25hours Sydney names General Manager
Australia’s first 25hours hotel, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, has appointed Silvia Kypriotis as its General Manager.
Kypriotis brings over 20 years of hotel industry experience, having started her career with Stamford Hotels and Resorts and worked across various managerial positions within hotel operations at Accor.
Winner of the HM Australian General Manager of the Year award in 2021, Kypriotis is recognised as an empathetic and people-oriented leader.
“I am deeply honored and thrilled to introduce the 25hours brand to the Pacific region,” said Kypriotis.
“The vibrant soulful culture of the 25hours Tribe resonate deeply with me. The 25hours Hotel The Olympia is truly exceptional, with its historic listed façade paying homage to the former cinema, weaving its rich history throughout the guest experience.”
The Paddington hotel, which will be known as 25hours Hotel The Olympia, will have 109 rooms on six floors, event and meeting areas, a Levantine restaurant, a street café and a rooftop bar.
“We are working with award-winning international F&B teams to establish four fantastic venues that will enhance Sydney’s dining scene,” she said.
“These include a restaurant, bar, café and rooftop bar with views of Sydney City Skyline. However, I am most excited to build a team that will bring a new era of hospitality to Sydney, shaping and transforming Paddington.
“In a city as vibrant and diverse as Sydney, 25hours Hotel The Olympia will deliver a true lifestyle hotel experience! Our vision is to create a place where memories are made and where guests and locals feel at home.”
25hours’ VP Operations, Katherina Klimke, said, “We love Silvia’s energy and are delighted to be embarking on this exciting journey together to open our first 25hours Hotel Down Under.”
Langham appoints Alison Hulm to Australasia development role
Langham Hospitality Group has appointed Alison Hulm to the newly created role of Director – Development, Australasia.
Hulm will be responsible for the group’s strategic growth and development plans for the region, with a focus on building its hotel management business and expanding the presence of its brands – The Langham Hotels & Resorts, Cordis Hotels & Resorts, Eaton, and Ying’nFlo.
Working across both Melbourne and Sydney, Hulm will report to Langham Hospitality Group Vice President – Development, Asia Pacific, Markus Aklin.
“The strong interest we’re seeing in our brands from hotel owners and developers in Australasia has been remarkable,” Aklin said.
“Having Alison Hulm in place to lead our development work for the region will significantly enhance our ability to cater to that interest. Her extensive industry knowledge makes her the ideal person to showcase the advantages of our offerings, while her wide-ranging expertise ensures she can fully address the diverse needs of our clients.”
Hulm brings 30 years of experience spanning hotel and hotel amenities development; development marketing; retail sales strategy; and bar and restaurant management.
Her career has taken her to InterContinental Hotels Group, where she led the company’s Australasia and Japan Restaurants and Bars division, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Accor Group and The Landmark London.
She also previously worked as a hospitality consultant, serving as a key adviser to Moet and Chandon, Compass Group and Waldorf Astoria Sydney.
G’day Group welcomes two key leaders
G’day Group has bolstered its strategic leadership and development capabilities with the appointment of new Non-Executive Director Adrian Whiting and John Domino as Chief Development Officer.
“Adrian and John are both widely respected in their areas of expertise, and we’re delighted to have secured two people of this calibre to support our ongoing growth and success,” said G’day Group founder and Chief Executive Officer, Grant Wilckens.
“Adrian is an experienced executive, having spent more than 40 years in accounting and commercial roles. His business acumen and strong analytical skills will make him an immediate asset.
“John’s expertise in construction and property development will help us intensify our efforts to maximise the potential of our extensive development pipeline and generate value at every step.
“They will complement our existing strategic capabilities, while also catalysing new opportunities as we look to maintain our market leading position in the tourism and hospitality industry.”
Whiting’s early career, as a Chartered Accountant, was spent at Ernst & Young and PKF. In 2007, he joined Toga Group as Chief Financial Officer of diversified property, development, construction and investment.
“I’ve admired what G’day Group has been able to achieve to date and I’m incredibly excited to join the Board and contribute to that ongoing success,” Whiting said.
“Developing business and capital allocation expansion strategies has been a focus in my previous work and I look forward to being able to draw on this experience in line with G’day Group’s very clear ambitions.”
Domino has worked with State Government, one of Australia’s largest building contractors, as well as Peregrine Corporation, South Australia’s largest privately owned company, where he recently served as Chief Operating Officer – Construction, specialising in retail and commercial developments.
“I’m thrilled to have joined G’day Group and I’m looking forward to focusing on development opportunities that deliver growth and maximum value for both our customers and investors,” Domino said.
“I’ve no doubt my experience in executive project management to date will put me in good stead to take on this role and I’m looking forward to building a development business with a reputation that is synonymous with project excellence.”
G’day Group also announced that current Board member Johan Krynauw is stepping down after eight years.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Johan for his invaluable contribution during his time on the Board,” Wilckens said.
“His passion for keeping us at the forefront of the industry was always evident, as was his commitment to making sure any decisions were always about delivering the best possible experience for guests at our parks across the country.”
Marriott promotes Fiji marketing lead
Marriott International has promoted Sera Cawanibuka-Seruvatu to the newly created position of Market Director of Marketing – Fiji and Samoa, effective from April 1, 2024.
An award-winning leader, she brings over two decades of experience in marketing, including roles within Tourism Fiji, prior to joining Marriott International Fiji Resorts.
During her tenure at Marriott as Director of Marketing Fiji, notable achievements include leading the pre-opening of all cluster Sheraton properties in Fiji and implementing the repositioning of Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort and Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay. In 2023, she led the successful MICE repositioning across Marriott International Fiji resorts that is currently being implemented.
Cawanibuka-Seruvatu will oversee a portfolio of seven properties and report directly to Neeraj Chadha, Multi-Property Vice President Pacific Islands Marriott International, General Manager Westin & Sheraton Resorts, Fiji Complex.