Patrick Imbardelli, chief executive of InterContinental’s Asia Pacific operations, has resigned after misleading the company over his academic qualifications.
Imbardelli quit after an internal review uncovered that he had falsified his academic record on his CV. The revelations came to light following a promotion to InterContinental’s board. Imbardelli is highly respected in the industry and was instrumental in the success of Holiday Inns in China. He was named Asia Pacific Hotelier of 2006.
According to InterContinental, Imbardelli claimed to have been awarded a BA in business studies and hotel management from Australia’s Victoria University as well as an MA in business administration from Cornell University. Imbardelli had attended classes at both universities but never graduated.
InterContinental has not revealed whether any other compensation had been paid. A permanent replacement has not yet been announced. Imbardelli joined InterContinental’s forerunner Bass in 2000, who did not check his CV at that stage.
Imbardelli has over 20 years’ experience in the hotel and tourism industry in Asia, and also worked for Hilton International and Hyatt.
