Carleigh Chadwick, InterContinental Hotels Group: accessibility strategy

• Carleigh Chadwick took on the role of Accessibility Manager UK and Ireland at IHG in March 2007, alongside her role as PA to the Vice President of Operations, UK & Ireland.
• She was responsible for proposing and agreeing IHG's Accessibility Strategy with the Vice President Operations UK and Ireland. Recognising accessibility as a important business priority was key to ensuring IHG's appointment as the Official Hotel Services Provider to London 2012.
• She won the Disability Champion award in the Disability Standard Awards 2009.

Carleigh was accountable for establishing and supporting revenue streams in the disability market segment and co-ordinated IHG's stand at the Mobility Roadshow for three consecutive years.  This was an opportunity for IHG to proactively market its accessible hotel facilities to people with mobility impairments, and in turn enabled the organisation to set up a database for future targeted messages. 

Carleigh also pioneered the rollout of ceiling track hoist facilities in five IHG hotels, the only hotel chain to do this, and these have realised almost £0.5 million income over the past three years.  She worked closely with the Ceiling Hoist Users Club to increase people's knowledge of where these specialised facilities are provided.

As an ambassador for IHG, Carleigh forged key relationships both within IHG and externally in the disability sector, and delivered presentations to promote IHG's Accessibility Strategy and raise awareness of the accessible facilities in their hotels. 

She was part of the Accessible Stakeholders Forum, established by the DCMS and Tourism for All, to improve accessibility in the lead up to London 2012.

IHG is now established as the market leader in the branded UK hotel sector in terms of providing accessible accommodation.