The Star appoints Non-Executive Directors, GM Surveillance
The Star Entertainment Group has named Anne Ward and David Foster as Non-Executive Directors, subject to casino regulatory approvals.
Both experienced executives and directors, Ward is currently Chair of ASX-listed e-commerce group Redbubble and communication software provider Symbio Holdings. She recently retired from the board of Crown Resorts Limited following the takeover by Blackstone in June 2022 and was also formerly Chairman of Colonial First State Investments Ltd, Chairman of Qantas Superannuation Ltd, Chairman of Zoos Victoria, a director of MYOB Group Ltd and Flexigroup Ltd, and sat on the Council of RMIT University.
Foster has spent more than 25 years in the financial services sector, including over five years as Chief Executive Officer of Suncorp Bank where he led the turnaround and restructuring of the bank during the global financial crisis.
He is currently a Director of several ASX-listed companies including Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd, an ASX 100 financial services company, and is Chairman of G8 Education Ltd. Foster is the former Chairman of the Regional Investment Corporation and was previously a Board member of Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia.
“Anne and David bring a relevant set of skills to our Board at this important juncture,” said The Star’s interim Chairman, Ben Heap.
“They have extensive experience in highly regulated industries, impressive backgrounds in risk and compliance, and invaluable leadership insights forged during their respective careers in law and banking.
The Star has also appointed Zhan Spalding to its senior leadership team, taking up the newly created role of General Manager Surveillance Queensland, overseeing the company’s two properties in the state.
Spalding, who has spent more than 30 years working in surveillance and security operations for both national and international gaming venues, commences the role on September 5.
The Star says Spalding will be an important part of the transition from the Treasury Brisbane surveillance team to a new model ahead of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct’s planned staged opening in the second half of 2023.
She will have oversight of the existing surveillance operating model at The Star Gold Coast.
“We are thrilled to have been successful in attracting Zhan to this new and critical role for the business,” said The Star Gold Coast Chief Operating Officer, Jess Mellor.
“She has extensive expertise in surveillance technology implementation, multi-site management, restructuring and streamlining processes, which we will be relying on as we further cement our position as the Gold Coast’s premium tourism and entertainment destination.”
Spalding will be the first female in a GM of surveillance role within the business.
“Throughout my career there have been many times I was the only woman in a surveillance or security international network events team, so I am passionate about encouraging other women to pursue a career in this industry,” she said.
“I also want to shine a spotlight on the breadth of the role, which is complex and challenging requiring knowledge of technology, compliance, policy, procedure, data analytics, crisis management and more.”
The Star has a target of 45% female and 45% male representation in leadership roles while the remaining 10% recognises the need to create space for non-binary gender identities, Mellor explained.
QT Melbourne welcomes new GM
QT Melbourne welcomes Kristen Foat as General Manager.
Foat joined QT in 2020 as QT Melbourne’s Director of Sales and Marketing, with the ambition of becoming a General Manager.
“I’m thrilled for Kristen’s next chapter with QT,” said QT Hotels and Resorts Group General Manager, Callum Kennedy.
“She’s a disruptor. Her strong leadership will continue to encourage our eclectic teams who deliver our highly individualised signature service throughout our hubs of quirky luxury.”
Foat brings over a decade of experience from the Art Series Hotel Group, and has previously worked with luxury brands, such as Hilton and Sofitel in Melbourne.
“I am really excited for the opportunity to lead such a talented group of individuals,” she said.
“We will continue to deliver an experience for all our guests that is like no other. It has been amazing to see Melbourne come alive again and there is no stopping us as we take QT Melbourne to the next level in 2022 and beyond.”
Further recent appointments at Event include the appointment of Katie Smith as General Manager Rydges Canberra; Rory Bourke as General Manager JUCY Snooze Queenstown, Charlie Turnbull as General Manager Rydges Perth Kings Square; Caitlin Bombell as General Manager Rydges Darling Square Apartment Hotel; Kent Breeze as General Manager Rydges Rotorua; Pawan Kumar as General Manager Rydges Bankstown; and Jonothon Stubbs as General Manager The Miller Hotel, an Independent Collection By Event property.
“I’d like to congratulate each of the General Managers on their new roles, it is easy to be impressed with the high calibre of these appointments and I am looking forward to working with these leaders and their teams,” said Event Hospitality and Entertainment. Director of Hotels and Resorts, Norman Arundel.
Vista names Brisbane Cluster General Manager
Vista Hospitality Group is has appointed Nathan Dean to the role of Cluster General Manager of its two new Brisbane properties – voco Brisbane City Centre and Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre.
Dean joins Vista Hospitality Group from Ovolo Hotel Group where he was Area General Manager for Ovolo Hotel Brisbane, Ovolo The Valley Hotel and The Inchcolm Hotel.
“I’m thrilled to be working with such a talented and dynamic team at voco Brisbane and Hotel Indigo Brisbane and look forward to making our mark, especially at a time when traveller demand is returning in spades,” Dean said.
“The hotels are both very different properties that offer premium lifestyle touch points and facilities and I’m incredibly proud to be representing two of Australia’s most exciting upcoming hotel brands.”
Over nearly two decades in hospitality management, Dean has held various positions across Australia with Ovolo Hotel Group, Next Story Group, Stamford Hotels, Crown Resorts Melbourne, Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa.
Outrigger bolsters Hawai‘i Vacation Condos Division
Outrigger has appointed Carly Clement as Vice President Operations – Hawai‘i Vacation Condos and Cynde Vannatta as General Manager of Royal Sea Cliff by Outrigger.
Clement joined Outrigger in 2019 as Resort Manager at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach and was promoted to General Manager at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort in 2021. Most recently, she held the General Manager position at the Lotus Honolulu/Hotel Renew. Prior to joining Outrigger, Clement held roles such as Director of Rooms at the Hyatt in California and also at The Modern Honolulu, and management roles at the 4-Diamond Resort at Squaw Creek in North Lake Tahoe, 5-Star/5-Diamond Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the 4-Diamond The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.
Vannatta joins Outrigger from Marriott Vacation Club where she was Marketing Manager for the Waikoloa Ocean Club. She was previously Marketing Coordinator at the Royal Sea Cliff property when it was under the Wyndham flag.
She also has experience with the Shell Vacations Club brand as Regional Director of Support Services for Hawai‘i, Support Services Manager for Hawai‘i Island and Contract Processor and Verification Loan Officer.