By James Wilkinson
SilverNeedle has appointed experienced Hotelier Andrew Turner as the company’s Executive Vice President of Hotel Operations, effective immediately.
Turner, who spent 14 years as the CEO of Mirvac Hotels and Resorts before departing in 2011, joins the company following the departure of operations executive Jonathon Wooller in March 2013 after almost eight years with the company.
SilverNeedle Managing Director and Group CEO, Iqbal Jumabhoy, said Turner’s appointment was significant for the company.
“I am delighted to welcome an industry stalwart like Andrew to the team,” he said. “His vision and experience are tremendous assets to our organisation.
“We look forward to a strong growth trajectory with a sharp focus on the Asia Pacific region where we have already established a significant presence.”
Turner is a former HM magazine Hotelier of the Year winner at the HM Awards, alongside being a Hall of Fame inductee.
He has 35 years industry experience and according to SilverNeedle, he will the company’s “vision of being best in class in hotel management, ensuring profitability and guest satisfaction for the complete portfolio of brands across the regions in which the organisation operates”.
“In doing so, he will lead the hotel operations function which also includes sales and marketing, procurement, pre opening, operational training and revenue and distribution management of all SilverNeedle Hospitality’s brands,” the company said.
At present, SilverNeedle has 4000 rooms in 65 hotels under management across Asia-Pacific under five brands.