,874.5p (2019: 4,584.8p). The closing share price on 31 December 2020 was 4,690.0p and the range during the year was 2,385.5p to 5,223.0p.

192IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



29. Equity

Equity share capital

     

Number

    of shares

millions

      

    Nominal

value

$m

     

Share

    premium

$m

      

Equity

share

        capital

$m

 
Allotted, called up and fully paid                         
At 1 January 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)  197        53    101        154 
Exchange adjustments  –        (3   (5)       (8
At 31 December 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)  197        50    96        146 
Share capital consolidation  (10)           –         
Exchange adjustments  –        2           5 
At 31 December 2019 (ordinary shares of 20340/399p each)  187        52    99        151 
Exchange adjustments  –        1           5 
At 31 December 2020 (ordinary shares of 20340/399p each)  187        53    103        156 

The authority given to the Company at the AGM held on 7 May 2020 to purchase its own shares was still valid at 31 December 2020. A resolution to renew the authority will be put to shareholders at the AGM on 7 May 2021.

The Company no longer has an authorised share capital.

In October 2018, the Group announced a $500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 11 January 2019, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 19 new ordinary shares of 20340/399p per share for every 20 existing ordinary shares of 1917/21p, which became effective on 14 January 2019 and resulted in the consolidation of 10m shares. The special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019 at a cost of $510m. The dividend and share consolidation had the same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore previously reported earnings per share has not been restated.

At 31 December 2020, the balance classified as equity share capital includes the total net proceeds (both nominal value and share premium) on issue of the Company’s equity share capital, comprising 20340/399p shares. The share premium reserve represents the amount of proceeds received for shares in excess of their nominal value.

The nature and purpose of the other reserves shown in the Group statement of changes in equity on pages 128 to 130 of the Group Financial Statements is as follows:

Capital redemption reserve

This reserve maintains the nominal value of the equity share capital of the Company when shares are repurchased or cancelled.

Shares held by employee share trusts

Comprises $1.4m (2019: $4.9m, 2018: $3.6m) in respect of 0.05m (2019: 0.1m, 2018: 0.2m) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC ordinary shares held by employee share trusts, with a market value at 31 December 2020 of $3.1m (2019: $9.6m, 2018: $8.3m).

Other reserves

Comprises the merger and revaluation reserves previously recognised under UK GAAP, together with the reserve arising as a consequence of the Group’s capital reorganisation in June 2005. The revaluation reserve relates to the previous revaluations of property, plant and equipment which were included at deemed cost on adoption of IFRS. Following the change in presentational currency to the US dollar in 2008, this reserve also includes exchange differences arising on retranslation to period-end exchange rates of equity share capital, the capital redemption reserve and shares held by employee share trusts.

Fair value reserve

This reserve records movements in the value of financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsDividendIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 193


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Equity continued

Cash flow hedging reserve

                    Cash flow hedging  reserve 
     

Value of

    currency

swaps

$m

  

Costs of

        hedging

$m

  

            Total 

$m 

At 1 January 2018  –      – 
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (1 (1)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income       
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  (8)     (8)
Deferred tax       
At 31 December 2018  (3)   (1 (4)
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (6 (6)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income  (34)     (34)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  38      38 
At 31 December 2019     (7 (6)
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (6 (6)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income  (1)     (1)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  (13)     (13)
Deferred tax       
Exchange adjustments  (2)     (2)
At 31 December 2020  (11)   (13 (24)

Value of currency swaps comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of hedging instruments used in cash flow hedges pending subsequent recognition in profit or loss.

Costs of hedging reflects the gain or loss which is excluded from the designated hedging instrument relating to the foreign currency basis spread of currency swaps. It is initially recognised in other comprehensive income and accounted for similarly to changes in value of currency swaps.

Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to financial expenses comprise $9m (2019: $8m) net interest payable on the currency swaps and an exchange gain of $22m (2019: $30m loss) which offsets a corresponding loss/gain on the 500m 2.125% bonds and 500m 1.625% bonds (2019: 500m 2.125% bonds).

Currency translation reserve

This reserve records the movement in exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign operations and exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings and derivative financial instruments that provide a hedge against net investments in foreign operations. On adoption of IFRS, cumulative exchange differences were deemed to be $nil.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations outstanding at 31 December 2020 was $nil (2019: $1m asset, 2018: $1m asset).

Treasury shares

During 2020, 0.6m (2019: 0.8m, 2018: 0.8m) treasury shares were transferred to the employee share trusts. As a result of the 2019 share consolidation, the number of shares held in treasury reduced by 0.3m during 2019. At 31 December 2020, 5.1m shares (2019: 5.7m, 2018: 6.8m) with a nominal value of $1.4m (2019: $1.6m, 2018: $1.7m) were held as treasury shares at cost and deducted from retained earnings.

Non-controlling interest

A non-controlling interest is equity in a subsidiary of the Group not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. Non-controlling interests are not material to the Group.

30. Capital and other commitments

                  2020
$m
     

            2019 

$m 

Contracts placed for expenditure not provided for in the Group Financial Statements          
Property, plant and equipment    17    52 
Intangible assets    2    
     19    59 

The Group has also committed to invest a further $6m (2019: $6m) in one of its associates.

194 Ordinary sharesIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



31. Contingencies and guarantees

Security incidents

In 2016, the Group was notified of (a) a security incident at a number of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data, and (b) security incidents at a number of IHG branded hotels including the installation of malware on servers that processed payment cards used at restaurants and bars of 12 IHG managed properties, together the Security Incidents.

The Group may be exposed to investigations regarding compliance with applicable State and Federal data security standards, and legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the Security Incidents. Due to the general nature of the regulatory inquiries received and class action filings to date, other than described below, it is not practicable to make a reliable estimate of the possible financial effects of any such claims on the Group at this time. These contingent liabilities are potentially recoverable under the Group’s insurance programmes, although specific agreement will need to be reached with the relevant insurance providers at the time any claim is made.

To date, four lawsuits have been filed against IHG entities relating to the Security Incidents, with one subsequently withdrawn in 2018. Settlement in respect of one lawsuit was agreed in 2019, and a further lawsuit was settled on 2 September 2020. Both of these settlements are expected to be paid under the Group’s insurance programmes.

The fourth lawsuit remains open. The claimant alleges that security failures allowed customers’ financial information to be compromised. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A separate claim was filed in 2019 against Kimpton. The allegations relate to a breach of the reservation system previously used by Kimpton. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

Litigation

From time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of each being always subject to many uncertainties inherent in litigation. These legal claims and proceedings are in various stages and include disputes related to specific hotels where the potential materiality is not yet known; such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, have not in the recent past and are not likely to have a significant effect on the Group’s financial position or profitability.

Two claims were filed on 19 March 2018 and 6 December 2018 against the Group and other hotel companies, alleging violations of anti-trust regulations. One of the matters is a class action, and both suits allege that the defendant hotel companies conspired to eliminate competitive branded keyword search advertising in the hotel industry, which allegedly raised prices for hotel rooms in violation of applicable law. The Group disputes the allegations. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

The Group has also given warranties in respect of the disposal of certain of its former subsidiaries. It is the view of the Directors that, other than to the extent that liabilities have been provided for in these Group Financial Statements (see note 21), it is not possible to quantify any loss to which these proceedings or claims under these warranties may give rise, however, as at the date of reporting, the Group does not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Group’s financial position.

Third-party bank loans

In limited cases, the Group may guarantee part of mortgage loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels under IHG management or franchise agreements. These guarantee arrangements are treated as insurance contracts as IHG is insuring the bank against default by the hotel, with a liability only being recognised in the event that a payout becomes probable. At 31 December 2020, there were guarantees of up to $56m in place (2019: $55m). During 2020, the underlying mortgage loans have been subject to periods of forbearance, deferring debt service payments; and/or, in the case of several loans, have been modified to be interest only through a given time period.

The largest guarantee is $21m; the underlying managed hotel is temporarily closed and is currently subject to a principal and interest forbearance agreement. Although an entity of the Group is severally liable for this amount, there is a cross-indemnity that the Group would seek to pursue for the other partners’ share of any amount funded under the guarantee.

Other

At 31 December 2020, the Group had outstanding letters of credit of $43m (2019: $33m) mainly relating to the Group’s Captive (see note 21). The letters of credit do not have set expiry dates, but are reviewed and amended as required.

The Group has made business insurance claims in relation to a small number of owned, leased and managed properties relating to the impact of Covid-19. It is not currently possible to determine the amounts which may be recovered.

                ADRs
Special dividendLOGO

A special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019Notes to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 January 2019Group Financial Statements 203.8p262.1¢
Interim dividendIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 195


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

32. Related party disclosures

     

         2020  

$m  

     

        2019

$m

     

        2018  

$m  

Total compensation of key management personnel

             
Short-term employment benefits  10.5      15.8    18.2  
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans  0.3      0.5    0.5  
Equity compensation benefitsa  2.3      12.1    13.0  
   13.1      28.4    31.7  

a

As measured in accordance with IFRS 2.

There were no other transactions with key management personnel during the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 or 2018. Key management personnel comprises the Board and Executive Committee.

Related party disclosures for associates and joint ventures are as follows:

    Associates     Joint ventures    Total 
     

        2020

$m

     

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

     

        2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

     

        2018

$m

    

      2020

$m

     

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

 
Revenue from associates and joint ventures   1     10    9              1    1     10    10 
Other amounts owed by associates and joint ventures   11     3    1                  11     3    1 
Amounts owed to associates and joint ventures   (4    (4   (2                 (4    (4   (2

The Group has provided a guarantee of $12m (2019: $12m) against the bank loan of one associate (see note 31) and has provided performance guarantees with a maximum pay-out remaining of $10m (2019: $10m) (see note 3).

The Group funds shortfalls in owner returns relating to the Barclay associate (see note 17). In addition, loans both to and from the Barclay associate of $237m (2019: $237m) are offset in accordance with the provisions of IAS 32 and presented net in the Group statement of financial position. Interest payable and receivable under the loans is equivalent (average interest rate of 0.8% in 2020 (2019: 2.1%)) and presented net in the Group income statement.

33. System Fund

System Fund revenues comprise:

     

          2020

$m

       

         2019

$m

    

         2018

$m

 
Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels   490      1,036    979 
Loyalty programme revenues, net of the cost of point redemptions   275      337    254 
    765      1,373    1,233 

System Fund expenses include:

     

          2020  

$m  

    

         2019

$m

      

         2018  

$m  

Marketing  109      461    427  
Payroll costs (note 4)  242      313    347  
Depreciation and amortisation  62      54    49  
Impairment loss on financial assets (note 18)  24      12    11  
Other impairment charges  41          –  

196 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



34. Group companies

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of entities in which the Group has an interest of greater than or equal to 20%, the registered office and effective percentage of equity owned as at 31 December 2020 are disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, the ownership interest disclosed comprises either ordinary shares, certificated or un-certificated membership interests which are indirectly held by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Fully owned subsidiaries

24th Street Operator Sub, LLC (k)

36th Street IHG Sub, LLC (k)

426 Main Ave LLC (k)

46 Nevins Street Associates, LLC (k)

2250 Blake Street Hotel, LLC (k)

Allegro Management LLC (k)

Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC (k)

American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd. (m)

Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (n)

Barclay Operating Corp. (cj)

BHMC Canada Inc. (o)

BHR Holdings B.V. (p)

BHR Pacific Holdings, Inc. (k)

BHTC Canada Inc. (o)

Blythswood Square Glasgow Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

BOC Barclay Sub LLC (cj)

Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company (k)

Cambridge Lodging LLC (k)

Capital Lodging LLC (k)

CF Irving Owner, LLC (k)

CF McKinney Owner, LLC (k)

CF Waco Owner, LLC (k)

Compañía Inter-Continental De Hoteles

El Salvador SA (n)

Crowne Plaza LLC (k)

Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC (k)

Dunwoody Operations, Inc. (k)

Edinburgh George Street Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

Edinburgh IC Limited (cr)

EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC (k)

General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation (b) (l)

Grand Central Glasgow Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd. (t)

H.I. (Ireland) Limited (u)

H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd (ac)

HI Sugarloaf, LLC (ci)

Hale International Ltd. (ct)

HC International Holdings, Inc. (w)

HH France Holdings SAS (x)

HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V. (p)

HH Hotels (Romania) SRL (y)

HIM (Aruba) NV (z)

Hoft Properties LLC (k)

Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC (k)

Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (ab)

Holiday Inns (China) Ltd (ac)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holding (x)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS (x)

Holiday Inns (England) Limited (n)

Holiday Inns (Germany), LLC (l)

Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Middle East) Limited (ac)

Holiday Inns (Philippines), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns (UK), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (aa)

Holiday Inns Inc. (k)

Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns of America (UK) Limited (n)

Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V. (ad)

Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation (k)

Holiday Pacific LLC (k)

Holiday Pacific Partners, LP (k)

Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited (n)

Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited (n)

Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL (n)

IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH (ae)

IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal, Lda (af)

IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company (ag)

IHC Buckhead, LLC (ci)

IHC Edinburgh (Holdings) (n)

IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Hotel Limited (n)

IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC London (Holdings) (n)

IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC May Fair Hotel Limited (n)

IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited (n)

IHC UK (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC United States (Holdings) Corp. (b) (k)

IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHG (Marseille) SAS (x)

IHG (Myanmar) Ltd (ah)

IHG (Thailand) Limited (aj)

IHG Amsterdam Management BV (p)

IHG Bangkok Ltd (ct)

IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda (ak)

IHG Civ Holding Co-Investment Fund, LLC (k)

IHG Civ Holding Main Fund, LLC (k)

IHG Commission Services SRL (co)

IHG Community Development, LLC (ci)

IHG de Argentina SA (al)

IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL (co)

IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda (bd)

IHG Franchising DR Corporation (k)

IHG Franchising, LLC (k)

IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited (an)

IHG Hotels Limited (n)

IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited (b) (aa)

IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited (ao)

IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Limited (ap)

IHG International Partnership (n)

IHG Istanbul Otel Yönetim Limited Sirketi (bx)

IHG Japan (Management) LLC (ar)

IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC (ar)

IHG Management (Maryland) LLC (as)

IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V. (p)

IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd (cc)

IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC (cj)

IHG Management SL d.o.o (bo)

IHG Mexico Operaciones SA de CV (ab)

IHG Orchard Street Member, LLC (k)

IHG Peru SRL (dd)

IHG PS Nominees Limited (n)

IHG Sermex SA de CV (ab)

IHG Systems Pty Ltd (b) (aa)

IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft. (at)

IHG Technology Solutions LLC (k)

IND East Village SD Holdings, LLC (k)

InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH (au)

InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited (c) (n)

InterContinental (PB) 1 (n)

InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited (n)

InterContinental Brasil Administracao de

Hoteis Ltda (q)

Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp. (k)

InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L. (by)

Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation (k)

InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH (au)

InterContinental Hotel Düsseldorf GmbH (av)

Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada (aw)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp. (ax)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp. (ax)

InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc. (az)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (ai)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation (k)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A. (ba)

Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited (b) (m)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd (ai)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited (aa)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc. (o)

InterContinental Hotels Group (España) SA (by)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited (ac)

InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd (aq)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc. (l)

InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited (an)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd. (bb)

InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada (bc)

InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp. (e) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, LLC (b) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company (n)

InterContinental Hotels Italia, S.r.L. (be)

InterContinental Hotels Limited (a) (n)

InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH (bf)

InterContinental Hotels Management Montenegro d.o.o. (ce)

InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation (ck)

Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc. (k)

Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited (bg)

InterContinental Management AM LLC (cm)

InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD (bp)

InterContinental Management France SAS (x)

InterContinental Management Poland sp. Z.o.o (cn)

InterContinental Overseas Holdings, LLC (k)

KG Benefits LLC (k)

KG Gift Card Inc. (bz)

KG Liability LLC (k)

KG Technology, LLC (k)

KHP Washington Operator LLC (k)

KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC (k)

KHRG 851 LLC (k)

KHRG Aertson LLC (k)

KHRG Alexis, LLC (k)

KHRG Allegro, LLC (k)

KHRG Argyle, LLC (k)

KHRG Austin Beverage Company, LLC (k)

KHRG Baltimore, LLC (k)

KHRG Born LLC (k)

KHRG Boston Hotel, LLC (k)

KHRG Bozeman LLC (k)

KHRG Buckhead LLC (k)

KHRG Canary LLC (k)

KHRG Cayman LLC (k)

KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd. (k)

KHRG Dallas LLC (k)

KHRG Dallas Beverage Company LLC (k)

KHRG DC 1731 LLC (k)

KHRG DC 2505 LLC (k)

KHRG Employer, LLC (k)

KHRG Goleta LLC (k)

KHRG Gray LLC (k)

KHRG Gray U2 LLC (k)

KHRG Huntington Beach LLC (k)

KHRG Key West LLC (k)

KHRG King Street, LLC (k)

LOGO

An interim dividend was paid on 3 October 2019Notes to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 30 August 2019Group Financial Statements 32.0p39.9¢
Final dividendIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 
Subject to shareholder approval, payable on 14 May 2020 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 3 April 2020N/Aa85.9¢197

a

The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 24 April 2020 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 21 April 2020 to 23 April 2020 inclusive.


Major institutional shareholdersGroup Financial Statements

As at 17 February 2020, the Company had been notified of the following significant holdings in its ordinary shares under the UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTRs):

 

     As at 17 February 2020     As at 18 February 2019     As at 19 February 2018 
     Ordinary           Ordinary           Ordinary       
Shareholder    shares/ADSsa                         %a     shares/ADSsa                         %a     shares/ADSsa                     %a 
BlackRock, Inc.    9,939,317b     5.46     10,165,234     5.60     11,280,241     5.92 
Boron Investments B.V.    11,450,000     6.01     11,450,000     6.01     11,850,000     5.02 
Cedar Rock Capital Limited    14,923,417     5.07     14,923,417     5.07     14,923,417     5.07 
Fiera Capital Corporation    11,037,891     6.06     9,662,767     5.07     7,707,008     4.06 
Fundsmith LLP    10,222,246     5.18     10,222,246     5.18     10,222,246     5.18 

a

The number of shares and percentage of voting rights was determined at the time of the relevant disclosures made in accordance with Rule 5 of the DTRs and doesn’t necessarily reflect the impact of any share consolidation or any changes in shareholding subsequent to the date of notification that are not required to be notified to us under the DTRs.

b

Total shown includes 772,402 qualifying financial instruments to which voting rights are attached.

In additionNotes to the above notifications, theGroup Financial Statements continued

34. Group companies continued

Fully owned subsidiaries continued

KHRG La Peer LLC (k)

KHRG Miami Beach LLC (k)

KHRG Muse LLC (k)

KHRG New Orleans LLC (k)

KHRG NPC LLC (k)

KHRG Palladian LLC (k)

KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC (k)

KHRG Philly Monaco LLC (k)

KHRG Pittsburgh LLC (k)

KHRG Porsche Drive LLC (k)

KHRG Reynolds LLC (k)

KHRG Riverplace LLC (k)

KHRG Sacramento LLC (k)

KHRG Savannah LLC (k)

KHRG Schofield LLC (k)

KHRG SFD LLC (k)

KHRG SF Wharf LLC (k)

KHRG SF Wharf U2 LLC (k)

KHRG South Beach LLC (k)

KHRG State Street LLC (k)

KHRG Sutter LLC (k)

KHRG Sutter Union LLC (k)

KHRG Taconic LLC (k)

KHRG Tariff LLC (k)

KHRG Texas Hospitality, LLC (k)

KHRG Texas Operations, LLC (k)

KHRG Tryon LLC (k)

KHRG Vero Beach, LLC (k)

KHRG Vintage Park LLC (k)

KHRG VZ Austin LLC (k)

KHRG Wabash LLC (k)

KHRG Westwood, LLC (k)

KHRG Wilshire LLC (k)

Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC (k)

Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC (k)

Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC (k)

Louisiana Acquisitions Corp. (k)

Luxury Resorts and Spas (France) SAS (dc)

Manchester Oxford Street Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC (k)

Met Leeds Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

MH Lodging LLC (k)

Oxford Spires Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Oxford Thames Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

PML Services LLC (as)

Pollstrong Limited (n)

Powell Pine, Inc. (k)

Priscilla Holiday of Texas, Inc. (cl)

PT Regent Indonesia (bh)

PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia (bh)

Raison d’Etre Holdings (BVI) Limited (v)

Raison d’Etre Services (BVI) Limited (v)

Raison d’Etre Spas, LLC (k)

Raison d’Etre Spas, Sweden AB (db)

Regent Asia Pacific Hotel Management Ltd (bw)

Regent Asia Pacific Management Ltd (cp)

Regent Berlin GmbH (cq)

Regent International Hotels Ltd (bw)

Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P. (ci)

Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh OpCo Limited (n)

Russell London Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

SBS Maryland Beverage Company had been notifiedLLC (as)

SC Hotels International Services, Inc. (k)

SC Leisure Group Limited (n)

SC NAS 2 Limited (n)

SC Quest Limited (n)

SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc. (l)

SCH Insurance Company (bi)

SCIH Branston 3 (cb)

Semiramis for training of the following holdings in its ordinary shares:Hotel Personnel and

Hotel Management SAE (ch)

SF MH Acquisition LLC (k)

Six Continents Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA (bj)

Six Continents Hotels International Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels, Inc. (k)

Six Continents International Holdings B.V. (p)

Six Continents Investments Limited (f) (n)

Six Continents Limited (n)

Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Restaurants Limited (n)

SixCo North America, Inc. (w)

Six Senses Americas IP LLC (k)

Six Senses Capital Pte. Ltd (ay)

Six Senses North America Management LLC (k)

SLC Sustainable Luxury Cyprus Limited (cs)

Solamar Lodging LLC (k)

Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited (v)

SPHC Management Ltd. (bq)

St David’s Cardiff Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited (v)

Sustainable Luxury Lanka Pvt. Ltd (cv)

Sustainable Luxury Maldives Private Limited (cw)

Sustainable Luxury Mauritius Limited (cx)

Sustainable Luxury Services (BVI) Limited (v)

Sustainable Luxury Singapore Private Limited (ai)

Sustainable Luxury UK Limited (cy)

Sustainable Luxury USA Limited (cz)

The Capital Group Companies, Inc. notifiedGrand Central Hotel Glasgow Limited (n)

The Met Hotel Leeds Limited (n)

The Principal Edinburgh George Street Limited (n)

The Principal London Limited (n)

The Principal Manchester Limited (n)

The Principal York Limited (n)

The Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh Limited (s)

Vista Rockville FF&E, LLC (as)

White Shield Insurance Company Limited (bk)

Wotton House Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

York Station Road Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Subsidiaries where the Company on 6 September 2019 that it heldeffective interest is less than 5% of voting rights.100%

FMRIHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC notified the(74.66%) (ar)

IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co., Ltd. (66%) (ar)

Regent Hospitality Worldwide, Inc. (51%) (bt)

Sustainable Luxury Holding (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Hospitality (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Management (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Operations (Thailand) Ltd (99.98%) (j) (cu)

Universal de Hoteles SA (9.99%) (j) (bj)

World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation (74.11%) (bl)

Associates, joint ventures and other

111 East 48th Street Holdings LLC (19.9%) (g) (h) (k)

Alkoer, S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (h) (cg)

BCRE IHG 180 Orchard Holdings LLC (49%) (g) (cf)

Beijing Orient Express Hotel Co., Ltd. (16.15%) (bm)

Blue Blood (Tianjin) Equity Investment

Management Co., Limited (30.05%) (bn)

Carr Clark SWW Subventure, LLC (26.67%) (g) (ca)

Carr Waterfront Hotel, LLC (11.46%) (g) (h) (ca)

China Hotel Investment Limited (30.05%) (i) (am)

Desarrollo Alkoer Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Saltillo S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Silao S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

EDG Alpharetta EH LLC (0%) (d) (h) (r)

Gestion Hotelera Gestel, C.A. (50%) (c) (h) (ba)

Groups360 LLC (13.05%) (h) (k)

H.I. Soaltee Hotel Company on 22 January 2020 that it held less than 5% of voting rights.Private Ltd (26%) (br)

As at 17 February 2020, the Company had not received any further notifications in relation to the holdings referred to above.Inter-Continental Hotels Saudi Arabia Limited (40%) (bs)

NF III Seattle, LLC (25%) (g) (r)

NF III Seattle Op Co, LLC (25%) (g) (r)

Nuevas Fronteras S.A. (23.66%) (cd)

President Hotel & Tower Co Ltd. (30%) (bu)

Shanghai Yuhuan Industrial Development Co., Ltd (1%) (da)

Sustainable Luxury Gravity Global Private Limited (51%) (h) (de)

SURF-Samui Pte. Ltd (49%) (ay)

Tianjin ICBCI IHG Equity Investment Fund

Management Co., Limited (21.04%) (bv)

 

   Key
    (a)Directly owned by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC
    (b)Ordinary shares and preference shares
    (c)Ordinary A and ordinary B shares
    (d)8% cumulative preference shares
    (e)1/4vote ordinary shares and ordinary shares
    (f)Ordinary shares, 5% cumulative
preference shares and 7% cumulative preference shares
    (g)The entities do not have share capital and are governed by an operating agreement
    (h)Accounted for as associates and joint ventures due to IHG’s decision-making rights contained in the partnership agreement
    (i)Accounted for as an other financial asset due to IHG being unable to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity
    (j)Minority interest relates to one or more individual shareholders who are employed or were previously employed by the entity

198IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020



Registered addresses
(k)3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, DE 19810, USA
(l)205 Powell Place, 37027 Brentwood, TN 37027, USA
(m)Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda
(n)Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR, UK
(o)333 Bay Street, Suite 400, Toronto M5H 2R2, Ontario, Canada
(p)Kingsfordweg 151, 1043 GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(q)Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3s-A, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(r)The Corporation Trust Centre, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
(s)Caledonian Exchange, 19a Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HE, UK
(t)Building 4, No. 13 Xiao Gang Zhong Ma Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
(u)29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 AY28, Ireland
(v)Flemming House, Wickhams Cay, P.O.Box 662, Road Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands
(w)Wilmington Trust SP Services, Inc. 1105 North Market Street, Suite 1300, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
(x)31–33 rue Mogador, 75009 Paris, France
(y)Bucharest, 1st District, 50–52 Buzesti St, 83 module, 11 floor, Romania
(z)230 J E Irausquin Boulevard, Palm Beach, Aruba
(aa)Level 11, 20 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
(ab)Ontario # 1050, Col. Providencia. Guadalajara, Jalisco CP 44630, Mexico
(ac)Level 54, Hopewell Center, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong SAR
(ad)Rond-Point Robert Schuman 11, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
(ae)QBC 4 – Am Belvedere 4, 1100, Vienna, Austria
(af)Avenida da Republica, no 52 – 9, 1069 – 211, Lisbon, Portugal
(ag)24, Rusakovskaya Str., Moscow 107014, Russian Federation
(ah)No. 84, Pan Hlaing Street, Unit #1, Level 8, Uniteam Marine Office Building, Sanchuang Township, Yangon, Myanmar
(ai)230 Victoria Street, #13-00 Bugis Junction Towers, 188024, Singapore
(aj)973 President Tower, 7th Floor, Units 7A, 7F, 7G and 7H, Ploenchit Road, Khwaeng Lumpini, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok Metropolis, 10330, Thailand
(ak)Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-B, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil
(al)Avenida Cordoba 1547, piso 8, oficina A, Buenos Aires, Argentina
(am)The Phoenix Centre, George Street, Belleville St. Michael, Barbados
(an)Level 10, 2 Commerce Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
(ao)1, Murtala Muhammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
(ap)Central Office Park Unit 4, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion 0157, South Africa
(aq)11th Floor, Building No. 10, Tower C, DLF Phase-II, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon, Haryana-122002, India

(ar)

20th Floor, Toranomon Kotohira Tower, 2–8, Toranomon 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

(as)

2 Wisconsin Circle #700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA

(at)

1052 Budapest, Apáczai Csere János u. 12 – 14A, Hungary

(au)

Budapester Str. 2, 10787 Berlin, Germany

(av)

Koenigsallee 59, D-40215, Dusseldorf, Germany

(aw)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-E, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(ax)

1980 Pérodeau Street, Vaudreuil-Dorion J7V 8P7, Quebec, Canada

(ay)

168 Robinson Road, #16-01 SIF Building, 068899, Singapore

(az)

361 San Francisco Street Penthouse, San Juan, PR 00901, Puerto Rico

(ba)

Hotel Tamanaco Inter-Continental, Final Av. Ppal, Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela

(bb)

22nd Floor, Citigroup Tower, No. 33 Huayuanshiqiao Road, Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China

(bc)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-C, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(bd)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-D, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(be)

Viale Monte Nero n.84, 20135 Milano, Italy

(bf)

Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 6 – 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

(bg)

JurisTax Services Ltd, Level 12, NeXTeracom Tower II, Ebene, Mauritius

(bh)

Menara Impreium 22nd Floor, Suite D, JI. HR. Rasuna Said Kav.1, Guntur Sub-district, Setiabudi District, South Jakarta 12980, Indonesia

(bi)

Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC, 30 Main St., Suite 500, P.O. Box 1489, Burlington, VT 05402-1489, USA

(bj)

Calle 49, Sur 45 A 300 Of 1102 Envigado Antioquia, Colombia

(bk)

Suite B, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway, Gibraltar

(bl)

Suite 2500, 1000 De La Gauchetiere St. West, Montreal QC H3B 0A2, Canada

(bm)

Room 311, Building 1, No 6 East Wen Hua Yuan Road, Beijing Economy and Technology Development Zone, Beijing, P.R.China

(bn)

Room N306, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R. China

(bo)

Cesta v Mestni log 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

(bp)

37A Professor Fridtjof Nansen Street, 5th Floor, District Sredets, Sofia, 1142, Bulgaria

(bq)

C/o Holiday Inn & Suites, Cnr Waigani Drive & Wards Road, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

(br)

Tahachal, Kathmandu, Nepal

(bs)

Madinah Road, Jeddah, P.O Box 9456, Post Code 21413, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(bt)

Maples Corporate Services Ltd. – PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman – KY- 1104, Cayman Islands

(bu)

971, 973 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

(bv)

Room R316, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R. China

(bw)

14th Floor, South China Building, 1-3 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong SAR

(bx)

Eski Büyükdere Cd. Park Plaza No:14 K:4 Maslak – Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey

(by)

Paseo de Recoletos 37 – 41, 28004 Madrid, Spain

(bz)

2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, Sacramento, CA 95833-3505, USA

(ca)

Carr Hospitality, LLC, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20004, USA

(cb)

Two Snowhill Snow Hill Queensway Birmingham B4 6GA

(cc)

Krunska 73, Beograd, 11000, Serbia

(cd)

Moreno 809 2 Piso, Buenos Aires, Argentina

(ce)

Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog 149 – 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

(cf)

Brack Capital Real Estate Ltd., 885 Third Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA

(cg)

Avenida Ejercito Nacional Mexicano No. 769, Torre B Piso 8, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México, CP 11520, Mexico

(ch)

Ground Floor, Al Kamel Law Building, Plot 52-b, Banks Area, Six of October City, Egypt

(ci)

2985 Gordy Parkway, 1st Floor, Marietta, GA 30066, USA

(cj)

600 Mamaroneck Avenue #400, 10528 Harrison, NY 10528, USA

(ck)

8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, NV 89123, USA

(cl)

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, TX 77056, USA

(cm)

23/6 D. Anhaght Str., Yerevan, 0069, Armenia

(cn)

Generation Park Z – ul. Towarowa 28, 00-839 Warsaw, Poland

(co)

Suite 1, Ground Floor, The Financial Services Centre, Bishops Court Hill, St. Michael, Barbados, BB14004

(cp)

Brumby Centre, Lot 42, Jalan Muhibbah, 87000 Labuan F.T., Malaysia

(cq)

Charlottenstrasse 49, Berlin, 10117, Germany

(cr)

C/O BDO LLP, 4 Atlantic Quay, 70 York Street, Glasgow G2 8JX, UK

(cs)

ATS Services Limited, Capital Center, 9th Floor, 2-4 Arch. Makarios III Ave., 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus

(ct)

Start Chambers, Wickham’s Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands

(cu)

57, 9th Floor, Park Ventures Ecoplex, Unit 902-904, Wireless Road, Limpini, Pathum Wan Bangkok 10330, Thailand

(cv)

Shop No. L3-6, Amity Building, No. 125, Highlevel Road, Maharagama, Colombo, Sri Lanka

(cw)

Premier Chambers, M.Lux Lodge, 1st Floor, Orchid Magu, Male, Republic of Maldives

(cx)

Venture Corporate Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Level 3, Tower 1, Nexteracom Towers, Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius

(cy)

Berg Kaprow Lewis LLP, 35 Ballards Lane, DX 57284 Finchley 2, London, N3 1XW, UK

(cz)

251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE19808, USA.

(da)

1st Floor, No.68, Zhupan Road, Zhuqiao Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

(db)

Grevgatan 13, 11453 Stockholm, Sweden

(dc)

95 Blvd. Berthier, 75017 Paris, France

(dd)

Bernardo Monteagudo 201, 15076, Lima, Peru

(de)

B-11515 Bhikaj Cama Place, New Delhi, South Delhi, India, 110066

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LOGO


Additional Information

Other financial information

Use of Non-GAAP measures

In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures.

LOGOFurther explanation in relation to these measures and their definitions can be found on pages 47 to 51.

Revenue and operating profit Non-GAAP reconciliations

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2020

Reportable segments

     Revenue     Operating profit 
      

            2020

$m

      

            2019

$

                 Change
$m
      

        Change

%

                 2020
$m
                  2019
$m
             Change
$m
      

        Change

%

 
Per Group income statement       2,394     4,627    (2,233    (48.3      (153    630    (783    (124.3
System Fund    (765    (1,373   608     (44.3   102     49    53     108.2 
Reimbursement of costs    (637    (1,171   534     (45.6                  
Operating exceptional items                      270     186    84     45.2 
Reportable segments    992     2,083    (1,091    (52.4   219     865    (646    (74.7
                     

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                   
Fee business    823     1,510    (687    (45.5   278     813    (535    (65.8
Owned, leased and managed lease    169     573    (404    (70.5   (59 ��  52    (111    (213.5
      992        2,083       (1,091       (52.4      219        865       (646       (74.7

 

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

                     
     Revenue     Operating profit 
      

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

     

Change

$m

      

Change

%

     

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

     

Change

$m

      

Change

%

 
Reportable segments (see above)    992     2,083    (1,091    (52.4   219     865    (646    (74.7
Significant liquidated damages    (1    (11   10     (90.9   (1    (11   10     (90.9
Owned asset disposalsa    (2    (12   10     (83.3   (3    (2   (1    50.0 
Currency impact                           (2         
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    989     2,060    (1,071    (52.0   215     850    (635       (74.7%) 

a

The results of the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport have been removed in 2020 (being the year of disposal) and the prior year to determine underlying growth compared to the prior year.

