Left to right (top row): Royce Seah, Chairman, APSN Ltd, Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts - Left to right (second and bottom row): IHG GMs and leaders in Singapore - Backdrop: Lanterns hand painted by the students and alumni of APSN — Photo by IHG

Singapore – IHG Hotels & Resorts and APSN strengthens their long-term strategic partnership with a three-year MOU renewal agreement to support APSN’s students and trainees across all IHG hotels and its office in Singapore.

The multi-year agreement, the second consecutive MOU signed between the two parties, includes philanthropy, advocacy, volunteering, and employment opportunities. IHG hotels in Singapore will provide full-time employment opportunities, on-the-job training and internships, and regular social activities for students in the hotels, where APSN students and trainees take on front office roles such as concierge and bellman, or operational roles like kitchen stewards, housekeepers and service staff.

This announcement comes on the back of a 34-kilometre Giving For Good relay that IHG has held for the past three consecutive years that spans all 13 IHG hotels in Singapore and its Support Centre to raise funds for APSN. The activity held during IHG’s Giving for Good month of September, is part of a global initiative where colleagues volunteer in activities that support their local communities. This is part of IHG’s Journey To Tomorrow, a 10-year action plan to shape the future of responsible travel and to improve the lives of 30 million people around the world by 2030.

Group photo after the Giving For Good relay across Singapore — Photo by IHGGroup photo after the Giving For Good relay across Singapore — Photo by IHG
Group photo after the Giving For Good relay across Singapore — Photo by IHG
I am proud at IHG to be a pioneer in building and supporting an inclusive culture and society, a mission that is closely aligned with Singapore’s Enabling Masterplan 2030 goals. Last year in Singapore, colleagues dedicated over 2,500 hours to community partnerships and impacting over 6,500 lives. Diversity, equity and inclusion is an integral part of IHG’s culture and we are committed to serving the communities in which we operate.

Over the last 30 years, IHG has supported the hiring of people with disabilities by providing full-time employment opportunities, on-the-job training and internships. Our strong partnership with organisations like APSN has strengthened our workplace culture and we have seen a shift in our colleagues’ perceptions and embracing diversity in the workplace.

I’m confident that our partnership with APSN will grow from strength to strength as we work together to make a positive impact in our community and an environment that is truly understanding of others. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Established in 1976, APSN is a social service agency dedicated to empowering individuals with mild intellectual disability (IQ 50-70). With a focus on education, training, and support, APSN has helped over 6,000 beneficiaries achieve their full potential. The programmes, offered through 4 schools and 3 centres, cater to individuals at all stages of life.

IHG has been a wonderful partner and a great supporter of APSN over the years. Our strong collaborative partnership has made a significant impact on the lives of many of our beneficiaries, opening new doors of opportunity on various fronts for students and trainees with special needs. It is with partners like IHG where we can further our mission of empowering and guiding them into an inclusive society. Royce Seah, Chairman, APSN Ltd.

More than three decades have passed since 1989 when Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre became a pioneer in Singapore in hiring people with disabilities. Today, 5% of IHG’s full-time workforce in Singapore are people with disabilities.

With over 1,600 colleagues across 13 hotels in Singapore, building an inclusive workplace that cares is a priority for the group. A recent IHG survey showed the positive benefits of volunteering work with 100% of Singapore-based colleagues said they felt more connected to IHG’s purpose and 100% said they were more likely to recommend IHG as a great place to work. Focusing on caring for people and communities have enabled IHG to win the Kincentric Best Employer for 2024.

*A 2024 Report on IHG’s transformational partnerships across South East Asia can be found here.

About APSN

APSN, a leading social service agency in Singapore, has been empowering individuals with mild intellectual disabilities (IQ 50-70) since 1976. Through a holistic approach to education, vocational training, and employment support, APSN has helped over 6,000 beneficiaries achieve their full potential.

APSN currently operate four Special Education (SPED) Schools (APSN Chaoyang School, APSN Katong School, APSN Tanglin School and APSN Delta Senior School) for students between the ages of 7 and 21, APSN Student Care Centre for children from 7 to 18 years old, APSN Centre for Adults for persons from 18 years and older, and APSN Learning Hub for working professionals and other stakeholders. With this network of schools, centers, and support services, APSN provides comprehensive care for individuals at all stages of life.

Under the patronage of Ms. Jane Ittogi, APSN continues to expand its reach and impact, partnering with organizations to create a more inclusive environment for all. APSN has attained the Enabling Mark (Gold), a national-level accreditation framework by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for their best practices and outcomes in disability-inclusive employment.

For more details about APSN’s programmes and services, visit www.apsn.org.sg. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn@sgapsn for latest updates.

About IHG®

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlene Tan
+65 9722 7525
IHG