The Brisbane Airport Hotels Group, which encompasses the Novotel, Pullman and ibis Brisbane Airport properties and the Brisbane Airport Conference Centre, has made a number of key appointments.
The appointments come ahead of the opening of the company’s Pullman and ibis Brisbane Airport properties, slated for October 1, 2017.
Leading the senior management team across all three hotels and conference centre will be Alex Penklis in the role of Chief Operating Officer.
With over 35 years experience and regarded as one of the industry’s most seasoned professionals, the new role will see Penklis take the lead with the pre-opening teams for both hotels in addition to the adjoining conference and events centre.
Originally appointed as General Manager of the Novotel Brisbane Airport in 2009, Alex’s business acumen combined with his high-energy approach has seen his role continue to evolve and progress over the preceding years. In his newly-created position, Penklis has played a role in all aspects of the new builds – including design, functionality, finance and construction.
Prior to this Alex achieved great success across a number of high profile roles. These included tenures with the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, Sofitel Gold Coast, Voyages Hotels and Resorts, Mokusigas Resort Fiji, the Tanoa Hotel Group, Turtle Island and set up of the exclusive, 5 star Sanoviv Health Retreat Mexico.
Alex Penklis, Chief Operating Officer, Brisbane Airport Hotels Group says;
“I’m thrilled to have this exciting opportunity to lead the team as we move into the final countdown to opening for the new Pullman and ibis Brisbane Airport,” Penklis said.
“We have a formidable pre-opening team working on the launches, and are very happy to now have Jason Pratt onboard as the General Manager for the Novotel Brisbane Airport.
“As a part of this exciting growth phase for the group, we’re proud to announce that two of the existing team will step into new roles – with Michelle Hanson as Sales & Marketing Director and Renee Brereton as Business Development Manager for the Novotel Brisbane Airport.”
Bringing well over a decade’s experience to the role, Michelle Hanson will assume the role of Sales & Marketing Director for the group. Having started her career at the Outrigger Mooloolaba, Michelle quickly progressed before relocating to Brisbane in 2007 to take up a position at the Novotel Brisbane.
In 2009, Michelle worked alongside Alex Penklis as part of the opening team for the Novotel Brisbane Airport before being promoted to Director of Sales effect May 2014. The most recent promotion to Director of Sales & Marketing with the Brisbane Airport Hotels Group is reflective of Hanson’s unwavering commitment and dedication to her now multi-discipline role as it extends to encompass two new properties.
Stepping in to the role of General Manager for the Novotel Brisbane Airport is the newly-appointed Jason Pratt.
Bringing over two decades’ experience in the industry, Jason’s background has seen him gain experience across all aspects of hotel management including sales and marketing right through to day-to-day operations. A passion for service delivery and guest experience has him well-placed to drive the continued success of the Novotel alongside Alex and Michelle.
As testament to the growth and development opportunities within the group, Renee Brereton has been promoted to the role of Business Development Manager at Novotel Brisbane Airport. Originally from Townsville, Renee began her career at the Mercure Townsville while undertaking tertiary studies in business and tourism. Subsequent roles have seen her garner experience as a GSA, duty manager and reservations agent before moving into business development at Novotel Brisbane Airport in 2015.
The Brisbane Airport Hotels Group is currently undertaking a recruitment process for a raft of roles at the Pullman and ibis hotels, which is expected to create between 300 to 350 jobs ahead of its opening.