Underlying fee revenue

     Revenue 
        

            2020

$m

      

            2019

$m

     

        Change

$m

      

        Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)    823     1,510    (687    (45.5
Significant liquidated damages    (1    (11   10     (90.9
Currency impact         (4   4      
Underlying fee revenue    822     1,495    (673    (45.0)ª 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

212IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Highlights by region for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)

Americas

     Revenue    Operating profitb 
      

        2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

          Change
$m
    

    Change

%

            2020
$m
              2019
$m
        Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    512    1,040     (528   (50.8   296     700    (404    (57.7
                    

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                          
Fee business    457    853     (396   (46.4   323     663    (340    (51.3
Owned, leased and managed lease    55    187     (132   (70.6   (27    37    (64    (173.0
      512     1,040        (528    (50.8    296        700     (404       (57.7
                    
Reportable segments (see above)    512    1,040     (528   (50.8   296     700    (404    (57.7
Currency impact        (5    5             (4   4      
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    512    1,035     (523   (50.5   296     696    (400    (57.5

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

EMEAA

    Revenue    Operating profitb 
     

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

    

    Change

$m

      

    Change

%

    

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

    

    Change

$m

      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2   221     723    (502    (69.4   (50    217    (267    (123.0
                    

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                            
Fee business   107     337    (230    (68.2   (18    202    (220    (108.9
Owned, leased and managed lease   114     386    (272    (70.5   (32    15    (47    (313.3
     221        723     (502       (69.4    (50       217     (267       (123.0
                    
Reportable segments (see above)   221     723    (502    (69.4   (50    217    (267    (123.0
Significant liquidated damages   (1    (11   10     (90.9   (1    (11   10     (90.9
Owned asset disposalsc   (2    (12   10     (83.3   (3    (2   (1    50.0 
Currency impact        4    (4             2    (2     
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit   218     704    (486    (69.0   (54    206    (260    (126.2

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

c

The results of the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport have been removed in 2020 (being the year of disposal) and the prior year to determine underlying growth compared to the prior year.

Greater China

     Revenue    Operating profitb 
      

        2020

$m

      

         2019

$m

         Change
$m
      

    Change

%

            2020
$m
               2019
$m
          Change
$m
     

     Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    77     135     (58    (43.0   35      73    (38    (52.1
                       

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                             
Fee business     77        135      (58       (43.0    35         73     (38     (52.1
                       
Reportable segments (see above)    77     135     (58    (43.0   35      73    (38    (52.1
Currency impact         2     (2                        
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    77     137     (60    (43.8   35      73    (38    (52.1

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020213


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

    

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2019

Reportable segments

       Revenue       Operating profit 
        

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

               2019
$m
               2018
$m
           Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement     4,627     4,337     290     6.7      630      582      48     8.2 
System Fund     (1,373    (1,233    (140    11.4      49      146      (97    (66.4
Reimbursement of costs     (1,171    (1,171                                 
Operating exceptional items                          186      104      82     78.8 
Reportable segments     2,083     1,933     150     7.8      865      832      33     4.0 
                            

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                            
Fee business     1,510     1,486     24     1.6      813      793      20     2.5 
Owned, leased and managed lease     573     447     126     28.2      52      39      13     33.3 
         2,083        1,933        150        7.8         865         832         33        4.0 

Underlying fee revenue

       Revenue 
        

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)     1,510     1,486     24     1.6 
Significant liquidated damages     (11    (13    2     (15.4
Acquisitionsa     (14         (14     
Currency impact          (17    17      
Underlying fee revenue     1,485     1,456     29     2.0b  

a

The results of acquired businesses (Six Senses and two UK portfolio hotels) are removed only in the year of acquisition when determining underlying growth compared to the prior year.

b

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2018

Reportable segments

       Revenue      Operating profit 
        

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

              2018
$m
               2017
$m
          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement     4,337     4,075     262     6.4     582      744     (162    (21.8
System Fund     (1,233    (1,242    9     (0.7    146      34     112     329.4 
Reimbursement of costs     (1,171    (1,103    (68    6.2                      
Operating exceptional items                         104      (4    108     (2,700.0
Reportable segments     1,933     1,730     203     11.7     832      774     58     7.5 
                          

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                          
Fee business     1,486     1,379     107     7.8     793      731     62     8.5 
Owned, leased and managed lease     447     351     96     27.4     39      43     (4    (9.3
         1,933        1,730        203        11.7        832         774        58        7.5 

Underlying fee revenue

       Revenue 
        

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

            Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)     1,486     1,379      107     7.8 
Significant liquidated damages     (13          (13     
Acquisitionsa     (1          (1     
Currency impact          4      (4     
Underlying fee revenue     1,472     1,383      89     6.4b 

a

The results of acquired businesses (Regent and the UK portfolio) are removed only in the year of acquisition when determining underlying growth compared to the prior year.

b

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

214IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Fee margin reconciliation

        

    2020

$m

      

    2019

$m

      

      2018

$m

      

      2017

$m

 
Revenue                         
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (page 150)     823     1,510     1,486     1,379 
Significant liquidated damages     (1    (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (19    (19    (11    (9
      803     1,480     1,462     1,370 
Operating profit                         
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (pages 212 and 214)     278     813     793     731 
Significant liquidated damages     (1    (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (3    (1    (1     
      274     801     779     731 
                          
Fee margina     34.1%     54.1%     53.3%     53.4% 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 45.

Net capital expenditure reconciliation

       

12 months ended

31 December

 
$m      

      2020

$m

      

      2019

$m

 
Net cash from investing activities     (61    (493
Adjusted for:             

Contract acquisition costs net of repayments

     (64    (61

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

     58     49 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

          292 

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

          2 
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211
Analysed as:             

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including contract acquisition costs, net of repayments of $64m (2019: $61m))

     (107    (147

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

     17     (15

Capital expenditure: System Fund capital investments

     23     (49
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211

a

Excludes depreciation on right-of-use assets.

Gross capital expenditure reconciliation

       12 months ended
31 December
 
$m      

      2020

$m

      

      2019

$m

 
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211
Add back:             

Disposal receipts

     (18    (4

Repayments of contract acquisition costs

          (1

Distributions from associates and joint ventures

     (5     

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

     (58    (49
Gross capital expenditure     (148    (265
Analysed as:             

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including gross contract acquisition costs of $64m (2019: $62m))

     (107    (148

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

     (6    (19

Capital expenditure: System Fund capital investments

     (35    (98
Gross capital expenditure     (148    (265

a

Excludes depreciation on right-of-use assets.

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020215


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Free cash flow reconciliation

       12 months ended 31 December 
      

        2020

$m

 

 

    

        2019

$m

 

 

    

        2018

$m

 

 

    

        2017

$m

 

 

    

        2016

$m

ª 

 

Net cash from operating activities     137     653     709     616     710 
Adjusted for:                               

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

          6                

Principal element of lease payments

     (65    (59    (35    (25     

Purchase of shares by employee share trusts

          (5    (3    (3    (10

Capital expenditure: maintenance (excluding contract acquisition costs)

     (43    (86    (60    (72    (54

Cash receipt from renegotiation of long-term partnership agreement

                         (95
Free cash flowb     29     509     611     516     551 

a

Does not include the impact of IFRS 15 or IFRS 16.

b

Reported as a KPI on page 45.

Adjusted interest reconciliation

       

12 months ended

31 December

 
        

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

 
Net financial expenses             
Financial income     4     6 
Financial expenses     (144    (121
      (140    (115
Adjusted for:             

Interest payable on balances with the System Fund

     (3    (13

Capitalised interest relating to System Fund assets

     (1    (5

Exceptional financial expenses

     14      
      10     (18
Adjusted interest     (130    (133

Adjusted EBITDAª reconciliation

        

        2020

$m

      

          2019

$m

       

           2018

$m

 
Operating profit     (153    630      582 
Add back                    

System Fund result

     102     49      146 

Operating exceptional items

     270     186      104 

Depreciation and amortisation

     110     116      115 
Adjusted EBITDA     329     981      947 

a

For covenant purposes, calculated on a frozen GAAP basis, adjusted EBITDA is $272m (2019: $897m).

216IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Revenue per available room (RevPAR), average daily rate and occupancy

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry. RevPAR comprises IHG System rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). Occupancy rate is rooms occupied by hotel guests expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available. ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and average daily rate are presented on a comparable basis comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

The following tables present RevPAR statistics for the year ended 31 December 2020 and a comparison to 2019. Fee business and owned, leased and managed lease statistics are for comparable hotels and include only those hotels in the Group’s System at 31 December 2020 and franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease by the Group since 1 January 2019. The comparison with 2019 is at constant US$ exchange rates.

       Fee business       

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
        2020       

Change vs

2019

       2020       

Change vs

2019

 
Americas                            
InterContinental                            
Occupancy     24.9%      (47.2)ppt             
Average daily rate     $178.70      (16.0%)             
RevPAR     $44.46      (71.0%)             
Kimpton                            
Occupancy     28.4%      (50.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $212.25      (15.5)%             
RevPAR     $60.31      (69.7)%             
Crowne Plaza                            
Occupancy     27.6%      (36.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $104.03      (18.6)%             
RevPAR     $28.76      (65.1)%             
Hotel Indigo                            
Occupancy     39.1%      (33.0)ppt             
Average daily rate     $129.15      (20.6)%             
RevPAR     $50.46      (57.0)%             
EVEN Hotels                            
Occupancy     30.2%      (45.4)ppt      41.2%      (34.8)ppt 
Average daily rate     $104.18      (35.4)%      $104.80      (29.9)% 
RevPAR     $31.42      (74.2)%      $43.21      (62.0)% 
Holiday Inn                            
Occupancy     36.5%      (29.4)ppt      32.1%      (51.3)ppt 
Average daily rate     $98.21      (13.4)%      $179.34      (1.7)% 
RevPAR     $35.90      (52.0)%      $57.56      (62.2)% 
Holiday Inn Express                            
Occupancy     45.7%      (23.1)ppt             
Average daily rate     $100.19      (12.1)%             
RevPAR     $45.81      (41.6)%             
Staybridge Suites                            
Occupancy     55.4%      (19.3)ppt             
Average daily rate     $100.48      (13.7)%             
RevPAR     $55.69      (36.0)%             
Candlewood Suites                            
Occupancy     61.7%      (10.6)ppt             
Average daily rate     $78.97      (9.8)%             
RevPAR     $48.74      (23.0)%             

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020217


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancy continued

       Fee business       

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
        2020       

Change vs

2019

       2020       

Change vs

2019

 
EMEAA                            
InterContinental                            
Occupancy     31.9%      (40.5)ppt      24.5%      (49.7)ppt 
Average daily rate     $157.63      (20.2)%      $304.25      0.6% 
RevPAR     $50.34      (64.8)%      $74.65      (66.7)% 
Crowne Plaza                            
Occupancy     30.2%      (43.5)ppt             
Average daily rate     $105.13      (13.4)%             
RevPAR     $31.72      (64.5)%             
Hotel Indigo                            
Occupancy     27.8%      (51.1)ppt             
Average daily rate     $107.49      (25.3)%             
RevPAR     $29.90      (73.7)%             
Holiday Inn                            
Occupancy     31.9%      (41.6)ppt             
Average daily rate     $80.88      (17.8)%             
RevPAR     $25.80      (64.3)%             
Holiday Inn Express                            
Occupancy     35.4%      (41.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $67.29      (22.4)%             
RevPAR     $23.85      (64.5)%             
Staybridge Suites                            
Occupancy     41.4%      (30.2)ppt             
Average daily rate     $114.94      (7.7)%             
RevPAR     $47.61      (46.6)%             
Greater China                            
InterContinental                            
Occupancy     45.1%      (18.7)ppt             
Average daily rate     $103.33      (10.6)%             
RevPAR     $46.64      (36.8)%             
HUALUXE                            
Occupancy     44.6%      (6.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $58.78      (8.2)%             
RevPAR     $26.24      (20.4)%             
Crowne Plaza                            
Occupancy     40.6%      (18.3)ppt             
Average daily rate     $67.84      (10.7)%             
RevPAR     $27.54      (38.4)%             
Hotel Indigo                            
Occupancy     42.7%      (19.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $108.63      (17.8)%             
RevPAR     $46.34      (44.0)%             
Holiday Inn                            
Occupancy     39.6%      (22.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $52.50      (16.4)%             
RevPAR     $20.80      (46.9)%             
Holiday Inn Express                            
Occupancy     43.4%      (17.7)ppt             
Average daily rate     $37.18      (16.5)%             
RevPAR     $16.14      (40.6)%             

218IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Directors’ Report continued

 

 

This Directors’ Report includes the information required to be given in line with the Companies Act or, where provided elsewhere, an appropriate cross reference is given. The Company’s major shareholders haveGovernance Report approved by the same voting rights as other shareholders. Board is provided on pages 74 to 111 and incorporated by reference herein.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings

The Group has over 400 subsidiaries, joint ventures and related undertakings (including branches). A list of subsidiaries and associated undertakings disclosed in accordance with the Companies Act is provided at note 34 of the Group Financial Statements on pages 197 to 199.

Directors

LOGOFor biographies of the current Directors see pages 76 to 79.

Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) liability insurance and existence of qualifying indemnity provisions

The Company does not know of any arrangementsmaintains the operation ofGroup’s D&O liability insurance policy, which may result in a change in its control.

For further details on shareholder profiles, see page 244.

2019 share awardscovers Directors and grants to employees

Our current policy is to settle the majority of awards or grants under the Company’s share plans with shares purchased in the market or from shares held in treasury; however, the Company continues to review this policy. The Company’s share plans incorporate the current Investment Associations’ guidelines on dilution which provide that commitments to new shares orre-issue treasury shares under executive plans should not exceed 5% of the issued ordinary share capitalOfficers of the Company (adjusted for share issuance and cancellation)defending civil proceedings brought against them in any10-year period. During the financial year ended 31 December 2019,their capacity as Directors or Officers of the Company transferred 801,242 treasury shares (0.43% of issued share capital)(including those who served as Directors or Officers during the year). There were no indemnity provisions relating to satisfy obligations under its share plans.

The estimated maximum dilution from awards made under the Company’s share plans over the last 10 years is 3.1%.

As at 31 December 2019, no options were outstanding. The Company has not utilised the authority given by shareholders at any of its AGMs to allot shares for cash without first offering such shares to existing shareholders.

Employee share ownership trust (ESOT)

IHG operates an ESOTUK pension plan for the benefit of employees and former employees. The ESOT receives treasury shares from the Company and purchases ordinary shares in the market and releases them to current and former employees in satisfaction of share awards. During 2019, the ESOT released 868,857 shares and at 31 December 2019 it held 160,313 ordinary shares in the Company. The ESOT adopts a prudent approach to purchasing shares, using funds provided by the Group, based on expectations of future requirements.Directors during 2020.

Where shares held in the ESOT have been allocated to share plan participants on terms that entitle those participants to request or require the trustee of the ESOT to exercise the voting rights relating to those shares, the trustee shall exercise those votes in accordance with the directions of the participants. In respect of shares in the ESOT that have not been allocated to share plan participants, or have not been allocated on such terms, the trustee may vote or abstain from exercising their voting rights in relation to those shares, or accept or reject any offer relating to the shares, in any way it sees fit.

Unless otherwise requested by the Company, the trustee of the ESOT waives all ordinary dividends on the shares held in the ESOT, other than shares which have been allocated to participants on terms which entitle them to the benefit of dividends, except for such amount per share as shall, when multiplied by the number of shares held by it on the relevant date, equal one pence or less.

Colleague Share Plan

The Colleague Share Plan gives eligible corporate employees the opportunity to purchase shares up to an annual limit of $1,000 (or local currency equivalent limit) or such other amount determined by the Board or its duly authorised committee. After the end of the plan year, the participant will be awarded the right to receive one matching share for every purchased share (subject to continued employment). If the participant holds the purchased shares until the second anniversary of the end of the plan year, the conditional right to matching shares vests. During the year, 36,298 (2019: nil, 2018: nil) shares were purchased by participating employees. Matching shares will be awarded for the first cycle in 2021 and will vest after 12 months.

LOGOMore detailed information on the performance measures for awards to Executive Directors is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 111.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020191


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

28. Share-based payments continued

The Group recognised a cost of $19m (2019: $28m, 2018: $27m) in operating (loss)/profit and $nil (2019: $1m, 2018: $1m) within exceptional administrative expenses related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions during the year, net of $11m (2019: $12m, 2018: $11m) borne by the System Fund. The Group also recognised a cost of $2m (2019: $2m, 2018: $nil) in operating (loss)/profit related to cash-settled share-based payment transactions.

No consideration was received in respect of ordinary shares issued under option schemes during 2020, 2019 or 2018.

The Group uses separate option pricing models and assumptions depending on the plan. The following table sets out information about awards granted in 2020, 2019 and 2018 under the APP and LTIP. The total fair value of the Colleague Share Plan is not significant.

                     APP                     LTIP 
                             Monte Carlo Simulation and 
     Binomial valuation model     Binomial valuation model 
      2020     2019     2018     2020     2019     2018 
Weighted average share price (pence)    3,771.0     4,597.0     4,645.0     3,450.0     4,850.0     4,774.0 
Expected dividend yield    n/a     n/a     n/a     1.48%     2.16%     2.27% 
Risk-free interest rate                      0.02%     0.72%     0.84% 
Volatilitya                      33%     19%     25% 
Term (years)    3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0 

a

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price corresponding to the expected life of the share award.

Movements in the awards outstanding under the schemes are as follows:

     APP          LTIP 
              Number of shares
thousands
          Performance-related
awards
Number of  shares
thousands
  

Restricted 

stock units 
                 Number of shares 
thousands 

Outstanding at 1 January 2018    616     2,393  916 
Granted    176     257  527 
Vested    (199    (702 – 
Lapsed or cancelled    (2    (860 (142)
Outstanding at 31 December 2018    591     1,088  1,301 
Granted    217     287  540 
Vested    (276    (293 (422)
Share capital consolidation    (21      – 
Lapsed or cancelled    (15    (387 (144)
Outstanding at 31 December 2019    496     695  1,275 
Granted    138     383  696 
Vested    (188    (179 (413)
Lapsed or cancelled    (33    (85 (137)
Outstanding at 31 December 2020    413     814  1,421 
Fair value of awards granted during the year (cents)              
2020    4,965.9     2,473.5  4,397.5 
2019    5,888.7     4,985.6  5,862.1 
2018    6,066.2     4,748.7  5,966.0 
Weighted average remaining contract life (years)              
At 31 December 2020    1.0     1.4  1.3 
At 31 December 2019    1.1     1.3  1.2 
At 31 December 2018    1.0     0.8  1.2 

The above awards do not vest until the performance and service conditions have been met.

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards vested during the year was 4,874.5p (2019: 4,584.8p). The closing share price on 31 December 2020 was 4,690.0p and the range during the year was 2,385.5p to 5,223.0p.

192IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



29. Equity

Equity share capital

     

Number

    of shares

millions

      

    Nominal

value

$m

     

Share

    premium

$m

      

Equity

share

        capital

$m

 
Allotted, called up and fully paid                         
At 1 January 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)  197        53    101        154 
Exchange adjustments  –        (3   (5)       (8
At 31 December 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)  197        50    96        146 
Share capital consolidation  (10)           –         
Exchange adjustments  –        2           5 
At 31 December 2019 (ordinary shares of 20340/399p each)  187        52    99        151 
Exchange adjustments  –        1           5 
At 31 December 2020 (ordinary shares of 20340/399p each)  187        53    103        156 

The authority given to the Company at the AGM held on 7 May 2020 to purchase its own shares was still valid at 31 December 2020. A resolution to renew the authority will be put to shareholders at the AGM on 7 May 2021.

The Company no longer has an authorised share capital.

In October 2018, the Group announced a $500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 11 January 2019, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 19 new ordinary shares of 20340/399p per share for every 20 existing ordinary shares of 1917/21p, which became effective on 14 January 2019 and resulted in the consolidation of 10m shares. The special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019 at a cost of $510m. The dividend and share consolidation had the same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore previously reported earnings per share has not been restated.

At 31 December 2020, the balance classified as equity share capital includes the total net proceeds (both nominal value and share premium) on issue of the Company’s equity share capital, comprising 20340/399p shares. The share premium reserve represents the amount of proceeds received for shares in excess of their nominal value.

The nature and purpose of the other reserves shown in the Group statement of changes in equity on pages 128 to 130 of the Group Financial Statements is as follows:

Capital redemption reserve

This reserve maintains the nominal value of the equity share capital of the Company when shares are repurchased or cancelled.

Shares held by employee share trusts

Comprises $1.4m (2019: $4.9m, 2018: $3.6m) in respect of 0.05m (2019: 0.1m, 2018: 0.2m) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC ordinary shares held by employee share trusts, with a market value at 31 December 2020 of $3.1m (2019: $9.6m, 2018: $8.3m).

Other reserves

Comprises the merger and revaluation reserves previously recognised under UK GAAP, together with the reserve arising as a consequence of the Group’s capital reorganisation in June 2005. The revaluation reserve relates to the previous revaluations of property, plant and equipment which were included at deemed cost on adoption of IFRS. Following the change in presentational currency to the US dollar in 2008, this reserve also includes exchange differences arising on retranslation to period-end exchange rates of equity share capital, the capital redemption reserve and shares held by employee share trusts.

Fair value reserve

This reserve records movements in the value of financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020193


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

29. Equity continued

Cash flow hedging reserve

                    Cash flow hedging  reserve 
     

Value of

    currency

swaps

$m

  

Costs of

        hedging

$m

  

            Total 

$m 

At 1 January 2018  –      – 
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (1 (1)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income       
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  (8)     (8)
Deferred tax       
At 31 December 2018  (3)   (1 (4)
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (6 (6)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income  (34)     (34)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  38      38 
At 31 December 2019     (7 (6)
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income  –    (6 (6)
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income  (1)     (1)
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses  (13)     (13)
Deferred tax       
Exchange adjustments  (2)     (2)
At 31 December 2020  (11)   (13 (24)

Value of currency swaps comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of hedging instruments used in cash flow hedges pending subsequent recognition in profit or loss.

Costs of hedging reflects the gain or loss which is excluded from the designated hedging instrument relating to the foreign currency basis spread of currency swaps. It is initially recognised in other comprehensive income and accounted for similarly to changes in value of currency swaps.

Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to financial expenses comprise $9m (2019: $8m) net interest payable on the currency swaps and an exchange gain of $22m (2019: $30m loss) which offsets a corresponding loss/gain on the 500m 2.125% bonds and 500m 1.625% bonds (2019: 500m 2.125% bonds).

Currency translation reserve

This reserve records the movement in exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign operations and exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings and derivative financial instruments that provide a hedge against net investments in foreign operations. On adoption of IFRS, cumulative exchange differences were deemed to be $nil.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations outstanding at 31 December 2020 was $nil (2019: $1m asset, 2018: $1m asset).

Treasury shares

During 2020, 0.6m (2019: 0.8m, 2018: 0.8m) treasury shares were transferred to the employee share trusts. As a result of the 2019 share consolidation, the number of shares held in treasury reduced by 0.3m during 2019. At 31 December 2020, 5.1m shares (2019: 5.7m, 2018: 6.8m) with a nominal value of $1.4m (2019: $1.6m, 2018: $1.7m) were held as treasury shares at cost and deducted from retained earnings.

Non-controlling interest

A non-controlling interest is equity in a subsidiary of the Group not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. Non-controlling interests are not material to the Group.

30. Capital and other commitments

                  2020
$m
     

            2019 

$m 

Contracts placed for expenditure not provided for in the Group Financial Statements          
Property, plant and equipment    17    52 
Intangible assets    2    
     19    59 

The Group has also committed to invest a further $6m (2019: $6m) in one of its associates.

194IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



31. Contingencies and guarantees

Security incidents

In 2016, the Group was notified of (a) a security incident at a number of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data, and (b) security incidents at a number of IHG branded hotels including the installation of malware on servers that processed payment cards used at restaurants and bars of 12 IHG managed properties, together the Security Incidents.

The Group may be exposed to investigations regarding compliance with applicable State and Federal data security standards, and legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the Security Incidents. Due to the general nature of the regulatory inquiries received and class action filings to date, other than described below, it is not practicable to make a reliable estimate of the possible financial effects of any such claims on the Group at this time. These contingent liabilities are potentially recoverable under the Group’s insurance programmes, although specific agreement will need to be reached with the relevant insurance providers at the time any claim is made.

To date, four lawsuits have been filed against IHG entities relating to the Security Incidents, with one subsequently withdrawn in 2018. Settlement in respect of one lawsuit was agreed in 2019, and a further lawsuit was settled on 2 September 2020. Both of these settlements are expected to be paid under the Group’s insurance programmes.

The fourth lawsuit remains open. The claimant alleges that security failures allowed customers’ financial information to be compromised. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A separate claim was filed in 2019 against Kimpton. The allegations relate to a breach of the reservation system previously used by Kimpton. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

Litigation

From time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of each being always subject to many uncertainties inherent in litigation. These legal claims and proceedings are in various stages and include disputes related to specific hotels where the potential materiality is not yet known; such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, have not in the recent past and are not likely to have a significant effect on the Group’s financial position or profitability.

Two claims were filed on 19 March 2018 and 6 December 2018 against the Group and other hotel companies, alleging violations of anti-trust regulations. One of the matters is a class action, and both suits allege that the defendant hotel companies conspired to eliminate competitive branded keyword search advertising in the hotel industry, which allegedly raised prices for hotel rooms in violation of applicable law. The Group disputes the allegations. The likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

The Group has also given warranties in respect of the disposal of certain of its former subsidiaries. It is the view of the Directors that, other than to the extent that liabilities have been provided for in these Group Financial Statements (see note 21), it is not possible to quantify any loss to which these proceedings or claims under these warranties may give rise, however, as at the date of reporting, the Group does not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Group’s financial position.

Third-party bank loans

In limited cases, the Group may guarantee part of mortgage loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels under IHG management or franchise agreements. These guarantee arrangements are treated as insurance contracts as IHG is insuring the bank against default by the hotel, with a liability only being recognised in the event that a payout becomes probable. At 31 December 2020, there were guarantees of up to $56m in place (2019: $55m). During 2020, the underlying mortgage loans have been subject to periods of forbearance, deferring debt service payments; and/or, in the case of several loans, have been modified to be interest only through a given time period.

The largest guarantee is $21m; the underlying managed hotel is temporarily closed and is currently subject to a principal and interest forbearance agreement. Although an entity of the Group is severally liable for this amount, there is a cross-indemnity that the Group would seek to pursue for the other partners’ share of any amount funded under the guarantee.

Other

At 31 December 2020, the Group had outstanding letters of credit of $43m (2019: $33m) mainly relating to the Group’s Captive (see note 21). The letters of credit do not have set expiry dates, but are reviewed and amended as required.

The Group has made business insurance claims in relation to a small number of owned, leased and managed properties relating to the impact of Covid-19. It is not currently possible to determine the amounts which may be recovered.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020195


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

32. Related party disclosures

     

         2020  

$m  

     

        2019

$m

     

        2018  

$m  

Total compensation of key management personnel

             
Short-term employment benefits  10.5      15.8    18.2  
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans  0.3      0.5    0.5  
Equity compensation benefitsa  2.3      12.1    13.0  
   13.1      28.4    31.7  

a

As measured in accordance with IFRS 2.

There were no other transactions with key management personnel during the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 or 2018. Key management personnel comprises the Board and Executive Committee.

Related party disclosures for associates and joint ventures are as follows:

    Associates     Joint ventures    Total 
     

        2020

$m

     

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

     

        2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

     

        2018

$m

    

      2020

$m

     

        2019

$m

    

        2018

$m

 
Revenue from associates and joint ventures   1     10    9              1    1     10    10 
Other amounts owed by associates and joint ventures   11     3    1                  11     3    1 
Amounts owed to associates and joint ventures   (4    (4   (2                 (4    (4   (2

The Group has provided a guarantee of $12m (2019: $12m) against the bank loan of one associate (see note 31) and has provided performance guarantees with a maximum pay-out remaining of $10m (2019: $10m) (see note 3).

The Group funds shortfalls in owner returns relating to the Barclay associate (see note 17). In addition, loans both to and from the Barclay associate of $237m (2019: $237m) are offset in accordance with the provisions of IAS 32 and presented net in the Group statement of financial position. Interest payable and receivable under the loans is equivalent (average interest rate of 0.8% in 2020 (2019: 2.1%)) and presented net in the Group income statement.

33. System Fund

System Fund revenues comprise:

     

          2020

$m

       

         2019

$m

    

         2018

$m

 
Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels   490      1,036    979 
Loyalty programme revenues, net of the cost of point redemptions   275      337    254 
    765      1,373    1,233 

System Fund expenses include:

     

          2020  

$m  

    

         2019

$m

      

         2018  

$m  

Marketing  109      461    427  
Payroll costs (note 4)  242      313    347  
Depreciation and amortisation  62      54    49  
Impairment loss on financial assets (note 18)  24      12    11  
Other impairment charges  41          –  

196IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



34. Group companies

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of entities in which the Group has an interest of greater than or equal to 20%, the registered office and effective percentage of equity owned as at 31 December 2020 are disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, the ownership interest disclosed comprises either ordinary shares, certificated or un-certificated membership interests which are indirectly held by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Fully owned subsidiaries

24th Street Operator Sub, LLC (k)

36th Street IHG Sub, LLC (k)

426 Main Ave LLC (k)

46 Nevins Street Associates, LLC (k)

2250 Blake Street Hotel, LLC (k)

Allegro Management LLC (k)

Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC (k)

American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd. (m)

Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (n)

Barclay Operating Corp. (cj)

BHMC Canada Inc. (o)

BHR Holdings B.V. (p)

BHR Pacific Holdings, Inc. (k)

BHTC Canada Inc. (o)

Blythswood Square Glasgow Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

BOC Barclay Sub LLC (cj)

Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company (k)

Cambridge Lodging LLC (k)

Capital Lodging LLC (k)

CF Irving Owner, LLC (k)

CF McKinney Owner, LLC (k)

CF Waco Owner, LLC (k)

Compañía Inter-Continental De Hoteles

El Salvador SA (n)

Crowne Plaza LLC (k)

Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC (k)

Dunwoody Operations, Inc. (k)

Edinburgh George Street Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

Edinburgh IC Limited (cr)

EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC (k)

General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation (b) (l)

Grand Central Glasgow Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd. (t)

H.I. (Ireland) Limited (u)

H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd (ac)

HI Sugarloaf, LLC (ci)

Hale International Ltd. (ct)

HC International Holdings, Inc. (w)

HH France Holdings SAS (x)

HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V. (p)

HH Hotels (Romania) SRL (y)

HIM (Aruba) NV (z)

Hoft Properties LLC (k)

Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC (k)

Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (ab)

Holiday Inns (China) Ltd (ac)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holding (x)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS (x)

Holiday Inns (England) Limited (n)

Holiday Inns (Germany), LLC (l)

Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Middle East) Limited (ac)

Holiday Inns (Philippines), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns (UK), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong), Inc. (l)

Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (aa)

Holiday Inns Inc. (k)

Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns of America (UK) Limited (n)

Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V. (ad)

Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation (k)

Holiday Pacific LLC (k)

Holiday Pacific Partners, LP (k)

Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited (n)

Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited (n)

Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL (n)

IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH (ae)

IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal, Lda (af)

IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company (ag)

IHC Buckhead, LLC (ci)

IHC Edinburgh (Holdings) (n)

IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Hotel Limited (n)

IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC London (Holdings) (n)

IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC May Fair Hotel Limited (n)

IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited (n)

IHC UK (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC United States (Holdings) Corp. (b) (k)

IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHG (Marseille) SAS (x)

IHG (Myanmar) Ltd (ah)

IHG (Thailand) Limited (aj)

IHG Amsterdam Management BV (p)

IHG Bangkok Ltd (ct)

IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda (ak)

IHG Civ Holding Co-Investment Fund, LLC (k)

IHG Civ Holding Main Fund, LLC (k)

IHG Commission Services SRL (co)

IHG Community Development, LLC (ci)

IHG de Argentina SA (al)

IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL (co)

IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda (bd)

IHG Franchising DR Corporation (k)

IHG Franchising, LLC (k)

IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited (an)

IHG Hotels Limited (n)

IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited (b) (aa)

IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited (ao)

IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Limited (ap)

IHG International Partnership (n)

IHG Istanbul Otel Yönetim Limited Sirketi (bx)

IHG Japan (Management) LLC (ar)

IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC (ar)

IHG Management (Maryland) LLC (as)

IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V. (p)

IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd (cc)

IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC (cj)

IHG Management SL d.o.o (bo)

IHG Mexico Operaciones SA de CV (ab)

IHG Orchard Street Member, LLC (k)

IHG Peru SRL (dd)

IHG PS Nominees Limited (n)

IHG Sermex SA de CV (ab)

IHG Systems Pty Ltd (b) (aa)

IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft. (at)

IHG Technology Solutions LLC (k)

IND East Village SD Holdings, LLC (k)

InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH (au)

InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited (c) (n)

InterContinental (PB) 1 (n)

InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited (n)

InterContinental Brasil Administracao de

Hoteis Ltda (q)

Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp. (k)

InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L. (by)

Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation (k)

InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH (au)

InterContinental Hotel Düsseldorf GmbH (av)

Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada (aw)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp. (ax)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp. (ax)

InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc. (az)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (ai)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation (k)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A. (ba)

Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited (b) (m)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd (ai)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited (aa)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc. (o)

InterContinental Hotels Group (España) SA (by)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited (ac)

InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd (aq)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc. (l)

InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited (an)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd. (bb)

InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada (bc)

InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp. (e) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, LLC (b) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company (n)

InterContinental Hotels Italia, S.r.L. (be)

InterContinental Hotels Limited (a) (n)

InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH (bf)

InterContinental Hotels Management Montenegro d.o.o. (ce)

InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation (ck)

Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc. (k)

Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited (bg)

InterContinental Management AM LLC (cm)

InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD (bp)

InterContinental Management France SAS (x)

InterContinental Management Poland sp. Z.o.o (cn)

InterContinental Overseas Holdings, LLC (k)

KG Benefits LLC (k)

KG Gift Card Inc. (bz)

KG Liability LLC (k)

KG Technology, LLC (k)

KHP Washington Operator LLC (k)

KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC (k)

KHRG 851 LLC (k)

KHRG Aertson LLC (k)

KHRG Alexis, LLC (k)

KHRG Allegro, LLC (k)

KHRG Argyle, LLC (k)

KHRG Austin Beverage Company, LLC (k)

KHRG Baltimore, LLC (k)

KHRG Born LLC (k)

KHRG Boston Hotel, LLC (k)

KHRG Bozeman LLC (k)

KHRG Buckhead LLC (k)

KHRG Canary LLC (k)

KHRG Cayman LLC (k)

KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd. (k)

KHRG Dallas LLC (k)

KHRG Dallas Beverage Company LLC (k)

KHRG DC 1731 LLC (k)

KHRG DC 2505 LLC (k)

KHRG Employer, LLC (k)

KHRG Goleta LLC (k)

KHRG Gray LLC (k)

KHRG Gray U2 LLC (k)

KHRG Huntington Beach LLC (k)

KHRG Key West LLC (k)

KHRG King Street, LLC (k)

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial StatementsIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020197


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

34. Group companies continued

Fully owned subsidiaries continued

KHRG La Peer LLC (k)

KHRG Miami Beach LLC (k)

KHRG Muse LLC (k)

KHRG New Orleans LLC (k)

KHRG NPC LLC (k)

KHRG Palladian LLC (k)

KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC (k)

KHRG Philly Monaco LLC (k)

KHRG Pittsburgh LLC (k)

KHRG Porsche Drive LLC (k)

KHRG Reynolds LLC (k)

KHRG Riverplace LLC (k)

KHRG Sacramento LLC (k)

KHRG Savannah LLC (k)

KHRG Schofield LLC (k)

KHRG SFD LLC (k)

KHRG SF Wharf LLC (k)

KHRG SF Wharf U2 LLC (k)

KHRG South Beach LLC (k)

KHRG State Street LLC (k)

KHRG Sutter LLC (k)

KHRG Sutter Union LLC (k)

KHRG Taconic LLC (k)

KHRG Tariff LLC (k)

