Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers.
1. Southern Ocean Lodge welcomes Executive Chef Alastair Waddell
South Australia’s acclaimed Southern Ocean Lodge has appointed talented chef Alastair Waddell to head its culinary team, overseeing a kitchen focused on the superb array of artisan produce found locally on Kangaroo Island.
As Executive Chef, he will take creative responsibility for daily menus that showcase the best of the island’s home-grown fare, combined with delicacies from other nearby regions of South Australia including the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.
Known as Ally to friends and colleagues, he joins the lodge after six years at qualia on Hamilton Island where he was recognised with several awards including HM Magazine’s Hotel Chef of the Year (2012 and 2014) and a one-hat rating in the Australian Good Food Guide (2014 and 2015). He regards his kitchen garden as an important ongoing legacy at the resort.
Born, educated and trained as a chef in Scotland, Alastair notably worked at both One Devonshire Gardens and Cameron House Hotel in Glasgow under the tutelage of renowned Scottish chef Paul Tamburrini. After travelling to Europe and the USA, he settled in Australia in 2008 and joined Guillaume Brahimi’s two-hatted Bistro Guillaume in Melbourne.
As part of his new role, Alastair will be responsible for further developing the culinary philosophy at Southern Ocean Lodge, which is dedicated to the use of local foods and beverages in both its magnificent ocean-view restaurant and walk-in wine cellar. Just prior to taking the helm, he travelled around Kangaroo Island to meet with local producers, many of whom work in close partnership with the lodge.
2. The IHG expands
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has expanded its Australasian development team with the appointment of Abhijay Sandilaya as Director of Development – Australasia.
The appointment reflects the significant growth opportunities that exist throughout the region and will ensure IHG’s aggressive development objectives are maintained.
Matt Tripolone, Head of Development – Australasia & Japan, said: “The appointment of Abhijay will allow us to focus on broader markets, strategic partner relationships and more complex management opportunities as they present themselves, ensuring IHG will continue to grow our hotel network in the region.”
3. CINZ appoints new Independent Board Chair
Management and leadership consultant Tony Gardner has been appointed Independent Chair of the Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) Board.
He replaces John Duncan who retires as Independent Chair after 13 years in the role.
The CINZ Board includes CINZ Chief Executive Sue Sullivan, Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand representatives, and nine CINZ members who appoint an independent chair.
Sue Sullivan says Tony is an exceptional leader, with many years of international experience, who brings a strong international background to the sector and the CINZ Board.
Tony has over 20 years’ multi-channel marketing and 14 years’ management and executive leadership experience. From 2012 to 2013 he was Chief Executive of Orange Group a conventions and incentives industry operator, and served on the CINZ Board from 2013 to 2015, actively contributing to strategic and digital planning.
He is the Managing Partner of Catapult Auckland, a management consultancy specialising in organisational strategy, high-performing teams and leadership development.
4. Adelaide Airport announces new Director
Adelaide Airport Limited (AAL) today announced the appointment of Jane Yuile as a new Board Director.
AAL Chairman, Rob Chapman, said Ms Yuile would bring a wealth of experience to the Board as a result of her deep board expertise.
Ms Yuile is currently State Chair of ANZ and also currently chairs both ReturnToWorkSA (formerly WorkCover SA) and the Advisory Board of the Australian Centre for Asian Business (UniSA), and is a Director of BuiltEnvirons and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
She has a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mr Chapman thanked former Director Anne Howe, who had provided significant expertise, experience and advice to the Board over the past five years.