Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Etihad Airways appoints Vice President for Australia and Asia Pacific
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Mr Lindsay White to the new position of Vice President for Australia and Asia Pacific.
In this role, Mr White will assume responsibility for the entire Asia Pacific region, adding China, Japan, Korea and Thailand to his current portfolio of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
Mr White brings more than 30 years of aviation industry experience to the role, having held various senior management positions at British Airways before joining Gulf Air in 2005 as its general manager in Malaysia and Brunei. He subsequently joined Etihad Airways as its country manager in Malaysia.
2. Malaysia Airlines expands leadership team
Malaysia Airlines has increased its leadership team with two new members – Nik Azli Abu Zahar as Executive Counsel with effect from 1 November 2015 and Charles D. McKee as Head of Marketing with effect from 14 September 2015.
Announcing the appointment, Malaysia Airlines Berhad’s Chief Executive Officer Designate Christoph Mueller said both individuals bring a wealth of experience to the airline.
Nik has over 19 years of experience in the legal (counsel and in-house) and management field and will be assisting the Company in setting up a streamlined approach to managing, negotiating and entering into contracts with the diverse range of the airline’s business partners.
Prior to his appointment, Nik was the General Counsel for SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad.
He was formerly Head of Legal in Sime Darby, Energy & Utilities Division (2010 – 2011), Legal Assistant and Partner at Zul Rafique and Partners (2004 – 2010).
Nik holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
The new Head of Marketing, Charles McKee has a background in leading marketing teams in the airline, hospitality and destination marketing industries. His 27 years of experience in marketing and managing world-class travel brands will enable the airline to stay ahead of competition and provide greater customer experience.
Prior to his appointment, Charles was responsible for repositioning the Delta Hotels and Resorts brand, Canada’s largest full-service hotel company. His other travel industry experience includes chief marketing and other commercial leadership roles at Air Canada, the Canadian Tourism Commission, lastminute.com PLC, and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Charles graduated from Harvard University in 1988 with a concentration in East Asian Studies and has lived and worked in Canada, the US, UK, Japan and Hong Kong.
3. Executive Chef cooks up a storm at Sheraton Melbourne
Sheraton Melbourne Hotel has appointed Achim Herterich to the position of Executive Chef where he will be responsible for the culinary operation of the hotel.
As part of his duties, Herterich will also provide inspirational leadership to his kitchen brigade and deliver a distinguished best in class experience at Sheraton Melbourne Hotel’s food and beverage venues, including Little Collins St Kitchen, Terrace Bar and Little Collins Larder.
Achim brings a wealth of international hospitality experience and knowledge to the position having worked in various culinary roles over the past 32 years.
Prior to his role at Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, Achim was Executive Chef & Owner of Kuche Inspirational Food; Victoria’s one stop destination for inspirational food, cooking, catering and wares.
Hailing from Germany, Achim started his hospitality career as an Apprentice Chef at Hotel Skandia in Germany. Pursuing his culinary career, Achim made his way from Hotel International in Switzerland to The Drake Hotel in New York, before finally settling at Australia’s Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast.
4. Tony O’Connor joins Partnership Travel Consulting
Partnership Travel Consulting has appointed Tony O’Connor to be its APAC Regional Director.
O’Conner joins the team with almost ten years experience running his own travel management consultancy business, Butler Caroye Asia Pacific.
Since establishing the business in 1998, he has assisted major corporations and institutions in over 120 travel procurement projects, with a total spend of over $2 billion.
His expertise covers airline, travel management companies, technology, car, card, accommodation, expense management and internal process, strategy and policy.
5. Emilie Groleau heads up AVIAREPS in Aus & NZ
Emilie Groleau has been appointed as the new AVIAREPS General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, effective September this year.
Emilie replaces Peter Power, who has stepped down from the role after sustaining serious injuries in a car accident several months ago. Due to ongoing medical care he is unable to continue his responsibilities as General Manager for AVIAREPS Oceania.
He will undergo major spinal surgery soon which will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. It is hoped that after he recovers, Peter can continue his collaboration with AVIAREPS in another capacity.
Emilie joins AVIAREPS in 2013 in a business development, change management and account management roles at the company’s offices in Amsterdam, Munich, Dubai and Milan.
She says she is a determined and goal-oriented manager with a strong focus on improving performance in the space of destination and airline marketing.
Before joining AVIAREPS, Emilie held management, communications and consulting positions with a variety of organisations such as the United Nations, New York University, and Sustainable Travel International.
6. Metro Group gets a new Director of Sales & Marketing
Rachel Pirie has joined the Metro Group as the new Director of Sales and Marketing where she’ll be responsible for all promotional activities for Metro’s national chain of hotels, apartments and resorts throughout Australia.
Rachel brings over 20 years’ experience including seven years managing sales and marketing activities for StayWell Hospitality Group’s Park Regis and Leisure Inn properties both domestically and internationally.
In her new role at Metro, Rachel will be responsible for leading and enhancing the direction of the sales and marketing team including across corporate, government, wholesale and inbound sales, digital marketing, public relations and strengthening awareness of the Metro Hotels brand.