Kayte Staraj
Kayte Staraj
Kayte Staraj

AccorHotels has made some significant General Manager appointments and HM has the details.

Jo Finnigan has been appointed General Manager, Hotel St Moritz Queenstown, a member of the MGallery Collection. Jo commenced her career with AccorHotels in May 2000 as Communications Manager at then named St Moritz Novotel Suites. Most recently Jo has been Acting General Manager in the absence of Lynne McVicar, who has departed her two decade-long career following a life-changing year in 2015 dealing with and overcoming breast cancer.

Jessie Sheehan has been appointed General Manager, The Como Melbourne – MGallery Collection. Jessie joined AccorHotels in 2009 as General Manager of Mount Lofty House, MGallery Collection, before progressing to General Manager, Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast. Her most recent role was General Manager, Novotel Forest Creswick before commencing parental leave in June 2015.

Lorraine Mercuri has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Sydney International Airport. Lorraine commenced her career with AccorHotels in 1992 at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach where she held various supervisor roles. Her first General Manager appointment was at Novotel Canberra in 2004 which progressed to her most recent position as General Manager, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in 2013.

Kayte Staraj has been appointed General Manager, Novotel Brisbane. Kayte commenced with AccorHotels in 2005 as Restaurant Manager, Novotel & Ibis Sydney Olympic Park. She later progressed to Executive Assistant Manager, Novotel Sydney Rooty Hill in 2010 before being appointed Franchise Operations Manager NSW/ACT in 2012. Her most recent role was General Manager, Quay West Suites Brisbane.

Daniel Barnard
Daniel Barnard

Dougal McConnell has been appointed General Manager, The Sebel Mandurah. Dougal first joined AccorHotels in 2008 as Front Office Manager, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley before progressing to Rooms Division Manager, ibis Melbourne. His first General Manager role was in 2012 at ibis Styles Alice Springs followed by The Sebel Launceston. His most recent role was General Manager, Novotel Creswick Resort.

Simon Harper has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Queenstown Resort. Simon held the position of General Manager, Grand Mercure Puka Park before commencing his most recent role as General Manager, Novotel Suva Lami Bay in 2010.

Vincent Macquet has been appointed General Manager, Sofitel Wellington. Vincent joined AccorHotels in 2012 as General Manager, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa. Vincent has an extensive experience in delivering five-star service and will take on the challenge of opening this new hotel in mid 2016.

Kristian Lindhe has been appointed General Manager, The Sebel Brisbane. Kristian first joined AccorHotels in 2004 at The Sebel Melbourne where he held a variety of Food and Beverage positions before moving to The Como Melbourne as Night Auditor. Kristian’s first General Manager appointment was at The Sebel Deep Blue Warrnambool which has progressed to his most recent role as General Manager, Novotel Brisbane.

Tom Bloomfield has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Gold Coast Resort. Tom joined the AccorHotels in 2012 after the merger of Mirvac, where he remained as the General Manager, The Sebel Suites Brisbane. Prior to this he was the General Manager, The Sebel Melbourne and Hotel Manager of Quay West Suites Melbourne.

Jamie O’Donnell has been appointed General Manager, Darwin Airport Hotels. Jamie first joined AccorHotels network in December 2012 as General Manager, Mercure Gold Coast Resort.

Jessie Sheehan
Jessie Sheehan

Daniel Barnard has been appointed General Manager, The Menzies Hotel Sydney. Daniel joined AccorHotels in 2013 as Operations Manager, Novotel Barossa Valley. He has completed several General Manager secondments during his tenure with his most recent position being Acting General Manager, Mercure Sydney International Airport Hotel.

Scott O’Neile has been appointed General Manager, The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection. Scott was appointed to his first General Manager position at Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa – Snowy Mountains in 2012 before progressing to his most recent position as General Manager, Mantra on Salt Beach Resort in 2014. AccorHotels is thrilled to have Scott joining the team.

Larelle Fitt has been appointed as Business Development Manager, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort. Larelle has extensive experience within the industry, progressing from her most recent position as Sales Manager at The Mantra Resort. Larelle will be contracted on a two day a week basis for a 12-month period, filling in for Olivia Aiyer who is currently on maternity leave. Larelle will be based in Victoria working from The Como Melbourne.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management