BWH appoints ANZ MD of Operations
BWH Hotels has appointed Rod Munro to the position of Managing Director of Operations for Australia and New Zealand.
Reporting to Vice President, International Operations for Asia Pacific, Olivier Berrivin, Munro has been charged with expanding the brand’s presence in the region.
“BWH Hotels Australasia is undergoing rapid growth and we are excited for Rod to continue this momentum in the region” said Berrivin.
“His industry knowledge and background in various operations roles gives him unique insight for this position and the ability to lead this team.”
Munro brings over 20 years of global hospitality operations experience including as Vice President of Operations – Australasia for Stamford Hotels and Resorts, and over 15 years with Accor in a variety of positions, including Area General Manager and COO of Hospitality Services for Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit and Area General Manager and General Manager for Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit.
“While Rod will be overseeing operations in Australia and New Zealand, he brings a global perspective to everything he does,” said BWH Hotels President of International Operations, Ron Pohl. “His strategic vision and alignment with our company’s values make him the ideal candidate for this role.”
Munro, who will relocate from Brisbane to Sydney, will commence the role in October.
“I’m delighted to be joining the company during this time of growth for our industry and I’m eager to apply my experience to such a respected global brand,” said Munro.
“As the hospitality and tourism industries continue to evolve globally, I look forward to the unique opportunities that BWH Hotels’ growing portfolio will bring to the market. I look forward to further establishing the brand through authentic and personalised hospitality experiences.”
Nesuto bolsters commercial team
Nesuto has made two appointments to its commercial team as the business focuses on growth across Australia and New Zealand.
Ritu Rawat has been appointed Associate Director of Sales for Nesuto Docklands. Rawat brings more than 13 years of sales, marketing, business development and account management experience, most recently as Business Development Manager at Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery.
Wenyuan (Wen) Qu takes up the newly created role of Commercial Support Executive. Qu brings over 10 years of commercial experience in Australia and China, including multi-property roles with Bayview International, Swissotel Sydney and Sheraton Grande in Zhengzhou China.
“At Nesuto we are continually focusing on growing our business and developing our people and are delighted to welcome Ritu and Wen to our commercial team,” said Daiwa Living Nesuto CEO, Mark Ronfeldt.
“It’s been an outstanding year for Nesuto with the opening of Nesuto Docklands in Melbourne and we look forward to further expanding the business over the next five years with a mix of hotels and apartment-hotels new builds and takeovers.”
The Star Brisbane welcomes GM of F&B, events
The Star Brisbane has named Dustin Osuch as the resort’s first General Manager Food and Beverage and Events.
Osuch brings over 30 years of experience in international hospitality, including executive roles at a 2 Michelin star French restaurant in Chicago and the exclusive Mansions at MGM Grand in Las Vegas; and more recently as Senior Manager, F&B Capital Projects at The Star Gold Coast.
“Mr Osuch brings a wealth of world class experience to the role and supports the organisation’s focus on diversification and creative excellence,” said The Star Entertainment Group CEO and Managing Director Robbie Cooke.
“We are here to help raise the bar and make Brisbane even more destinational, including through our food offerings and especially as we look to the future and the 2032 Games.”
Osuch described the appointment as a “rare opportunity and a real privilege”.
“There are not many integrated resorts in Australia, in fact not many of this calibre in the world, so it’s a unique time to be working in hospitality in Brisbane,” Osuch said.
There are more than 50 new restaurants and bars that will make up the 12-hectare precinct and Osuch will also oversee The Star Brisbane’s Event Centre.
“We have approximately 400 food and beverage and events team members that will transition from Treasury Brisbane to The Star Brisbane, which will need to double as we start opening venues next year,” he said.
Outrigger names GM of Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel
Outrigger Hospitality Group has announced that Edwin Torres will lead its recently acquired beachfront resort Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel as General Manager.
As GM, Torres aims to deliver exceptional service and authentic guest experiences while ensuring operational profitability and host engagement and development.
Torres’ Outrigger career began as F&B Director at the Outrigger Guam Beach Resort. He has been Complex General Manager, overseeing both the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel and Ohana Waikiki East by Outrigger since February of this year, and prior to that, he was General Manager of Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel since 2021.
His industry experience includes positions at the Grand Hotel Marriott in Point Clear, Alabama; W Retreat and Spa Vieques Island, Puerto Rico; and Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina in the British Virgin Islands.
“Edwin possesses the remarkable skill to cultivate a success-driven atmosphere, uniting his colleagues in a tight-knit ‘ohana (family),” said Outrigger’s Senior Vice President – Hotel Operations of The Americas, Mike Shaff.
“With great anticipation for Edwin’s journey, I have full confidence in his capacity to lead this renowned resort impeccably, particularly in the aftermath of the destructive fires in Lahaina.”