EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES WILKINSON
Choice Hotels Australasia’s Chief Executive Officer David Bayes has stepped down as the company’s CEO after six years in the chair to pursue further opportunities in “non-executive director roles”.
Speaking exclusively to HM, Bayes said “the time was right” for the baton to be passed to Trent Fraser, currently the company’s General Manager of Development and Franchise Services.
Bayes said Fraser was the “right man for the job” and he was confident that the development head would excel in the role as CEO.
“I’m excited about the opportunity looking forward to the challenge,” Fraser, who will move into the CEO position at the end of March, told HM.
Choice Hotels International’s Senior Vice-President, International Division, Mark Pearce, reaffirmed there would be a seamless transition between the two leaders.
“David has been working with me to ensure that we have a seamless transfer of leadership within the organisation,” he said.
Pearce praised Bayes for his hard work as the CEO of Choice Australasia over the past half decade, especially the growth of the company’s brands over that time in Australia and New Zealand.
“He has earned the respect of both his team, and the franchisee community at large,” he said.
Pearce said Fraser was perfect for the role and he was delighted with his decision to accept the CEO position.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with Trent over the past eight years and he has played an integral role in the overall growth and success of Choice,” he said.
“Trent brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position which he will leverage as we continue to expand our brand representation in the marketplace.”
Both Bayes and Fraser are attending Choice’s annual round of state meetings in February and March, a move that has been well received by both the franchisees and the company’s global leadership team.