Experienced luxury hotelier Bruce Ryde has been unveiled as the General Manager of the forthcoming Kimpton Margot Sydney and has joined the property to assist with final preparations ahead of its January opening.
Ryde is no stranger to IHG, having previously served with the company overseeing the InterContinental, Hotel Indigo and Kimpton brands in various roles across the Asia-Pacific. His new role will coincide with duties acting as a brand guardian for the luxury and lifestyle property portfolio operated by Pro-invest Group – owners of Kimpton Margot Sydney.
Further notches on an impressive CV include a stint with Marriott International, where he served as Asia-Pacific Vice President, managing the luxury brand strategy and the overall performance of labels including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels across the region.
More recently, Ryde has been based in Thailand, working with luxury holistic wellness and spa brand, Kamalaya, and helping to boost the property’s digital reach which included the launch of its Kamalaya Connect online platform.
Speaking of his new role, Ryde said he was thrilled to be back with the Kimpton brand, knowing it well from his days leading the original team which adapted the brand for the Asia-Pacific region.
“Sydney is my home city, and I am excited to join a team of amazing hospitality professionals delivering the brand’s award-winning heartfelt hospitality,” Ryde said.
“Like most Sydneysiders, I am also a self-professed foodie, so am equally as excited to be working alongside Sydney legend Luke Mangan, the name behind Kimpton Margot’s restaurant and bars.”
Shantha de Silva, Head of Operations at Pro-invest Hotels, said he couldn’t wait to see locals, interstate and international travellers interacting within the many and varied spaces of the luxury destination hotel.
“Bruce’s appointment, alongside the bench strength of other talented team members we have ready to bring Kimpton Margot Sydney to life, will allow us to bring the Kimpton brand’s renowned heartfelt hospitality to Sydney,” de Silva said.
“Kimpton’s impending opening comes at a time when the industry is well and truly roaring back to life, with vaccination rates at impressively high levels and quarantine-free travel allowed into NSW and Victoria, with other states soon to follow suit.
“The whole team at Pro-invest Group is so excited to be opening this landmark hotel in a few months’ time and thrilled to be giving Sydney a world-class, industry-defining boutique brand that the city can be proud of.”