KHRG Texas Hospitality, LLC (k)

KHRG Texas Operations, LLC (k)

KHRG Tryon LLC (k)

KHRG Vero Beach, LLC (k)

KHRG Vintage Park LLC (k)

KHRG VZ Austin LLC (k)

KHRG Wabash LLC (k)

KHRG Westwood, LLC (k)

KHRG Wilshire LLC (k)

Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC (k)

Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC (k)

Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC (k)

Louisiana Acquisitions Corp. (k)

Luxury Resorts and Spas (France) SAS (dc)

Manchester Oxford Street Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC (k)

Met Leeds Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

MH Lodging LLC (k)

Oxford Spires Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Oxford Thames Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

PML Services LLC (as)

Pollstrong Limited (n)

Powell Pine, Inc. (k)

Priscilla Holiday of Texas, Inc. (cl)

PT Regent Indonesia (bh)

PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia (bh)

Raison d’Etre Holdings (BVI) Limited (v)

Raison d’Etre Services (BVI) Limited (v)

Raison d’Etre Spas, LLC (k)

Raison d’Etre Spas, Sweden AB (db)

Regent Asia Pacific Hotel Management Ltd (bw)

Regent Asia Pacific Management Ltd (cp)

Regent Berlin GmbH (cq)

Regent International Hotels Ltd (bw)

Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P. (ci)

Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh OpCo Limited (n)

Russell London Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC (as)

SC Hotels International Services, Inc. (k)

SC Leisure Group Limited (n)

SC NAS 2 Limited (n)

SC Quest Limited (n)

SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc. (l)

SCH Insurance Company (bi)

SCIH Branston 3 (cb)

Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and

Hotel Management SAE (ch)

SF MH Acquisition LLC (k)

Six Continents Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA (bj)

Six Continents Hotels International Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels, Inc. (k)

Six Continents International Holdings B.V. (p)

Six Continents Investments Limited (f) (n)

Six Continents Limited (n)

Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Restaurants Limited (n)

SixCo North America, Inc. (w)

Six Senses Americas IP LLC (k)

Six Senses Capital Pte. Ltd (ay)

Six Senses North America Management LLC (k)

SLC Sustainable Luxury Cyprus Limited (cs)

Solamar Lodging LLC (k)

Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited (v)

SPHC Management Ltd. (bq)

St David’s Cardiff Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited (v)

Sustainable Luxury Lanka Pvt. Ltd (cv)

Sustainable Luxury Maldives Private Limited (cw)

Sustainable Luxury Mauritius Limited (cx)

Sustainable Luxury Services (BVI) Limited (v)

Sustainable Luxury Singapore Private Limited (ai)

Sustainable Luxury UK Limited (cy)

Sustainable Luxury USA Limited (cz)

The Grand Central Hotel Glasgow Limited (n)

The Met Hotel Leeds Limited (n)

The Principal Edinburgh George Street Limited (n)

The Principal London Limited (n)

The Principal Manchester Limited (n)

The Principal York Limited (n)

The Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh Limited (s)

Vista Rockville FF&E, LLC (as)

White Shield Insurance Company Limited (bk)

Wotton House Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

York Station Road Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Subsidiaries where the effective interest is less than 100%

IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC (74.66%) (ar)

IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co., Ltd. (66%) (ar)

Regent Hospitality Worldwide, Inc. (51%) (bt)

Sustainable Luxury Holding (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Hospitality (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Management (Thailand) Limited (49%) (c) (j) (cu)

Sustainable Luxury Operations (Thailand) Ltd (99.98%) (j) (cu)

Universal de Hoteles SA (9.99%) (j) (bj)

World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation (74.11%) (bl)

Associates, joint ventures and other

111 East 48th Street Holdings LLC (19.9%) (g) (h) (k)

Alkoer, S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (h) (cg)

BCRE IHG 180 Orchard Holdings LLC (49%) (g) (cf)

Beijing Orient Express Hotel Co., Ltd. (16.15%) (bm)

Blue Blood (Tianjin) Equity Investment

Management Co., Limited (30.05%) (bn)

Carr Clark SWW Subventure, LLC (26.67%) (g) (ca)

Carr Waterfront Hotel, LLC (11.46%) (g) (h) (ca)

China Hotel Investment Limited (30.05%) (i) (am)

Desarrollo Alkoer Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Saltillo S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Silao S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

EDG Alpharetta EH LLC (0%) (d) (h) (r)

Gestion Hotelera Gestel, C.A. (50%) (c) (h) (ba)

Groups360 LLC (13.05%) (h) (k)

H.I. Soaltee Hotel Company Private Ltd (26%) (br)

Inter-Continental Hotels Saudi Arabia Limited (40%) (bs)

NF III Seattle, LLC (25%) (g) (r)

NF III Seattle Op Co, LLC (25%) (g) (r)

Nuevas Fronteras S.A. (23.66%) (cd)

President Hotel & Tower Co Ltd. (30%) (bu)

Shanghai Yuhuan Industrial Development Co., Ltd (1%) (da)

Sustainable Luxury Gravity Global Private Limited (51%) (h) (de)

SURF-Samui Pte. Ltd (49%) (ay)

Tianjin ICBCI IHG Equity Investment Fund

Management Co., Limited (21.04%) (bv)

   Key
    (a)Directly owned by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC
    (b)Ordinary shares and preference shares
    (c)Ordinary A and ordinary B shares
    (d)8% cumulative preference shares
    (e)1/4vote ordinary shares and ordinary shares
    (f)Ordinary shares, 5% cumulative
preference shares and 7% cumulative preference shares
    (g)The entities do not have share capital and are governed by an operating agreement
    (h)Accounted for as associates and joint ventures due to IHG’s decision-making rights contained in the partnership agreement
    (i)Accounted for as an other financial asset due to IHG being unable to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity
    (j)Minority interest relates to one or more individual shareholders who are employed or were previously employed by the entity

198IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Registered addresses
(k)3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, DE 19810, USA
(l)205 Powell Place, 37027 Brentwood, TN 37027, USA
(m)Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda
(n)Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR, UK
(o)333 Bay Street, Suite 400, Toronto M5H 2R2, Ontario, Canada
(p)Kingsfordweg 151, 1043 GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(q)Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3s-A, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(r)The Corporation Trust Centre, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
(s)Caledonian Exchange, 19a Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HE, UK
(t)Building 4, No. 13 Xiao Gang Zhong Ma Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
(u)29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 AY28, Ireland
(v)Flemming House, Wickhams Cay, P.O.Box 662, Road Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands
(w)Wilmington Trust SP Services, Inc. 1105 North Market Street, Suite 1300, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
(x)31–33 rue Mogador, 75009 Paris, France
(y)Bucharest, 1st District, 50–52 Buzesti St, 83 module, 11 floor, Romania
(z)230 J E Irausquin Boulevard, Palm Beach, Aruba
(aa)Level 11, 20 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
(ab)Ontario # 1050, Col. Providencia. Guadalajara, Jalisco CP 44630, Mexico
(ac)Level 54, Hopewell Center, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong SAR
(ad)Rond-Point Robert Schuman 11, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
(ae)QBC 4 – Am Belvedere 4, 1100, Vienna, Austria
(af)Avenida da Republica, no 52 – 9, 1069 – 211, Lisbon, Portugal
(ag)24, Rusakovskaya Str., Moscow 107014, Russian Federation
(ah)No. 84, Pan Hlaing Street, Unit #1, Level 8, Uniteam Marine Office Building, Sanchuang Township, Yangon, Myanmar
(ai)230 Victoria Street, #13-00 Bugis Junction Towers, 188024, Singapore
(aj)973 President Tower, 7th Floor, Units 7A, 7F, 7G and 7H, Ploenchit Road, Khwaeng Lumpini, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok Metropolis, 10330, Thailand
(ak)Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-B, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil
(al)Avenida Cordoba 1547, piso 8, oficina A, Buenos Aires, Argentina
(am)The Phoenix Centre, George Street, Belleville St. Michael, Barbados
(an)Level 10, 2 Commerce Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1000, New Zealand
(ao)1, Murtala Muhammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
(ap)Central Office Park Unit 4, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion 0157, South Africa
(aq)11th Floor, Building No. 10, Tower C, DLF Phase-II, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon, Haryana-122002, India

(ar)

20th Floor, Toranomon Kotohira Tower, 2–8, Toranomon 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

(as)

2 Wisconsin Circle #700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA

(at)

1052 Budapest, Apáczai Csere János u. 12 – 14A, Hungary

(au)

Budapester Str. 2, 10787 Berlin, Germany

(av)

Koenigsallee 59, D-40215, Dusseldorf, Germany

(aw)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-E, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(ax)

1980 Pérodeau Street, Vaudreuil-Dorion J7V 8P7, Quebec, Canada

(ay)

168 Robinson Road, #16-01 SIF Building, 068899, Singapore

(az)

361 San Francisco Street Penthouse, San Juan, PR 00901, Puerto Rico

(ba)

Hotel Tamanaco Inter-Continental, Final Av. Ppal, Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela

(bb)

22nd Floor, Citigroup Tower, No. 33 Huayuanshiqiao Road, Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China

(bc)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-C, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(bd)

Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-D, 01420-000 São Paulo, Brazil

(be)

Viale Monte Nero n.84, 20135 Milano, Italy

(bf)

Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 6 – 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

(bg)

JurisTax Services Ltd, Level 12, NeXTeracom Tower II, Ebene, Mauritius

(bh)

Menara Impreium 22nd Floor, Suite D, JI. HR. Rasuna Said Kav.1, Guntur Sub-district, Setiabudi District, South Jakarta 12980, Indonesia

(bi)

Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC, 30 Main St., Suite 500, P.O. Box 1489, Burlington, VT 05402-1489, USA

(bj)

Calle 49, Sur 45 A 300 Of 1102 Envigado Antioquia, Colombia

(bk)

Suite B, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway, Gibraltar

(bl)

Suite 2500, 1000 De La Gauchetiere St. West, Montreal QC H3B 0A2, Canada

(bm)

Room 311, Building 1, No 6 East Wen Hua Yuan Road, Beijing Economy and Technology Development Zone, Beijing, P.R.China

(bn)

Room N306, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R. China

(bo)

Cesta v Mestni log 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

(bp)

37A Professor Fridtjof Nansen Street, 5th Floor, District Sredets, Sofia, 1142, Bulgaria

(bq)

C/o Holiday Inn & Suites, Cnr Waigani Drive & Wards Road, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

(br)

Tahachal, Kathmandu, Nepal

(bs)

Madinah Road, Jeddah, P.O Box 9456, Post Code 21413, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(bt)

Maples Corporate Services Ltd. – PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman – KY- 1104, Cayman Islands

(bu)

971, 973 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

(bv)

Room R316, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R. China

(bw)

14th Floor, South China Building, 1-3 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong SAR

(bx)

Eski Büyükdere Cd. Park Plaza No:14 K:4 Maslak – Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey

(by)

Paseo de Recoletos 37 – 41, 28004 Madrid, Spain

(bz)

2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, Sacramento, CA 95833-3505, USA

(ca)

Carr Hospitality, LLC, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20004, USA

(cb)

Two Snowhill Snow Hill Queensway Birmingham B4 6GA

(cc)

Krunska 73, Beograd, 11000, Serbia

(cd)

Moreno 809 2 Piso, Buenos Aires, Argentina

(ce)

Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog 149 – 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

(cf)

Brack Capital Real Estate Ltd., 885 Third Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA

(cg)

Avenida Ejercito Nacional Mexicano No. 769, Torre B Piso 8, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México, CP 11520, Mexico

(ch)

Ground Floor, Al Kamel Law Building, Plot 52-b, Banks Area, Six of October City, Egypt

(ci)

2985 Gordy Parkway, 1st Floor, Marietta, GA 30066, USA

(cj)

600 Mamaroneck Avenue #400, 10528 Harrison, NY 10528, USA

(ck)

8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, NV 89123, USA

(cl)

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, TX 77056, USA

(cm)

23/6 D. Anhaght Str., Yerevan, 0069, Armenia

(cn)

Generation Park Z – ul. Towarowa 28, 00-839 Warsaw, Poland

(co)

Suite 1, Ground Floor, The Financial Services Centre, Bishops Court Hill, St. Michael, Barbados, BB14004

(cp)

Brumby Centre, Lot 42, Jalan Muhibbah, 87000 Labuan F.T., Malaysia

(cq)

Charlottenstrasse 49, Berlin, 10117, Germany

(cr)

C/O BDO LLP, 4 Atlantic Quay, 70 York Street, Glasgow G2 8JX, UK

(cs)

ATS Services Limited, Capital Center, 9th Floor, 2-4 Arch. Makarios III Ave., 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus

(ct)

Start Chambers, Wickham’s Cay II, P.O. Box 2221, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands

(cu)

57, 9th Floor, Park Ventures Ecoplex, Unit 902-904, Wireless Road, Limpini, Pathum Wan Bangkok 10330, Thailand

(cv)

Shop No. L3-6, Amity Building, No. 125, Highlevel Road, Maharagama, Colombo, Sri Lanka

(cw)

Premier Chambers, M.Lux Lodge, 1st Floor, Orchid Magu, Male, Republic of Maldives

(cx)

Venture Corporate Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Level 3, Tower 1, Nexteracom Towers, Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius

(cy)

Berg Kaprow Lewis LLP, 35 Ballards Lane, DX 57284 Finchley 2, London, N3 1XW, UK

(cz)

251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE19808, USA.

(da)

1st Floor, No.68, Zhupan Road, Zhuqiao Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

(db)

Grevgatan 13, 11453 Stockholm, Sweden

(dc)

95 Blvd. Berthier, 75017 Paris, France

(dd)

Bernardo Monteagudo 201, 15076, Lima, Peru

(de)

B-11515 Bhikaj Cama Place, New Delhi, South Delhi, India, 110066

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LOGO


Additional Information

Other financial information

Use of Non-GAAP measures

In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures.

LOGOFurther explanation in relation to these measures and their definitions can be found on pages 47 to 51.

Revenue and operating profit Non-GAAP reconciliations

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2020

Reportable segments

     Revenue     Operating profit 
      

            2020

$m

      

            2019

$

                 Change
$m
      

        Change

%

                 2020
$m
                  2019
$m
             Change
$m
      

        Change

%

 
Per Group income statement       2,394     4,627    (2,233    (48.3      (153    630    (783    (124.3
System Fund    (765    (1,373   608     (44.3   102     49    53     108.2 
Reimbursement of costs    (637    (1,171   534     (45.6                  
Operating exceptional items                      270     186    84     45.2 
Reportable segments    992     2,083    (1,091    (52.4   219     865    (646    (74.7
                     

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                   
Fee business    823     1,510    (687    (45.5   278     813    (535    (65.8
Owned, leased and managed lease    169     573    (404    (70.5   (59 ��  52    (111    (213.5
      992        2,083       (1,091       (52.4      219        865       (646       (74.7

 

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit

                     
     Revenue     Operating profit 
      

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

     

Change

$m

      

Change

%

     

2020

$m

      

2019

$m

     

Change

$m

      

Change

%

 
Reportable segments (see above)    992     2,083    (1,091    (52.4   219     865    (646    (74.7
Significant liquidated damages    (1    (11   10     (90.9   (1    (11   10     (90.9
Owned asset disposalsa    (2    (12   10     (83.3   (3    (2   (1    50.0 
Currency impact                           (2         
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    989     2,060    (1,071    (52.0   215     850    (635       (74.7%) 

a

The results of the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport have been removed in 2020 (being the year of disposal) and the prior year to determine underlying growth compared to the prior year.

Underlying fee revenue

     Revenue 
        

            2020

$m

      

            2019

$m

     

        Change

$m

      

        Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)    823     1,510    (687    (45.5
Significant liquidated damages    (1    (11   10     (90.9
Currency impact         (4   4      
Underlying fee revenue    822     1,495    (673    (45.0)ª 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

212IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Highlights by region for the year ended 31 December 2020 (continued)

Americas

     Revenue    Operating profitb 
      

        2020

$m

    

        2019

$m

          Change
$m
    

    Change

%

            2020
$m
              2019
$m
        Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    512    1,040     (528   (50.8   296     700    (404    (57.7
                    

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                          
Fee business    457    853     (396   (46.4   323     663    (340    (51.3
Owned, leased and managed lease    55    187     (132   (70.6   (27    37    (64    (173.0
      512     1,040        (528    (50.8    296        700     (404       (57.7
                    
Reportable segments (see above)    512    1,040     (528   (50.8   296     700    (404    (57.7
Currency impact        (5    5             (4   4      
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    512    1,035     (523   (50.5   296     696    (400    (57.5

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

EMEAA

    Revenue    Operating profitb 
     

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

    

    Change

$m

      

    Change

%

    

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

    

    Change

$m

      

    Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2   221     723    (502    (69.4   (50    217    (267    (123.0
                    

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                            
Fee business   107     337    (230    (68.2   (18    202    (220    (108.9
Owned, leased and managed lease   114     386    (272    (70.5   (32    15    (47    (313.3
     221        723     (502       (69.4    (50       217     (267       (123.0
                    
Reportable segments (see above)   221     723    (502    (69.4   (50    217    (267    (123.0
Significant liquidated damages   (1    (11   10     (90.9   (1    (11   10     (90.9
Owned asset disposalsc   (2    (12   10     (83.3   (3    (2   (1    50.0 
Currency impact        4    (4             2    (2     
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit   218     704    (486    (69.0   (54    206    (260    (126.2

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

c

The results of the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport have been removed in 2020 (being the year of disposal) and the prior year to determine underlying growth compared to the prior year.

Greater China

     Revenue    Operating profitb 
      

        2020

$m

      

         2019

$m

         Change
$m
      

    Change

%

            2020
$m
               2019
$m
          Change
$m
     

     Change

%

 
Per Group financial statements, note 2    77     135     (58    (43.0   35      73    (38    (52.1
                       

Reportable segments analysed asª:

                                                             
Fee business     77        135      (58       (43.0    35         73     (38     (52.1
                       
Reportable segments (see above)    77     135     (58    (43.0   35      73    (38    (52.1
Currency impact         2     (2                        
Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit    77     137     (60    (43.8   35      73    (38    (52.1

a

Revenues as included in the Group Financial Statements, note 3.

b

Before exceptional items.

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020213


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2019

Reportable segments

       Revenue       Operating profit 
        

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

               2019
$m
               2018
$m
           Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement     4,627     4,337     290     6.7      630      582      48     8.2 
System Fund     (1,373    (1,233    (140    11.4      49      146      (97    (66.4
Reimbursement of costs     (1,171    (1,171                                 
Operating exceptional items                          186      104      82     78.8 
Reportable segments     2,083     1,933     150     7.8      865      832      33     4.0 
                            

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                            
Fee business     1,510     1,486     24     1.6      813      793      20     2.5 
Owned, leased and managed lease     573     447     126     28.2      52      39      13     33.3 
         2,083        1,933        150        7.8         865         832         33        4.0 

Underlying fee revenue

       Revenue 
        

        2019

$m

      

        2018

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)     1,510     1,486     24     1.6 
Significant liquidated damages     (11    (13    2     (15.4
Acquisitionsa     (14         (14     
Currency impact          (17    17      
Underlying fee revenue     1,485     1,456     29     2.0b  

a

The results of acquired businesses (Six Senses and two UK portfolio hotels) are removed only in the year of acquisition when determining underlying growth compared to the prior year.

b

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2018

Reportable segments

       Revenue      Operating profit 
        

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

              2018
$m
               2017
$m
          Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Per Group income statement     4,337     4,075     262     6.4     582      744     (162    (21.8
System Fund     (1,233    (1,242    9     (0.7    146      34     112     329.4 
Reimbursement of costs     (1,171    (1,103    (68    6.2                      
Operating exceptional items                         104      (4    108     (2,700.0
Reportable segments     1,933     1,730     203     11.7     832      774     58     7.5 
                          

Reportable segments analysed as:

                                                                          
Fee business     1,486     1,379     107     7.8     793      731     62     8.5 
Owned, leased and managed lease     447     351     96     27.4     39      43     (4    (9.3
         1,933        1,730        203        11.7        832         774        58        7.5 

Underlying fee revenue

       Revenue 
        

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

            Change
$m
      

    Change

%

 
Reportable segments fee business (see above)     1,486     1,379      107     7.8 
Significant liquidated damages     (13          (13     
Acquisitionsa     (1          (1     
Currency impact          4      (4     
Underlying fee revenue     1,472     1,383      89     6.4b 

a

The results of acquired businesses (Regent and the UK portfolio) are removed only in the year of acquisition when determining underlying growth compared to the prior year.

b

Reported as a KPI on page 44.

214IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Fee margin reconciliation

        

    2020

$m

      

    2019

$m

      

      2018

$m

      

      2017

$m

 
Revenue                         
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (page 150)     823     1,510     1,486     1,379 
Significant liquidated damages     (1    (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (19    (19    (11    (9
      803     1,480     1,462     1,370 
Operating profit                         
Reportable segments analysed as fee business (pages 212 and 214)     278     813     793     731 
Significant liquidated damages     (1    (11    (13     
Captive insurance company (note 21)     (3    (1    (1     
      274     801     779     731 
                          
Fee margina     34.1%     54.1%     53.3%     53.4% 

a

Reported as a KPI on page 45.

Net capital expenditure reconciliation

       

12 months ended

31 December

 
$m      

      2020

$m

      

      2019

$m

 
Net cash from investing activities     (61    (493
Adjusted for:             

Contract acquisition costs net of repayments

     (64    (61

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

     58     49 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

          292 

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

          2 
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211
Analysed as:             

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including contract acquisition costs, net of repayments of $64m (2019: $61m))

     (107    (147

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

     17     (15

Capital expenditure: System Fund capital investments

     23     (49
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211

a

Excludes depreciation on right-of-use assets.

Gross capital expenditure reconciliation

       12 months ended
31 December
 
$m      

      2020

$m

      

      2019

$m

 
Net capital expenditure     (67    (211
Add back:             

Disposal receipts

     (18    (4

Repayments of contract acquisition costs

          (1

Distributions from associates and joint ventures

     (5     

System Fund depreciation and amortisationa

     (58    (49
Gross capital expenditure     (148    (265
Analysed as:             

Capital expenditure: maintenance (including gross contract acquisition costs of $64m (2019: $62m))

     (107    (148

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

     (6    (19

Capital expenditure: System Fund capital investments

     (35    (98
Gross capital expenditure     (148    (265

a

Excludes depreciation on right-of-use assets.

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020215


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Free cash flow reconciliation

       12 months ended 31 December 
      

        2020

$m

 

 

    

        2019

$m

 

 

    

        2018

$m

 

 

    

        2017

$m

 

 

    

        2016

$m

ª 

 

Net cash from operating activities     137     653     709     616     710 
Adjusted for:                               

Payment of contingent purchase consideration

          6                

Principal element of lease payments

     (65    (59    (35    (25     

Purchase of shares by employee share trusts

          (5    (3    (3    (10

Capital expenditure: maintenance (excluding contract acquisition costs)

     (43    (86    (60    (72    (54

Cash receipt from renegotiation of long-term partnership agreement

                         (95
Free cash flowb     29     509     611     516     551 

a

Does not include the impact of IFRS 15 or IFRS 16.

b

Reported as a KPI on page 45.

Adjusted interest reconciliation

       

12 months ended

31 December

 
        

        2020

$m

      

        2019

$m

 
Net financial expenses             
Financial income     4     6 
Financial expenses     (144    (121
      (140    (115
Adjusted for:             

Interest payable on balances with the System Fund

     (3    (13

Capitalised interest relating to System Fund assets

     (1    (5

Exceptional financial expenses

     14      
      10     (18
Adjusted interest     (130    (133

Adjusted EBITDAª reconciliation

        

        2020

$m

      

          2019

$m

       

           2018

$m

 
Operating profit     (153    630      582 
Add back                    

System Fund result

     102     49      146 

Operating exceptional items

     270     186      104 

Depreciation and amortisation

     110     116      115 
Adjusted EBITDA     329     981      947 

a

For covenant purposes, calculated on a frozen GAAP basis, adjusted EBITDA is $272m (2019: $897m).

216IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Revenue per available room (RevPAR), average daily rate and occupancy

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry. RevPAR comprises IHG System rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate (ADR). Occupancy rate is rooms occupied by hotel guests expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available. ADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and average daily rate are presented on a comparable basis comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

The following tables present RevPAR statistics for the year ended 31 December 2020 and a comparison to 2019. Fee business and owned, leased and managed lease statistics are for comparable hotels and include only those hotels in the Group’s System at 31 December 2020 and franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease by the Group since 1 January 2019. The comparison with 2019 is at constant US$ exchange rates.

       Fee business       

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
        2020       

Change vs

2019

       2020       

Change vs

2019

 
Americas                            
InterContinental                            
Occupancy     24.9%      (47.2)ppt             
Average daily rate     $178.70      (16.0%)             
RevPAR     $44.46      (71.0%)             
Kimpton                            
Occupancy     28.4%      (50.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $212.25      (15.5)%             
RevPAR     $60.31      (69.7)%             
Crowne Plaza                            
Occupancy     27.6%      (36.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $104.03      (18.6)%             
RevPAR     $28.76      (65.1)%             
Hotel Indigo                            
Occupancy     39.1%      (33.0)ppt             
Average daily rate     $129.15      (20.6)%             
RevPAR     $50.46      (57.0)%             
EVEN Hotels                            
Occupancy     30.2%      (45.4)ppt      41.2%      (34.8)ppt 
Average daily rate     $104.18      (35.4)%      $104.80      (29.9)% 
RevPAR     $31.42      (74.2)%      $43.21      (62.0)% 
Holiday Inn                            
Occupancy     36.5%      (29.4)ppt      32.1%      (51.3)ppt 
Average daily rate     $98.21      (13.4)%      $179.34      (1.7)% 
RevPAR     $35.90      (52.0)%      $57.56      (62.2)% 
Holiday Inn Express                            
Occupancy     45.7%      (23.1)ppt             
Average daily rate     $100.19      (12.1)%             
RevPAR     $45.81      (41.6)%             
Staybridge Suites                            
Occupancy     55.4%      (19.3)ppt             
Average daily rate     $100.48      (13.7)%             
RevPAR     $55.69      (36.0)%             
Candlewood Suites                            
Occupancy     61.7%      (10.6)ppt             
Average daily rate     $78.97      (9.8)%             
RevPAR     $48.74      (23.0)%             

LOGO

Other financial informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020217


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancy continued

       Fee business       

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
        2020       

Change vs

2019

       2020       

Change vs

2019

 
EMEAA                            
InterContinental                            
Occupancy     31.9%      (40.5)ppt      24.5%      (49.7)ppt 
Average daily rate     $157.63      (20.2)%      $304.25      0.6% 
RevPAR     $50.34      (64.8)%      $74.65      (66.7)% 
Crowne Plaza                            
Occupancy     30.2%      (43.5)ppt             
Average daily rate     $105.13      (13.4)%             
RevPAR     $31.72      (64.5)%             
Hotel Indigo                            
Occupancy     27.8%      (51.1)ppt             
Average daily rate     $107.49      (25.3)%             
RevPAR     $29.90      (73.7)%             
Holiday Inn                            
Occupancy     31.9%      (41.6)ppt             
Average daily rate     $80.88      (17.8)%             
RevPAR     $25.80      (64.3)%             
Holiday Inn Express                            
Occupancy     35.4%      (41.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $67.29      (22.4)%             
RevPAR     $23.85      (64.5)%             
Staybridge Suites                            
Occupancy     41.4%      (30.2)ppt             
Average daily rate     $114.94      (7.7)%             
RevPAR     $47.61      (46.6)%             
Greater China                            
InterContinental                            
Occupancy     45.1%      (18.7)ppt             
Average daily rate     $103.33      (10.6)%             
RevPAR     $46.64      (36.8)%             
HUALUXE                            
Occupancy     44.6%      (6.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $58.78      (8.2)%             
RevPAR     $26.24      (20.4)%             
Crowne Plaza                            
Occupancy     40.6%      (18.3)ppt             
Average daily rate     $67.84      (10.7)%             
RevPAR     $27.54      (38.4)%             
Hotel Indigo                            
Occupancy     42.7%      (19.9)ppt             
Average daily rate     $108.63      (17.8)%             
RevPAR     $46.34      (44.0)%             
Holiday Inn                            
Occupancy     39.6%      (22.8)ppt             
Average daily rate     $52.50      (16.4)%             
RevPAR     $20.80      (46.9)%             
Holiday Inn Express                            
Occupancy     43.4%      (17.7)ppt             
Average daily rate     $37.18      (16.5)%             
RevPAR     $16.14      (40.6)%             

218IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Directors’ Report

This Directors’ Report includes the information required to be given in line with the Companies Act or, where provided elsewhere, an appropriate cross reference is given. The Governance Report approved by the Board is provided on pages 74 to 111 and incorporated by reference herein.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings

The Group has over 400 subsidiaries, joint ventures and related undertakings (including branches). A list of subsidiaries and associated undertakings disclosed in accordance with the Companies Act is provided at note 34 of the Group Financial Statements on pages 197 to 199.

Directors

LOGOFor biographies of the current Directors see pages 76 to 79.

Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) liability insurance and existence of qualifying indemnity provisions

The Company maintains the Group’s D&O liability insurance policy, which covers Directors and Officers of the Company defending civil proceedings brought against them in their capacity as Directors or Officers of the Company (including those who served as Directors or Officers during the year). There were no indemnity provisions relating to the UK pension plan for the benefit of the Directors during 2020.

Articles of Association

LOGOThe Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special resolution and are available on the Company’s website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

LOGOA summary is provided on pages 232 and 233.

Shares

Share capital

The Company’s issued share capital at 31 December 2020 consisted of 187,717,720 ordinary shares of 20 340/399 pence each, including 5,061,408 shares held in treasury, which constituted 2.7% of the total issued share capital (including treasury shares). There are no special control rights or restrictions on share transfers or limitations on the holding of any class of shares.

During 2020, 623,019 shares were transferred from treasury to the employee share ownership trust.

As far as is known to management, IHG is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another company or by any government. The Board focuses on shareholder value creation. When it decides to return capital to shareholders, it considers all of its options, including share buybacks and special dividends.

Share issues and buybacks

In 2020, the Company did not issue any new shares, nor did it buy back any existing shares.

Dividends

During the year, the Company took several steps to protect its cash flow, including the Board withdrawing its recommendation of a final dividend in respect of 2019 of 85.9 ¢ per share. An interim dividend in respect of 2020 was not paid and the Board will continue to defer consideration of further dividends until visibility of the pace and scale of market recovery has improved.

Major institutional shareholders

As at 22 February 2021, the Company had been notified of the following significant holdings in its ordinary shares under the UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTRs):

     As at 22 February 2021     As at 17 February 2020     As at 18 February 2019 
     Ordinary            Ordinary            Ordinary        
Shareholder    shares/ADSsa                         %a     shares/ADSsa                         %a     shares/ADSsa                         %a 
BlackRock, Inc.    10,429,827b     5.71     9,939,317     5.46     10,165,234     5.60 
Boron Investments B.V.    6,890,000     3.77     11,450,000     6.01     11,450,000     6.01 
Cedar Rock Capital Limited    14,923,417     5.07     14,923,417     5.07     14,923,417     5.07 
Fiera Capital Corporation    11,037,891     6.06     11,037,891     6.06     9,662,767     5.07 
Fundsmith LLP    10,222,246     5.18     10,222,246     5.18     10,222,246     5.18 
Royal Bank of Canada    9,161,021c      5.01     n/a     n/a     n/a     n/a 

a

The number of shares and percentage of voting rights was determined at the time of the relevant disclosures made in accordance with Rule 5 of the DTRs and doesn’t necessarily reflect the impact of any share consolidation or any changes in shareholding subsequent to the date of notification that are not required to be notified to us under the DTRs.

b

Total shown includes 1,431,074 qualifying financial instruments to which voting rights are attached.

c

Total shown includes 123,160 qualifying financial instruments to which voting rights are attached.

In addition to the above notifications, the Company had been notified of the following holdings in its ordinary shares:

FMR LLC notified the Company on 22 January 2020 that it held less than 5% of voting rights.

BLS Capital Fondsmaeglerselskab A/S notified the Company on 10 November 2020 that it held less than 3% of voting rights.

As at 22 February 2021, the Company had not received any further notifications in relation to the holdings referred to above.

The Company’s major shareholders have the same voting rights as other shareholders. The Company does not know of any arrangements the operation of which may result in a change in its control.

LOGOFor further details on shareholder profiles, see page 243.

LOGO

Directors’ ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020219


Additional Information

Directors’ Report continued

2020 share awards and grants to employees

Our current policy is to settle the majority of awards or grants under the Company’s share plans with shares purchased in the market or from shares held in treasury; however, the Company continues to review this policy. The Company’s share plans incorporate the current Investment Association’s guidelines on dilution which provide that commitments to new shares or re-issue treasury shares under executive plans should not exceed 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (adjusted for share issuance and cancellation) in any 10-year period. During the financial year ended 31 December 2020, the Company transferred 623,019 treasury shares (0.33% of the total issued share capital) to satisfy obligations under its share plans.

The estimated maximum dilution from awards made under the Company’s share plans over the last 10 years is 3.5%.

As at 31 December 2020, no options were outstanding. The Company has not utilised the authority given by shareholders at any of its AGMs to allot shares for cash without first offering such shares to existing shareholders.

Employee share ownership trust (ESOT)

IHG operates an ESOT for the benefit of employees and former employees. The ESOT receives treasury shares from the Company and purchases ordinary shares in the market and releases them to current and former employees in satisfaction of share awards. During 2020, the ESOT released 736,673 shares and at 31 December 2020 it held 68,319 ordinary shares in the Company. The ESOT adopts a prudent approach to purchasing shares, using funds provided by the Group, based on expectations of future requirements.

In July 2019, shares held in the ESOT that had been allocated to share plan participants under the Annual Performance Plan were transferred to Equatex UK Limited (now Computershare Investor Services Plc) where they are held in a nominee account on behalf of those participants (Nominee). The shares held by the Nominee have been allocated to share plan participants on terms that entitle those participants to request or require the Nominee to exercise the voting rights relating to those shares. The Nominee shall exercise those votes in accordance with the directions of the participants. Shares that have not been allocated to share plan participants under such terms continue to be held by the ESOT and the trustee may vote or abstain from exercising their voting rights in relation to those shares, or accept or reject any offer relating to the shares, in any way it sees fit.

As at 31 December 2020, the Nominee held 294,932 ordinary shares in the Company, in the form of unvested share plan awards, allocated to Annual Performance Plan share plan participants.

Unless otherwise requested by the Company, the trustee of the ESOT waives all ordinary dividends on the shares held in the ESOT, other than shares which have been allocated to participants on terms which entitle them to the benefit of dividends, except for such amount per share as shall, when multiplied by the number of shares held by it on the relevant date, equal one pence or less.

Colleague Share Plan

The Company’s Colleague Share Plan rules (Rules) were approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2019 AGM. A summary of the rulesRules is set out in the appendix to the notice of the Company’s 2019 AGM, which is available atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section. The shareFollowing a detailed communication plan, was subsequently launchedinvitations to join the Colleague Share Plan were sent to all eligible corporate employees at the end of 2019.2019 with the first plan year commencing in January 2020 (Plan Year).

In accordance with the Rules, participant contributions have been used to purchase shares on a monthly basis on behalf of the individuals (Purchased Shares) and held within the Nominee. At the end of the Plan Year, the participants received a conditional right to receive one share (Matching Share) for every one Purchased Share that they have purchased. Providing the participants hold the Purchased Shares in the Nominee until the first anniversary of the end of the Plan Year, the conditional right to Matching Shares will vest.

