Marriott International’s highly anticipated W Sydney hotel is formulating its management team ahead of its October opening with the appointment of three industry leaders.

Judd Rabbidge, takes up the position of Hotel Manager, Richard Millar joins as Culinary Director, and Christopher Stedman as Director of Rooms.

Rabbidge was previously the Director of Sales and Marketing for W Bali and Director of Sales for One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

He said it is a “dream come true” to work at the hotel.

 “I speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say that working within the W Sydney team is a dream come true,” Rabbidge said.

“The opportunity to open the largest W hotel in the world, in one of the best global cities, comes along once in a lifetime. The W brand is all about people and its hotels have a vibrant energy like no other. W Sydney will be a magnet for talent and it’s exciting to be a part of the changing 5-star hotel landscape in Sydney.”

Millar has spent more than 30 years working in 5-star hotels, luxury and lifestyle resorts and restaurants in Australia and Asia-Pacific including stints as Director of Cuisine at W Bali-Seminyak and Pre-Opening Director of Culinary at W Kuala Lumpur, as well as Executive Chef of The Datai Langkawi and InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.

Stedman’s experience in luxury hotels and resorts across Australia and Asia has seen him in positions such as General Manager of Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang Resort, Vietnam; and Director of Rooms for The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and Primus Hotel Sydney (Kimpton Margot Sydney).

The trio join W Sydney General Manager Craig Seaward and Director of Sales and Marketing Roxanne Markovina to spearhead the hotel’s launch and operations.

“Talent [is] the key to delivering the W brand experience, and we’ve assembled some of the country’s most passionate talent to power the opening and ongoing operation of W Sydney,” said Seaward.

“We are thrilled to welcome Richard Millar, Christopher Stedman, and Judd Rabbidge, who are all leaders in their respective fields with extensive luxury and lifestyle hotel backgrounds, both in Australia and abroad. They will be working collectively to ensure W Sydney delivers exceptional experiences for our hotel guests and visitors.”