Accor names SVP of Talent and Culture
Accor has appointed Shelley Perkins as Senior Vice President of Talent and Culture, the role recently vacated by Sarah Derry when she took up the position as Chief Executive of the hotel operator business on February 1.
Perkins joins from the Rosewood Hotel Group, where she was based in Hong Kong for the past three years as Chief Talent and Culture Officer. She had previously worked for Accor in Paris as Global Senior Vice President-Talent Management, which followed a stint as Vice President at FRHI from 2014, which was acquired by Accor in 2016.
Perkins started the position on Monday, March 28.
She brings over two decades of experience in the hotel industry, having worked with other major chains including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Accor and to have the opportunity to build on the success of the Pacific region,” Perkins said in a statement.
“I am passionate about our industry, service excellence and creating a safe, inclusive and diverse culture where all colleagues feel they can contribute.”
Wyndham bolsters WA team
Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific has announced the appointment of Paul Schenk as General Manager at Club Wyndham Dunsborough and Jerry Estrada as Hotel Manager of Club Wyndham Perth in Western Australia.
Schenk has returned to Australia after more than 20 years abroad, during which he worked as an Executive Sous Chef in Oman, Director of Kitchens and then Director of Food and Beverage for InterContinental Hotels in South Korea, an Executive Assistant Manager with InterContinental in Cairo and as Resident Manager at Crowne Plaza Dubai and more recently as the Hotel Manager of Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC in Oman.
“Paul started in the industry as a chef and used that as a foundation to build an impressive career as a complete hospitality professional, managing hotels with almost 600 rooms and up to 17 food and beverage outlets under some of the world’s biggest brands,” said Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific Senior Vice President Operations, Warren Cullum.
“Paul is a great example of the career trajectories that hospitality can offer and its ability to take professionals all over the world. We look forward to him bringing his international expertise and flair to further improve the guest experience at Club Wyndham Dunsborough.”
Estrada had been serving as interim manager of Club Wyndham Dunsborough prior to taking up this role.
He started his career with Wyndham Destinations at Club Wyndham Perth before moving to Club Wyndham Sydney and Wyndham Destinations Service Centre in Clark, Philippines.
InterContinental Sanctuary Cove welcomes new Executive Chef
Hamish Watt has been appointed Executive Chef at Queensland’s InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, replacing Matt Hart who has taken up the role of Executive Head Chef at InterContinental Sydney.
Watt will oversee the resort’s culinary offering across its numerous restaurants, bars and meetings, conference and events venues.
Watt began his career at Rockpool restaurant in Sydney, under Neil Perry, before moving to London where he worked across a number of large fine dining restaurants, including Kensington Place Restaurant.
Throughout his career he has worked at Botanic Gardens restaurant, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Resort, Crowne Plaza Christchurch and InterContinental Wellington. He also set up his own venture, ‘Watts on Crown’ in Crown Street Sydney.
“From The Fireplace, our woodfired restaurant that uses the Gold Coast’s fresh local produce infused with the restaurants signature smoky flavour, to Verandah Restaurant and Bar and Cove Café, my mission is to source the best local ingredients from local suppliers – preferably within a 100 km radius,” Watt said.
“I plan to incorporate more native ingredients and look forward to being inspired by the incredible fresh produce that this region has to offer.”
Grand Pacific Hotel and Holiday Inn Suva makes marketing appointment
Grand Pacific Hotel and Holiday Inn Suva announced the appointment of Doreen Huon as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing.
Huon, an ambassador for the IHG brand and for the hotel who speaks multiple languages, brings 17 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in hospitality, including at Accor and IHG.
Prior to taking up this role, Huon held the position of Director of Sales and Marketing at Holiday Inn Suva.
“I am delighted and hugely privileged to be stepping onto a cluster role,” Huon said.
“It is exciting to steer towards recovery with a huge team of dynamic professionals as travel confidence grows. I am committed to enhancing the guest satisfaction and experience across the two hotels and achieve to set a new benchmark.”