As at 31 December 2020, the Nominee held 35,776 ordinary shares on behalf of Colleague Share Plan participants.

The second plan year commenced in January 2021 following the annual communication inviting employees to participate, and as at 22 February 2021, the Nominee held 2,683 Purchased Shares in relation to the second plan year.

Future business developments of the Group

LOGO

Further details on these are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 75.

Strategic Report on pages 2 to 71.

Employees and Code of Conduct

Having a predominantly franchised and managed business model means that not all of those people who work at hotels operated under our brands are our employees. When the Group’s entire estate is taken into account (including those working in our franchised and managed hotels), over 400,000approximately 350,000 people worked globally across IHG’s brands as at 31 December 2019.2020. Further details on our employees and Code of Conduct are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 24 and 25.

The average number of IHG employed the followingemployees, including part-time employees, during 2020 were as at 31 December 2019:follows:

 

9,6368,146 people worldwide (including those in our corporate offices, central reservations offices and owned hotels (excluding those in a category below)), whose costs were borne by the Group;

 

4,8004,686 people who worked directly on behalf of the System Fund and whose costs were borne by the System Fund; and

 

22,20715,980 General Managers and (in the US predominantly) other hotel workers, who work in managed hotels, who have contracts or are directly employed by IHG and whose costs are borne by those hotels.

LOGO

See note 4 of the Group Financial Statements on page 153

for more information.

Employment of the Group Financial Statements on page 157 for more information.disabled persons

We continueIHG continues to focus on providing an inclusive environment, in which employees are valued for who they are and what they bring to the Group, and in which talented individuals are retained through all levels of the organisation – see pages 2826 to 33.28.

We also look to appoint the most appropriate person for the job and are committed to providing equality of opportunity to all employees without discrimination. Every effort is made to ensure that applications for employment from disabled employees are fully and fairly considered and that disabled employees have equal opportunities to training, career development and promotion.

The Code of Conduct applies to all Directors, officers and employees and complies with the NYSE rules as set out in Section 406 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002. Further details can be found on page 240.239.

 

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

 For more information on the Group’s employment policies, including equal opportunities, employee communications and development, see pages 2826 to 33,28, and our websitewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business
 

 

222220 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


 

    

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

By delivering more environmentally sustainable hotels, we can drive cost efficienciescreate value for IHG, our owners and meet the expectations of all our stakeholders. We recognise the risks from climate change and the importance of reducing our globalcarbon footprint and in 2020 have published our 2030 carbon reduction targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. During 2020, due mainly to the impacts of Covid-19 on our industry, our absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 (FERA) GHG emissions for corporate officesfrom our owned, leased and managed hotels fell by 23%, from a 2018 base

year (against a 2030 reduction target of 15%), and our Scope 3 GHG emissions from our franchised hotels fell by 18% per square metre, from a 2018 base year (against a 2030 reduction target is to reduceof 46% per square meter). Covid-19 has significantly impacted occupancy levels across our estate and required intermittent hotel closures in many locations, which in turn has significantly lowered our carbon footprint per occupied roomfor the year. As the industry recovers, we will continue to focus on achieving our carbon reduction goals by6-7% across driving energy efficiency in our entire estate by 31 December 2020 (against a 2017 baseline). See page 45 for progress.hotels and increasingly looking at renewable energy solutions.

 

Reporting boundaryMeasure2019ª

2018a

Restated

2017a

Restated 

Global – corporate offices and franchised, managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotelsb (a KPI and part of our five-year targets)Scope 1 Direct emissions (tCO2e)529,092.83508,617.42479,280.40

Scope 2 Indirect emissions (tCO2e)2,008,036.701,949,693.521,863,265.75

Scope 3 Indirect (tCO2e)2,758,518.282,734,979.922,729,418.21

Total GHG emissions (tCO2e)5,295,647.825,193,290.865,071,964.36

IHG’s chosen intensity measurement GHG emissions per occupied room (kgCO2e per occupied room)26.8027.8028.50

Global – corporate offices and managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotelsb (as required under the Companies Act 2006)Scope 1 Direct emissions (tCO2e)529,092.83508,617.42479,280.40

Scope 2 Indirect emissions (tCO2e)2,008,036.701,949,693.521,863,265.75

Total GHG emissions (tCO2e)  2,537,129.54  2,458,310.94  2,342,546.15

IHG’s chosen intensity measurement GHG emissions per occupied room (kgCO2e per occupied room)44.7046.1045.50

                      2020                2019                2018
Reporting boundary    Measure      Global       

UK and UK

offshore only

      Global       

UK and UK

offshore only

      Global       

UK and UK

offshore only

Emissions from operations under our direct control  Energy – fuel use and refrigerants (hotels and transport) (kWh)         1,521,594,818             8,153,192         2,102,512,059           16,862,206         2,057,587,064             22,402,103
– corporate offices and IHG owned, leased and managed hotels      Energy – purchased electricity, heat, steam and cooling (kWh)         2,941,644,820     12,504,410     3,788,758,919     22,032,986     3,575,195,407     18,269,535
  Scope 1 Direct emissions – fuel use and refrigerants (tCO2e)     342,504     1,558     491,740     3,286     481,047     4,316
  Scope 2 Indirect emissions – purchased energy (tCO2e, location-based)     1,529,400     2,917     2,014,868     5,623     1,926,948     5,057
  Scope 2 Indirect emissions – purchased energy (tCO2e, market-based)     1,536,108     2,917     2,035,966     5,623     1,955,209     5,057
  Total Scope 1 and 2 (tCO2e, location-based)     1,871,903     4,475     2,506,609     8,909     2,407,995     9,374
   Scope 1 and 2 intensity (tCO2e per $000 revenue, location-based)     0.35     0.07     0.21     0.03     0.21     0.04

Emissions from operations outside our direct control

– franchised hotels

  Scope 3 Indirect emissions from franchised hotels (tCO2e)     1,904,006     90,632     2,689,433     148,820     2,714,512     161,197
Total GHG emissions  Scope 1, 2 and 3 (tCO2e)     3,775,909     95,107     5,196,041     157,729     5,122,507     170,571

 

a

Reporting period commencing on 1 October and ending on 30 September – due to the delay in hotels receiving their energy bills it is not possible to report accurately GHG emissions from 1 January to 31 December.

b

Includes all of our branded hotels but does not include emissions from 440 hotels. We do not have sufficient data to estimate their emissions and believe them to be immaterial.

Scope

We report Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions as defined by the GHG protocol as follows:protocol:

 

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions produced byfrom the burning of fuels ofor from refrigerant losses by the emitter.

 

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions (generatedgenerated by the electricity consumed andenergy purchased or acquired by the emitter).

emitter.

 

Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions produced by the emitter activity, but owned and controlled bythat occur in a different emitter from the one who reports on the emissions (e.g. our franchise estate).

company’s value chain.

Methodology

We have worked with external consultants to give us anup-to-date picture of IHG’s carbon footprint and to assess our performance over time. To calculate our emissions, they use the past few years. The externalGHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard methodology and refer to other existing and emerging definitions, methodologies and standards, as relevant. Our consultants use autility consumption data as reported by hotels on the IHG Green Engage system, complete outlier checks as necessary, apply sampling and extrapolation methodology to estimate our global energy use and apply the appropriate emission factors to calculate our GHG emissions. For 2019, in line with the methodology set out in the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard,2020, the sample covered 5,193 (92%311 (88%) of our 5,663 hotels.354 UK hotels and 4,649 (79%) of our 5,922 global hotels with occupancy during the reporting period 2017-2020.

Global sample size was smaller in 2020 than in 2019 (92%), due to the impacts of Covid-19 on our hotels and their capacity to report utility data. Any missing datapoints for energy use in 2020 have been filled using average consumption per room night from the nearest 12-month period. Region-brand, regional and global average consumption per room night were calculated for each fuel type and outliers were identified by comparison to the median of the relevant region-brand group. Consumption data has been estimated for non-reporting hotels based on region-brand average consumption per room night, applied to a hotel’s number of room nights. This ensures that all hotels have a consumption figure corresponding to their occupied room nights. As IHG’s System size is continually changing, 2019 and 2018 data have been restated.

With our 2020 reporting, we have moved to calendar year reporting, showing annual GHG emissions for the numberperiod 1 January to 31 December. In previous years, we reported emissions for the period 1 October to 30 September, to ensure as much data as possible was available for annual calculations. From 2020, we are aligning our GHG reporting to our financial reporting period, to enable analysis of both financial and non-financial indicators for the same period.

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Directors’ ReportIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020221


Additional Information

Directors’ Report continued

Energy reduction initiatives

IHG hotels reporting data toglobally use the IHG Green Engage system, increases annually,a comprehensive online environmental management platform that helps them measure, track and report their utility consumption and carbon footprint, as well as providing over 200 ‘Green Solutions’ with detailed guidance to support hotels in reducing their energy, water and waste impacts. To comply with the IHG Green Engage standard, hotels are required amongst others to report their monthly energy consumption and complete key energy saving actions. In addition, hotels are set annual carbon reduction targets to drive continuous improvement.

In 2020, we saw our global GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) fall by 26% compared to base year 2018. This was largely due to the impacts of Covid-19 on our industry, resulting in low occupancy levels and intermittent hotel closures, but also in part due to targeted energy reduction efforts in our estate, including for example the implementation of a daily energy consumption tracker in some locations. Where possible, we have restated 2017worked closely with our hotels throughout the pandemic to help minimise energy consumption and 2018 data.utility costs during hotel closure and maximise energy efficiency during the re-opening stage.

 

LOGO

For more information on the Group’s responsible

business targets, see pages 20, 21, 29 and 30.

Finance

Political donations

The Group made no political donations under the Companies Act during the year and proposes to maintain this policy.

Financial risk management

The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies, including its use of financial instruments, are set out in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements on pages 182 to 185.

LOGOThe Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies, including its use of financial instruments, are set out in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements on pages 179 to 183.

Significant agreements and change of control provisions

The Group is a party to the following arrangements which could be terminated upon a change of control of the Company and which are considered significant in terms of their potential impact on the business of the Group as a whole:

 

The10-year £400 million bond issued by the Company on 28 November 2012, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued;accrued.

 

The $1.275 billion syndicated loan facility agreement dated 30 March 2015 and maturing in March 2022,September 2023, under which a change of control of the Company would entitle each lender to cancel its commitment and declare all amounts due to it payable;payable.

 

The10-year £300 million bond issued by the Company on 14 August 2015, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued;accrued.

 

The10-year £350 million bond issued by the Company on 24 August 2016, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued; andaccrued.

The8.5-year500 million bond issued by the Company on 15 November 2018, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued.

Further details

The 4-year500 million bond issued by the Company on material contracts are set out8 October 2020, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued.

The 8-year £400 million bond issued by the Company on page 235.

8 October 2020, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued.

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Additional Information  |  Directors’ reportLOGO 223Further details on material contracts are set out on page 234.


Additional Information

Directors’ Report continued

Business relationships

The Group is party to a technology agreement with Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc. (Amadeus), for the development and hosting of the Group’s next generation Guest Reservation System. The initial term of 10 years will expire in 2028, and the Group has the right to extend this agreement for two additional periods of up to 10 years each on the same terms, conditions and pricing. The financial and performance obligations in this agreement are guaranteed by Amadeus IT Group S.A., the parent company of Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc.

Otherwise, there are no specific individual contracts or arrangements considered to be essential to the business of the Group as a whole.

Disclosure of information to Auditor

For details, see page 120.

LOGOFor details, see page 114.

The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018

An overview of how the Directors have had regard to the matters set forth in sectionSection 172(1)(a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006 is provided in the Culture, responsible business, and stakeholder section ofSection 172 statement on pages 22 to 23. Further details can be found throughout the Strategic Report on pages 24 to 40, and Governance Report, as indicated in the Corporate Governance section, pages 79 to 95. Section 172 statement.

Specifically, a description of the actions taken by the Directors during the year to provide employees with information on matters concerning them, engage with employees to make better informed decisions, encourage employee involvement in the Company’s employee share scheme and increase employee awareness of the financial and economic factors affecting the performance of the Company, is set outcan be found in our Employee engagement statement on pages 24 to 33.page 26, throughout the Governance Report and on page 220.

A summaryOur statement of how the Directors engaged with employees and have had regard to their interests on the principal decisions taken by the Company during 2019 is also set out on such pages.

A summary of how the Directors have had regard to the need to foster and maintain the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others and the effect of that regard, including on any principal decisions taken by the Company in 2019, is set out on pages 24 to 40, and pages 79 to 95.page 31.

 

222IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



    

Listing Rules – compliance with LR 9.8.4C

 

Section    Applicable sub-paragraph within LR 9.8.4C    Location

 

   

 

   

 

1   Interest capitalised   Group Financial Statements, note 7, page 159157

 

   

 

   

 

4   Details of long-term incentive schemes   Directors’ Remuneration Report, pages 96 to 109111

 

   

 

   

 

The above table sets out only those sections of LR 9.8.4C which are relevant. The remaining sections of LR 9.8.4 are not applicable.

 

Going concern

An overview of the business activities of IHG, including a review of the key business risks that the Group faces, is given in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 7571 and in the Group information on pages 225224 to 236. Information235.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality industry has been severe. Through 2020, many of the Group’s treasury management policies can be found in note 24 to the Group Financial Statements on pages 182 to 185.

At the endhotels were temporarily closed, while others experienced historically low levels of 2019, the Group was trading significantly within its banking covenantsoccupancy and debt facilities.

room rates. The Group’sfee-based model and wide geographic spread mean that it is well placed to manage through these uncertain times,times.

The Group has taken various actions to manage cash outflows and our forecastsstrengthen its liquidity during 2020. As at 31 December 2020 the Group had total liquidity of $2,925m, comprising $1,350m of undrawn bank facilities and sensitivity projections, based$1,575m of cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts and restricted cash).

There remains unusually limited visibility on the pace and scale of market recovery and therefore there are a wide range of reasonably possible changesplanning scenarios over the going concern period. The scenarios and assessment considered by the Directors in trading performance, show thatadopting the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current facilities.going concern basis for preparing these financial statements is included on page 133.

After making enquiries,Based on the assessment completed, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequatehas sufficient resources to continue in operational existence foroperating until at least 30 June 2022 and there are no material uncertainties that may cast doubt on the foreseeable future and, accordingly,Group’s going concern status. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Please see page 54 for the Directors’

LOGO

Please see page 42 for the Directors’

assessment of the viability of the Group.

By order of the Board,

Nicolette Henfrey

Company Secretary

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

Registered in England and Wales, Company number 5134420

1722 February 20202021

LOGO

 

 

224Directors’ Report IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020223


Additional Information

 

Group information

History and developments

 

The Company was incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 5134420 on 21 May 2004 as a limited company under the Companies Act 1985 with the name Hackremco (No. 2154) Limited. In 2004/05, as part of a scheme of arrangement to facilitate the return of capital to shareholders, the following structural changes were made to the Group: (i) on 24 March 2005, Hackremco (No. 2154) Limited changed its name to New InterContinental Hotels Group Limited; (ii) on 27 April 2005, New InterContinental Hotels Group Limitedre-registered as a public limited company and changed its name to New InterContinental Hotels Group PLC; and (iii) on 27 June 2005, New InterContinental Hotels Group PLC changed its name to InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and became the holding company of the Group.

The Group, formerly known as Bass, and then Six Continents, was historically a conglomerate operating as, among other things, a brewer, soft drinks manufacturer, hotelier, leisure operator, and restaurant, pub and bar owner. In 1988 Bass acquired Holiday Inn International and the remainder of the Holiday Inn brand in 1990. The InterContinental brand was acquired by Bass in 1998 and the Candlewood Suites brand was acquired by Six Continents in 2003.

On 15 April 2003, following shareholder and regulatory approval, Six Continents PLC separated into two new listed groups, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, comprising the hotels and soft drinks businesses, and Mitchells & Butler plc, comprising the retail and standard commercial property developments business.

The Group disposed of its interests in the soft drinks business by way of an initial public offering of Britvic (Britannia Soft Drinks Limited for the period up to 18 November 2005, and thereafter, Britannia SD Holdings Limited (renamed Britvic plc on 21 November 2005), which became the holding company of the Britvic Group on 18 November 2005), a manufacturer and distributor of soft drinks in the UK, in December 2005. The Group now continues as a stand-alone hotels business.

Recent acquisitions and divestitures

The Group had no material acquisitions in 2020, therefore there was no cash outflow in this regard during the year (2019: $300 million, 2018: $38 million). The 2019 net cash outflow including the payment of contingent purchase consideration, relating to the acquisition of businesses in 2019 was $300 million (2018: $38 million, 2017: $nil), and relatesprincipally related to the acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and its management business (‘Six Senses’) in February 2019, the agreement to rebrand and operate under long-term ‘managed leases’ a portfolio of hotels in the UK (UK portfolio) in 2018 and 2019, and the acquisition of Regent Hotels and Resorts (‘Regent’) in July 2018, as follows:2019.

 

Six Senses: $292 million in 2019;

UK portfolio: $8 million in 2019 and $25 million in 2018; and

Regent: $13 million in 2018.

Further information is included in note 11 to the Group Financial Statements.

LOGOFurther information is included in note 11 to the Group Financial Statements on page 164.

The Group had no material divestitures in 20192020 or 2018.2019.

Capital expenditure

CapitalGross capital expenditure in 20192020 totalled $265$148 million compared with $265 million in 2019 and $253 million (restated) in 2018, and $356 million (restated) in 2017 (seesee page 217). The expenditure in 2019 was partly attributable to property, plant and equipment refurbishment works involved inre-branding the UK Portfolio hotels and investments in the Group’s associates and joint ventures.215.

 

At 31 December 2019,2020, capital committed (being contracts placed for expenditure on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and key money not provided for in the Group Financial Statements) totalled $197 million (including $3 million in respect of leases).$19 million.

 

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Additional Information  |  Group information225


Additional Information

Group information continued

Risk factors

 

The Group is subject to a variety of inherent risks that may have an adverse impact on its business operations, financial condition, turnover, profits, brands and reputation. This section describes the main risks that could materially affect the Group’s business. The risks below are not the only ones that the Group faces. Some risks are not yet known to the Group and some risks that the Group does not currently believe to be material could later turn out to be material.

While the Covid-19 pandemic, and related restrictions imposed by governments and others, has not fundamentally changed our risk factors, it has heightened the uncertainty in many areas which we face in delivering our short- and longer-term ambitions and reconfirmed that many of our risks are connected. This is most obvious in relation to the continuing significance of the safety and security of our colleagues and guests, government interventions impacting domestic, national and international travel, consumer confidence and appetite to travel internationally in the longer term, how we operate our hotels and the overall impact on our business resilience. The response to the primary safety concerns of Covid-19 has also created several secondary impacts. For example:

heightened risk of negative reputational impact (and the business consequences) as a result of any of our pandemic crisis management actions being negatively perceived by any stakeholder group;

heightened cyber risks from working remotely;
closure of key locations putting pressure on our processes, systems and infrastructure;

enhanced exposure to key person risks;

strain on our third-party supplier relationships – both in relation to business continuity and wider risks of supplier insolvency and/or default;

heightened risk of impairment of non-current assets;

new global or local laws or requirements; and

significant cost pressures for owners raising risks of default on payments due to IHG, employees or suppliers; non-compliance by owners with standards and other requirements; and owner insolvency and work-outs; impacting our ability to roll out initiatives as planned and the wider risk to our business model.

More recently the Covid-19 pandemic has created further trends in certain risk factors. For example:

a sustained downturn caused by further waves of the pandemic and/or a slower than anticipated industry recovery, including potential recovery pathways for business and leisure travel. This could create further volatility in our risk factors and also challenging conditions in the capital markets making it more difficult to obtain additional funding if required and potential impact to financial performance or further actions required to manage costs;

 

LOGO224IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Risk factors continued

heightened expectations from guests about the cleanliness and hygiene standards of major brands, which have already required a rapid response and investment by hotels and may continue to impact perceptions of brand quality;

the current context also creates challenges for us to communicate and meet consumer expectations when hotel services (e.g. food and beverage) are limited, and to ensure effective execution of high-profile standards across our franchise estate;

geopolitical tensions which may increase the likelihood of disruption to inbound or outbound travel and trade, and the potential for measures to be taken against businesses; and

inherent risks of burnout, physical and mental health impacts and challenges to retain staff in remote working arrangements.

To enable focus on the material risk factors facing the Group, the detail below has been organised under headings corresponding to the ordering of the principal risks outlined earlier in this document and considers the assessment of inherent risk trend and speed of potential impact on IHG objectives.

LOGO The principal risks are on pages 4634 to 54,41, the cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements are on page 252245 and financial and forward-looking information including note 8 on pages 160157 to 163,162, and note 24 on pages 182179 to 185.183.

1. Macro external factors

The Group is exposed to the risks of political and economic developments

The Group is exposed to political, economic and financial market developments such as recession, inflation and availability of credit and currency fluctuations that could lower revenues and reduce income. The outlook for 20202021 may worsen due to continued uncertainty in relation to Brexit (see page 47 for a statement onfollowing the materialityconclusion of this risk to the Company);Brexit; uncertainty in the Eurozone; the evolvingcontinuing disruption from the outbreak ofCovid-19 on domestic and international travel patterns in Greater China and elsewhere;patterns; potential disruptions in the US economy; the impact of fluctuating commodity prices (including oil) on economies dependent on such exports; continued unrest in parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia; and barriers to global trade, including unforeseeable changes in regulations, imposition of tariffs or embargoes, and other trade restrictions or controls. The interconnected nature of economies suggests any of these, or other events, could trigger a recession that reduces leisure and business travel to and from affected countries and adversely affects room rates and/or occupancy levels and other income-generating activities. Specifically, the Group is most exposed to the US market and, increasingly, to Greater China. The owners or potential owners of hotels franchised or managed by the Group face similar risks that could adversely impact their solvency and the Group’s ability to secure and retain franchise or management agreements.

Accordingly, the Group is particularly susceptible to adverse changes in these economies as well as changes in their currencies. In addition to trading conditions, the economic outlook also affects the availabilityfinancial health of capital to current and potential owners and their ability to access capital, which could impact existing operations, timely payment of IHG fees, and the health of the pipeline.

The Group is exposed to the riskrisks of events or stakeholder expectations that adversely impact domestic or international travel, including climate change

The room rates and occupancy levels of the Group could be adversely impacted by events that reduce domestic or international travel, such as actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, political or civil unrest, epidemics or threats thereof, travel-related accidents or industrial action, natural orman-made disasters, or other local factors impacting specific countries, cities or individual hotels, as well as increased transportation and fuel costs. Additionally, the Group may be adversely impacted by increasing stakeholder and societal expectations and attitudesovercapacity in relation to factors contributing to climate change including overtravel and overtourism, and those linked directly to hotels including waste, water, energy, or impact on local communities. A decrease in the demand for business and/or leisure hotel rooms as a result of such events or attitudinal/demand shifts may have an adverse impact on the Group’s operations or growth prospects and financial results. In addition, inadequate planning, preparation, response or recovery in relation to a major incident or crisis may cause loss of life, prevent operational continuity, or result in financial loss, and consequently impact the value of our brands and/or the reputation of the Group.

The Group is exposed to the risks of the hotel industrysupply-and-demand cycle

The future operating results of the Group could be adversely affected by industry overcapacity (by number of rooms) and weak demand due, for example, to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on travel and customer confidence in part,returning to business and leisure travel, to the cyclical nature of the hotel industry, orand to other differences between planning assumptions and actual operating conditions. These conditions could result in reductions in room rates and occupancy levels, which would adversely impact the financial performance of the Group.

2. Preferred brands and loyalty

The Group is subject to a competitive and changing industry

The Group operates in a competitive industry and must compete effectively against traditional competitors such as other global hotel chains, local hotel companies and independent hotels to win the loyalty of guests, employees and owners. The competitive landscape also includes other types of businesses, both global and specific to certain markets, such asweb-based booking channels (which include online travel agents and intermediaries), and alternative sources of accommodation such as short-term lets of private property. Failure to compete effectively in traditional and emerging areas of the business could impact the Group’s market share, System size, profitability and relationships with owners and guests. The hospitality industry has experienced recent consolidation and is likely to see this trend continue as companies seek to maintain or increase competitive advantage. Further consolidation by competitors may result in such competitors having access to increased resources, capabilities or capacity and provide advantages from scale of revenues, marketing funds and/or cost structures.

The Group is reliant on the reputation of its existing brands and is exposed to inherent reputation risks related to executing and realising benefits from strategic transactions, including acquisitions and restructuring

The Group may seek to make strategic transactions, including acquisitions, divestmentsAny event that materially damages the reputation of one or investments in the future. The Group may not be able to identify opportunities or complete transactions on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and may not realise the anticipated benefits from such transactions. Strategic transactions come with inherent valuation, financial and commercial risks, and regulatory and insider information risks during the executionmore of the transactions. The Group may also continueGroup’s brands and/or fails to make organisational adjustments to support deliverysustain the appeal of our growth ambitions, including the integration of acquisitions into the Group’s operating processesbrands to its customers and systems. This creates inherent risksowners may have an adverse impact on the value of complexitythat brand and subsequent revenues from that any changes made could be unsustainablebrand or that we arebusiness. In particular, if the Group is unable to achievecreate consistent, valued and quality products and guest experiences across the return envisaged through reinvestment.franchised, managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels or if the Group, its franchisees or business partners fail to act responsibly, this could result in an adverse impact on its brand reputation. In addition, the Group may face unforeseen costs and liabilities, diversionvalue of management attention, as well as longer-term integration and operational risks, whichthe Group’s brands could result inbe influenced by a failure to realise benefits, financial losses, lower employee morale and loss of talent.

The Group is dependent upon a wide rangenumber of external stakeholders and business partners

The Group relies onfactors outside the performance, behaviours and reputation of a wide range of business partners and external stakeholders, including,Group’s control, such as, but not limited to, owners, contractors, lenders, suppliers, outsourced providers, vendors, joint-venture partners,changes in sentiments against global brands, changes in applicable regulations related to the hotel industry or to franchising, successful commoditisation of hotel brands by online travel agents third-partyand intermediaries, and other business partners which may have different ethical values, interests and priorities. Further, the number and complexity of interdependencies with stakeholders is evolving. Breakdownsor changes in relationships, contractual disputes, deteriorationowners’ perceptions of the financial health of our partners, poor vendor performance, insolvency, stakeholder behaviours or adverse reputations, which may be outsidevalue of the Group’s control, could adversely impact on the Group’s performance and competitiveness, delivery of projects, guest experiences or the reputation of the Group or its brands.Group.

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The Group is exposed to increasing competition from online travel agentsinherent uncertainties associated with brand development and intermediariesexpansion

A proportion of the Group’s bookings originate from large multinational, regional and local online travel agents and intermediaries with which theThe Group has contractual arrangementslaunched or acquired a number of new brands, such as EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, avid hotels, voco hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Atwell Suites, and entered into co-branded credit card relationships to which it pays commissions. These platforms offer a wide rangesupport the IHG Rewards programme and an exclusive loyalty partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith. As the roll out, integration and growth of these brands (including associated loyalty programmes) is dependent on market conditions, guest preference and owner investment, and also continued cooperation with third parties, there are inherent risks that we will be unable to recover costs incurred in developing or acquiring the brands or any new programmes or products, often across multipleor those brands, have growing bookingprogrammes, or products will not succeed as we intend. The Group’s ongoing agenda to deliver industry-leading net rooms growth creates risks relating to the transition of systems, operating models and review capabilities,processes, and may create the perception that they offer the lowest prices. Some of these online travel agentsresult in failures to improve commercial performance, leading to financial loss and intermediaries have strong marketing budgets and aim to create brand awareness and brand loyalty among consumers and may seek to commoditise hotel brands through price and attribute comparison. Further, if these companies continue to gain market share, they may impact the Group’s profitability, undermine the Group’s own booking channels and value to its hotel owners, and may be able to increase commission rates and negotiate other favourable contract terms.undermining stakeholder confidence.

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks related to identifying, securing and retaining franchise and management agreements

The Group’s growth strategy depends on its success in identifying, securing and retaining franchise and management agreements. This is an inherent risk for the hotel industry and the franchising business and management model. Competition with other hotel companies may generally reduce the number of suitable franchise, management and investment opportunities offered to the Group and increase the bargaining position of property owners seeking

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to become a franchisee or engage a manager. The terms of new franchise or management agreements may not be as favourable as current arrangements; the Group may not be able to renew existing arrangements on similarly favourable terms, or at all.

There can also be no assurance that the Group will be able to identify, retain or add franchisees to the IHG System, to secure management contracts or open hotels in our development pipeline. For example, the availability of suitable sites, market saturation, planning and other local regulations or the availability and affordability of finance may restrict the supply of suitable hotel development opportunities under franchise or management agreements and mean that not every hotel in our development pipeline may develop into a new hotel that enters our system. In connection with entering into franchise or management agreements, the Group may be required to make investments in, or guarantee the obligations of, third parties or guarantee minimum income to third parties. There are also risks that significant franchisees or groups of franchisees may have interests that conflict, or are not aligned, with those of the Group, including, for example, the unwillingness of franchisees to support brand or system improvement initiatives. This could result in franchisees prematurely terminating contracts which could lead to disputes, litigation, damages and other expenses and would adversely impact the overall IHG System size and the Group’s financial performance.

The Group is exposed to inherent risks in relation to changing technology3. Leadership and systems

As the use of the internet, artificial intelligence, mobile and data technology grows, and new and disruptive technology solutions are developed, customer needs evolve at pace. The Group may find that its evolving technology capability is not sufficient and may have to make substantial additional investments in new technologies or systems to remain competitive. Failure to keep pace with developments in technologies or systems, and also with regulatory, risk and ethical considerations of how these developments are used, may put the Group at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, the technologies or systems that the Group chooses to deploy may not be commercially successful or the technology or system strategy may not be sufficiently aligned with the needs of the business. Any such failure could adversely affect guest experiences, and the Group may lose customers, fail to attract new customers, incur substantial

costs or face other losses. This could further impact the Group’s reputation in regards to innovation. (See also “The Group is exposed to the risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy”).

The Group is reliant on the reputation of its existing brands and is exposed to inherent reputation risks

Any event that materially damages the reputation of one or more of the Group’s brands and/or fails to sustain the appeal of the Group’s brands to its customers and owners may have an adverse impact on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business. In particular, if the Group is unable to create consistent, valued and quality products and guest experiences across the owned, leased and managed lease, managed and franchised estates, or if the Group, its franchisees or business partners fail to act responsibly, this could result in an adverse impact on its brand reputation. In addition, the value of the Group’s brands could be influenced by a number of external factors outside the Group’s control, such as, but not limited to, changes in sentiments against global brands, changes in applicable regulations related to the hotel industry or to franchising, successful commoditisation of hotel brands by online travel agents and intermediaries, or changes in owners’ perceptions of the value of the Group.

The Group is exposed to risks associated with its intellectual property

Given the importance of brand recognition to the Group’s business, the protection of its intellectual property poses a risk due to the variability and changes in controls, laws and effectiveness of enforcement globally, particularly in jurisdictions which may not have developed levels of protection for corporate assets such as intellectual property, trade secret,know-how and customer information, and records. Any widespread infringement, misappropriation or weakening of the control environment could materially harm the value of the Group’s brands and its ability to develop the business and compete currently or in the future. Third party claims that we infringe their intellectual property could lead to disputes, litigation, damages and other expenses. (See also “The Group is exposed to the risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy”).

The Group is reliant upon the resilience of its reservation system and other key technology platforms and is exposed to risks that could disrupt their operation and/or integrity

The value of the Group is partly derived from the ability to drive reservations through its reservation system and technology platforms which are highly integrated with other processes and systems and linked to multiple sales channels, including the Group’s own websites,in-house and third-party managed call centres, hotels, third-party intermediaries and travel agents.

The scope and complexity of our technology infrastructure, including increasing reliance on third-party suppliers to support and protect our systems and information, as well as the rapidly evolving cyber threats, means that we are inherently vulnerable to physical damage, failures, disruptions, denial of service, phishing or other malware attacks, cyber terrorism and fraud, as well as human error, negligence and wilful misuse. Our franchisees and suppliers are also inherently vulnerable to the same risks.

Lack of resilience and operational availability of these systems provided by the Group or third-party technology providers and inability or difficulty in updating existing or implementing new functionality could lead to prolonged service disruption. This might result in significant business interruption, impact the guest booking experience, lead to loss of or theft of data, and subsequently adversely impact Group revenues, incur financial costs to remediate or investigate, lead to regulatory and/or contractual enforcement actions or lawsuits, or damage the Group’s reputation and relationships with hotel owners.

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The Group is exposed to a variety of risks associated with safety, security and crisis management

There is a constant need to protect the safety and security of our guests, employees and assets against natural andman-made threats. These include, but are not limited to, exceptional events such as extreme weather, civil or political unrest, violence and terrorism, serious and organised crime, fraud, employee dishonesty, cyber crime, pandemics or contagious diseases, fire, andday-to-day accidents, incidents and petty crime which impact the guest or employee experience, could cause loss of life, sickness or injury and result in compensation claims, fines from regulatory bodies, litigation, and impact reputation. Serious incidents or a combination of events could escalate into a crisis which, if managed poorly, could further expose the Group and its brands to significant reputational damage.talent

The Group requires the right people, skills and capability to manage growth and change

In order to remain competitive, the Group must employ the right people. This includes hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with particular expertise or leadership capability. The implementation of the Group’s strategic business plans could be undermined by failure to build and sustain a resilient corporate culture, failure to recruit or retain key personnel, unexpected loss of key senior employees, failures in the Group’s succession planning and incentive plans, or failure to invest in the development of key skills.

Some of the markets in which the Group operates are experiencing economic growth and/or low levels of unemployment, attractive roles and competitive rewards available elsewhere, and theThe Group must compete against other companies inside and outside the hospitality industry for suitably qualified or experienced employees, up to and including Executive Directors. Some of the markets in which the Group operates may experience economic growth and/or low levels of unemployment, and there may be attractive roles and competitive rewards available elsewhere.

In the US and elsewhere, including our Greater China region, the Group is continuing to experience pay compression at senior leader level which is limiting the ability to attract and retain talent in key roles. The combination of temporary pay reductions, no 2020 bonus and the expected low outcomes for the in-flight LTIP awards may lead to significant retention risks for senior talent, particularly given the challenges facing the hospitality sector in the current environment.

Some emerging markets may not have the required local expertise to operate a hotel and may not be able to attract the right talent. Failure to attract and retain employees and increasing labour costs may threaten the ability to operate hotels and our corporate support functions, achieve business growth targets or impact the profitability of our operations. Additionally, unless skills are supported by a sufficient infrastructure to enable knowledge and skills to be passed on, the Group risks losing accumulated knowledge if key employees leave the Group.

Collective bargaining activity could disrupt operations, increase our labour costs or interfere with the ability of our management to focus on executing our business strategies.

A significant number of colleagues at our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels (approximately 22%4,200 in the US, Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman and Dutch Antilles) are covered by collective

bargaining agreements and similar agreements. If relationships with those colleagues or the unions that represent them become adverse,deteriorate, the properties we own, lease or manage could experience labour disruptions such as strikes, lockouts, boycotts and public demonstrations. Collective bargaining agreements representing half of our organised colleagues in the US expired during 2018. These agreements were successfully renegotiated during 2019. Hotel sector union member participation continues to increase in key markets within the Americas region, which may require IHG to enter into new labour agreements as more employees become unionised in the future. Labour disputes, which are generally more likely when collective bargaining agreements are being renegotiated, could harm our relationship with our colleagues, result in increased regulatory inquiries and enforcement by governmental authorities and deter guests. Further, adverse publicity related to a labour dispute could harm our reputation and reduce customer demand for our services.

