Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. SAA executive to lead Star Alliance Country Steering Committee
The Star Alliance member airlines represented in Australia today named Tim Clyde-Smith – South African Airways’ Country Manager Australasia – as Chair of the Star Alliance Country Steering Committee.
Clyde-Smith brings to his new role more than 25 years’ travel and tourism experience, including senior positions with some of the world’s most respected international airlines. He joined South African Airways in 2012 from Emirates, where he held the global position of Manager E-Commerce Sales Development, based in Dubai.
Clyde-Smith will now lead Star Alliance activities in Australia, including promotions and educational initiatives that highlight to consumers and trade partners Star Alliance’s worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service.
He will also oversee Star Alliance’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in Australia, including its on-going support of the Children’s Medical Research Institute – an independent Australian organisation conducting world-class genetic research to help prevent and treat childhood diseases.
Clyde-Smith says Star Alliance is continually looking for new ways to enhance the tangible benefits it offers Australia’s international travellers.
Star Alliance’s Country Steering Committee also announces that Jum Mu, Air China’s Regional Sales Manager Australia, has accepted the role of Vice Chair.
2. Key executive appointment at Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Oaks Hotels & Resorts, a division of Minor Hotel Group, has made two key appointments within its Executive Committee, including Mr Daryn Griggs as the company’s new Head of Commercial and Ms Kira Klein as Director of Marketing & Brand Loyalty.
Mr Griggs joins the Oaks Hotels & Resorts team with a wealth of international business experience across a range of specialist areas, including finance, operations, marketing, sales and product development. Mr Griggs will be responsible for driving Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ business growth and commercial strategy, and overseeing all commercial activity. He will also be heavily involved in Oaks Hotel & Resorts’ innovation strategy.
Prior to this appointment, Mr Griggs has amassed an impressive career history, holding various tenures with Visa in Singapore, including Director of Prepaid Solutions, and with US-based Rev Worldwide as Executive Vice President of Product, Sales & Partner Success, where he had global responsibility for innovation, sales and partnerships.
Ms Klein, meanwhile, steps into her role with Oaks Hotels & Resorts with over 15 years travel industry experience, primarily in the retail travel sector, after leaving her previous position as Area Leader of Customer Experience at Flight Centre. A highly experienced, data driven marketer, Ms Klein is set to take Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ marketing to new heights.
Starting out her career as a travel agent, Ms Klein transitioned into travel marketing whilst working with Pinpoint – a MasterCard company – where she spent seven years working with some of the largest loyalty and rewards programs in Australia, including Westpac, Macquarie Bank and ANZ, before launching her own business. Under Kira Klein Enterprises, Ms Klein started a Community College and consulted to a number of loyalty technology firms. Once the College sold, she stepped back into the travel industry accepting a role with Flight Centre and now an executive position with Oaks Hotels & Resorts.
In her new role as Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ Director of Marketing and Brand Loyalty, Ms Klein’s key responsibilities will include driving all facets of marketing, including digital, brand, public relations, loyalty, data driven marketing, social media and creative, in line with Minor Hotel Group’s global strategy.
3. Daydream Island appoints new Leisure Account Director
Daydream Island Resort and Spa in the Whitsundays has announced the appointment of Shirley Dodt as its leisure account director.
Ms Dodt comes to Daydream Island with broad experience in a variety of senior sales and development roles in the hospitality industry.
She previously held numerous hotel roles in North Queensland including most recently as director of sales and marketing at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort and as account director of leisure sales for Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas. Ms Dodt was also with the Rendezvous Hospitality Group where she held dual roles as national director of leisure sales and also director of sales and marketing for Rendezvous Reef Resort Port Douglas.
Her extensive industry experience also includes roles with Virgin Australia, Tempo Holidays, Shangri-La Hotel – The Marina, Cairns, Coral Princess Cruises and Infinity Cruising.
4. itravel grows with a new addition
The itravel team has added to its team with the appointment of Kim Wudko as the new Head of Strategic Partnerships.
Wudko was the former Head of Operations at TravelManagers and has extensive travel industry knowledge.
itravel’s Director Steve Labroski said Kim will be a great asset to the team.
