Skye Suites names Director of Finance
Two-time HM Award-winner Barbara Liu has been appointed Director of Finance at Skye Suites.
With over 16 years finance experience, Liu has held senior finance roles with a number of different brands within the ACCOR portfolio, Accor Invest Hotel Portfolio and The Ovolo Group. She also has years of operational experience from roles in both Singapore and Australia.
Liu won the HM award as Finance Associate of the Year in 2018 and highly commended Finance Associate of the Year in 2017.
“Securing Barbara with her incredible skills and knowledge of the hotel industry has been a great coup for us as we ramp up our growth plans for the group, she’s a perfect fit for the team,” said Skye Suites Head of Hotels Australia, David Bowen.
Liu said she is excited to make her mark at Skye Suites.
“I’ve been watching their growth and am excited with the opportunities this role offers me. I know I’ll be able to use my skills within the group to make my mark. The team I’m working with possess great energy and have welcomed me into the SKYE Suites family,” she said.
Ovolo Hotels welcomes marketing hires
Ovolo Hotels has recently introduced a number of new team members to its marketing division.
Francis Graham has taken up the role of Marketing Communications Manager for Ovolo Hotels in Australia.
Francis previously spent three years at integrated marketing agency One Green Bean, and has also worked at numerous creative agencies in London, including Havas Group-owned Cake agency.
Meanwhile, Mel Tan has been appointed as Food & Beverage Marketing Communications Manager for Ovolo. The former Marketing & Communications Manager at The Point Group has also worked as a freelance digital marketing and social media strategist.
On the digital side of the business, Ovolo has welcomed Kim Pham as Group Digital Marketing Manager.
Pham joins after a five-year stint as Head of Digital at digital marketing agency Advisible. She has also previously worked across some of Australia’s most reputable hotel and venue clients.
Additionally, two current marketing team members within Ovolo have been promoted. Victoria Ko has been promoted to Assistant Marketing Communications Manager (Hong Kong), and Jonathan Jeremy has been promoted to Marketing Communications Manager for Mamaka By Ovolo in Bali.
“At such a pivotable time in the hospitality and tourism sectors globally, it’s awesome to have some very dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable rock stars join our team,” said Stephen Howard, Group Director of Marketing, Ovolo Group.
“Ovolo is always looking at ways to evolve and do what’s right by our guests and team, and I know our new and existing marketing team members will continue to deliver on this and more!”
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Manager appointed
Pro-invest Hotels has announced the appointment of Ketaki Kelkar as Hotel Manager of Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins, which opens this week.
Kelkar brings a wealth of international experience, including roles at luxury hotel Atlantis, The Palm Dubai, Grand Hyatt, Mumbai and Aloft, Abu Dhabi.
Kelkar said it was an internship at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel that ignited her passion for hospitality management.
“Melbourne has such a vibrant culture and Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins is positioned right in the heart of this action. We can’t wait to welcome our guests to our new hotel and know that our fast, friendly, and efficient service will match the energy of Melbourne’s dynamic vibes,” said Kelkar.
“We’re proud to offer guests seamless service, incredible value and a comfortable space delivering more where it matters most. Staying a stone’s throw away from local attractions, guests can enjoy rooms that are thoughtfully designed and include free, high speed WiFi, Express Essentials Pillow Menu and black-out blinds to ensure optimal, restful sleep as well as a complimentary Express Start Breakfast to kick start the day.”
Meanwhile, Klarisa Dzambo has been appointed to the role of Assistant Hotel Manager, Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins. Her career with Holiday Inn Express includes being part of the pre-opening team and then Duty Manager at Holiday Inn Express Southbank.
Ritz-Carlton Perth welcomes new Executive Chef
Alberto Cuzzit has taken up the role of Executive Chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Perth, bringing international culinary knowledge and experience to the WA hotel.
Cuzzit began his career in his home country of Italy, where he worked across various restaurants, including Michelin starred restaurants Dal Vero in Treviso, and Gordon Ramsay’s @ Claridge’s in London. In 2009, he was part of the pre-opening team at the very first Armani Hotel globally, at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE.
Prior to this role, Cuzzit worked at the Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa for four years. There he oversaw the food and beverage offering across six outlets, in-room dining and events, and introduced new dining concepts across multiple venues.
“I look forward to working with the Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth to further enhance the remarkable food and beverage offering across the hotel and continuing to bring unforgettable dining experiences to our guests at all touchpoints of their stay,” Cuzzit said.
“Drawing on my experience with the Ritz-Carlton brand internationally, I look forward to elevating dining at our Perth property and working with leading local producers to tell a unique culinary story.”
Cuzzit will oversee the food and beverage offering at all the hotel’s venues, special programming, in-room dining and banquet menus.
Three key appointments at The Rees Hotel
The Rees Hotel, Queenstown has announced three key appointments this week. Roman Lee-Lo has been promoted to Hotel Manager, Micka McDonald has been appointed to the position of Executive Assistant Manager (EAM) and Fenna Neumann has been promoted to Front Office Manager.
“Our people are our greatest strength. Both Roman and Micka are strong team leaders with a wealth of experience, longevity with our company and invested in the strong corporate culture and knowledge we have developed,” The Rees Hotel, Queenstown, CEO, Mark Rose.
“I look to them to lead our team and The Rees Hotel into the next phase of its success with confidence and pride.”
Prior to this appointment, Lee-Lo spent over four years as Director of Operations, and has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, 11 of which have been spent at this property.
Micka McDonald has held the Front Office Manager at The Rees Hotel for over six years, and brings over 20 years hospitality experience in her new role.