Labour regulation and the negotiation of new or existing collective bargaining agreements could lead to higher wage and benefit costs, changes in work rules that raise operating expenses, legal costs and limitations on our ability or the ability of our third-party property

owners to take cost saving measures during economic downturns. We do not have the ability to control the negotiations of collective bargaining agreements covering unionised labour employed by our third-party property owners and franchisees. Increased unionisation of our workforce, new labour legislation or changes in regulations could disrupt our operations, reduce our profitability or interfere with the ability of our management to focus on executing our business strategies.

The Group is exposed to the risk of litigation

Certain companies in the Group are the subject of various claims4. Cybersecurity and proceedings. The ultimate outcome of these matters is subject to many uncertainties, including future events and uncertainties inherent in litigation. In addition, the Group could be at risk of litigation claims made by many parties, including but not limited to: guests, customers, joint-venture partners, suppliers, employees, regulatory authorities, franchisees and/or the owners of the hotels it manages. Claims filed may include requests for punitive damages as well as compensatory damages. Unfavourable outcomes of claims or proceedings could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s results of operations, cash flow and/or financial position. Exposure to significant litigation or fines may also affect the reputation of the Group and its brands. (See also legal proceedings on page 236.)information governance

The Group is exposed to the risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy

The Group is increasingly dependent upon the collection, usage, retention, availability, integrity and confidentiality of information, including, but not limited to: guest, employee and owner credit card, financial and personal data, business performance, financial reporting and commercial development. The information is sometimes held in different formats such as digital, paper, voice recordings and video and could be stored in many places, including facilities managed by third-party service providers, in our Company managed hotels, and by our franchisees, who are subject to the same or similar risks.

Cyber breaches increasingly appear to be an unfortunate reality for most firms and we therefore invest in trying to avoid them where reasonable and practical to do so – in recognition of the possible impact of cybersecurity breaches beyond data loss on operational performance and regulatory actions/ fines, as well as the potential impact on our reputation. The threats towards the hospitality industry and the Group’s information are dynamic, and include cyber-attacks, fraudulent use, loss or misuse by employees and breaches of our vendors’ security arrangements, amongst others.

The Group experienced cybersecurity incidents including;including: (a) at a number of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data (the Kimpton Security Incident);data; and (b) an incident that involved malware being installed on servers that processed payment cards used at restaurants and bars of 12 IHG managed properties, (the Americas Security Incident), that the Group become aware of in 2016. These incidents resulted in the Group reimbursing the impacted card networks for counterfeit fraud losses and related expenses and becoming subject to investigations regarding compliance with applicable State and Federal data security standards, and legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the Security Incidents. To date, four lawsuits have been filed against IHG entities relating to the Security Incidents.

The legal and regulatory environment around data privacy and requirements set out by the payment card industry surrounding

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information security across the many jurisdictions in which the Group operates are constantly evolving (such as the EU GDPR, China cybersecurity law, and California privacy law). If the Group fails to protect information and ensure relevant controls are in place to enable the acceptable use and release of information through the appropriate channels in a timely and accurate manner, IHG System

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performance, guest experience and the reputation of the Group may be adversely affected. This could lead to revenue losses, fines, penalties, litigation and other additional costs.

We are also required to comply with marketing and advertising laws relating to our direct marketing practices, including email marketing, online advertising, and postal mailings. Further restrictions to the content or interpretations of these laws could adversely impact our current and planned activities and the effectiveness or viability of our marketing strategies to maintain, extend and acquire relationships with customers, and impact the amount and timing of our sales of certain products.

 

LOGOLOGO For information of incidents relating to cybersecurity and data privacy, during 2019, see pages 197195 and 236.235.

5. Channel management and technology

The Group is exposed to increasing competition from online travel agents and intermediaries

A proportion of the Group’s bookings originate from large multinational, regional and local online travel agents and intermediaries with which the Group has contractual arrangements and to which it pays commissions. These platforms offer a wide range of products, often across multiple brands, have growing booking and review capabilities, and may create the perception that they offer the lowest prices. Some of these online travel agents and intermediaries have strong marketing budgets and aim to create brand awareness and brand loyalty among consumers and may seek to commoditise hotel brands through price and attribute comparison. Further, if these companies continue to gain market share, they may impact the Group’s profitability, undermine the Group’s own booking channels and value to its hotel owners, and may be able to increase commission rates and negotiate other favourable contract terms.

The Group is exposed to inherent risks in relation to changing technology and systems

As the use of the internet, artificial intelligence, mobile and data technology grows, and new and disruptive technology solutions are developed, customer needs and expectations evolve at pace. The Group may find that its evolving technology capability is not sufficient and may have to make substantial additional investments in new technologies or systems to remain competitive. Failure to keep pace with developments in technologies or systems, and also with regulatory, risk and ethical considerations of how these developments are used, may put the Group at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, the technologies or systems that the Group chooses to deploy may not be commercially successful or the technology or system strategy may not be sufficiently aligned with the needs of the business. Any such failure could adversely affect guest experiences, and the Group may lose customers, fail to attract new customers, incur substantial costs or face other losses. This could further impact the Group’s reputation in regards to innovation. (See also “The Group is exposed to the risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy”).

The Group is reliant upon the resilience of its reservation system and other key technology platforms and is exposed to risks that could disrupt their operation and/or integrity

The value of the Group is partly derived from the ability to drive reservations through its reservation system and technology platforms which are highly integrated with other processes and systems and linked to multiple sales channels, including the Group’s own websites, in-house and third-party managed call centres, hotels, third-party intermediaries and travel agents.

The scope and complexity of our technology infrastructure, including increasing reliance on third-party suppliers to support and protect our systems and information, as well as the rapidly evolving cyber threats, means that we are inherently vulnerable to physical damage, failures, disruptions, denial of service, phishing or other malware attacks, cyber terrorism and fraud, as well as human error, negligence and wilful misuse. These risks may be heightened when these capabilities are provided off shore or in cloud-based environments. Our franchisees and suppliers are also inherently vulnerable to the same risks.

Lack of resilience and operational availability of these systems provided by the Group or third-party technology providers and inability or difficulty in updating existing or implementing new functionality could lead to prolonged service disruption. This might result in significant business interruption, impact the guest booking experience, lead to loss of or theft of data, and subsequently adversely impact Group revenues, incur financial costs to remediate or investigate, lead to regulatory and/or contractual enforcement actions or lawsuits, or damage the Group’s reputation and relationships with hotel owners.

6. Investment effectiveness and efficiency

The Group is exposed to risks related to executing and realising benefits from strategic transactions, including acquisitions and restructuring

The Group may seek to make strategic transactions, including acquisitions, divestments or investments in the future. The Group may not be able to identify opportunities or complete transactions on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and may not realise the anticipated benefits from such transactions. Strategic transactions come with inherent valuation, financial and commercial risks, and regulatory and insider information risks during the execution of the transactions. The Group may also continue to make organisational adjustments to support delivery of our growth ambitions, including the integration of acquisitions into the Group’s operating processes and systems. This creates inherent risks of complexity and that any changes made could be unsustainable or that we are unable to achieve the return envisaged through reinvestment. In addition, the Group may face unforeseen costs and liabilities, diversion of management attention, as well as longer-term integration and operational risks, which could result in a failure to realise benefits, financial losses, lower employee morale and loss of talent.

The Group is dependent upon a wide range of external stakeholders and business partners

The Group relies on the performance, behaviours and reputation of a wide range of business partners and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to, owners, contractors, lenders, suppliers, outsourced providers, vendors, joint-venture partners, online travel agents, third-party intermediaries and other business partners which may have different ethical values, interests and priorities. Further, the number and complexity of interdependencies with stakeholders is evolving. Breakdowns in relationships, contractual disputes, deterioration of the financial health of our partners, poor vendor performance, sub-standard control procedures, business continuity arrangements, insolvency, stakeholder behaviours or adverse reputations, which may be outside of the Group’s control, could adversely impact on the Group’s performance and competitiveness, delivery of projects, guest experiences or the reputation of the Group or its brands.

7. Legal, regulatory and ethical compliance

The Group is exposed to the risk of litigation

Certain companies in the Group are the subject of various claims and proceedings. The ultimate outcome of these matters is subject to many uncertainties, including future events and uncertainties inherent in litigation. In addition, the Group could be at risk of litigation claims made by many parties, including but not limited

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to: guests, customers, joint-venture partners, suppliers, employees, regulatory authorities, franchisees and/or the owners of the hotels it manages. Claims filed may include requests for punitive damages as well as compensatory damages. Unfavourable outcomes of claims or proceedings could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s results of operations, cash flow and/or financial position. Exposure to significant litigation or fines may also affect the reputation of the Group and its brands. (See also legal proceedings on page 235.)

The Group is required to comply with existing and changing regulations and act in accordance with societal expectations across numerous countries, territories and jurisdictions

Government regulations affect countless aspects of the Group’s business ranging fromincluding corporate governance, health and safety, the environment, social responsibility, bribery and corruption, employment law and diversity, disability access, data privacy and information protection, financial, accounting and tax. Regulatory changes may require significant changes in the way the business operates and may inhibit the Group’s strategy, including the markets the Group operates in, brand protection, and use or transmittal of personal data. If the Group fails to comply with existing or changing regulations, the Group may be subject to fines, prosecution, loss of licence to operate or reputational damage.

The reputation of the Group and the value of its brands are influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the perception of stakeholder groups such as guests, owners, suppliers and communities in which the Group operates. The social and environmental impacts of its business are under increasing scrutiny, and the Group is exposed to the risk of damage to its reputation if it fails to (or fails to influence its business partners to) undertake responsible practices and engage in ethical behaviour, or fails to comply with relevant regulatory requirements.

The Group may face difficulties insuringis exposed to risks associated with its businessintellectual property

Historically,Given the Group has maintained insurance atimportance of brand recognition to the Group’s business, the protection of its intellectual property poses a risk due to the variability and changes in controls, laws and effectiveness of enforcement globally, particularly in jurisdictions which may not have developed levels determined to be appropriate in lightof protection for corporate assets such as intellectual property, trade secret, know-how and customer information, and records. Any widespread infringement, misappropriation or weakening of the cost of cover andcontrol environment could materially harm the risk profilevalue of the business. However, forces beyond the Group’s control, including market forces, may limit the scope of coverage the Group can obtainbrands and the Group’sits ability to obtain coverage at reasonable rates. Other forces beyonddevelop the Group’s control, such as terrorist attacksbusiness and compete currently or natural disasters, may be uninsurable or simply too expensive to insure. Inadequate or insufficient insurance carried byin the Group, our owners or other partners for damage, other potential losses or liabilities to third parties involving propertiesfuture. Third-party claims that we own, manage or franchiseinfringe their intellectual property could exposelead to disputes, litigation, damages and other expenses. (See also “The Group is exposed to the Grouprisks related to large claims or could result in the loss of capital invested in properties.cybersecurity and data privacy”.)

8. Financial management and control systems

The Group is exposed to inherent uncertaintiesa variety of risks associated with brand developmentits financial stability and expansionability to borrow and satisfy debt covenants

While the strategy of the Group is to grow through activities that do not involve significant amounts of its own capital, the Group does require capital to fund some development opportunities, technological innovations and strategic acquisitions; and to maintain and improve owned hotels. The Group has recently launched or acquired a numberis reliant upon having financial strength and access to borrowing facilities to meet these expected capital requirements. The majority of new brands, such as EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE, avid Hotels, voco, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Regent Hotels, Six Senses Hotels resortsthe Group’s borrowing facilities are only available if the financial covenants in the facilities are complied with. Non-compliance with covenants could result in the Group’s lenders demanding repayment of the funds advanced and spas, and entered intoco-branded credit card relationshipsany undrawn facilities could be unavailable. If the Group’s financial performance does not meet market expectations, it may not be able to support the IHG Rewards Club programme and an exclusive loyalty partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith. As the roll out, integration and growth of these brands (including associated loyalty programmes) is dependentrefinance existing facilities on market conditions, guest preference and owner investment, and also continued cooperation with third parties, there are inherent risks that we will be unable to recover costs incurred in developing or acquiring the brands or any new programmes or products, or those brands, programmes, or products will notterms considered favourable.

succeed as we intend. The Group’s ongoing agendaoperations are dependent on maintaining sufficient liquidity to accelerate growthmeet all foreseeable medium-term requirements and strategic initiatives creates risks relating toprovide headroom against unforeseen obligations

Cash and cash equivalents is held in short-term deposits and cash funds which allow daily withdrawals of cash. Most of the transitionGroup’s funds are held in the UK or US, although $44 million (2019: $16 million) is held in countries where repatriation is restricted as a result of systems, operating modelsforeign exchange regulations. Medium and processes,long-term borrowing requirements are met through committed bank facilities and bonds. Short-term borrowing requirements may result in failures to improve commercial performance, leading to financial lossbe met from drawings under uncommitted overdrafts and undermining stakeholder confidence.facilities.

The Group is exposed to an impairment of the carrying value of our brands, goodwill or other tangible and intangible assets negatively affecting our consolidated operating results

We hold significantSignificant amounts of goodwill, intangible assets,right-of-use assets, property, plant and equipment, investments and investments.contract assets are recognised on the Group balance sheet. We review the value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually (or whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred). Changes to estimated fair values couldcan result from political, economic and financial market developments or other shifts in the business climate, the competitive environment, the perceived reputation of our brands (by guests or owners), or changes in interest rates, operating cash flows, market capitalisation, or developments in the legal or regulatory environment. Impairments of $226m were recognised in 2020, primarily due to changes in forecast future cash flows as a consequence of Covid-19 and the associated future economic impacts. Because of the significance of our goodwill and other intangiblenon-current assets, we have incurred and may incur future impairment charges for goodwill, other intangibleon these assets andright-of-use assets, which may require materialnon-cash charges to our results of operations, which could have ana material adverse effect on our financial results.

The Group is exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates, currency devaluations or restructurings and to interest rate risk in relation to its borrowings

The US dollar is the predominant currency of the Group’s revenue and cash flows. Movements in foreign exchange rates can affect the Group’s reported profit, net liabilities and interest cover. The most significant exposures of the Group are in currencies that are freely convertible. The Group’s reported debt has an exposure to borrowings held in pounds sterling.sterling (including 1,000 million euro bonds which have been swapped into sterling using currency swaps). Conducting business in currencies other than US dollars exposes us to fluctuations in exchange rates, currency devaluations, or restructurings. This could potentially lower our reported revenues, increase our costs, reduce our profits or disrupt our operations. Our exposure to these factors is linked to the pace of our growth in territories outside the US and, if the proportion of our revenues grows, this may increase the potential sensitivity to currency movements having an adverse impact on our results.

From time to time, the Group hedges a portion of forecast foreign currency income by taking out forward exchange contracts and also uses short-dated foreign exchange swaps to manage sterling surplus cash and reduce US dollar borrowings whilst maintaining operational flexibility. However, these arrangements may not eliminate foreign exchange risk exposures entirely, and involve inherent risks of their own, including management time, expertise and external costs.

The Group transacted currency swaps in 2018 at the same time as the500 million 2.125% bonds were issued in order to swap the bonds’ proceeds and interest flows into sterling

The Group is also exposed to interest rate risk in relation to its fixed and floating rate borrowings and may use interest rate swaps to manage the exposure.

The Group’s operations are dependent on maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet all foreseeable medium-term requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations

Cash and cash equivalents is held in short-term deposits and cash funds which allow daily withdrawals of cash. Most of the Group’s funds are held in the UK or US, although $16 million (2018: $2 million) is held in countries where repatriation is restricted as a result of foreign exchange regulations. Medium and long-term borrowing requirements are met through committed bank facilities and bonds. Short-term borrowing requirements may be met from drawings under uncommitted overdrafts and facilities.

 

 

228IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Additional Information  |  Group information229


Additional Information

    

 


Group information continued

Risk factors continued

 

 

The Group could be affected by credit risk on treasury transactions

The Group uses long-term credit ratings from Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings as a basis for setting its counterparty limits. In order to manage the Group’s credit risk exposure, the treasury function sets counterparty exposure limits using metrics including credit ratings, the relative placing of credit default swap pricings, tier 1 capital and share price volatility of the relevant counterparty. The Group trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. In respect of credit risk arising from financial assets, the Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments. The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum exposure to credit risk.

ForeignThe Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in tax laws

Many factors will affect the Group’s future tax rate, the key ones being legislative developments, future profitability of underlying subsidiaries and tax uncertainties. The impact of Covid-19 has resulted in changes to the Group’s current geographic profit mix and this trend is expected to continue for at least the short term. This is likely to result in a higher than usual tax rate for the Group in the short term. Worldwide tax reform continues, most notably with the OECD’s review into ‘Tax Challenges Arising from Digitalisation’, and this could impact the tax profile of the Group over the longer term. The Group continues to monitor activity in this area. Tax liabilities or U.S.refunds may also differ from those anticipated, in particular as a result of changes in tax law, changes in the interpretation of tax law, or clarification of uncertainties in the application of tax law.

The Group may face difficulties insuring its business

Historically, the Group has maintained insurance at levels determined to be appropriate in light of the cost of cover and the risk profile of the business. However, the Group’s claims experience and wider external market forces may limit the scope of coverage the Group can obtain and the Group’s ability to obtain coverage at reasonable rates. Other forces beyond the Group’s control, such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, may be uninsurable or simply too expensive to insure. Inadequate or insufficient insurance carried by the Group, our owners or other partners for damage, other potential losses or liabilities to third parties involving properties that we own, manage or franchise could expose the Group to large claims or could result in the loss of capital invested in properties.

9. Safety and security

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks associated with safety, security and crisis management

There is a constant need to protect the safety and security of our guests, employees and assets against natural and man-made threats. These include, but are not limited to, exceptional events such as extreme weather, civil or political unrest, violence and terrorism, serious and organised crime, fraud, employee dishonesty, cyber crime, pandemics or contagious diseases (including but not limited to Covid-19), fire, and day-to-day accidents, incidents and petty crime which impact the guest or employee experience, could cause loss of life, sickness or injury and result in compensation claims, fines from regulatory bodies, litigation, and impact reputation. Serious incidents or a combination of events could escalate into a crisis which, if managed poorly, could further expose the Group and its brands to significant reputational damage.

10. Environmental and social megatrends

The Group is exposed to the risk of events or stakeholder expectations that adversely impact domestic or international travel, including climate change

The room rates and occupancy levels of the Group could be adversely impacted by events that reduce domestic or international travel, such as actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, political or civil unrest, epidemics and pandemics or threats thereof, travel-related accidents or industrial action, natural or man-made disasters, or other local factors impacting specific countries, cities or individual hotels, as well as increased transportation and fuel costs. Additionally, the Group may be adversely impacted by increasing stakeholder and societal expectations and attitudes in relation to factors contributing to climate change including overtravel and overtourism, and those linked directly to hotels including waste, water, energy, or impact on local communities. A decrease in the demand for business and/or leisure hotel rooms as a result of such events or attitudinal and demand shifts may have an adverse impact on the Group’s operations or growth prospects and financial results. In addition, inadequate planning, preparation, response or recovery in relation to a major incident or crisis may cause loss of life, prevent operational continuity, or result in financial loss, and consequently impact the value of our brands and/or the reputation of the Group.

Domestic and international environmental laws and regulations may cause us to incur substantial costs or subject us to potential liabilities.

The Group is exposed to certain compliance costs and potential liabilities under various foreign and U.S.US federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern actions and reporting requirements relating to matters including air emissions, the use, storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic substances, and wastewater disposal. The Group’s failure to comply with such laws, including any required permits or licenses,licences, could result in substantial fines or possible revocation of our authority to conduct some of our operations. We could also be liable under such laws for the costs of investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at our currently or formerly owned, leased or operated real property (including managed and franchised properties) or at third-party locations in connection with our waste disposal operations, regardless of whether or not we knew of, or caused, the presence or release of such substances. The Group may also be required to remediate such substances or remove, abate or manage asbestos, mould, radon gas, lead or other hazardous conditions at our properties. The presence or release of such toxic or hazardous substances could result in third-party claims for personal injury, property or natural resource damages, business interruption or other losses. Such claims and the need to investigate, remediate or otherwise address hazardous, toxic or unsafe conditions could adversely affect the Group’s operations, the value of any affected real property, or our ability to sell, lease or assign our rights in any such property, or could otherwise harm our business or reputation. Environmental, health and safety requirements have also become increasingly stringent, and our costs may increase as a result. New or revised laws and regulations or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, such as those related to climate change, could affect the operation of our properties or result in significant additional expense and restrictions on the Group’s business operations.

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks associated with its financial stability and ability to borrow and satisfy debt covenants

While the strategy of the Group is to grow through activities that do not involve significant amounts of its own capital, the Group does require capital to fund some development opportunities, technological innovations and strategic acquisitions; and to maintain and improve owned hotels. The Group is reliant upon having financial strength and access to borrowing facilities to meet these expected capital requirements. The majority of the Group’s borrowing facilities are only available if the financial covenants in the facilities are complied with.Non-compliance with covenants could result in the Group’s lenders demanding repayment of the funds advanced. If the Group’s financial performance does not meet market expectations, it may not be able to refinance existing facilities on terms considered favourable.

The Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in tax laws

The Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in taxes. Many factors will affect the Group’s future tax rate, the key ones being future legislative developments, future profitability of underlying subsidiaries and tax uncertainties.

There are many potential future changes to worldwide taxation systems as a result of the potential adoption by individual territories of recommendations of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, and other similar initiatives being driven by the OECD, governments and tax authorities. The Group continues to monitor activity in this area.

Tax liabilities or refunds may also differ from those anticipated, in particular as a result of changes in tax law, changes in the interpretation of tax law, or clarification of uncertainties in the application of tax law.

LOGO

 

 

230Group information IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020229


Additional Information

 

Group information continued

Directors’ and Executive Committee members’ shareholdings

As at 1722 February 2020:2021: (i) Executive Directors had the number of beneficial interests in shares (including Directors’ share awards under IHG’s share plans) set out in the table on page 105; (ii)Non-Executive Directors had the number of beneficial interests in shares set out in the table on page 108;110; and (iii) Executive Committee members had the number of beneficial interests in shares (including members’ share awards under IHG’s share plans) set out in the table below. These shareholdings indicate all Directors’ or Executive Committee members’ beneficial interests and those held by their spouses and other connected persons. As at 1722 February 2020,2021, no Director or Executive Committee member held more than 1.0% of the total issued share capital. None of the Directors have a beneficial interest in the shares of any subsidiary.

 

   Number of shares held outright    APP deferred share awards    LTIP share awards (unvested)    Total number of shares held    Number of shares held outright    APP deferred share awards    LTIP share awards (unvested)    Total number of shares held 

Executive

Committee

member

       17 Feb
2020
        31 Dec
2019
        31 Dec
2018
        17 Feb
2020
        31 Dec
2019
        31 Dec
2018
        17 Feb
2020
        31 Dec
2019
        31 Dec
2018
        17 Feb
2020
        31 Dec
2019
          31 Dec
2018
         22 Feb
2021
         31 Dec
2020
         31 Dec
2019
         22 Feb
2021
         31 Dec
2020
         31 Dec
2019
         22 Feb
2021
         31 Dec
2020
         31 Dec
2019
         22 Feb
2021
         31 Dec
2020
         31 Dec
2019
 
Keith Barr    52,832     52,832     42,782     32,697     32,697     28,262     102,537     102,537     97,211     188,066     188,066     168,255     70,279     70,279     52,832     37,705     37,705     32,697     119,227     119,227     102,537     227,211     227,211     188,066 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    38,562     38,562     25,669     25,637     25,637     26,742     76,150     76,150     87,482     140,349     140,349     139,893 
Paul Edgecliffe- Johnson    53,376     53,376     38,562     26,751     26,751     25,637     86,479     86,479     76,150     166,606     166,606     140,349 
Elie Maalouf    43,652     43,652     24,773     32,591     32,591     42,058     74,695     74,695     82,694     150,938     150,938     149,525     67,428     67,428     43,652     25,417     25,417     32,591     88,691     88,691     74,695     181,536     181,536     150,938 
Claire Bennett    9,152     9,152          8,494     8,494     14,406     44,675     44,675     28,788     62,321     62,321     43,194     16,521     16,521     9,152     14,379     14,379     8,494     55,340     55,340     44,675     86,240     86,240     62,321 
Jolyon Bulley    52,164     52,164     54,910     7,891     7,891     6,341     38,216     38,216     38,087     98,271     98,271     99,338     57,939     57,939     52,164     11,787     11,787     7,891     51,624     51,624     38,216     121,350     121,350     98,271 
Yasmin Diamond    2,354     2,354     1,423     9,491     9,491     7,239     30,331     30,331     33,521     42,176     42,176     42,183     7,581     7,581     2,354     11,016     11,016     9,491     36,887    

 

36,887

 

    30,331     55,484     55,484     42,176 
Nicolette Henfrey    1,528     1,528          5,077     5,077          21,239     21,239            27,844      27,844           4,528     4,528     1,528     6,621     6,621     5,077     32,939     32,939     21,239     44,088     44,088     27,844 
Wayne Hoare    0     0     n/a1      4,666     4,666     n/a1      22,653     22,653     n/a1      27,319     27,319     n/a1  
Kenneth Macpherson    14,145     14,145     7,681     31,186     31,186     33,468     46,670     46,670      53,121      92,001      92,001      92,270     30,160     30,160     14,145     18,557     18,557     31,186     54,789     54,789     46,670     103,506     103,506     92,001 
Ranjay Radhakrishnan    22,128     22,128     8,318     16,874     16,874     25,258     48,498     48,498      49,101      87,500      87,500      82,677     n/a2      n/a2      22,128     n/a2      n/a2      16,874     n/a2      n/a2      48,498     n/a2      n/a2      87,500 
George Turner    17,983     17,983     19,806     17,288     17,288     17,768     46,691     46,691     54,341     81,962     81,962     91,915     27,951     27,951     17,983     18,151     18,151     17,288     55,848     55,848     46,691     101,950     101,950     81,962 

1

Wayne Hoare joined the Company on 14 September 2020.

2

Ranjay Radhakrishnan left the Company on 29 February 2020.

Executive Directors’ benefits upon termination of office

All current Executive Directors have a rolling service contract with a notice period from the Group of 12 months. As an alternative, the Group may, at its discretion, pay in lieu of that notice. Neither notice nor a payment in lieu of notice will be given in the event of gross misconduct.

Payment in lieu of notice could potentially include up to 12 months’ salary and the cash equivalent of 12 months’ pension contributions, and other contractual benefits. Where possible, the Group will seek to ensure that, where a leaver mitigates their losses by, for example, finding new employment, there will accordingly be a corresponding reduction in compensation payable for loss of office.

 

LOGOLOGO Further details on the policy for determination of termination payments are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which is
available on IHG’s website at
www.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy section.

 

230IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Additional Information  |  Group information231


Additional Information

    

 


Group information continued

Description of securities other than equity securities

Fees and charges payable to a depositary

Category

(as defined by SEC)

     Depositary actions   Associated fee

 

   

 

  

 

Depositing or substituting the underlying shares   

Each person to whom ADRs are issued against deposits of shares, including deposits and issuances in respect of:

 

  Share distributions, stock splits, rights, mergers

 

  Exchange of securities or any other transactions or event or other distribution affecting the ADSs or the deposited securities

  $5 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)

 

   

 

  

 

Receiving or distributing dividends   Distribution of stock dividends  $5 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)
   

 

  

 

distributing dividends   Distribution of cash  $0.02 or less per ADS (or portion thereof)

 

   

 

  

 

Selling or exercising rights   Distribution or sale of securities, the fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities  $5 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)

 

   

 

  

 

Withdrawing an underlying security   Acceptance of ADRs surrendered for withdrawal of deposited securities  $5 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)

 

   

 

  

 

Transferring, splitting or grouping receipts   Transfers, combining or grouping of depositary receipts  $1.50 per ADS

 

   

 

  

 

General depositary services, particularly those charged on an annual basis   Other services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs  $0.02 per ADS (or portion thereof) not more than once each calendar year and payable at the sole discretion of the ADR Depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributionsa

 

   

 

  

 

Expenses of the depositary   

Expenses incurred on behalf of ADR holders in connection with:

 

  Compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment

 

  The ADR Depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations

 

  Stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges

 

  Cable, telex, facsimile transmission/delivery

 

  Transfer or registration fees in connection with the deposit and withdrawal of deposited securities

 

  Expenses of the ADR Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into US dollars (which are paid out of such foreign currency)

 

  Any other charge payable by the ADR Depositary or its agents

  Expenses payable at the sole discretion of the ADR Depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions are $20 per transaction

 

   

 

  

 

 

a

These fees are not currently being charged by the ADR Depositary.

Fees and charges payable by a depositary

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. (the ADR Depositary) is the depositary for IHG’s ADR programme. The ADR Depositary’s principal executive office is at: J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts, 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179. The ADR Depositary has agreed to reimburse certain reasonable Company expenses related to the Company’s ADR programme and incurred by the Company in connection with the ADR programme. During the year ended 31 December 2019,2020, the Company received $387,593.36$160,121.84 from the ADR Depositary in respect of legal, accounting and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of the Annual Report and Form 20-F, ongoing SEC compliance and listing requirements, investor relations programmes, and advertising and public relations expenditure.

Change in certifying accountant

A description of the audit tender process completed by the Company is included in the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F. An update on the auditor transition is on page 91.89.

The reports of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) with respect to the Company’s financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS for the past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified with respect to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

In connection with the audits of IHG’s financial statements for each of the two fiscal years ended 31 December 20192020 (i) there were no disagreements with EY, as that term is used in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F, over any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope and procedures, which if not resolved to EY’s satisfaction would have caused EY to make reference to the matter in their report and (ii) there were no ‘reportable events’ as that term is described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F.

IHG has provided EY with a copy of the foregoing disclosure and has requested that they furnish IHG with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not they agree with the above statements. A copy of such letter, dated 26 February 2020, in which EY state that they agree with such disclosure, is filed as Exhibit 15(a)(ii) to this 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.

LOGO

 

 

232Group information IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020231


Additional Information

 

Group information continued

Articles of Association

 

The Company’s Articles of Association (the Articles) were first adopted with effect from 27 June 2005 and were most recently amended at the AGM held on 47 May 20182020 and are available on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate Governance.governance. The following summarises material rights of holders of the Company’s ordinary shares under the material provisions of the Articles and English law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Companies Act and the Articles.

The Company’s shares may be held in certificated or uncertificated form. No holder of the Company’s shares will be required to make additional contributions of capital in respect of the Company’s shares in the future.

In the following description, a ‘shareholder’ is the person registered in the Company’s register of members as the holder of the relevant share.

Principal objects

The Company is incorporated under the name InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and is registered in England and Wales with registered number 5134420. The Articles do not restrict its objects or purposes.

Directors

Under the Articles, a Director may have an interest in certain matters (Permitted Interest) without the prior approval of the Board, provided they have declared the nature and extent of such Permitted Interest at a meeting of the Directors or in the manner set out in Section 184 or Section 185 of the Companies Act.

Any matter in which a Director has a material interest, and which does not comprise a Permitted Interest, must be authorised by the Board in accordance with the procedure and requirements contained in the Articles. In particular, this includes the requirement that a Director may not vote on a resolution to authorise a matter in which they are interested, nor may they count in the quorum of the meeting at which such business is transacted.

Further, a Director may not vote in respect of any proposal in which they, or any person connected with them, has any material interest other than by virtue of their interests in securities of, or otherwise in or through, the Company, nor may they count in the quorum of the meeting at which such business is transacted. This is subject to certain exceptions, including in relation to proposals: (a) indemnifying them in respect of obligations incurred on behalf of the Company; (b) indemnifying a third party in respect of obligations of the Company for which the Director has assumed responsibility under an indemnity or guarantee; (c) relating to an offer of securities in which they will be interested as an underwriter; (d) concerning another body corporate in which the Director is beneficially interested in less than one per cent of the issued shares of any class of shares of such a body corporate; (e) relating to an employee benefit in which the Director will share equally with other employees; and (f) relating to liability insurance that the Company is empowered to purchase for the benefit of Directors of the Company in respect of actions undertaken as Directors (or officers) of the Company.

The Directors have authority under the Articles to set their own remuneration (provided certain criteria are met). While an agreement to award remuneration to a Director is an arrangement with the Company that comprises a Permitted Interest (and therefore does not require authorisation by the Board in that respect), it is nevertheless a matter that would be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest between the Director concerned and the Company, and such conflict must be authorised by a resolution of the Board. The Director that is interested in such a matter may neither vote on the resolution to authorise such conflict, nor count in the quorum of the meeting at which it was passed. Furthermore, as noted above, the interested Director is not permitted to vote in

respect of any proposal in which they have any material interest

(except (except in respect of the limited exceptions outlined above) nor may they count in the quorum of the meeting at which such business is transacted.

As such, a Director has no power, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote on compensation to themselves, but may vote on a resolution (and may count in the quorum of the meeting at which it was passed) to award compensation to Directors provided those arrangements do not confer a benefit solely on them.

The Directors are empowered to exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, subject to the limitation that the aggregate amount of all monies borrowed by the Company and its subsidiaries shall not exceed an amount equal to three times the Company’s share capital and consolidated reserves, unless sanctioned by an ordinary resolution of the Company.

Under the Articles, there are noage-limit requirements relating to a person’s qualification to hold office as a Director of the Company.

Directors are not required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification.

The Articles require annual retirement andre-election of all Directors at the AGM.

Rights attaching to shares

Dividend rights and rights to share in the Company’s profits

Under English law, dividends are payable on the Company’s ordinary shares only out of profits available for distribution, as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the UK and by the Companies Act. No dividend will bear interest as against the Company.

Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the shareholders in general meeting, rateably according to the amounts paid up on such shares, provided that the dividend cannot exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.

The Company’s Board of Directors may declare and pay to shareholders such interim dividends as appear to them to be justified by the Company’s financial position. If authorised by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, the Board of Directors may also direct payment of a dividend in whole or in part by the distribution of specific assets (and in particular ofpaid-up shares or debentures of any other company).

Any dividend unclaimed by a member (or by a person entitled by virtue of transmission on death or bankruptcy or otherwise by operation of law) after six years from the date the dividend was declared, or became due for payment, will be forfeited and will revert to the Company.

Voting rights

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled, in respect of their holdings of such shares, to receive notice of general meetings and to attend, speak and vote at such meetings in accordance with the Articles.

Voting at any general meeting of shareholders is by a show of hands unless a poll, which is a written vote, is duly demanded. On a show of hands, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy at a general meeting has one vote regardless of the number of shares held. Resolutions put to the members at electronic general meetings shall be voted on by a poll, which poll votes may be cast by such electronic means as the Board in its sole discretion deems appropriate for the purposes of the meeting.

 

 

232IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Additional Information  |  Group information233


Additional Information

    

 


Group information continued

Articles of Association continued

 

 

On a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy has one vote for every share held by that shareholder. A poll may be demanded by any of the following:

 

Thethe Chair of the meeting;

 

Atat least five shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting;

 

Anyany shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy representing in the aggregate not less thanone-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting; or

 

Anyany shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy holding shares conferring a right to vote at the meeting and on which there have been paid up sums in the aggregate at least equal toone-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right.

A proxy form will be treated as giving the proxy the authority to demand a poll, or to join others in demanding one.

The necessary quorum for a general meeting is threetwo persons carrying a right to vote upon the business to be transacted, whether present in person or by proxy.

