Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. New COO joins Allianz Global Assistance
International leader in assistance services, Allianz Global Assistance (AGA), has appointed Lionel Charmetant as its new Chief Operations Officer.
Commencing his position this month, Lionel has joined the team with over 15 years’ experience in the financial sector across multiple industries.
For the last two years, Lionel has been based in Paris at AGA’s head quarters where he held the position of Manager Global Initiatives, Group Operations.
He successfully managed the set up and growth of four Global Operations Centres as well as the Product Portfolio Modularisation within the AGA business by leveraging the active involvement of 14 business units internationally.
Prior to this, Lionel’s strong financial and commercial abilities have seen him pursue roles in several industries, including managing large-scale projects in The Boston Consulting Group and managing commercial relationships with French corporate clients at Barclays Capital.
2. New GM steps in to head Etihad in Aus & NZ
Etihad Airways has appointed Ms Sarah Built as its new General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, based in Sydney.
Sarah has 25 years of aviation experience which includes sales and senior management roles for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, American Airlines, Swiss, Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways.
She joined Etihad Airways in August 2011 as its London-based Manager Global Industry Sales, responsible for some of the airline’s major commercial partnerships.
“We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the Australian leadership team at an exciting time for the airline.”
Danny Barranger, Etihad Airways Vice President Global Sales
The role of General Manager for Australia and New Zealand reports to Etihad Airways’ Vice President for Asia Pacific South and Australasia, Mr Lindsay White.
3. Hardie promoted to Rocky Mountaineer’s VP of Global Sales
Rocky Mountaineer has promoted Karen Hardie from Director of Sales to Vice President of Global Sales.
Based in Vancouver, Hardie will be leading the company’s international team of sales professionals, expanding business development opportunities with trade partners and focusing on growth with valued partners across all travel industry distribution channels.
Hardie joined Rocky Mountaineer in 2012 as the Director Sales, USA, bringing numerous years of experience within the tourism industry along with exceptional sales, marketing and business development skills.
She has a reputation for delivering sales growth and quickly climbed the ranks and relocated to Vancouver to serve as the Director of Global Sales Operations in late 2013.
Prior to joining Rocky Mountaineer, Hardie was the Vice-President of Sales for Stella Travel USA. She has also held senior positions with Orion Expedition Cruises in California and Australia as well as St. Ives Travel (American Express and Virtuoso Agency) located in Sydney, Australia.
4. Three new appointments at Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Oaks Hotels & Resorts has announced three key appointments within its Australian team, including Mr Rex Demanser as Head Commercial Officer, Mr Ben Pilkington as Area Director of Sales for Queensland, and Ms Jeshly Sierra as Area Director of Sales for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Based at Oaks Hotels & Resorts’
Sunshine Coast head office, Mr Demanser brings more than 25 years experience in the hospitality industry to the role.
He joins Oaks Hotels & Resorts after a notable tenure in Bangkok with parent company Minor Hotel Group as a special projects consultant.
Prior to his post in Thailand, he served as Vice President of
Distribution & Revenue Management for Kempinski Hotels in Switzerland.
Mr Demanser will play a key role in leading Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ growth in Australia and overseas as the company continues to expand its property portfolio, which currently incorporates 51 hotels and resorts in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Pilkington will meanwhile assume the role of Area Director of Sales for Queensland, effective immediately, which will see him oversee key Australian and international accounts and direct the company’s sales initiatives, after previously serving in the same role for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Ms Sierra will now fill this role and joins Oaks Hotels & Resorts after a 10-year post in London working in various global sales offices for Accor, Morgans Hotel Group and French hotel group Concorde Hotels & Resorts, before recently moving back to Australia and assuming the position of Head of Corporate Sales for Doltone House’s five-star venue collection.