Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. New appointments in Malaysia Airlines ‘new beginning’
Malaysia Airlines has promoted Mr Lee Poh Kait to Regional Manager for Australia, New Zealand, the South West Pacific and ASEAN to deliver on the company’s plan for profitable growth, effective 1 September 2015.
In this role, Mr Lee will oversee all of Southeast Asia in addition to his current area of Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific.
During his 25-year career, Mr Lee has served in a variety of senior management, marketing and sales positions across Australia, Japan, China and Malaysia, including the past eight years with Malaysia Airlines.
Prior to joining Malaysia Airlines, PK worked for Canon in Malaysia for 17 years, rounding out his time there as Assistant General Manager at Lens Manufacturing 5 Division, overseeing a team of 700 workers.
Mr Lee holds a Master of Business Administration majoring in International Business from the University of South Australia. He is also a master trainer and practitioner of the ‘lean manufacturing system’ established by Toyota.
Malaysia Airlines also announced Bennet Michael Stephens as Country Manager for Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific. Mr Stephens was formerly Commercial Route Manager for Australia, New Zealand, the Americas and North Asia and has over 28 years of experience with airlines such as KLM, Gulf Air, Oman Air and Kenya Airways.
2. Etihad makes three key UAE appointments
Etihad Airways has announced the appointment of three UAE nationals to executive positions within the airline.
Hareb Al Muhairy becomes Senior Vice President Corporate and International Affairs; Mohammed Al Bulooki joins Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi Airports Company to become Vice President UAE Commercial; and Haitham Al Subaihi becomes Vice President UAE Sales.
Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer said the new appointments will have a significant impact on the development of the airline’s Corporate and International Affairs and Commercial departments.
3. New talent at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa has expanded its team with Luke Groves in the role of Waitui Beach Club Manager and Takahisa Erikawa, joining the kitchen crew as Executive Sous Chef.
Both Luke and Takahisa are taking on newly created roles at the resort with Waitui Beach Club, adults’ only area having recently opened on 31 July.
Takahisa brings 16 years of international cuisine experience to the mix, having worked in hotel and restaurant kitchens across Japan, New Zealand, China and Fiji. Joining the team from his most recent role as Executive Sous Chef for Le Meridian Zhengzhou Hotel in China, he is excited to be returning to Fiji as his second home, having previously worked at the Intercontinental Gold Resort and Spa in Fiji during 2011.
Taking the lead across all operations at the exclusive adult’s only club, Luke has been a respected member of the AccorHotels team since 2007. Predominantly working across various F&B roles, his experience working for one of Australia’s most élite luxury resorts, the One & Only Hayman Island Resort, will provide a great source of knowledge for the team.
4. Singapore Airlines receives a new Deputy Chairman
Singapore Airlines has appointed Mr Peter Seah Lim Huat to its Board as Deputy Chairman, with effect from 1 September 2015.
Mr Seah, 69, is an independent non-executive director. He will join the Board Executive Committee and the Board Compensation and Industrial Relations Committee.
A well-known business figure, Mr Seah is Chairman of DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank Ltd. He is also Chairman of LaSalle College of the Arts Limited, the National Wages Council and Singapore Health Services.
In addition, Mr Seah serves on various boards including Fullerton Financial Holdings, GIC Private Limited, Level 3 Communications Inc and StarHub Ltd. He was previously Chairman of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, Deputy Chairman of CapitaLand Limited and Deputy Chairman of Global Crossing Limited.
A banker for more than 30 years, Mr Seah was with the former Overseas Union Bank between 1977 and 2001, retiring as Vice Chairman and CEO. Prior to that he was with Citibank NA and between December 2001 and December 2004 he served as President & CEO of Singapore Technologies Pte Ltd.