Matters are transacted at general meetings of the Company by the proposing and passing of resolutions, of which there are two kinds:

 

Anan ordinary resolution, which includes resolutions for the election of Directors, the approval of financial statements, the cumulative annual payment of dividends, the appointment of the Auditor, the increase of share capital or the grant of authority to allot shares.shares; and

 

Aa special resolution, which includes resolutions amending the Articles, disapplying statutorypre-emption rights, modifying the rights of any class of the Company’s shares at a meeting of the holders of such class or relating to certain matters concerning the Company’s winding up or changing the Company’s name.

An ordinary resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of those persons present and entitled to vote at a meeting at which there is a quorum.

Special resolutions require the affirmative vote of not less than three quartersthree-quarters of the persons present and entitled to vote at a meeting at which there is a quorum.

Working Time Regulations 1998

Under EU law, many employees of Group companies are now covered by the Working Time Regulations which came into force in the UK on 1 October 1998. These regulations implemented the European Working Time Directive and parts of the Young Workers Directive, and lay down rights and protections for employees in areas such as maximum working hours, minimum rest time, minimum days off and paid leave.

In the UK, there is in place a national minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, as amended. At 31 December 2019, the minimum wage for individuals aged 18 to 20 was £6.15 per hour, aged 21 to 24 was £7.70 per hour and for those aged 25 or over was £8.21 per hour in each case, excluding apprentices aged under

AGMs must be convened upon advance written notice of 21 days. Other meetings must be convened upon advance written notice of 14 days. The days of delivery or receipt of the notice are not included. The notice must specify the nature of the business to be transacted. The Board of Directors may, if they choose, make arrangements for shareholders, who are unable to attend the place of the meeting, to participate at other places. The Articles also allow for shareholders to attend and participate in shareholder meetings by electronic means.

Variation of rights

If, at any time, the Company’s share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may be varied, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, with the consent in writing of holders of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or upon the adoption of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. At every such separate meeting, all of the provisions of the Articles relating to proceedings at a general meeting apply, except that the quorum is to be the number of persons (which must be two or more) who hold or represent by proxy not less thanone-third in nominal value of the issued shares of that class.

Rights in awinding-up

Except as the Company’s shareholders have agreed or may otherwise agree, upon the Company’s winding up, the balance of assets available for distribution is to be distributed among the holders of ordinary shares according to the amounts paid up on the shares held by them:

 

Afterafter the payment of all creditors including certain preferential creditors, whether statutorily preferred creditors or normal creditors; and

 

Subjectsubject to any special rights attaching to any class of shares.

This distribution is generally to be made in cash. A liquidator may, however, upon the adoption of a special resolution of the shareholders, divide among the shareholders the whole or any part of the Company’s assets in kind.

Limitations on voting and shareholding

There are no limitations imposed by English law or the Articles on the right ofnon-residents or foreign persons to hold or vote the Company’s ordinary shares or ADSs, other than the limitations that would generally apply to all of the Company’s shareholders.

 

Working Time Regulations 1998

 

Under EU law, many employees of Group companies are now covered by the Working Time Regulations which came into force in the UK on 1 October 1998. These regulations implemented the European Working Time Directive and parts of the Young Workers Directive, and lay down rights and protections for employees in areas such as maximum working hours, minimum rest time, minimum days off and paid leave.

In the UK, there is in place a national minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, as amended. At 31 December 2020, the minimum wage for individuals aged 18 to 20 was £6.45 per hour, aged 21 to 24 was £8.20 per hour and for those aged 25 or over was £8.72 per hour in each case, excluding apprentices aged

under 19 years or, otherwise, in the first year of their apprenticeships. This particularly impacts businesses in the hospitality and retailing sectors. Compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act is being monitored by the Low Pay Commission, an independent statutory body established by the UK Government.

None of the Group’s UK employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with trade unions.

Continual attention is paid to the external market in order to ensure that terms of employment are appropriate. The Group believes the Group companies will be able to conduct their relationships with trade unions and employees in a satisfactory manner.

 

 

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Additional Information

 

Group information continued

Material contracts

 

The following contracts have been entered into otherwise than in the course of ordinary business by members of the Group: (i) in the two years immediately preceding the date of this document in the case of contracts which are or may be material; or (ii) that contain provisions under which any Group member has any obligation or entitlement that is material to the Group as at the date of this document. To the extent that these agreements include representations, warranties and indemnities, such provisions are considered standard in an agreement of that nature, save to the extent identified below.

Syndicated Facility

On 30 March 2015, the Company signed a five-year $1.275 billion bank facility agreement (Syndicated Facility) with Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, Barclays Bank plc, HSBC Bank PLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, all acting as joint bookrunners and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd as facility agent. The Company has exercised its ability to extend the term of the Syndicated Facility by two additional periods of 12 months, taking the termand, in April 2020, agreed a further extension of the Syndicated Facility taking its term to 2022.September 2023. The interest margin payable on borrowings under the Syndicated Facility is linked to IHG’s consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDAleverage ratio. The margin can vary between LIBOR + 0.40%0.90% and LIBOR + 1.00%2.75% depending on the level of the ratio. The Syndicated Facility was drawn as to $110 millionundrawn as at 31 December 2019.2020.

£23 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme

In 2018,2020, the Group updated its Euro Medium Term Note programme (Programme) and issued a tranche of500 million 2.125%1.625% notes due 15 May 2027 (20188 October 2024 (2020 Euro Issuance) and a tranche of £400 million 3.375% notes due 8 October 2028 (2020 GBP Issuance).

On 11 August 2016,14 September 2020, an amended and restated trust deed (Trust Deed) was executed by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC as issuer (Issuer), Six Continents Limited and InterContinental Hotels Limited as guarantors (Guarantors) and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited as trustee (Trustee), pursuant to which the trust deed dated 27 November 2009, as supplemented by threefour supplemental trust deeds dated 7 July 2011, 9 November 2012, and 16 June 2015 and 11 August 2016 between the same parties relating to the Programme, were amended and restated. Under the Trust Deed, the Issuer may issue notes (Notes) unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Guarantors, up to a maximum nominal amount from time to time outstanding of £2£3 billion (or its equivalent in other currencies). Notes are to be issued in series (each a Series) in bearer form. Each Series may comprise one or more tranches (each a Tranche) issued on different issue dates. A Tranche of Notes may be issued on the terms and conditions set out in a base prospectus as amended and/or supplemented by a document setting out the final terms (Final Terms) of such Tranche or in a separate prospectus specific to such Tranche.

Under the Trust Deed, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given certain customary covenants in favour of the Trustee.

Final Terms were issued (pursuant to a base prospectus dated 9 November 2012) on 26 November 2012, in respect of the issue of a Tranche of £400 million 3.875% Notes due 28 November 2022 (2012 Issuance). Final Terms were issued (pursuant to a base prospectus dated 16 June 2015) on 12 August 2015 in respect of the issue of a Tranche of £300 million 3.75% Notes due 14 August 2025 (2015 Issuance). Final Terms were issued (pursuant to the base prospectus dated 11 August 2016) on 22 August 2016 in respect of the issue of a Tranche of £350 million 2.125% Notes due 24 August 2026 (2016 Issuance). Final Terms were issued (pursuant to the base prospectus dated 13 August 2018) on 13 November 2018 in respect of the 2018 Issuance.

The Final Terms issued under each of the 2012 Issuance, the 2015 Issuance, the 20162020 Euro Issuance and 2018the 2020 GBP Issuance provide that the holders of the Notes have the right to repayment if the Notes (a) becomenon-investment grade within the period commencing on the date of announcement of a change of control and ending 90 days after the change of control (Change of Control Period) and are not subsequently, within the Change of Control Period, reinstated to investment grade; (b) are downgraded from anon-investment grade and are not reinstated to its earlier credit rating or better within the Change of Control Period; or (c) are not credit rated and do not become investment grade credit rated by the end of the Change of Control Period.

Further details of the Programme and the Notes are set out in the base prospectus, dated 13 August 2018, a copy of which is available (as is a copy of each of the Final Terms dated 26 November 2012 relating to the 2012 Issuance, the Final Terms dated 12 August 2015 relating to the 2015 Issuance, the Final Terms dated 22 August 2016 relating to the 2016 Issuance and the Final Terms dated 13 November 2018 relating to the 2018 issuance) on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com. The Notes issued pursuant to the 2012 Issuance, the Notes issued pursuant to the 2015 Issuance, the Notes issued pursuant to the 2016 Issuance and the Notes issued pursuant to the 2018 Issuance are referred to as ‘£400 million 3.875% bonds 2022’, ‘£300 million 3.75% bonds 2025’, ‘£350 million 2.125% bonds 2026’, and ‘500 million 2.125% bonds 2027’ respectively in the Group Financial Statements.

On 11 August 2016,14 September 2020, the Issuer and the Guarantors entered into an amended and restated agency agreement (Agency Agreement) with HSBC Bank plc as principal paying agent and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Issuer and the Guarantors appointed paying agents and calculation agents in connection with the Programme and the Notes.

Under the Agency Agreement, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given a customary indemnity in favour of the paying agents and the calculation agents.

On 13 August 2018,14 September 2020, the Issuer and the Guarantors entered into an amended and restated dealer agreement (Dealer Agreement) with HSBC Bank plc as arranger and Barclays Bank PLC, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, HSBC Bank plc, Merrill Lynch International, MUFG Securities EMEA plc, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey,Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited as dealers (Dealers), pursuant to which the Dealers were appointed in connection with the Programme and the Notes.

Under the Dealer Agreement, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given customary warranties and indemnities in favour of the Dealers.

Acquisition£1 billion Euro Commercial Paper Programme

In 2020, the Group established a £1 billion Euro Commercial Paper Programme (ECP) and issued £600m of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spascommercial paper under the Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England Covid Corporate Financing Facility. The issuance matures on 16 March 2021.

On 12 February 2019, a share purchase agreement (SPA)17 April 2020, an Issue and Paying Agency Agreement (IPA Agreement) was entered into between Sustainable Luxury (BVI)by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC as issuer (Issuer), Six Continents Limited Partnership (acting through Sustainable Luxury (BVI)and InterContinental Hotels Limited as its general partner)guarantors (Guarantors) and HSBC Bank PLC (HSBC), Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited,pursuant to which the Issuer and Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation. Under the SPA, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation agreed to buyGuarantors appointed HSBC as issue agent and principal paying agent in connection with the entire issued share capital of Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited, the principal trading company of the Six Senses group, from Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited Partnership. The purchase completed on 12 February 2019.ECP.

Under the SPA, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation gave certainIPA Agreement, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given a customary indemnity in favour of HSBC.

On 17 April 2020, the Issuer and Guarantors entered into a dealer agreement (Dealer Agreement) with HSBC, pursuant to which HSBC was appointed as arranger and dealer in connection with the ECP.

Under the Dealer Agreement, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given customary warranties and indemnities to the seller.

The consideration paid in respectfavour of the acquisition was $300 million in cash, before adjustments.HSBC.

 

 

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Additional Information

    

 


 

Group information continued

Legal proceedings

 

Group companies have extensive operations in the UK, as well as internationally, and are involved in a number of legal claims and proceedings incidental to those operations. These legal claims and proceedings are in various stages and include disputes related to specific hotels where the potential materiality is not yet known. It is the Company’s view that such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, have not in the recent past and are not likely to have a significant effect on the Group’s financial position or profitability. Notwithstanding the above, the Company notes the matters set out below. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and, as of 1722 February 2020,2021, unless stated otherwise, the outcome of these matters cannot be reasonably determined.

A claim was filed on 5 July 2016 by CPTS Hotel Lessee, LLC (CPTS) against Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC (HHF). The claimant alleges breach of the licence agreement and seeks a declaratory judgement from the court that it has the right to terminate its licence with HHF. HHF and InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. filed a claim against CPTS Hotel Lessee, LLC also seeking a declaratory judgement and alleging breach of contract and fraud. On 1 May 2018, the court granted IHG’s motion for preliminary injunction and ruled that the license agreement at issue is not terminable at will by CPTS. As of 1722 February 2020,2021, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A claim was filed on 20 September 2016 against Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, LLC (“Kimpton”), seeking class action status and alleging breach of implied contract, negligence, and deceptive business practices related to an alleged data breach. The claimant alleged that Kimpton failed to secure and safeguard its customers’ payment card data and personally identifiable information. The parties reached agreement on a resolution of this matter and on 11 July 2019, the Court granted final approval of the agreement. The claim was dismissed, and the parties are complying with the terms of the agreement.

A claim was filed on 5 May 2017 against InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, and InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. seeking class action status and alleging breach of implied contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment regarding an alleged data breach. The claimant alleges that IHG failed to secure and safeguard customers’ personal financial data. As of 17 February 2020, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A claim was filed on 26 June 2017 against Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc., and InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada), Inc. seeking class action status and alleging breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of confidence, intrusion upon seclusion, breach of contract, breach of privacy legislation, and unjust enrichment regarding an alleged data breach. The claim was amended in March 2018 to name Six Continents Hotels, Inc. as the sole defendant. The claimant alleges that security failures allowed customers’ financial information to be compromised. As of 1722 February 2020,2021, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

Two claims were filed on 19 March 2018 and 6 December 2018 against Six Continents Hotels, Inc. and other hotel companies, alleging violations of anti-trust regulations. One of the matters

is a class action, and both suits allege that the defendant hotel companies conspired to eliminate competitive branded keyword search advertising in the hotel industry, which raised prices for hotel rooms in violation of applicable law. As of 1722 February 2020,2021, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A claim was filed on 5 April 2019 and amended on 16 December 2019 against Kimpton seeking class action status and alleging harm related to the compromise of personal information due to a data security breach. The allegations relate to a breach of the reservation system previously used by Kimpton. As of 1722 February 20202021 the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

An arbitration was held in April 2019 related to a claimfiled on 21 December 2018 alleging that IHG Hotels Limited wrongfully terminatedand InterContinental Hotels Group PLC misrepresented the right of a franchise agreement.third party to license the Crowne Plaza brand. The claimant soughtseeks monetary damages for various alleged losses. As of 22 February 2021 the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and sought a declaratory judgement that IHG Hotels Limited anticipatorily breachedit is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the agreement. On 6 February 2020 the arbitrator issued an award against IHG Hotels Limited, which has been provided for in the Group’s operating exceptional items.amount of any loss.

A union pension plan filed an action against InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. (“IHGR”) on 28 August 2019 in the Southern District of New York alleging that IHGR failed to pay a pension fund liability associated with its alleged withdrawal from the fund based on the termination of IHGR’s management of three formerlyIHG-branded hotels. Should IHGR be required to make any payments in respectThe parties reached agreement on a resolution of this matter on 14 October 2020, and the action IHGR intendswas dismissed. The parties have complied with the terms of the agreement.

A claim was filed on 5 May 2017 against InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, and InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. seeking class action status and alleging breach of implied contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment regarding an alleged data breach. The claimant alleges that IHG failed to seek recovery forsecure and safeguard customers’ personal financial data. The parties reached an agreement on a resolution of this matter, which the entire amount under existing indemnity arrangements.Court approved on 2 September 2020 and the case was dismissed with prejudice. The parties are complying with the terms of the agreement, and the claims administration process is underway.

 

 

Exchange controls and restrictions on payment of dividends

 

There are no restrictions on dividend payments to US citizens.

Although there are currently no UK foreign exchange control restrictions on the export or import of capital or the payment of dividends on the ordinary shares or the ADSs, economic sanctions which may be in force in the UK from time to time impose restrictions on the payment of dividends to persons resident (or treated as so resident) in or governments of (or persons exercising public functions in) certain countries.

Other than economic sanctions which may be in force in the UK from time to time, there are no restrictions under the Articles or under English law that limit the right ofnon-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote the ordinary shares or the ADSs. In addition, the Articles contain certain limitations on the voting and other rights of any holder of ordinary shares whose holding may, in the opinion of the Directors, result in the loss or failure to secure the reinstatement of any licence or franchise from any US governmental agency held by Six Continents Hotels, Inc. or any subsidiary thereof.

 

 

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Additional Information

 

Shareholder information

Taxation

 

This section provides a summary of material US federal income tax and UK tax consequences to the US holders, described below, of owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs of the Company. This section addresses only the tax position of a US holder who holds ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets. This section does not, however, discuss all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular US holder, such as the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IR Code) known as the Medicare Contribution tax or tax consequences to US holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

Certaincertain financial institutions.

 

Insuranceinsurance companies.

 

Dealersdealers and traders in securities who use amark-to-market method of tax accounting.

 

Personspersons holding ordinary shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, conversion transaction, integrated transaction or wash sale, or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs.

 

Personspersons whose functional currency for US federal income tax purposes is not the US dollar.

 

Partnershipspartnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for US federal income tax purposes.

 

Personspersons liable for the alternative minimum tax.

 

Tax-exempttax-exempt organisations.

 

Personspersons who acquired the Company’s ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise in connection with employment.

 

Personspersons who, directly or indirectly, own ordinary shares or ADSs representing 10% or more of the Company’s voting power or value.

This section does not generally deal with the position of a US holder who is resident in the UK for UK tax purposes or who is subject to UK taxation on capital gains or income by virtue of carrying on a trade, profession or vocation in the UK through a branch, agency or permanent establishment to which such ADSs or ordinary shares are attributable (‘trading in the UK’).

As used herein, a ‘US holder’ is a person who, for US federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs and is: (i) a citizen or individual resident of the US; (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organised in or under the laws of the US, any state therein or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate whose income is subject to US federal income tax regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if a US court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more US persons are authorised to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

This section is based on the IR Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations, published rulings and court decisions, and on UK tax laws and the published practice of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), all as of the date hereof. These laws, and that practice, are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

This section is further based in part upon the representations of the ADR Depositary and assumes that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. For US federal income tax purposes, an owner of ADRs evidencing ADSs will generally be treated as the owner of the underlying shares represented by those ADSs. For UK tax purposes, in practice, HMRC will also regard holders of ADSs as the beneficial owners of the ordinary shares represented by those ADSs (although case law has cast some doubt on this). The discussion below assumes that HMRC’s position is followed.

Generally, exchanges of ordinary shares for ADSs, and ADSs for ordinary shares, will not be subject to US federal income tax or UK taxation on capital gains, although UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT) may arise as described below.

The US Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom American Depositary Shares arepre-released before shares are delivered to the depositary, or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders and the issuer of the securities underlying the American Depositary Shares, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by US holders of American Depositary Shares. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the preferential rates of tax, described below, for qualified dividend income. Accordingly, the availability of the preferential rates of tax for qualified dividend income described below could be affected by actions taken by parties to whom the American Depositary Shares arepre-released.

Investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the US federal, state and local, the UK and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs in their particular circumstances.

The following disclosures assumesassume that the Company is not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company (PFIC), as described below.

Taxation of dividends

UK taxation

Under current UK tax law, the Company will not be required to withhold tax at source from dividend payments it makes.

A US holder who is not resident for UK tax purposes in the UK and who is not trading in the UK will generally not be liable for UK taxation on dividends received in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares.

US federal income taxation

A US holder is generally subject to US federal income taxation on the gross amount of any dividend paid by the Company out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for US federal income tax purposes). Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for US federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the US holder’s basis in the shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. Because the Company has not historically maintained, and does not currently maintain, books in accordance with US tax principles, the Company does not expect to be in a position to determine whether any distribution will be in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits as computed for US federal income tax purposes. As a result, it is expected that amounts distributed will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as dividends.

Subject to applicable limitations, and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the US Treasury, dividends paid to certainnon-corporate US holders will be taxable at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gain if the dividends constitute ‘qualified dividend income’. The Company expects that dividends paid by the Company with respect to the ADSs will constitute qualified dividend income. US holders should consult their own tax advisorsadvisers to determine whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to be taxed at these preferential rates.

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Additional Information

Shareholder information continued

Taxation continued

Dividends must be included in income when the US holder, in the case of shares, or the ADR Depositary, in the case of ADSs, actually or constructively receives the dividend, and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to US corporations in respect of dividends received from other US corporations. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, dividends will generally be income from sources outside the US.

The amount of any dividend paid in pounds sterling will be the US dollar value of the sterling payments made, determined at the spot sterling/US dollar rate on the date the dividend distribution is includible in income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into US dollars. If the dividend is converted into US dollars on that date, a US holder should not be required to recognise foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is includible in income to the date the payment is converted into US dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss from sources within the US.

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Taxation of capital gains

UK taxation

A US holder who is not resident for UK tax purposes in the UK and who is not trading in the UK will not generally be liable for UK taxation on capital gains, or eligible for relief for allowable losses, realised or accrued on the sale or other disposal of ADSs or ordinary shares. A US holder of ADSs or ordinary shares who is an individual and who, broadly, has temporarily ceased to be resident in the UK or has become temporarily treated asnon-resident for UK tax purposes for a period of not more than five years and who disposes of ordinary shares or ADSs during that period may, for the year of assessment when that individual becomes resident again in the UK, be liable to UK tax on capital gains (subject to any available exemption or relief), notwithstanding the fact that such US holder was not treated as resident in the UK at the time of the sale or other disposal.

US federal income taxation

A US holder who sells or otherwise disposes of ordinary shares or ADSs will recognise a capital gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount realised and its tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs, each determined in US dollars. Such capital gain or loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss where the US holder has a holding period greater than one year. Losses may also be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of certain ‘extraordinary dividends’ that qualified for the preferential tax rates on qualified dividend income described above. The capital gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the US for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

PFIC rules

Based on the manner in which the Group operates its business and estimates of the value of its assets (which estimates are based, in part, on the market value of the Company’s ADSs) the Company believes that it was not a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes for its 20192020 taxable year. However, this conclusion is an annual factual determination and thus may be subject to change. If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a US holder owned ordinary shares or ADSs, gain realised on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs would, in general, not be treated as capital gain. Instead, gain would be treated as if the US holder had realised such gain rateably over the holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs and, to the extent allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before the Company became a PFIC, would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect (for individuals or corporations, as applicable) for each such year to which the gain was allocated, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. In addition, similar rules would apply to any ‘excess distribution’ received on the ordinary shares or ADSs (generally, the excess of any distribution received on the ordinary shares or ADSs during the taxable year over 125% of the average amount of distributions received during a specified prior period). The preferential rates for qualified dividend income described above would not apply if the Company were a PFIC in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year.

Certain elections may be available (including amarket-to-market election) to US holders that would result in alternative treatments of the ordinary shares or ADSs. If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a US holder held ordinary shares or ADSs, a US holder would generally be required to file IRS Form 8621 with their annual US federal income tax returns, subject to certain exceptions.

Additional tax considerations

UK inheritance tax

An individual who is neither domiciled nor deemed domiciled in the UK is only chargeable to UK inheritance tax to the extent the individual owns assets situated in the UK. As a matter of UK law, it is not clear whether the situs of an ADS for UK inheritance tax purposes is determined by the place where the depositary is established and records the entitlements of the deposit holders, or by the situs of the underlying share which the ADS represents, but HMRC may take the view that the ADSs, as well as the ordinary shares, are or representUK-situs assets.

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However, an individual who is domiciled in the US (for the purposes of the Estate and Gift Tax Convention (the Convention)), and is not a UK national as defined in the Convention, will not be subject to UK inheritance tax (to the extent UK inheritance tax applies) in respect of the ordinary shares or ADSs on the individual’s death or on a transfer of the ordinary shares or ADSs during their lifetime, provided that any applicable US federal gift or estate tax is paid, unless the ordinary shares or ADSs are part of the business property of a UK permanent establishment or pertain to a UK fixed base of an individual used for the performance of independent personal services. Where the ordinary shares or ADSs have been placed in trust by a settlor, they may be subject to UK inheritance tax unless, when the trust was created, the settlor was domiciled in the US and was not a UK national. If no relief is given under the Convention, inheritance tax may be charged on death and also on the amount by which the value of an individual’s estate is reduced as a result of any transfer made by way of gift or other undervalue transfer, broadly within seven years of death, and in certain other circumstances. Where the ordinary shares or ADSs are subject to both UK inheritance tax and to US federal gift or estate tax, the Convention generally provides for either a credit against US federal tax liabilities for UK inheritance tax paid or for a credit against UK inheritance tax liabilities for US federal tax paid, as the case may be.

UK stamp duty and SDRT

Neither stamp duty nor SDRT will generally be payable in the UK on the purchase or transfer of an ADS, provided that the ADS and any separate instrument or written agreement of transfer are executed and remain at all times outside the UK. UK legislation does however provide for stamp duty (in the case of transfers) or SDRT to be payable at the rate of 1.5% on the amount or value of the consideration (or, in some cases, the value of the ordinary shares) where ordinary shares are issued or transferred to a person (or a nominee or agent of a person) whose business is or includes issuing depositary receipts or the provision of clearance services. In accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, any tax or duty payable on deposits of ordinary shares by the depositary or by the custodian of the depositary will typically be charged to the party to whom ADSs are delivered against such deposits.

Following litigation on the subject, HMRC has accepted that it will no longer seek to apply the 1.5% SDRT charge when new shares are issued to a clearance service or depositary receipt system on the basis that the charge is not compatible with EU law. The Government

has confirmedAlthough there is a risk that it will not reintroducethis position could be affected by the UK’s exit from the EU and the expiry on 31 December 2020 of the related transition period, HMRC’s recently published practice states that the disapplication of the 1.5% charge on the issue of shares (and transfers integral to the raising of capital) into clearance serviceservices or depositary receipt systems in accordance with the relevant principles of EU law will remain the position following the UK’s exit fromexpiry of the EU.transition period unless the relevant UK statutory provisions are amended. In HMRC’s view, the 1.5% SDRT or stamp duty charge will continue to apply to transfers of shares into a clearance service or depositary receipt system unless they are an integral part of an issue of share capital. Specific professional advice should be sought before paying the 1.5% SDRT or stamp duty charge in any circumstances.

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Additional Information

Shareholder information continued

Taxation continued

A transfer of the underlying ordinary shares will generally be subject to stamp duty or SDRT, normally at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration (rounded up to the next multiple of £5 in the case of stamp duty). A transfer of ordinary shares from a nominee to its beneficial owner, including the transfer of underlying ordinary shares from the depositary to an ADS holder, under which no beneficial interest passes, will not be subject to stamp duty or SDRT.

US backup withholding and information reporting

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds with respect to ADSs and ordinary shares may be reported to the IRS and to the US holder. Backup withholding may apply to these reportable payments if the US holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fails to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on its US federal income tax returns. Certain US holders (including, among others, corporations) are not subject to information reporting and backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a US holder

will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s US federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. US holders should consult their tax advisorsadvisers as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining an exemption.

Certain US holders who are individuals (and certain specified entities), may be required to report information relating to their ownership ofnon-US securities unless the securities are held in accounts at financial institutions (in which case the accounts may be reportable if maintained bynon-US financial institutions). US holders should consult their tax advisers regarding any reporting obligations they may have with respect to the Company’s ordinary shares or ADSs.

 

 

Disclosure controls and procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Group carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Group’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act 1934).

These are defined as those controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act 1934 is recorded, processed, summarised and reported within the specified periods. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

 

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Additional Information

    

 


Shareholder information continued

Summary of significant corporate governance differences

from NYSE of listing standards

 

The Group’s statement of compliance with the principles and provisions specified in the UK Corporate Governance Code issued in July 2018 by the Financial Reporting Council (the Code) is set out on pages 94 and 95.

IHG has also adopted the corporate governance requirements of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules and of the NYSE, to the extent that they are applicable to it as a foreign private issuer. As a foreign private issuer, IHG is required to disclose any significant ways in which its corporate governance practices differ from those followed by US companies. These are as follows:

Basis of regulation

The Code contains a series of principles and provisions. It is not, however, mandatory for companies to follow these principles. Instead, companies must disclose how they have applied them and disclose, if applicable, any areas ofnon-compliance along with an explanation for thenon-compliance.

In contrast, US companies listed on the NYSE are required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines adopted by the NYSE.

Independent Directors

The Code’s principles recommend that at least half the Board, excluding the Chair, should consist of Independentindependent Non-Executivenon-executive Directors.directors. As at 1722 February 2020,2021, the Board consisted of the Chair, independent at the time of his appointment, three Executive Directors and eight Independentnine independent Non-Executive Directors. NYSE listing rules applicable to US companies state that companies must have a majority of independent Directors.directors. The NYSE has set out six bright line tests for Directordirector independence. The Board’s judgement is that all of itsNon-Executive Directors are independent. However, it did not explicitly take into consideration the NYSE’s tests in reaching this determination.

Chair and Chief Executive Officer

The Code recommends that the Chair and Chief Executive Officer should not be the same individual to ensure that there is a clear division of responsibility for the running of the Company’s business. There is no corresponding requirement for US companies. The roles of Chair and Chief Executive Officer were, as at 1722 February 20202021 and throughout 2019,2020, fulfilled by separate individuals.

Committees

The Company has a number of Board Committees which are similar in purpose and constitution to those required for domestic companies under NYSE rules. The NYSE requires US companies to have audit, remuneration and nominating/corporate governance committees composed entirely of Independent Directors,independent directors, as defined under the NYSE rules. The Company’s Nomination, Audit and Remuneration Committees consist entirely ofNon-Executive Directors who are independent under the standards of the Code, which may not necessarily be the same as the NYSE independence standards. The nominating/governance committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and to recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance principles. As the Company is subject to the Code, the Company’s Nomination Committee is responsible for nominating, for approval by the Board, candidates for appointment to the Board, although it also assists in developing the role of the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director. The Company’s Nomination Committee consists of the Chair and Independentindependent Non-Executive Directors.

The Chair of the Company is not a member of either the Remuneration or the Audit Committee.Committees. As set out on page 88,86, the Audit Committee is chaired by an Independentindependent Non-Executive Director who, in the Board’s view, has the experience and qualifications to satisfy the criterion under US rules for an ‘audit committee financial expert’.

Non-Executive Director meetings

NYSE rules require thatnon-management Directors of US companies must meet on a regular basis without management present, and independent Directors must meet separately at least once per year. The Code recommends: (i) the Board Chair to hold meetings with theNon-Executive Directors without the Executive Directors present; and (ii) theNon-Executive Directors to meet at least annually without the Chair present to appraise the Chair’s performance. The Company’sNon-Executive Directors have met frequently without Executive Directors being present, and intend to continue this practice, after every Board meeting if possible.

Shareholder approval of equity compensation plans

The NYSE rules require that shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions to those plans. The Company complies with UK requirements which are similar to the NYSE rules. The Board does not, however, explicitly take into consideration the NYSE’s detailed definition of ‘material revisions’.

Code of Conduct

The NYSE requires companies to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics, applicable to Directors, officers and employees. Any waivers granted to Directors or officers under such a code must be promptly disclosed. As set out on page 222,220, IHG’s Code of Conduct is applicable to all Directors, officers and employees, and is available on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance. No waivers have been granted under the Code of Conduct.

Compliance certification

Each chief executive of a US company must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the Company of any NYSE corporate governance listing standard. As the Company is a foreign private issuer, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer is not required to make this certification. However, he is required to notify the NYSE promptly in writing after any of the Company’s executive officers become aware of anynon-compliance with those NYSE corporate governance rules applicable to the Company.

 

 

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Additional Information

 

Shareholder information continued

Selected five-year consolidated financial information

 

The selected consolidated financial data set forth in the table below for the years ended 31 December 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2019 have2020 has been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and in accordance with IFRS adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as adopted byit applies in the EU,European Union, and is derived from the audited Group Financial Statements.

IFRS adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as adopted byit applies in the EUEuropean Union differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. However, the differences have no impact on the Group Financial Statements for the years presented. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Group Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report and Form20-F.

 

Group income statement data

 

  $m, except earnings per ordinary share 
   2018  2017            $m, except earnings per ordinary share 
For the year ended 31 December            2019         Restateda       Restateda              2016              2015              2020       2019      2018      2017      2016  
Total revenue  4,627     4,337    4,075     3,912    1,803      2,394           4,627          4,337          4,075          3,912  
Operating profit before System Fund and exceptional items  865     832    774     706    680      219       865      832      774      706  
System Fund  (49)    (146)   (34)    35    –      (102)      (49)     (146)     (34)     35  
Operating exceptional items  (186)    (104)       (29)   819      (270)      (186)     (104)          (29) 
Operating profit  630     582    744     712    1,499 
Operating (loss)/profit     (153)      630      582      744      712  
Financial income                                           
Financial expenses  (121)    (101)   (95)    (86)   (92)     (144)      (121)     (101)     (95)     (86) 
Fair value gains/(losses) on contingent purchase consideration  27     (4)   –     –    –      13       27      (4)     –      –  
Profit before tax  542     482    653     632    1,412 
(Loss)/profit before tax     (280)      542      482      653      632  
Tax:                                       

On profit before exceptional items

  (176)    (159)   (203)    (185)   (180)     (32)      (176)     (159)     (203)     (185) 

On exceptional items

  20     22    (2)    12    (8)     52       20      22      (2)     12  

Exceptional tax

  –        87     –    –      –       –           87      –  
  (156)    (132)   (118)    (173)   (188)     20       (156)     (132)     (118)     (173) 
Profit for the year from continuing operations:  386     350    535     459    1,224 
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations:     (260)      386      350      535      459  

Attributable to:

                                       

Equity holders of the parent

  385     349    534     456    1,222      (260)      385      349      534      456  

Non-controlling interest

                     –                       
Earnings per ordinary share (continuing and total operations):                 
(Loss)/earnings per ordinary share (continuing and total operations):                      

Basic

  210.4¢     183.7¢    276.7¢     215.1¢    520.0¢      (142.9)¢      210.4¢     183.7¢     276.7¢     215.1¢ 

Diluted

  209.2¢     181.8¢    275.3¢     213.1¢    513.4¢      (142.9)¢      209.2¢     181.8¢     275.3¢     213.1¢ 

Group statement of financial position data

                                           
 $m, except number of shares      

$m, except number of shares

 
   2018  2017                2019     2018             
For the year ended 31 December  2019     Restateda   Restateda    2016    2015      2020       Restateda     Restateda     2017     2016 
Goodwill and other intangible assets  1,376     1,143    967     858    1,226      1,293       1,376     1,143     967     858 
Property, plant and equipment andright-of-use assets  799     786    736     419    428      504       799     786     736     419 
Investments and other financial assets  394     364    369     359    420      249       394     364     369     359 
Non-current trade and other receivables  –     –    –             –                      8 
Retirement benefit assets  –     –        –    –      –                 3      
Non-current derivative financial instruments  –        –     –    –                 7           
Deferred compensation plan investments     236       218     193           
Non-current tax receivable  28     31    16     23    37      15       28     31     16     23 
Deferred tax assets  66     63    78     69    49      113       66     63     78     69 
Non-current contract costs  67     55    51     45    –      70       67     55     51     45 
Non-current contract assets  311     270    241     185    –      311       311     270     241     185 
Current assets  916     1,373    861     796    1,606      2,243       916     1,373     861     796 
Assets classified as held for sale  19     –    –     –    –      –       19                
Total assets  3,976     4,092    3,322     2,762    3,769      5,039       4,194     4,285     3,322     2,762 
Current liabilities  1,365     1,407    1,306     1,150    1,369      1,867       1,365     1,407     1,306     1,150 
Long-term debt including lease liabilities  2,673     2,525    2,267     1,606    1,239      3,314       2,673     2,525     2,267     1,606 
Liabilities classified as held for sale  22     –    –     –    –      –       22                
Net (liabilities)/assets  (1,465)    (1,131)   (1,354)    (1,146)   319 
Net liabilities     (1,849)      (1,465    (1,131    (1,354    (1,146
Equity share capital  151     146    154     141    169      156       151     146     154     141 
IHG shareholders’ equity  (1,473)    (1,139)   (1,361)    (1,154)   309      (1,857)      (1,473    (1,139    (1,361    (1,154
Number of shares in issue at end of the year (millions)  187     197    197     206    248      187       187     197     197     206 

 

a

Restated for the adoptionrecognition of IFRS 16the Group’s deferred compensation assets and other presentational changesliabilities (see pages 146 to 149134 of the Group Financial Statements for further details).

