Ahead of its grand opening on July 1, InterContinental Hotels Group has revealed its next intake which will take on the day-to-day running of Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, alongside recently appointed General Manager, Mark Eletr.
The team of nine covers all customer-facing departments, with the majority working in sales and business development roles.
Business Development across the resort in a variety of disciplines will be overseen by Adam Leonard, who joins IHG from Marriott International and its pre-merger partner Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Leonard will manage a global territory for the resort as Director of Sales. In his team will be Gabriella Highman, who comes on board as Business Development Manager for MICE Conversion.
Highman brings significant experience in the business events sector, having worked for both Mr & Mrs Smith and International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), which organises luxury travel events across the globe. Joining the team alongside is Mausumi Barooah as BDM Wholesale and Leisure, who joins IHG from recent roles with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and The Grace Hotel, Sydney. Bolstering the team with her talents on the BDM team is Erin Williams, who has recently plied her trade at Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and Crowne Plaza Terrigal on the Central Coast.
Returning to Hayman Island since she worked as a VIP Private Butler in 2016, Rebecca Murthen now moves back-of-house to a new role as Events Executive for Weddings and Social. Murthen joins the team having worked recently at InterContinental Melbourne the Rialto and Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.
Moving front-of-house, Amanda Burleigh has been named as Spa Manager for Hayman Island by InterContinental. In her 20 years of experience, Burleigh has worked extensively in the Whitsundays and North Queensland, with both Heron Island and Daydream Island on her resume.
Three key hires have also been made in the culinary department, led by Joshua Dows who comes on board as Director of Restaurants and Bars. Dows brings his talents to land, having honed his skills on cruise ships, catering to the epicurean needs of thousands of guests at a time. He will be supported by Erwin Joven as Director of Kitchens. Joven brings experience working in luxury and remote locations including in the Philippines and the British Virgin Islands as well as Fiji’s Vomo Island.
Rounding out the team is Anthony Kramer, who has accepted the role of Executive Sous Chef. Kramer returns to Australia for the role, having recently worked on Lord Howe Island and in the Maldives.