Exclusive: Ascott appoints GM Sales and Distribution
Ascott Australia welcomes Jennifer Warn to the Senior Leadership Team following her promotion to General Manager Sales and Distribution.
Warn, who joined Quest in 2018 as Director of Sales, was promoted to Group Head of Corporate Sales in January 2021. Her expanded role sees her take management of all of Ascott Australia’s sales and revenue team members.
“Jennifer is a natural leader and consistently strong performer who possesses an intimate understanding of the markets we operate in, our valued clients, our brands and most importantly our values as a people focused organisation,” said Ascott Australia Managing Director, David Mansfield.
“Having led and grown key corporate accounts and inspired record-breaking sales excellence in our teams through the accommodation industry’s most challenging time – all without a playbook to follow, our decision to elevate Jennifer was a simple one.”
Warn said she is excited to take up the new role within Ascott.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved through the pandemic in terms of keeping the bulk of our sales team employed and our properties open, which was so important for our relationships with our key supplier partners,” she said.
“Our biggest challenge is still ahead of us. We can’t make assumptions and need to continue to ensure we lead the industry in our knowledge of the market given the impending economic changes we know are coming within the next six months. Conditions across industries are now changing weekly, which makes our trusting relationships with key industry partners crucial so we can work together to meet their changing needs.”
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins welcomes new GM, Clive Scott takes on arts ambassador role
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins will welcome Rachael Harman to the position of General Manager, commencing July 24, following the retirement of Clive Scott AM.
An accomplished hospitality and tourism professional with over 20 years’ experience, Harman has previously held senior management roles for various luxury hotel brands across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.
In her most recent role, as General Manager of Sofitel Adelaide, she oversaw the launch of the luxury property in hometown.
Harman said she is looking forward to returning to Melbourne to take up the position.
“I am thrilled to continue my Sofitel journey by joining the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins team as General Manager,” she said.
“Having recently undergone an extensive $15million refurbishment, they have set the benchmark for luxury hotels in Melbourne and it’s an honour to carry on the incredible work undertaken by Mr Scott over the past 18 years.”
In addition, Accor has appointed Clive Scott AM to the new consultant role of Sofitel Arts Ambassador Australia.
Scott was responsible for building a world-class arts program during his time as General Manager at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins – known as Melbourne’s ‘Hotel for the Arts’ – and he will focus on developing similar programs across all Sofitel properties in Australia in this new role.
InterContinental Auckland partners with renowned chef Gareth Stewart
InterContinental Auckland is partnering with internationally renowned chef Gareth Stewart to elevate its culinary direction ahead of opening late this year.
Stewart will set the tone and style for the new luxury hotel’s signature restaurant, club lounge and in-room dining experience and make regular appearances in the kitchen. He will take the lead on the restaurant concept, name, food and beverage menus, as well as the finer elements of tableware, crockery, and glassware.
The former co-host of New Zealand’s My Kitchen Rules and former executive chef of Foley Hospitality’s 11 restaurants and bars (previously Nourish Group) said he is excited to put his stamp on the culinary offering at the new hotel.
“I’m beyond thrilled to be collaborating with the world’s largest international luxury hotel brand and make my mark on InterContinental Auckland,” he said.
“I started my culinary career in hotels working at The Queens Hotel in Portsmouth, so it’s great to come full circle and land at this highly anticipated hotel opening on 1 Queen Steet. It’s an exciting challenge to work with a blank canvas and build a restaurant and kitchen team from the ground up. I can’t wait to welcome and delight diners when the doors open to InterContinental Auckland later this year.”
Recruitment is underway for an Executive Chef and kitchen team to bring his concept to fruition.
“We’re thrilled to have Gareth join us and shape the culinary direction for the hotel’s signature food and beverage experiences,” said InterContinental Auckland General Manager, Ryan South.
“Gareth’s passion for delicious food, his expertise working in prestigious hotel kitchens and leading some of Auckland’s most lauded restaurants encompasses all the ingredients we were looking for in a partner chef to help us launch InterContinental Auckland. We look forward to revealing more of what Gareth is cooking up to complement our luxury accommodation offering.”