 

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Additional Information

    

 


 

Shareholder information continued

Return of funds

Since March 2003, the Group has returned over £6.6 billion of funds to shareholders by way of special dividends, capital returns and share repurchase programmes. On 19 October 2018, the Company announced a $500 million return of funds to shareholders via special dividend with share consolidation. The special dividend was paid in January 2019.

 

Return of funds programme    Timing                               Total return              Returned to date  
£501m special dividenda        Paid in December 2004   £501m   £501m 
£250m share buyback    Completed in 2004   £250m   £250m 
£996m capital returna    Paid in July 2005   £996m   £996m 
£250m share buyback    Completed in 2006   £250m   £250m 
£497m special dividenda    Paid in June 2006   £497m   £497m 
£250m share buyback    Completed in 2007   £250m   £250m 
£709m special dividenda    Paid in June 2007   £709m   £709m 
£150m share buyback    N/Ab   £150m   £120m 
$500m special dividenda, cac    Paid in October 2012   £315md  £315m£315me
         ($500m)   ($505m) 
$500m share buyback    Completed in 2014   £315md  £315m 
         ($500m)   ($500m)f
$350m special dividend    Paid in October 2013   £229mg  £228m 
         ($350m)   ($355m)h
$750m special dividenda    Paid in July 2014   £447mi  £446m 
         ($750m)   ($763m)j
$1,500m special dividenda    Paid in May 2016   £1,038mk  £1,038m 
         ($1,500m)   ($1,500m) 
$400m special dividenda    Paid in May 2017   £309ml  £310m 
         ($400m)   ($404m) 
$500m special dividenda    Paid in January 2019   £389mm  £388m 
         ($500m)   ($510m) 
Total        £6,645m   £6,613m 

 

a

Accompanied by a share consolidation.

 

b

This programme was superseded by the share buyback programme announced on 7 August 2012.

 

c

IHG changed the reporting currency of its Consolidated Financial Statements from sterling to US dollars effective from the Half-Year Results as at 30 June 2008.

 

d

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling immediately before announcement at the rate of $1=£0.63, as set out in the circular detailing the special dividend and share buyback programme published on 14 September 2012.

 

e

Sterling dividend translated at $1=£0.624.

 

f

Translated into US dollars at the average rates of exchange for the relevant years (2014 $1=£0.61; 2013 $1=£0.64; 2012 $1 = £0.63).

 

g

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling immediately before announcement at the rate of $1=£0.65, as announced in the Half-Year Results to 30 June 2013.

 

h

Sterling dividend translated at $1=£0.644.

 

Ii

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling immediately before announcement at the rate translated at $1=£0.597.

 

j

Sterling dividend translated at $1=£0.5845.

 

k

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling at the rate of $1 = £0.6923, as announced on 12 May 2016.

 

l

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling at the rate of $1 = £0.7724, as announced on 11 May 2017.

 

m

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling at the rate of £1 = $1.2860, as announced on 17 January 2019.

 

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Additional Information

 

Shareholder information continued

Purchases of equity securities by the Company

and affiliated purchasers

During the financial year ended 31 December 2019,2020, no ordinary shares were purchased by the Company. 35,000 ordinary shares were purchased byCompany or the Company’s employee share ownership trust at an average price of £50.76 per share, for the purpose of satisfying future awards to employees.trust.

          Total number of shares
(or units) purchased
                Average price paid
per share (or unit) (£)
      Total number of shares
(or units) purchased as part
of publicly announced  plans
or programmes
      Maximum number
of shares (or units) that may
be purchased under the
plans or programmes
 
Month 1 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,999,018a 
Month 2 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,999,018a 
Month 3 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,999,018a 
Month 4 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,999,018a 
Month 5 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 6 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 7 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 8 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 9 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 10 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 11 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18,123,205b 
Month 12    35,000      50.76      nil      18,123,205b 

 

    Total number of shares
(or units) purchased
Average price paid
per share (or unit) (£)
Total number of shares
(or units) purchased as part
of publicly announced plans
or programmes
Maximum number
of shares (or units) that may
be purchased under the
plans or programmes
Month 1 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,123,205a 
Month 2 (no purchases this month)nil

Reflects the resolution passed at the Company’s AGM held on

nilnil18,123,205a
Month 3 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,123,205a
Month 4 May 2018.

(no purchases this month)
nilnilnil18,123,205a
Month 5 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 6 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 7 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 8 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 9 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 10 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 11 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b
Month 12 (no purchases this month)nilnilnil18,265,631b

 

ba

Reflects the resolution passed at the Company’s AGM held on 3 May 2019.

b

Reflects the resolution passed at the Company’s AGM held on 7 May 2020.

Dividend history

The table below sets forth the amounts of ordinary dividends on each ordinary share and special dividends, in respect of each financial year indicated.

 

      Interim dividend       Final dividend       Total dividend       Special dividend       Interim dividend       

Final dividend

      

Total dividend

       Special dividend 
              pence                cents             pence            cents             pence            cents             pence            cents                 pence                  cents             pence            cents            pence              cents             pence            cents 
2020                                             
2019     32.0      39.9      N/Aa     85.9      N/Aa     125.8                 32.0      39.9      a      a      32.0      39.9            
2018     27.7      36.3      60.4     78.1      88.1     114.4      203.8b,d     262.1b,d      27.7      36.3      60.4     78.1     88.1      114.4      203.8bd     262.1bd 
2017     24.4      33.0      50.2     71.0      74.6     104.0      156.4b     202.5b      24.4      33.0      50.2     71.0     74.6      104.0      156.4b     202.5b 
2016     22.6      30.0      49.4     64.0      72.0     94.0      438.2b     632.9b      22.6      30.0      49.4     64.0     72.0      94.0      438.2b     632.9b 
2015     17.7      27.5      40.3     57.5      58.0     85.0                 17.7      27.5      40.3     57.5     58.0      85.0            
2014     14.8      25.0      33.8     52.0      48.6     77.0      174.9b     293.0b      14.8      25.0      33.8     52.0     48.6      77.0      174.9b     293.0b 
2013     15.1      23.0      28.1     47.0      43.2     70.0      87.1     133.0      15.1      23.0      28.1     47.0     43.2      70.0      87.1     133.0 
2012     13.5      21.0      27.7     43.0      41.2     64.0      108.4b     172.0b      13.5      21.0      27.7     43.0     41.2      64.0      108.4b     172.0b 
2011     9.8      16.0      24.7     39.0      34.5     55.0                 9.8      16.0      24.7     39.0     34.5      55.0            
2010     8.0      12.8      22.0     35.2      30.0     48.0                 8.0      12.8      22.0     35.2     30.0      48.0            
2009     7.3      12.2      18.7     29.2      26.0     41.4                 7.3      12.2      18.7     29.2     26.0      41.4            
2008c     6.4      12.2      20.2     29.2      26.6     41.4                 6.4      12.2      20.2     29.2     26.6      41.4            
2007     5.7      11.5      14.9     29.2      20.6     40.7      200b           5.7      11.5      14.9     29.2     20.6      40.7      200b       
2006     5.1      9.6      13.3     25.9      18.4     35.5      118b           5.1      9.6      13.3     25.9     18.4      35.5      118b       

 

a

The sterling amountBoard withdrew its recommendation of a final dividend in respect of 2019 of 85.9 ¢ per share. The Board will continue to defer consideration of further dividends until visibility of the final dividend will be announced on 24 April 2020 using the averagepace and scale of the daily exchange rates from 21 April 2020 to 23 April 2020 inclusive.market recovery has improved.

 

b

Accompanied by a share consolidation.

 

c

IHG changed the reporting currency of its Consolidated Financial Statements from sterling to US dollars effective from the Half-Year Results as at 30 June 2008. Starting with the interim dividend for 2008, all dividends have first been determined in US dollars and converted into sterling prior to payment.

 

d

This special dividend was announced on 19 October 2018 and paid on 29 January 20192019.

 

242IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  2020Additional Information  |  Shareholder information243


Additional Information

    

 


 

Shareholder information continued

Shareholder profiles

Shareholder profile by type as at 31 December 20192020

Category of shareholder    Number of
                    shareholders
      Percentage of
            total shareholders
      Number of
            ordinary shares
      Percentage of
            issued share  capital
 
Private individuals    31,569      93.82      8,392,633      4.47 
Nominee companies    1,236      3.67      154,234,251      82.16 
Limited and public limited companies    742      2.21      13,902,927      7.41 
Other corporate bodies    91      0.27      11,135,732      5.93 
Pension funds, insurance companies and banks    10      0.03      52,177      0.03 
Total    33,648      100      187,717,720      100 
Shareholder profile by size as at 31 December 2019

 

   
Range of shareholdings    Number of
                    shareholders
      Percentage of
            total shareholders
      Number of
            ordinary shares
      Percentage of
            issued share  capital
 
1–199    22,839      67.88      1,383,881      0.74 
200–499    5,992      17.81      1,879,223      1.00 
500–999    2,447      7.27      1,701,155      0.91 
1,000–4,999    1,654      4.92      3,230,695      1.72 
5,000–9,999    190      0.56      1,350,400      0.72 
10,000–49,999    296      0.88      6,790,906      3.62 
50, 000–99,999    63      0.19      4,620,167      2.46 
100,000–499,999    119      0.35      27,107,353      14.44 
500,000–999,999    18      0.05      12,295,613      6.55 
1,000,000 and above    30      0.09      127,358,327      67.84 
Total    33,648      100      187,717,720      100 
Shareholder profile by geographical location as at 31 December 2019

 

   
Country/Jurisdiction     Percentage of
issued share capital
 
UK                         47.3 
Rest of Europe                         19.8 
US (including ADRs)                         31.1 
Rest of world                         1.8 
Total                         100 

Category of shareholder   Number of
                        shareholders
      Percentage of
                             total shareholders
       Number of
                        ordinary shares
      Percentage of
                            issued share capital
 
Private individuals   31,035      94.25        8,030,777      4.28 
Nominee companies   1,100      3.34        154,746,738      82.43 
Limited and public limited companies   673      2.05        14,769,660      7.87 
Other corporate bodies   113      0.34        10,151,763      5.41 
Pension funds, insurance companies and banks   8      0.02        18,782      0.01 
Total   32,929      100        187,717,720      100 

Shareholder profile by size as at 31 December 2020

Range of shareholdings    Number of
                        shareholders
      Percentage of
                            total shareholders
      Number of
                        ordinary shares
      Percentage of
                            issued share capital
 
1–199    22,553      68.49      1,353,854      0.72 
200–499    5,772      17.53      1,808,630      0.96 
500–999    2,323      7.05      1,611,344      0.86 
1,000–4,999    1,568      4.76      3,069,920      1.64 
5,000–9,999    190      0.58      1,350,769      0.72 
10,000–49,999    292      0.89      6,409,427      3.41 
50, 000–99,999    67      0.20      4,948,131      2.64 
100,000–499,999    112      0.34      26,377,746      14.05 
500,000–999,999    17      0.05      11,917,458      6.35 
1,000,000 and above    35      0.11      128,870,441      68.65 
Total    32,929      100      187,717,720      100 

Shareholder profile by geographical location as at 31 December 2020

Country/JurisdictionPercentage of
issued share capital
UK49.4
Rest of Europe28.8
US (including ADRs)17.1
Rest of world4.7
Total100

The geographical profile presented is based on an analysis of shareholders (by manager) of 38,000 shares or above where geographical ownership is known. This analysis only captures 90.9%90.1% of total issued share capital. Therefore, the known percentage distributions have been multiplied by 100/90.9 (1.100)90.1 (1.110) to achieve the figures shown in the table above.

As of 1722 February 2020, 13,203,6602021, 7,757,832 ADSs equivalent to 13,203,6607,757,832 ordinary shares, or approximately 7.25%4.13% of the total issued share capital, were outstanding and were held by 419425 holders. Since certain ordinary shares are registered in the names of nominees, the number of shareholders on record may not be representative of the number of beneficial owners.

As of 1722 February 2020,2021, there were a total of 33,52332,786 recorded holders of ordinary shares, of whom 258250 had registered addresses in the US and held a total of 387,285320,288 ordinary shares (0.21%(0.17% of the total issued share capital).

 

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244Shareholder profiles IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020243


Additional Information

 

Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form20-F with the SEC, and are publicly available through the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov,,search InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, under Company Filings.

 

 

   

 

Exhibit 1a   Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form20-F (FileNo. 1-10409)dated 28 February 2019)7 May 2020

 

   

 

Exhibit 2(d)   Description of Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Exchange Act

 

   

 

Exhibit 4(a)(i)a(a)   Amended and restated trust deed dated 11 August 201614 September 2020 relating to a £2£3  billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme, among InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Six Continents Limited, InterContinental Hotels Limited and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(i) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form20-F (File No. 1 – 10409) dated 2 March 2017)

 

   

 

Exhibit 4(a)(ii)a   Five-year $1.275$1.275 billion bank facility agreement dated 30  March 2015, among InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and certain of its subsidiaries, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A. London Branch, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, London Branch, DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch, HSBC Bank plc, SunTrust Bank, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., The Royal Bank Of Scotland plc, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank N.A., London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(iii) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form20-F (File No. 1 – 10409) dated 3 March 2016)

Exhibit 4(a)(iii)Waiver and amendment letter dated 20 April 2020 relating to the $1.275 billion bank facility agreement dated 30 March 2015

Exhibit 4(a)(iv)Extension letter dated 27 April 2020 relating to the $1.275 billion bank facility agreement dated 30 March 2015

Exhibit 4(a)(v)Waiver and amendment letter dated 4 December 2020 relating to the $1.275 billion bank facility agreement dated 30 March 2015

 

   

 

Exhibit 4(a)(iii)4(c)(i)a   Share purchase agreement between Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited Partnership (acting by its General Partner, Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited), Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited and Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(iii) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form20-F (FileNo. 1-10409) dated 28 February 2019)

Exhibit 4(c)(i)aPaul Edgecliffe-Johnson’s service contract dated 6 December 2013, commencing on 1  January 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(i) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form20-F (FileNo. 1-10409) dated 26  February 2014)

 

   

 

Exhibit 4(c)(ii)   Rules of the InterContinental Hotels Group Long Term Incentive Plan as approved by shareholders on 2 May 2014 and as amended on 14 February 2019, and 4  December 2019 and 7 May 2020

Exhibit 4(c)(iii)Rules of the InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Performance Plan as amended

 

   

 

Exhibit 4(c)(iii)(iv)a   Rules of the InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Performance Plan as amended on 2 May 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(x) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form20-F (FileNo. 1-10409) dated 26 February 2015)

Exhibit 4(c)(iv)aKeith Barr’s service contract dated 5 May 2017, commencing on 1  July 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(v) of the

InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Report on Form20-F (File No.1-10409)No.1-10409) dated 1 March 2018)

 

   

 

Exhibit 4(c)(v)a   Elie Maalouf’s service contract dated 19 October 2017, commencing on 1  January 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(vi) of the InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Report on Form20-F (File No.1-10409)No.1-10409) dated 1 March 2018)

 

   

 

Exhibit 8   List of subsidiaries as at 31 December 2020 (can be found on pages 199197 to 201)199)

 

   

 

Exhibit 12(a)   Certification of Keith Barr filed pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a–14(a)

 

   

 

Exhibit 12(b)   Certification of Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson filed pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a–14(a)

 

   

 

Exhibit 13(a)   Certification of Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson furnished pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a–14(b) and 18 U.S.C.1350

 

   

 

Exhibit 15(a)(i)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP

 

   

 

Exhibit 15(a)(ii)Letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the SEC

Exhibit 101   XBRL Instance Document and related items

 

   

 

 

a

Incorporated by reference.

 

244IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020



Forward-looking statements

The Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 contains certain forward-looking statements as defined under US legislation (Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Group and certain plans and objectives of the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC with respect thereto. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements made in the Chair’s statement and in the Chief Executive Officer’s review. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘target’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’, or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the Group’s management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the risks of political and economic developments; the risks of overcapacity in the hotel industry; the Group being subject to a competitive and changing industry; the Group’s reliance on the reputation of its existing brands and exposure to inherent reputation risks; the Group’s exposure to inherent uncertainties associated with brand development and expansion; the Group’s exposure to a variety of risks related to identifying, securing and retaining franchise and management agreements; the Group’s requirement of the right people, skills and capabiliity to manage growth and change; the risks associated with collective bargaining activity which could disrupt operations, increase labour costs or interfere with the ability of management to focus on executing business strategies; the Group’s exposure to the risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy; the Group’s exposure to increasing competition from online travel agents and

intermediaries; the Group’s exposure to inherent risks in relation to changing technology and systems; the Group’s reliance upon the resilience of its reservation system and other key technology platforms, and the risks that could disrupt their operation and/or integrity; the Group’s exposure to risks related to executing and realising benefits from strategic transactions, including acquisitions and restructuring; the Group’s dependence upon a wide range of external stakeholders and business partners; the Group’s exposure to the risk of litigation; the requirement to comply with existing and changing regulations and act in accordance with societal expectations across numerous countries, territories and jurisdictions; the Group’s exposure to risks associated with its intellectual property; the Group’s exposure to a variety of risks associated with its financial stability and ability to borrow and satisfy debt covenants; the Group’s operations being dependent on maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet all foreseeable medium-term requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations; the Group’s exposure to an impairment of the carrying value of its brands, goodwill or other tangible and intangible assets negatively affecting its consolidated operating results; the Group’s exposure to fluctations in exchange rates, currency devaluations or restructurings and to interest rate risk in relation to its borrowings; the risk that the Group may be affected by credit risk on treasury transactions; the risk that the Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in tax laws; the risks associated with insuring the Group’s business; the Group’s exposure to a variety of risks associated with safety, security and crisis management; the Group’s exposure to the risk of events or stakeholder expectations that adversely impact domestic or international travel, including climate change; and the risks associated with domestic and international environmental laws and regulations that may cause us to incur substantial costs or subject us to potential liabilities.

The main factors that could affect the business and financial results are described in the Strategic Report of the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020.

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ExhibitsIHG  |  Additional Information  |  ExhibitsAnnual Report and Form 20-F 2020 245


Additional Information

 

Form 20-F cross-reference guide

 

Item   Form20-F caption   Location in this document   Page     Form 20-F caption   Location in this document Page          

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

1   Identity of Directors, senior management and advisers   Not applicable      Identity of Directors, senior management and advisers   Not applicable  

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

2   Offer statistics and expected timetable   Not applicable      Offer statistics and expected timetable   Not applicable  

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

��  

 

  

 

3   Key information         Key information     
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   3A – Selected financial data   Shareholder information: Selected five-year consolidated financial information   241   3A – Selected financial data   Shareholder information: Selected five-year consolidated financial information  240
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Shareholder information: Dividend history   243      Shareholder information: Dividend history  242
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   3B – Capitalisation and indebtedness   Not applicable      3B – Capitalisation and indebtedness   Not applicable  
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   3C – Reason for the offer and use of proceeds   Not applicable      3C – Reason for the offer and use of proceeds   Not applicable  
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   3D – Risk factors   Group information: Risk factors   226-230   3D – Risk factors   Group information: Risk factors  224-229

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

4   Information on the Company         Information on the Company     
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   4A – History and development of the Company   Group information: History and developments   225   4A – History and development of the Company   Group information: History and developments  224
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Shareholder information: Return of funds   242      Shareholder information: Return of funds  241
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Useful information: Contacts   251      Useful information: Contacts  251
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   4B – Business overview   Strategic Report   2-75   4B – Business overview   Strategic Report  2-71
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998   234      Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998  233
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Information: Risk factors   226-230      Group Information: Risk factors  224-229
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   4C – Organisational structure   Group Financial Statements: Note 34 – Group companies   199-201   4C – Organisational structure   Group Financial Statements: Note 34 – Group companies  197-199
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Information: History and developments   225      Group Information: History and developments  224
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   4D – Property, plants and equipment   Strategic Report: Key performance indicators   42-45   4D – Property, plant and equipment   Strategic Report: Key performance indicators  43-46
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Directors’ Report: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions   223      Directors’ Report: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  221-222
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 14 – Property, plant and equipment   171      Group Financial Statements: Note 14 – Property, plant and equipment  168-169

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

4A   Unresolved staff comments   None      Unresolved staff comments   None  

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

5   Operating and financial review and prospects         Operating and financial review and prospects     
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   5A – Operating results   Strategic Report: Key performance indicators   42-45   5A – Operating results   Strategic Report: Key performance indicators  43-46
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Strategic Report: Performance   55-75      Strategic Report: Performance  47-71
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Accounting policies   139-145      Group Financial Statements: Accounting policies  133-145
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      

Group Financial Statements: New accounting standards and

presentational changes

   

146-149

      Group Financial Statements: New accounting standards  145
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Viability statement   54      Viability statement  42
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   5B – Liquidity and capital resources   Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources   74-75   5B – Liquidity and capital resources   Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources  70-71
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 19 – Cash and cash equivalents   178      Group Financial Statements: Note 19 – Cash and cash equivalents  175
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 22 – Loans and other borrowings   180      Group Financial Statements: Note 22 – Loans and other borrowings  177-178
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 24 – Financial risk management and derivative financial instruments   182-185      Group Financial Statements: Note 24 – Financial risk management and derivative financial instruments  179-183
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 25 – Classification and measurement of financial instruments   186-188      Group Financial Statements: Note 25 – Classification and measurement of financial instruments  184-186
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 26 – Reconciliation of profit for the year to   189      Group Financial Statements: Note 26 – Reconciliation of (loss)/profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs  187
      cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs      

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   5C – Research and development; intellectual property   Not applicable  
   5C – Research and development; intellectual property   Not applicable      

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   5D – Trend information   Strategic Report: Performance  47-71
   5D – Trend information   Strategic Report: Performance   55-75   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   5E – Off-balance sheet arrangements   Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources – Off-balance sheet arrangements  71
   5E –Off-balance sheet arrangements   Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources   75   

 

   

 

  

 

      Off-balance sheet arrangements      5F – Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations   Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources  70-71
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   5F – Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations   Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources   74-75   5G – Safe harbour   Additional Information: Forward-looking statements  245
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   5G – Safe harbour   Additional Information: Forward-looking statements   252   Non-GAAP financial measures   Strategic Report: Performance  47-71
   

 

   

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

   5H –Non-GAAP financial measures   Strategic Report: Performance   55-75      Other financial information  212-218
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Other financial information   214-220      Group Financial Statements: Note 6 – Exceptional items  154-156
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 6 – Exceptional items   158-159      Group Financial Statements: Note 10 – (Loss)/earnings per ordinary share  162-163
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 10 – Earnings per ordinary share   164-165      Group Financial Statements: Note 23 – Net debt  178-179
      

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 23 – Net debt   181-182

   

 

   

 

   

 

6   Directors, senior management and employees         Directors, senior management and employees     
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   6A – Directors and senior management   Corporate Governance: Our Board of Directors and Our Executive Committee   80-83   6A – Directors and senior management   Governance: Our Board of Directors and Our Executive Committee  76-81
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   6B – Compensation   Directors’ Remuneration Report   96-109   6B – Compensation   Directors’ Remuneration Report  96-111
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 27 – Retirement benefits   190-192      Group Financial Statements: Note 27 – Retirement benefits  187-190
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 32 – Related party disclosures   197-198      Group Financial Statements: Note 32 – Related party disclosures  196
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 28 – Share-based payments   193-194      Group Financial Statements: Note 28 – Share-based payments  191-192
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   6C – Board practices   Corporate Governance   79-95   6C – Board practices   Governance structure and Board activities  82-85
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Service contracts and notice periods   231      Executive Directors’ benefits upon termination of office  230
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   6D – Employees   Group Financial Statements: Note 4 – Staff costs and Directors’ emoluments   157   6D – Employees   Group Financial Statements: Note 4 – Staff costs and Directors’ remuneration  153
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998   234      Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998  233
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct   222      Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct  220
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   6E – Share ownership   Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration   104   6E – Share ownership   Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ remuneration – Scheme interests awarded during 2019 and 2020  104
      – Scheme interests awarded during 2018 and 2019         

 

  

 

      

 

   

 

      Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ remuneration – Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests  105
      Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration   105, 108      

 

  

 

      – Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests         Group Financial Statements: Note 28 – Share-based payments  191-192
      

 

   

 

      

 

  

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 28 – Share-based payments   193-194      Group information: Directors’ and Executive Committee members’ shareholdings  230
      

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

      Group information: Directors and Executive Committee members’ shareholdings   231

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

246 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


    

    

Item    Form 20-F caption     Location in this document     Page

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

7   Major shareholders and related party transactions        
   

 

    

 

    

 

   7A – Major shareholders    Directors’ Report: Major institutional shareholders    219
       

 

    

 

       Shareholder information: Shareholder profiles    243
   

 

    

 

    

 

   7B – Related party transactions    Group Financial Statements: Note 16 – Investment in associates and joint ventures    171-172
       

 

    

 

       Group Financial Statements: Note 32 – Related party disclosures    196
   

 

    

 

    

 

   7C – Interests of experts and counsel    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

8   Financial Information        
   

 

    

 

    

 

   8A – Consolidated statements and other financial information    Directors’ Report: Dividends    219
       

 

    

 

       Group Financial Statements    126-199
       

 

    

 

       Group information: Legal proceedings    235
       

 

    

 

       Strategic Report: Performance – Other financial information    68-69
   

 

    

 

    

 

   8B – Significant changes    None    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

9   The offer and listing        
   

 

    

 

    

 

   9A – Offer and listing details    Useful information: Trading markets    250
   

 

    

 

    

 

   9B – Plan of distribution    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   9C – Markets    Useful information: Trading markets    250
   

 

    

 

    

 

   9D – Selling shareholders    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   9E – Dilution    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   9F – Expenses of the issue    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

10   Additional information        
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10A – Share capital    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10B – Memorandum and articles of association    Group information: Articles of Association    232-233
       

 

    

 

       Group information: Rights attaching to shares    232-233
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10C – Material contracts    Group information: Material contracts    234
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10D – Exchange controls    Group information: Exchange controls and restrictions on payment of dividends    235
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10E – Taxation    Shareholder information: Taxation    236-238
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10F – Dividends and paying agents    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10G – Statement by experts    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10H – Documents on display    Useful information: Investor information – Documents on display    250
   

 

    

 

    

 

   10I – Subsidiary information    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

11   Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk    Group Financial Statements: Note 24 – Financial risk management and derivative financial instruments    179-183

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

12   Description of securities other than equity securities        
   

 

    

 

    

 

   12A – Debt securities    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   12B – Warrants and rights    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   12C – Other securities    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   12D – American depositary shares    Group information: Description of securities other than equity securities    231

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

13   Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

14   Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

15   Controls and Procedures        
       

 

    

 

       Shareholder information: Disclosure controls and procedures    238
       

 

    

 

       Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities:    114
       Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting    
       

 

    

 

       Independent Auditor’s US Report    122-125

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

16   16A – Audit committee financial expert    Governance: Audit Committee Report    86-90
       

 

    

 

       Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing standards – Committees    239
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16B – Code of ethics    Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct    220
       

 

    

 

       Strategic Report: Our culture and responsible business    24-33
       

 

    

 

       Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing standards    239
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16C – Principal accountant fees and services    Governance: Audit Committee Report – External auditor    89
       

 

    

 

       Governance: Audit Committee Report – Non-audit services    88
       

 

    

 

       Group Financial Statements: Note 5 – Auditor’s remuneration paid to Ernst & Young LLP    153
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16D – Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committees    Not applicable    
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16E – Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers    Shareholder information: Purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers    242
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16F – Change in registrant’s certifying accountant    Governance: Audit Committee Report – Audit transition    89
   

 

    

 

    

 

       Group information: Change in certifying accountant    231
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16G – Corporate Governance    Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing standards    239
   

 

    

 

    

 

   16H – Mine safety disclosure    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

17   Financial statements    Not applicable    

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

18   Financial statements    Group Financial Statements    126-199

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

19   Exhibits    Additional Information: Exhibits    244

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

 

Item    Form20-F caption    Location in this document    Page

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

7   Major shareholders and related party transactions      
   

 

   

 

   

 

   7A – Major shareholders   Directors’ Report: Major institutional shareholders   221
      

 

   

 

      Shareholder information: Shareholder profiles   244
   

 

   

 

   

 

   7B – Related party transactions   Group Financial Statements: Note 16 – Investment in associates and joint ventures   174-175
      

 

   

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 32 – Related party disclosures   197-198
   

 

   

 

   

 

   7C – Interests of experts and counsel   Not applicable   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

8   Financial Information      
   

 

   

 

   

 

   8A – Consolidated statements and   Directors’ Report: Dividends   221
      

 

   

 

            other financial information   Group Financial Statements   132-201
      

 

   

 

      Group Information: Legal proceedings   236
      

 

   

 

      Strategic Report: Performance – Other financial information   72-73
   

 

   

 

   

 

   8B – Significant changes   None   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

9   The offer and listing      
   

 

   

 

   

 

   9A – Offer and listing details   Useful information: Trading markets   250
   

 

   

 

   

 

   9B – Plan of distribution   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   9C – Markets   Useful information: Trading markets   250
   

 

   

 

   

 

   9D – Selling shareholders   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   9E – Dilution   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   9F – Expenses of the issue   Not applicable   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

10   Additional information      
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10A – Share capital   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10B – Memorandum and articles of association   Group information: Articles of Association   233-234
      

 

   

 

      Group information: Rights attaching to shares   233-234
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10C – Material contracts   Group information: Material contracts   235
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10D – Exchange controls   Group information: Exchange controls and restrictions on payment   236
      of dividends   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10E – Taxation   Shareholder information: Taxation   237-239
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10F – Dividends and paying agents   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10G – Statement by experts   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10H – Documents on display   Useful information: Investor information – Documents on display   250
   

 

   

 

   

 

   10I – Subsidiary information   Not applicable   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

11   Quantitative and qualitative disclosures   Group Financial Statements: Note 24 – Financial risk management   182-185
   about market risk   and derivative financial instruments   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

12   Description of securities other than equity securities      
   

 

   

 

   

 

   12A – Debt securities   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   12B – Warrants and rights   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   12C – Other securities   Not applicable   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   12D – American depositary shares   Group information: Description of securities other than equity securities   232

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

13   Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies   Not applicable   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

14   Material modifications to the rights of security   Not applicable   
   holders and use of proceeds      

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

15   Controls and Procedures      
      

 

   

 

      Shareholder information: Disclosure controls and procedures   239
      

 

   

 

      Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities:   120
      Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting   
      

 

   

 

      Independent Auditor’s US Report   128-131

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

16   16A – Audit committee financial expert   Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report   88-91
      

 

   

 

      Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance   240
      differences from NYSE listing standards – Committees   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16B – Code of ethics   Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct   222
      

 

   

 

      Strategic Report: Our culture, responsible business and stakeholders   24-27
      

 

   

 

      Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance   240
      differences from NYSE listing standards   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16C – Principal accountant fees and services   Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report – External auditor   91
      

 

   

 

      Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report –Non-audit services   90
      

 

   

 

      Group Financial Statements: Note 5 – Auditor’s remuneration paid   157
      to Ernst & Young LLP   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16D – Exemptions from the listing standards   Not applicable   
             for audit committees      
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16E – Purchase of equity securities by the issuer   Shareholder information: Purchases of equity securities by the Company and   243
             and affiliated purchasers   affiliated purchasers   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16F – Change in registrant’s certifying accountant   

Additional information: Change in certifying accountant

   232
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16G – Corporate Governance   Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance   240
      differences from NYSE listing standards   
   

 

   

 

   

 

   16H – Mine safety disclosure   Not applicable   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

17   Financial statements   Not applicable   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

18   Financial statements   Group Financial Statements   132-201

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

19   Exhibits   Additional Information: Exhibits   245

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

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Form 20-F cross-reference guideIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Additional Information  |  Form 20-F cross-reference guide2020 247


Additional Information

 

Glossary

 

Adjusted EBITDA

operating profit, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses, exceptional items and depreciation and amortisation.

ADR

an American Depositary Receipt, being a receipt evidencing title to an ADS.

ADR Depositary

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

ADS

an American Depositary Share as evidenced by an ADR, being a registered negotiable security, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, representing one ordinary share of 20340/299399pence each of the Company.

AGM

Annual General Meeting of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Annual Report

the Annual Report and Form20-F in relation to the years ending 31 December 20182019 or 20192020 as relevant.

APP

Annual Performance Plan.

Articles

the Articles of Association of the Company for the time being in force.

average daily rate

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

basic earnings per ordinary share

profit available for IHG equity holders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Board

the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

capital expenditure

purchases of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, associate and joint venture investments, and other financial assets.assets, plus contract acquisition costs (key money).

Captive

the Group’s captive insurance company, SCH Insurance Company.

cash-generating units (CGUs)

the smallest identifiable groups of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

CCFF

Commercial paper issued under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility.

Code

UK Corporate Governance Code issued in 2018 by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK.

Colleague

individuals who work at IHG corporate offices, reservation centres, managed, owned, leased, managed lease and franchised hotels collectively.

Companies Act

the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time.

CompanyorParent Company

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

comparable RevPAR

a comparison for a grouping of hotels that have traded in all months in financial years being compared. Principally excludes new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. Hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19 are not excluded from comparable RevPAR.

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)

the annual growth rate over a period of years, calculated on the basis that each year’s growth is compounded, that is, the amount of growth in each year is included in the following year’s number, which in turn grows further.

constant currency

a prior-year value translated using the current year’s average exchange rates.

contingencies

liabilities that are contingent upon the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

continuing operations

operations not classified as discontinued.

currency swap

an exchange of a deposit and a borrowing, each denominated in a different currency, for an agreed period of time.

Deferred Compensation Plan

a US plan that allows for the Defined Contribution Deferred Compensation Plan.additional provision for retirement within a dedicated trust, either through employee deferral of salary with matching company contributions or through direct company contribution.

derivatives

financial instruments used to reduce risk, the price of which is derived from an underlying asset, index or rate.

direct channels

methods of booking hotel rooms (both digital and voice) not involving third-party intermediaries.

Director

a Director of InterContinental Hotels Group

PLC.

DR Policy

Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

EBITDA

earnings excluding exceptional items and the impact of the System Fund, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

EMEAA

Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Employee

individuals directly employed at IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed, owned, leased, managed lease hotels.

Employee Engagementemployee engagement survey

ourbi-annual employee engagement survey, known as Colleague HeartBeat, completed by IHG employees only.

Enterprise contribution to revenue

the percentage of room revenue booked through IHG managed channels and sources: direct via our websites, apps and call centres; through our interfaces with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and agreements with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs); other distribution partners directly connected to our reservation system; and Global Sales Office business or IHG Reward members that book directly at a hotel.

ERG

employee resource group.

