Kruno Velican, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's new Director of Operations.

Three senior appointments have been announced by Hilton ahead of the brand’s much anticipated return to Melbourne early next year.

With Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street applying the finishing touches in preparation for its opening in Q1 next year, the company has brought in a new Director of Operations, Director of Human Resources and a Commercial Director, who together bring more than 60 years of collective experience to their new roles.

Tasked with overseeing all aspects of the hotel’s operations, Kruno Velican moves into the role from his former home at Hilton Sydney, where he served as Executive Chef. In his time there, he led the hotel’s WowFood Inner West Program, which donated surplus food stocks to local charities serving the area. His new role at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street will see him in position to implement Hilton’s ‘Travel with Purpose’ efforts to halve its environmental footprint and increase its social investment by 2030.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen St will feature 244 rooms.

Velican will be joined by Dean Easton, who has come on board as Hilton Little Queen Street’s Commercial Director. The former Ansett staff member moved into hotels, working with Radisson Resort Gold Coast, along with time at Le Meridien Melbourne, TFE Hotels and Seasons Apartment Hotel Group. He moves to Hilton from corporate travel brand Carlson Wagonlit and will oversee the hotel’s commercial operations in his new role.

Further, Hilton has recruited Taronish Pardiwalla as its new Director of Human Resources at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, where she will manage employee culture and talent development. Pardiwalla first joined Hilton Auckland in 2011 and has progressed through the company, working with Hilton Sydney and was also part of the pre-opening team at West Hotel, Curio Collection in Sydney.

The trio will work alongside Hilton Cluster General Manager, Adrian Teh, who also oversees DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street.