InterContinental Hong Kong's General Manager Claus Pedersen is pleased to announce recent management appointments which include Veronica Chang as the hotel's new Director of Human Resources and Kai Roelz as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage.

Veronica Chang
Director of Human Resources

Veronica Chang, who recently joined InterContinental Hong Kong as Director of Human Resources, brings to her new position over 15 years of work experience with international conglomerates, including Carrier Hong Kong Limited where she most recently served as Human Resource Director for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Guam, overseeing the full spectrum of HR functions across the region.

Prior to that Veronica spent almost a decade with GEODIS (Freight Forwarding & Supply Chain Optimization, Asia Pacific), which is part of SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer français), France's national state-owned railway company. From the time she started with GEODIS in 2009 as Human Resources Officer, she quickly rose up the ranks to become Human Resources Director Asia Pacific from 2013 – 2018, during which time she handled Human Resources functions  for 15 countries including Australia, Japan and India (encompassing over 3,000 employees).

Her experience includes executive management, leading a team of HR Managers across Asia Pacific in both strategic advisory and operational HR infrastructure roles such as policies, processes and information systems as well as performance driven practices. During Veronica's tenure at GEODIS, she focused on embracing and driving cultural and organisational improvements and change, building a solid performance management framework and creating a highly capable and dedicated workforce.

Veronica's expertise in these areas is aligned with IHG's purpose and culture to deliver 'True Hospitality for everyone, everyday” and to create “Great Hotels Guests Love” and InterContinental Hong Kong's vision for its dedicated team as it looks towards the hotel's rebranding back to Regent Hong Kong following a major renovation (now anticipated to commence in early 2021).

Her early work experience includes HR positions with Hang Seng Bank and HSBC and Li & Fung (Retailing) Limited and Dairy Farm.  In her free time, Veronica is an avid baker and loves all forms of handicrafts. She is also the proud mother of 2 young daughters - ages 2 and 4 years old.

Kai Roelz
Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Kai Roelz joined InterContinental Hong Kong as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage from W Hotel in Xi'An where he worked on the opening team as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage for the past year and a half.  He was also on the opening team at The Ritz-Carlton Macau where he served as Senior Assistant Manager – Food & Beverage.

The sixth generation in his family to work in the hospitality industry, Kai literally grew up in hotels (in Hong Kong and overseas), with both his father and other members of his family as hoteliers. It was therefore only natural for him to pursue a career in the hotel business.

While he was born in Hong Kong, he spent part of his childhood in Wiesbaden, near the “Rheingau” wine area, which is world famous for its Riesling wine. Before relocating to Asia, Kai completed a 15-month management programme at a variety of Germany's most famous and grand hotels including Hotel Nassauer Hof in Wiesbaden, Fairmont Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, Park Hotel Bremen, Grand Hotel Heiligendamm in Bad Doberan, and the celebrated Brenner's Park Hotel and Spa in Baden Baden. During this time he gained valuable experience in various departments ranging from purchasing and banquets to fine dining and bars, as well as F&B sales. He also completed a chef apprenticeship at the famous Hotel Nassauer Hof in Wiesbaden.

Kai holds an executive MBA in Hospitality Administration from the world famous Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and a Bachelor of International Business in Hotel and Tourism Management from Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland.

In his new role, Kai reports directly to Executive Assistant Manager–Food & Beverage Sebastian Gassen and works closely with Senior Assistant Director of Food & Beverage Kenny Chan in overseeing all aspects of InterContinental Hong Kong's acclaimed restaurant and bar operations which include five restaurants (two with Michelin stars) and one of the city's largest hotel banqueting operations.

IMAGE LINKS:
Click here & here for Veronica Chang's photos.
Click here & here for Kai Roelz's photos.

For further press information, please contact:
Carole L Klein, Executive Director of PR & Communications, InterContinental Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2313-2335 / E-mail: carole.klein@ihg.com