EU

the European Union.

euroor

the currency of the European Economic and Monetary Union.

exceptional items

items that are disclosed separately because of their size, nature or nature.

extended-stay

hotels designed for guests staying for periods of time longer than a few nights and tending to have a higher proportion of suites than normal hotels (Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites).incidence.

fee business

IHG’s franchise and managed businesses combined.

fee margin orfee-based margin

fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profits are calculated from revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the GroupsGroup’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages. In addition, revenuefee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to match the expected claims and expenses relatedas such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to certain other Group programs which are run to no profit or loss overbetter depict the long-term are excluded.profitability of the fee business. Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates.

franchisee

an owner who uses a brand under licence from IHG.

goodwill

the difference between the consideration given for a business and the total of the fair values of the separable assets and liabilities comprising that business.

GrouporIHG

the Company and its subsidiaries.

248IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement tool used to measure brand preference and guest satisfaction.

Guest Reservation Systemor GRS

our global electronic guest reservation system.

hedging

the reduction of risk, normally in relation to foreign currency or interest rate movements, by making offsetting commitments.

hotel revenue

revenue from all revenue-generating activity undertaken by managed and owned, leased and managed lease hotels, including room nights, food and beverage sales.

IASB

International Accounting Standards Board.

248IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019


IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU and issued by the IASB.IASB and adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

IHG PLC

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

indirect channels

online travel intermediaries and business and leisure travel agents.

interest rate swap

an agreement to exchange fixed for floating interest rate streams (or vice versa) on a notional principal.

liquidated damages

payments received in respect of the early termination of franchise and management contracts.

loyalty rooms contribution

the average percentage of total occupied rooms attributable to IHG Rewards Club members who either pay for guest rooms and are awarded IHG Reward Club points for their stay, or redeemed IHG Rewards Club points to pay for their stay.

LTIP

Long Term Incentive Plan.

managed leases

properties which are held through a lease but with the same characteristics as management contracts.

management contractor management

agreement

a contract to operate a hotel on behalf of the hotel owner.

market capitalisation

the value attributed to a listed company by multiplying its share price by the number of shares in issue.

net debt

loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

net rooms supply

net total number of IHG systemSystem hotel rooms.

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange.

occupancy rate

rooms occupied by hotel guests, expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available.

ordinary share

from 9 October 2012 until 30 June 2014, the ordinary shares of 14194/329 pence each in the Company; from 1 July 2014, the ordinary shares of 15265/329 pence each in the Company; from 9 May 2016 the ordinary shares of 18318/329pence each in the Company; from 8 May 2017 the ordinary shares of 1917/21 pence each in the Company; and from 14 January 2019 the ordinary shares of 20340/399 pence each in the Company.

owner

the ultimate owner of a hotel property.

pipeline

hotels/rooms that will enter the IHG System at a future date. A new hotel only enters the pipeline once a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid. In rare circumstances, a hotel will not open for reasons such as the financing being withdrawn.

ppt

a percentage point is the unit for the arithmetic difference of two percentages.

reimbursable revenues

reimbursements from managed and franchised hotels for costs incurred by IHG, for example the cost of IHG employees working in managed hotels. The related revenues and costs are presented gross in the Group income statement and there is no impact to profit.

revenue management

the employment of pricing and segment strategies to optimise the revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

revenue per available roomor RevPAR

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available (can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate).

room count

number of rooms franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed leaseleased by IHG.

rooms revenue

revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

royalties

fees, based on rooms revenue, that a

franchisee pays to the Group.

SEC

US Securities and Exchange Commission.

sterlingor pounds sterling, £, penceor p

the pound sterling, the currency of the

United Kingdom.

subsidiary

a company over which the Group exercises

control.

System

hotels/rooms operating under franchise and management agreements together with IHG owned, leased and managed lease hotels/ rooms, globally (the IHG System) or on a regional basis, as the context requires.

System contribution to revenue

percentage of rooms revenue delivered through IHG’s direct and indirect systems and channels.

System Fundor Fund

assessment fees and contributions collected from hotels within the IHG System which fund activities that drive revenue to our hotels including marketing, the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme and our distribution channels.

technology fee income

income received from hotels under franchise and management agreements for the use of IHG’s Guest Reservation System.

total gross revenue

total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

Total Shareholder Returnor TSR

the theoretical growth in value of a shareholding over a period, by reference to the beginning and ending share price, and assuming that dividends, including special dividends, are reinvested to purchase additional units of the equity.

UK

the United Kingdom.

UK GAAP

United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

US

the United States of America.

US 401(k) Plan

the Defined Contribution 401(k) plan.

US dollars, US$, $or ¢

the currency of the United States of America.

workforce

IHG employees.

working capital

the sum of inventories, receivables and payables of a trading nature, excluding financing and taxation items.

 

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GlossaryIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019  |  Additional Information  |  Glossary2020 249


Additional Information

 

Useful information

Investor information

 

Website and electronic communication

As part of IHG’s commitment to reduce the cost and environmental impact of producing and distributing printed documents in large quantities, this Annual Report and Form20-F 20192020 has been made available to shareholders through our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Annual Report.

Shareholders may electronically appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf at the 20202021 AGM. Shareholders who hold their shares through CREST may appoint proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service, by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual.

Shareholder hotel discount

IHG offers discounted hotel stays (subject to availability) for registered shareholders only, through a controlled-access website. This is not available to shareholders who hold shares through nominee companies, ISAs or ADRs. For further details please contact the Company Secretary’s office (see the opposite page).

Responsible BusinessADR Depositary

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

ADS

an American Depositary Share as evidenced by an ADR, being a registered negotiable security, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, representing one ordinary share of 20 340/399 pence each of the Company.

AGM

Annual General Meeting of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Annual Report

the Annual Report and Form 20-F in relation to the years ending 31 December 2019 or 2020 as relevant.

APP

Annual Performance Plan.

Articles

the Articles of Association of the Company for the time being in force.

average daily rate

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

basic earnings per ordinary share

profit available for IHG equity holders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Board

the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

capital expenditure

purchases of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, associate and joint venture investments, and other financial assets, plus contract acquisition costs (key money).

Captive

the Group’s captive insurance company, SCH Insurance Company.

cash-generating units (CGUs)

the smallest identifiable groups of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

CCFF

Commercial paper issued under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility.

Code

UK Corporate Governance Code issued in 2018 by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK.

Colleague

individuals who work at IHG corporate offices, reservation centres, managed, owned, leased, managed lease and franchised hotels collectively.

Companies Act

the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time.

Company or Parent Company

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

comparable RevPAR

a comparison for a grouping of hotels that have traded in all months in financial years being compared. Principally excludes new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. Hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19 are not excluded from comparable RevPAR.

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)

the annual growth rate over a period of years, calculated on the basis that each year’s growth is compounded, that is, the amount of growth in each year is included in the following year’s number, which in turn grows further.

constant currency

a prior-year value translated using the current year’s average exchange rates.

contingencies

liabilities that are contingent upon the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

continuing operations

operations not classified as discontinued.

currency swap

an exchange of a deposit and a borrowing, each denominated in a different currency, for an agreed period of time.

Deferred Compensation Plan

a US plan that allows for the additional provision for retirement within a dedicated trust, either through employee deferral of salary with matching company contributions or through direct company contribution.

derivatives

financial instruments used to reduce risk, the price of which is derived from an underlying asset, index or rate.

direct channels

methods of booking hotel rooms (both digital and voice) not involving third-party intermediaries.

Director

a Director of InterContinental Hotels Group

PLC.

DR Policy

Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

EMEAA

Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Employee

individuals directly employed at IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed, owned, leased, managed lease hotels.

employee engagement survey

our employee engagement survey, known as Colleague HeartBeat, completed by IHG employees only.

Enterprise contribution to revenue

the percentage of room revenue booked through IHG managed channels and sources: direct via our websites, apps and call centres; through our interfaces with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and agreements with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs); other distribution partners directly connected to our reservation system; and Global Sales Office business or IHG Reward members that book directly at a hotel.

ERG

employee resource group.

EU

the European Union.

euro or

the currency of the European Economic and Monetary Union.

exceptional items

items that are disclosed separately because of their size, nature or incidence.

fee business

IHG’s franchise and managed businesses combined.

fee margin

fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profits are calculated from revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the Group’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages. In line with our commitmentaddition, fee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to responsible business practices, this year we have producedmatch the expected claims and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to better depict the profitability of the fee business. Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates.

franchisee

an owner who uses a Responsible Business Report showcasing our approach to responsiblebrand under licence from IHG.

goodwill

the difference between the consideration given for a business and progress against our Responsible Business Targets.the total of the fair values of the separable assets and liabilities comprising that business.

Group or IHG

the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

LOGO248 

Visitwww.ihgplc.com/responsible-businessIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020

for details.



RegistrarGuest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement tool used to measure brand preference and guest satisfaction.

Guest Reservation System or GRS

our global electronic guest reservation system.

hedging

the reduction of risk, normally in relation to foreign currency or interest rate movements, by making offsetting commitments.

hotel revenue

revenue from all revenue-generating activity undertaken by managed and owned, leased and managed lease hotels, including room nights, food and beverage sales.

IASB

International Accounting Standards Board.

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB and adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

IHG PLC

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

indirect channels

online travel intermediaries and business and leisure travel agents.

interest rate swap

an agreement to exchange fixed for floating interest rate streams (or vice versa) on a notional principal.

liquidated damages

payments received in respect of the early termination of franchise and management contracts.

LTIP

Long Term Incentive Plan.

managed leases

properties which are held through a lease but with the same characteristics as management contracts.

management contract or management

For informationagreement

a contract to operate a hotel on behalf of the hotel owner.

market capitalisation

the value attributed to a listed company by multiplying its share price by the number of shares in issue.

net debt

loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

net rooms supply

net total number of IHG System hotel rooms.

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange.

occupancy rate

rooms occupied by hotel guests, expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available.

ordinary share

from 8 May 2017 the ordinary shares of 19 17/21 pence each in the Company; and from 14 January 2019 the ordinary shares of 20 340/399 pence each in the Company.

owner

the ultimate owner of a hotel property.

pipeline

hotels/rooms that will enter the IHG System at a future date. A new hotel only enters the pipeline once a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid. In rare circumstances, a hotel will not open for reasons such as the financing being withdrawn.

ppt

a percentage point is the unit for the arithmetic difference of two percentages.

reimbursable revenues

reimbursements from managed and franchised hotels for costs incurred by IHG, for example the cost of IHG employees working in managed hotels. The related revenues and costs are presented gross in the Group income statement and there is no impact to profit.

revenue management

the employment of pricing and segment strategies to optimise the revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

revenue per available room or RevPAR

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available (can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate).

room count

number of rooms franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed leased by IHG.

rooms revenue

revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

royalties

fees, based on rooms revenue, that a

franchisee pays to the Group.

SEC

US Securities and Exchange Commission.

sterling or pounds sterling, £, pence or p

the pound sterling, the currency of the

United Kingdom.

subsidiary

a company over which the Group exercises

control.

System

hotels/rooms operating under franchise and management agreements together with IHG owned, leased and managed lease hotels/ rooms, globally (the IHG System) or on a rangeregional basis, as the context requires.

System Fund or Fund

assessment fees and contributions collected from hotels within the IHG System which fund activities that drive revenue to our hotels including marketing, the IHG Rewards loyalty programme and our distribution channels.

technology fee income

income received from hotels under franchise and management agreements for the use of shareholder services, including enquiries concerning individual shareholdings, notificationIHG’s Guest Reservation System.

total gross revenue

total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

Total Shareholder Return or TSR

the theoretical growth in value of a shareholder’s change of addressshareholding over a period, by reference to the beginning and amalgamation of shareholder accounts (in order to avoid duplicate mailing of shareholder communications), shareholders should contact the Company’s Registrar, Equiniti, on 0371 384 2132a (calls from within the UK) or +44 (0) 121 415 7034 (calls from outside the UK).

Dividend services

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)

The Company offers a DRIP for shareholdersending share price, and assuming that dividends, including special dividends, are reinvested to purchase additional units of the equity.

UK

the United Kingdom.

US

the United States of America.

US 401(k) Plan

the Defined Contribution 401(k) plan.

US dollars, US$, $ or ¢

the currency of the United States of America.

workforce

IHG shares with their cash dividends. For further information about employees.

working capital

the DRIP, please contact our Registrar helpline on 0371 384 2132.sum of inventories, receivables and payables of a trading nature, excluding financing and taxation items.

 

LOGOSeewww.shareview.co.uk/info/dripfor a
DRIP application form and information booklet.

Bank mandate

We encourage shareholders to have their dividends paid directly into their UK bank or building society accounts, to ensure efficient payment and clearance of funds on the payment date. For further information, please contact our Registrar (see page opposite).

Overseas payment service

It is also possible for shareholders to have their dividends paid directly to their bank accounts in a local currency. Charges are payable for this service.

LOGO

Go towww.shareview.co.uk/info/ops

for further information.

Out-of-date/unclaimed dividends

If you think that you haveout-of-date dividend cheques or unclaimed dividend payments, please contact our Registrar (see the opposite page).

Individual Savings Account (ISA)

Equiniti offers a Stocks and Shares ISA that can invest in IHG shares. For further information, please contact Equiniti on 0345 300 0430a.

Share dealing services

Equiniti offers the following share-dealing facilities.

Postal dealing

0371 384 2132 from the UK

+44 121 415 7034 from overseasa

Telephone dealing

For more information, call 0345 603 7037b

+44 121 415 7560 from overseas

Internet dealing

Visitwww.shareview.co.uk for more information.

Changes to the base cost of IHG shares

Details of all the changes to the base cost of IHG shares held from April 2004 to January 2019, for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes, may be found on our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the Tax information section.

‘Gone away’ shareholders

Working with ProSearch (an asset reunification company), we continue to look for shareholders who have not kept their contact details up to date. We have funds waiting to be claimed and are committed to doing what we can to pay these to their rightful owners. Please contact ProSearch on +44 (0) 800 612 8671 or email info@prosearchassets.com for further details.

Shareholder security

Many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited telephone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters. These are typically from ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders, offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in US or UK investments. These operations are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’. More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found atwww.fca.org.uk/consumers on the Financial Conduct Authority website.

Details of any share dealing facilities that the Company endorses will be included in Company mailings.

Trading markets

The principal trading market for the Company’s ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The ordinary shares are also listed on the NYSE, trading in the form of ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Each ADS represents one ordinary share. The Company has a sponsored ADR facility with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as ADR Depositary.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)

The Company’s shares are listed on the NYSE in the form of American Depositary Shares, evidenced by ADRs and traded under the symbol ‘IHG’. Each ADR represents one ordinary share. All enquiries regarding ADR holder accounts and payment of dividends should be directed to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., our ADR Depositary bank (contact details shown on the opposite page).

Documents on display

Documents referred to in this Annual Report and Form20-F that are filed with the SEC can be found at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549. For further information and copy charges please call the SEC at1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically and the Company’s SEC filings since 22 May 2002 are also publicly available through the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov. Copies of the Company’s Articles can be obtained via the website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate Governance or from the Company’s registered office on request.

a

Lines are open from 08:30 to 17:30 Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.

b

Lines are open from 08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.LOGO

 

 

Glossary250IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019    2020 249


Additional Information

 

Financial calendarsUseful information

Dividends    Other dates  
    2019       2019

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

2019 Interim dividend of 32.0p per share    Financial year end  31 December
    

 

  

 

(39.9¢ per ADR)      

 

  

 

    

Payment date

  3 October    2020

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    Announcement of Preliminary Results for 2019  18 February
    

 

  

 

  2020  

Announcement of 2020 First Quarter Interim

Management Statement

  7 May

 

  

 

   
2019 Final dividend of 85.9¢ per ordinary share     

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    Ex-dividend date  2 April  Annual General Meeting  7 May

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    Record date  3 April  Announcement of Half-Year Results for 2020  11 August

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

    Payment date  14 May  

Announcement of 2020 Third Quarter Interim

Management Statement

  23 October

 

  

 

   
     
    

 

  

 

    Financial year end  31 December
    

 

  

 

      2021
    

 

  

 

    Announcement of Preliminary Results for 2020  February
    

 

  

 

a

The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 24 April 2020 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 21 April 2020 to 23 April 2020 inclusive.

ContactsInvestor information

 

Registered officeWebsite and electronic communication

Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR,

United Kingdom

Telephone:

+44 (0) 1895 512 000

www.ihgplc.comAs part of IHG’s commitment to reduce the cost and environmental impact of producing and distributing printed documents in large quantities, this Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020 has been made available to shareholders through our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Annual Report.

For general information about the Group’s business, please contact the Corporate Affairs departmentShareholders may electronically appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf at the above address.2021 AGM. Shareholders who hold their shares through CREST may appoint proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service, by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual.

Shareholder hotel discount

IHG offers discounted hotel stays (subject to availability) for registered shareholders only, through a controlled-access website. This is not available to shareholders who hold shares through nominee companies, ISAs or ADRs. For all other enquiries,further details please contact the Company Secretary’s office at(see the above address.opposite page).

Registrar

Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing,

West Sussex, BN99 6DA, United Kingdom

Telephone:

0371 384 2132 (UK calls)

+44 (0) 121 415 7034(non-UK calls)

For those with hearing difficulties a text phone is available on

0371 384 2255 for UK callers with compatible equipment.

www.shareview.co.uk

ADR Depositary

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A., PO Box 64504,

St. Paul, MN 55164-0504, United States of America

Telephone:

+1 800 990 1135 (US calls) (toll-free)

+1 651 453 2128(non-US calls)ADS

Enquires:www.shareowneronline.coman American Depositary Share as evidenced by an ADR, being a registered negotiable security, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, representing one ordinary share of 20 340/399 pence each of the Company.

under contact usAGM

Annual General Meeting of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

www.adr.comAnnual Report

the Annual Report and Form 20-F in relation to the years ending 31 December 2019 or 2020 as relevant.

APP

Annual Performance Plan.

Articles

the Articles of Association of the Company for the time being in force.

average daily rate

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

basic earnings per ordinary share

profit available for IHG equity holders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Board

the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

capital expenditure

purchases of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, associate and joint venture investments, and other financial assets, plus contract acquisition costs (key money).

Captive

the Group’s captive insurance company, SCH Insurance Company.

cash-generating units (CGUs)

the smallest identifiable groups of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

CCFF

Commercial paper issued under the UK Government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility.

Code

UK Corporate Governance Code issued in 2018 by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK.

AuditorColleague

Ernst & Young LLPindividuals who work at IHG corporate offices, reservation centres, managed, owned, leased, managed lease and franchised hotels collectively.

Investment bankersCompanies Act

BofA Securities

Goldman Sachs

Solicitors

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

Stockbrokers

BofA Securitiesthe Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time.

IHG® Rewards ClubCompany or Parent Company

If you wish to enquire about, or join, IHG Rewards Club,InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

visitwww.ihg.com/rewardsclub or telephone:

+44 (0) 2033 499 033ª (UK and other countries inside Europe and Africa)

+1 888 211 9874b (US and Canada)comparable RevPAR

+1 800 272 9273b (Mexico)a comparison for a grouping of hotels that have traded in all months in financial years being compared. Principally excludes new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. Hotels temporarily closed as a result of Covid-19 are not excluded from comparable RevPAR.

+1 801 975 3013c (Spanish) (CentralCompound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)

the annual growth rate over a period of years, calculated on the basis that each year’s growth is compounded, that is, the amount of growth in each year is included in the following year’s number, which in turn grows further.

constant currency

a prior-year value translated using the current year’s average exchange rates.

contingencies

liabilities that are contingent upon the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

continuing operations

operations not classified as discontinued.

currency swap

an exchange of a deposit and South America)a borrowing, each denominated in a different currency, for an agreed period of time.

Deferred Compensation Plan

a US plan that allows for the additional provision for retirement within a dedicated trust, either through employee deferral of salary with matching company contributions or through direct company contribution.

+971 4 429 0530c (Middle East)derivatives

financial instruments used to reduce risk, the price of which is derived from an underlying asset, index or rate.

+61 29 935 8362c (Australia)direct channels

+86 21 2033 4848c (Mandarinmethods of booking hotel rooms (both digital and Cantonese) (China)voice) not involving third-party intermediaries.

Director

a Director of InterContinental Hotels Group

PLC.

+81 35 767 9325c (Japan)DR Policy

Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

+63 28 857 8778c (Korea)EMEAA

Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

+63 28 857 8788c (allEmployee

individuals directly employed at IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed, owned, leased, managed lease hotels.

employee engagement survey

our employee engagement survey, known as Colleague HeartBeat, completed by IHG employees only.

Enterprise contribution to revenue

the percentage of room revenue booked through IHG managed channels and sources: direct via our websites, apps and call centres; through our interfaces with Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and agreements with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs); other countries in Asia Pacific)distribution partners directly connected to our reservation system; and Global Sales Office business or IHG Reward members that book directly at a hotel.

ERG

employee resource group.

a Toll charges apply.EU

the European Union.

b Toll-free.euro or

the currency of the European Economic and Monetary Union.

c International calling rates apply.exceptional items

items that are disclosed separately because of their size, nature or incidence.

fee business

IHG’s franchise and managed businesses combined.

fee margin

fee margin is calculated by dividing ‘fee operating profit’ by ‘fee revenue’. Fee revenue and fee operating profits are calculated from revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments, adjusted to exclude the revenue and operating profit from the Group’s owned, leased and managed lease hotels and significant liquidated damages. In addition, fee margin is adjusted for the results of the Group’s captive insurance company, where premiums are intended to match the expected claims and as such these amounts are adjusted from the fee margin to better depict the profitability of the fee business. Fee margin is presented at actual exchange rates.

franchisee

an owner who uses a brand under licence from IHG.

goodwill

the difference between the consideration given for a business and the total of the fair values of the separable assets and liabilities comprising that business.

Group or IHG

the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

 

248IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020



Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement tool used to measure brand preference and guest satisfaction.

Guest Reservation System or GRS

our global electronic guest reservation system.

hedging

the reduction of risk, normally in relation to foreign currency or interest rate movements, by making offsetting commitments.

hotel revenue

revenue from all revenue-generating activity undertaken by managed and owned, leased and managed lease hotels, including room nights, food and beverage sales.

IASB

International Accounting Standards Board.

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB and adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

IHG PLC

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

indirect channels

online travel intermediaries and business and leisure travel agents.

interest rate swap

an agreement to exchange fixed for floating interest rate streams (or vice versa) on a notional principal.

liquidated damages

payments received in respect of the early termination of franchise and management contracts.

LTIP

Long Term Incentive Plan.

managed leases

properties which are held through a lease but with the same characteristics as management contracts.

management contract or management

agreement

a contract to operate a hotel on behalf of the hotel owner.

market capitalisation

the value attributed to a listed company by multiplying its share price by the number of shares in issue.

net debt

loans and other borrowings, lease liabilities, the exchange element of the fair value of derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents.

net rooms supply

net total number of IHG System hotel rooms.

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange.

occupancy rate

rooms occupied by hotel guests, expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available.

ordinary share

from 8 May 2017 the ordinary shares of 19 17/21 pence each in the Company; and from 14 January 2019 the ordinary shares of 20 340/399 pence each in the Company.

owner

the ultimate owner of a hotel property.

pipeline

hotels/rooms that will enter the IHG System at a future date. A new hotel only enters the pipeline once a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid. In rare circumstances, a hotel will not open for reasons such as the financing being withdrawn.

ppt

a percentage point is the unit for the arithmetic difference of two percentages.

reimbursable revenues

reimbursements from managed and franchised hotels for costs incurred by IHG, for example the cost of IHG employees working in managed hotels. The related revenues and costs are presented gross in the Group income statement and there is no impact to profit.

revenue management

the employment of pricing and segment strategies to optimise the revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

revenue per available room or RevPAR

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available (can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate).

room count

number of rooms franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed leased by IHG.

rooms revenue

revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

royalties

fees, based on rooms revenue, that a

franchisee pays to the Group.

SEC

US Securities and Exchange Commission.

sterling or pounds sterling, £, pence or p

the pound sterling, the currency of the

United Kingdom.

subsidiary

a company over which the Group exercises

control.

System

hotels/rooms operating under franchise and management agreements together with IHG owned, leased and managed lease hotels/ rooms, globally (the IHG System) or on a regional basis, as the context requires.

System Fund or Fund

assessment fees and contributions collected from hotels within the IHG System which fund activities that drive revenue to our hotels including marketing, the IHG Rewards loyalty programme and our distribution channels.

technology fee income

income received from hotels under franchise and management agreements for the use of IHG’s Guest Reservation System.

total gross revenue

total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

Total Shareholder Return or TSR

the theoretical growth in value of a shareholding over a period, by reference to the beginning and ending share price, and assuming that dividends, including special dividends, are reinvested to purchase additional units of the equity.

UK

the United Kingdom.

US

the United States of America.

US 401(k) Plan

the Defined Contribution 401(k) plan.

US dollars, US$, $ or ¢

the currency of the United States of America.

workforce

IHG employees.

working capital

the sum of inventories, receivables and payables of a trading nature, excluding financing and taxation items.

LOGO

GlossaryIHG  |  Additional Information  |  Useful informationAnnual Report and Form 20-F 2020 251249


Additional Information

 

Forward-looking statementsUseful information

Investor information

 

TheWebsite and electronic communication

As part of IHG’s commitment to reduce the cost and environmental impact of producing and distributing printed documents in large quantities, this Annual Report and Form20-F 2019 contains certain forward-looking statements as defined 2020 has been made available to shareholders through our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under US legislation (Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Group and certain plans and objectives of the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC with respect thereto. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements made in the Chair’s statement and in the Chief Executive Officer’s review. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘target’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’, or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the Group’s management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.Annual Report.

ByShareholders may electronically appoint a proxy to vote on their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or impliedbehalf at the 2021 AGM. Shareholders who hold their shares through CREST may appoint proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service, by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:using the risks of political and economic developments; the risk of events or stakeholder expectations that adversely impact domestic or international travel, including climate change; the risks of the hotel industrysupply-and-demand cycle; the Group being subject to a competitive and changing industry; the risks related to executing and realising benefits from strategic transactions, including acquisitions and restructuring; the Group’s dependence upon a wide range of external stakeholders and business partners; the Group’s exposure to increasing competition from online travel agents and intermediaries; the risks related to identifying, securing and retaining franchise and management agreements; the risks in relation to changing technology and systems; the Group’s reliance on the

reputation of its existing brands and exposure to inherent reputation risks; the Group’s exposure to risks associated with its intellectual property; the Group’s reliance upon its reservation system and other key technology platforms, and the risks that could disrupt the operation and/or integrity of these systems; the risks associated with safety, security and crisis management; the Group’s requirement of the right people, skills and capability to manage growth and change; the risks associated with collective bargaining activity which could disrupt operations, increase labour costs or interfere with the ability of management to focus on executing business strategies; the risk of litigation; the risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy; the requirement to comply with existing and changing regulations and societal expectations across numerous countries, territories and jurisdictions; the risks associated with insuring the Group’s business; the risks of uncertainties associated with brand development and expansion; the Group’s exposure to an impairment of the carrying value of its brands, goodwill or other tangible and intangible assets negatively affecting its consolidated operating results; the Group’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, currency devaluations or restructuring and to interest rate risk in relation to its borrowings; the Group’s operations being dependent on maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet all foreseeable medium-term requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations; the risks associated with credit risk on treasury transactions; the risk associated with foreign or U.S. environmental laws and regulations that may cause us to incur substantial costs or subject us to potential liabilities; the risks associated with the Group’s financial stability and its ability to borrow and satisfy debt covenants and the risks that the Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in tax laws.

The main factors that could affect the business and financial results areprocedures described in the StrategicCREST Manual.

Shareholder hotel discount

IHG offers discounted hotel stays (subject to availability) for registered shareholders only, through a controlled-access website. This is not available to shareholders who hold shares through nominee companies, ISAs or ADRs. For further details please contact the Company Secretary’s office (see the opposite page).

Responsible Business Report

In line with our commitment to responsible business practices, this year we have produced a Responsible Business Report showcasing our approach to responsible business and progress against our Responsible Business Targets.

LOGOVisit www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business for details.

Registrar

For information on a range of shareholder services, including enquiries concerning individual shareholdings, notification of a shareholder’s change of address and amalgamation of shareholder accounts (in order to avoid duplicate mailing of shareholder communications), shareholders should contact the Company’s Registrar, Equiniti, on +44 (0) 371 384 2132a.

Dividend services

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)

The Company offers a DRIP for shareholders to purchase additional IHG shares with their cash dividends. For further information about the DRIP, please contact our Registrar helpline on +44 (0) 371 384 2132.

LOGOSee www.shareview.co.uk/info/drip for a DRIP application form and information booklet.

Bank mandate

We encourage shareholders to have their dividends paid directly into their UK bank or building society accounts, to ensure efficient payment and clearance of funds on the payment date. For further information, please contact our Registrar (see page opposite).

Overseas payment service

It is also possible for shareholders to have their dividends paid directly to their bank accounts in a local currency. Charges are payable for this service.

LOGOGo to www.shareview.co.uk/info/ops for further information.

Out-of-date/unclaimed dividends

If you think that you have out-of-date dividend cheques or unclaimed dividend payments, please contact our Registrar (see the opposite page).

Individual Savings Account (ISA)

Equiniti offers a Stocks and Shares ISA that can invest in IHG shares. For further information, please contact Equiniti on +44 (0) 345 300 0430a.

Share-dealing services

Equiniti offers the following share-dealing facilities.

Postal dealing

0371 384 2132 from the UKa +44 121 415 7034 from overseasa

Telephone dealing

For more information, call +44 (0)345 603 7037b

Internet dealing

Visit www.shareview.co.uk for more information.

Changes to the base cost of IHG shares

Details of all the changes to the base cost of IHG shares held from April 2004 to January 2019, for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes, may be found on our website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the Tax information section.

‘Gone away’ shareholders

Working with ProSearch (an asset reunification company), we continue to look for shareholders who have not kept their contact details up to date. We have funds waiting to be claimed and are committed to doing what we can to pay these to their rightful owners. Please contact ProSearch on +44 (0) 800 612 8671a or email info@prosearchassets.com for further details.

Shareholder security

Many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited telephone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters. These are typically from ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders, offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in US or UK investments. These operations are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’. More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found at www.fca.org.uk/consumers on the Financial Conduct Authority website.

Details of any share dealing facilities that the Company endorses will be included in Company mailings.

Trading markets

The principal trading market for the Company’s ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The ordinary shares are also listed on the NYSE, trading in the form of ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Each ADS represents one ordinary share. The Company has a sponsored ADR facility with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as ADR Depositary.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)

The Company’s shares are listed on the NYSE in the form of American Depositary Shares, evidenced by ADRs and traded under the symbol ‘IHG’. Each ADR represents one ordinary share. All enquiries regarding ADR holder accounts and payment of dividends should be directed to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., our ADR Depositary bank (contact details shown on the opposite page).

Documents on display

Documents referred to in this Annual Report and Form20-F 2019.that are filed with the SEC can be found at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549. For further information and copy charges please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically and the Company’s SEC filings since 22 May 2002 are also publicly available through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the Company’s Articles can be obtained via the website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate Governance or from the Company’s registered office on request.

a

Lines are open from 08:30 to 17:30 Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.

b

Lines are open from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.

 

 

252250 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20192020


    

 


    

Financial calendars

 

Dividends

Designed and produced by2020                            Superunion, London.

 

 

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2020 Interim dividend

    Ex-dividend dateN/A

    Record dateN/A

    Payment dateN/A

www.superunion.com2020

2020 Final dividend

    Ex-dividend dateN/A

    Record dateN/A

    Payment dateN/A

Other dates
2020                            

Financial year end31 December

2021

Announcement of Preliminary Results for 202023 February

Announcement of 2021 First Quarter Interim7 May
Management Statement

Annual General Meeting7 May

Announcement of Half-Year Results for 202110 August

 

Managed byDonnelley Financial SolutionsAnnouncement of 2020 Third Quarter Interim

Management Statement

22 October

 

Financial year end31 December

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’s commitment to environmental issues is reflected in this Annual Report.

 

2022

This report has been printed on Symbol Matt Plus. Environmental friendly ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free Guaranteed) paper, certified by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council Containing a high content of selected recycled materials (minimum 25% guaranteed).

 

The FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) is a worldwide label which identifies products obtained from sustainable and responsible forest management.

Printed by CPI Colour in the UK, using the latest environmental printing technology and vegetable-based inks.

CPI Colour is a CarbonNeutral® company. Registered with the Environmental Management System ISO14001 and are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®)chain-of-custody certified.

The unavoidable carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing and deliveryAnnouncement of this document have been reduced to net zero through a verified carbon offsetting project.Preliminary Results for 2021February

 

Contacts


InterContinental Hotels Group PLCRegistered office

Broadwater Park, Denham,

Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR,

United Kingdom

Tel +44Telephone:

+44 (0) 1895 512 000

Webwww.ihgplc.com

For general information about the Group’s business, please contact the Corporate Affairs department at the above address. For all other enquiries, please contact the Company Secretary’s office at the above address.

Make a booking atwww.ihg.comRegistrar

Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing,

West Sussex, BN99 6DA, United Kingdom

Telephone:

+44 (0) 371 384 2132

www.shareview.co.uk

ADR Depositary

Shareowner Services, PO Box 64504,

St. Paul, MN 55164-0504, United States of America

Telephone:

+1 800 990 1135 (US calls) (toll-free)

+1 651 453 2128 (non-US calls)

Enquiries: www.shareowneronline.com

under contact us

www.adr.com

Auditor

Ernst & Young LLP

Investment bankers

BofA Securities

Goldman Sachs

Solicitors

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

Stockbrokers

BofA Securities

IHG® Rewards

If you wish to enquire about, or join, IHG Rewards,

visit www.ihg.com/rewardsclub or telephone:

+800 2222 7172b (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,

Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,

Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK)

+44 1950 499004c (all other countries/regions in Europe and Africa)

1 888 211 9874 (US and Canada)

001 800 272 9273c (Mexico)

+1 801 975 3013c (Spanish) (Central and South America)

+973 6 500 9 296a (Middle East)

+800 2222 7172b (Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand,

Philippines, Singapore and Thailand)

800 830 1128a or 021 20334848a (Mainland China)

800 965 222 (Hong Kong SAR)

0800 728 (Macau SAR)

00801 863 366 (Taiwan, China)

+632 8857 8788c (all other countries/regions in Asia Pacific)

+

Denotes international access code. 00 or 011 in most countries.

a

Toll charges apply.

b

Universal International Freephone Number.

c

International calling rates may apply.

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Useful informationIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2020251


 

 

 

 

IHG is proud of its brand-loyal guests and pleased to

Designed and produced by Superunion, London.

www.superunion.com

Managed by Donnelley Financial Solutions

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’s commitment to environmental issues is reflected in this Annual Report.

This report has been printed on Symbol Matt Plus. Environmental friendly ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free Guaranteed) paper, certified by the FSC®(Forest Stewardship Council Containing a high content of selected recycled materials (minimum 25% guaranteed).

The FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) is a worldwide label which identifies products obtained from sustainable and responsible forest management.

Printed by CPI Colour in the UK, using the latest environmental printing technology and vegetable-based inks.

CPI Colour is a CarbonNeutral® company. Registered with the Environmental Management System ISO14001 and are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) chain-of-custody certified.

The unavoidable carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing and delivery of this document have been reduced to net zero through a verified carbon offsetting project.

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give credit to the number of guests who have shared


photos with us, which are proudly featured (with

permission) on the cover and throughout this

Annual Report and Form 20-F.LOGO

 

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

Broadwater Park, Denham

Buckinghamshire UB9 5HR

United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0) 1895 512 000

www.ihgplc.com

Make a booking at www.ihg.com


SIGNATURE

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on Form20-F on its behalf.

 

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC

(Registrant)

By: 

/s/ Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

Name: Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 27, 2020March 4, 2021