Ovolo’s leadership shakeup
Boutique hotels company Ovolo has made a number of major changes to its leadership team as it gears up for further expansion.
Wayne Taranto, Ovolo’s Director of Operations for Australia, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer Australia. By taking on a greater responsibility in the region, Taranto’s appointment will support CEO Dave Baswal to focus more on growth and strategy.
Taranto has more than 30 years of experience in hotel management and operations including with Accor, Crown, Rydges and D’Albora Marinas. Since joining Ovolo in 2020, he has quickly established himself as “a culture-builder, business leader, and visionary within the group”, Ovolo said.
Alexander Barnett has been appointed Marketing Communications Director for Australia. He joins Ovolo from Accor where he was Portfolio Director of Marketing and Digital. Prior to this, Barnett was Global Brand Manager for Staywell Holdings, and has held a number of positions with TFE hotels, and Radisson.
This appointment will allow Group Director of Marketing, Stephen Howard, to work more closely with Ovolo’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Girish Jhunjhnuwala, on brand development.
Former Art Series Hotels Regional Director of Performance, Ryan Tuckerman, has been appointed Group Director of Sales, Distribution and Revenue, overseeing Ovolo’s sales and revenue teams across all regions.
Over the course of nearly 18 years in sales and revenue management roles, Tuckerman has worked including with luxury brands including Sofitel and Stamford Hotels and Resorts.
Meanwhile, Ben Wrigley has been appointed Director of IT for Ovolo Australia. Bringing ample hotel IT experience, having served as Principal Consultant at Hotel Tech Pros, and Area Director of IT at IHG, Wrigley will play a important role in driving technology innovation across Ovolo’s Australian operations.
Ovolo Hotels CEO, Dave Baswal, said the latest appointments and promotions support a strong leadership team and will help the company to accelerate growth.
“These changes will also allow myself and our group leadership team to focus more on the strategic evolution of Ovolo, and management and development opportunities both regionally and internationally,” he said.
“We have assembled a team with unrivalled passion and expertise, and I am confident we have the right people, the right structure, and the right strategy to propel Ovolo into the next level of its evolution as one of the world’s most desirable designer hotel brands.”
Skye Suites appoints Group Director of Finance
Skye Suites has appointed Andrew Lee to the position of Director of Finance for the group.
Lee brings over 12 years of finance and accounting experience having held senior management and consulting roles with Ernst and Young. Throughout his career, he has also gained valuable operational skills in the commercial property sector.
“Andrew’s strong finance and accounting background combined with his property skill is a great asset. He has become a valuable member of our Executive Team as we enter our next growth phase of the SKYE Suites brand,” said Skye Suites Head of Hotels, Australasia, David Bowen.
Lee said he is enjoying the new chapter in his career.
“What I’ve enjoyed since joining Skye Suites is the exposure it’s given me to the hospitality industry and seeing how hard staff work across all departments to deliver first class experiences for guests. This is most definitely a very sociable environment to work in,” he said.
La Vie reveals two management appointments
La Vie Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Marc Dille as General Manager of Islington Hotel Hobart and Simon Anderson as Hotel Manager of Holiday Inn and Suites Bondi Junction.
“2023 has already proven to be an extension of the tremendous, fast-paced growth La Vie Hotels & Resorts developed as a company in 2022,” said La Vie Hotels and Resorts Managing Director, Craig Bond.
“We are looking forward to continuing this momentum, and with the addition of Marc and Simon to our Australian team, our growing portfolio is being set up for continued success.”
Dille brings over two decades of experience, having held management roles at Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Staywell Holdings, Prendiville Group and Mantra Group.
“I am extremely excited to have joined the La Vie family leading the beautiful Islington Hotel Hobart property,” he said.
“I have the hands-on experience of each business department to be able to effectively lead and motivate my team, and I look forward to spearheading more growth for the company in 2023.”
Anderson also has a strong background in hotel management operations, having served as Rooms Division Manager for Accor’s Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, where he spent over a decade, and Strata Hotel, Businesses & Residential.
“I am thrilled to start this new chapter with La Vie Hotels and Resorts and look forward to taking the next step within my career, while helping this renowned company continue its trajectory of growth within Australia and beyond,” Anderson said.