Wudko resigned from TravelManagers after 10 years of service and will be joining the Surry Hills head office team.
5. Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji appoints new GM
Auberge Resorts Collection Principal and Chief Operating Officer, Eric Calderon has announced the appointment of Mark Stanford to the role of General Manager at Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji, effective immediately.
An Australian national Mr Stanford needs little introduction to the international hospitality industry, his career spanning 25 years specialising in resort and operations management with a passion for luxury and alpine resorts.
This includes key roles in the start-up of six international resorts, including three in the role of General Manager.
Prior to his Fiji appointment Mr Stanford served as pre-opening General Manager at the Royal Purnama in Bali overseeing construction and design as well as recruitment and service training of all staff.
Under his leadership, the resort was nominated for the 2015 World Luxury Hotel Awards and the 2015 Luxury Travel Guide Awards.
Mr Stanford’s Bali experience also includes to a stint at the C151 Luxury Villa Resorts where he oversaw operation of two separate resorts.
6. Air NZ appoints new Chief People Officer
Air New Zealand has appointed Jodie King to the Executive position of Chief People Officer effective 29 February.
Jodie takes over the role from Lorraine Murphy, who is moving to Australia to become Group Executive – People at National Australia Bank.
Jodie had a significant international career before joining Air New Zealand in 2013 to drive key initiatives including the airline’s Talent and Leadership frameworks. More recently she has led the People streams for Airports and Global Sales.
Prior to joining Air New Zealand Jodie spent 15 years in the United Kingdom with KPMG where she worked in leadership and consultancy roles across a range of industries, including infrastructure, oil and gas, banking and retail with companies like London Underground, BP, easyJet, Royal Bank of Scotland and Diageo. This has seen her support businesses in countries as diverse as Russia, North America and Switzerland.
7. InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa welcomes new GM
Following his debut interview with the Fiji TV Breakfast Show on February 2nd 2016, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is delighted to announce their Area General Manager South Pacific, Andrew Davidson.
Mr. Davidson will be based at the luxury award-winning Resort at Natadola Bay. Mr. Davidson featured on the show to highlight the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as this was the chosen feature property by the TV stations to showcase to their viewers within Fiji and the greater South Pacific region.
With outstanding expertise in hotel development and management in a competitive market, Mr. Davidson joins the award-winning InterContinental Fiji with over 20 years of invaluable experience. Having started his career as a management trainee, Mr. Davidson worked his way through the Hotel industry in all areas of Food & Beverage, banqueting, hotel management, openings and finally to General Manager.
Having previously held the role as General Manager InterContinental OR Tambo Airport Hotel in South Africa, Mr. Davidson is no stranger to IHG brand standards and is highly experienced in hotel operations resulting in maximum guest comfort and experience. Mr. Davidson will provide a vital support and exemplary leadership for the resort leadership team to ensure that there are operational efficiencies and deliver the unique guest experiences that is synonymous with the InterContinental brand.
8. A&K appoints new Sales Manager
Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has appointed Rowena Dick in the newly created role of Sales Manager in Melbourne, managing the company’s Outbound Reservations team.
Rowena has over 15 years’ experience in the travel industry in Australia as well as London, in a variety of roles. Recently completing an MBA at University of Queensland, Rowena has relocated to Melbourne.
A passionate globetrotter, she has travelled to South East Asia, Europe, India, Morocco, Egypt and East Africa and whenever possible combines all things culinary on her travels.
9. Mantra appoints GM of NZ
Mantra Group has announced the appointment of Scott Wallace to the role of Regional General Manager – New Zealand.
With 30 years’ experience within the hotel industry, most recently as Wyndham’s Director of Operations – Queensland, Victoria & New Zealand, he has an excellent understanding of the New Zealand hotel market. In his role at Wyndham, Mr Wallace oversaw the management of 12 resorts and chaired eight Body Corporate committees, providing an operational background that sees him ideally positioned for the role of Regional General Manager – New Zealand for the Mantra Group.
As the Independent Director of Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism from 2011 to 2014, and a Board Member on the New Zealand hotel council, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role.
