The latest round-up of new appointments this week (Dec 16) includes new roles at W Sydney, QT Queenstown, The Peninsula Istanbul and Cora Cora Maldives.
W SYDNEY
Marriott International, has announced the appointment of industry leader Roxanne Markovina as Director of Sales and Marketing for its exciting new property, W Sydney, which is set to open in November 2022.
Markovina joins W Sydney General Manager Craig Seaward as a key member of the management team who will steer the hotel’s pre-opening and opening in 2022.
She formerly led sales, marketing, events and reservations for W Brisbane, which spearheaded the re-entry of the W brand in Australia when it opened in June 2018.
“I am thrilled to come on board and drive sales and marketing for the launch of this extraordinary new W, the largest in the world,” she said.
“With its bold design narrative and uniquely W take on luxury, W Sydney will transform the Darling Harbour precinct and disrupt and ignite the hotel landscape in Sydney.”
QT QUEENSTOWN
QT Queenstown has appointed Jonathan Williams as Head Chef across its renowned food and drink offerings, Bazaar Marketplace, Reds Bar and Lil Red restaurant.
Williams, who has been Head Chef at Queenstown’s Rātā for close to four years, brings a wealth of culinary expertise to the role and a philosophy of simple food done well, a perfect complement to Executive Chef Ryan Henley.
Williams, who has worked at Michelin Star restaurants including a stagiaire at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck, says the opportunity to work with Henley is what attracted him to the role.
“I respect Ryan’s ethos and approach to working with quality produce from local suppliers,” he said. “I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Ryan, as well as the freedom and scope to do something a bit different.”
THE PENINSULA ISTANBUL
The Peninsula Hotels has announce the appointment of Jonathan Crook as Managing Director of The Peninsula Istanbul, effective 24 January 2022.
Currently General Manager of The Peninsula New York since 2011, Crook’s tenure with The Peninsula Hotels spans over 20 years.
Prior to his appointment to The Peninsula New York, Crook held key executive positions at other Peninsula locations in Asia and North America.
For more than two years, Crook served as General Manager of The Peninsula Manila and before that, he held posts as Hotel Manager of The Peninsula Tokyo, Resident Manager of The Peninsula Beijing, and Director of Food and Beverage at The Peninsula Chicago.
Before joining The Peninsula Hotels, Crook spent several years on the executive teams of other luxury properties – including The Dorchester in London, and The Sonnenalp Resort in Vail, Colorado.
Born and raised in the U.K., Crook spent his formative years in Portugal, Zambia, Montserrat, and Egypt, before receiving a Higher National Diploma in Hotel and Institutional Management from Gloucestershire University in Cheltenham.
“I am extremely honoured to lead the team for this incredible project in Istanbul, where old and new come together,” he said.
“I am confident that the unparalleled Turkish culture combined with The Peninsula Hotels’ peerless standard of hospitality will become the hallmark of The Peninsula İstanbul once we begin to welcome guests next year.”
In addition to Crook’s new position, The Peninsula Hotels has revealed Rolf Buehlmann will be appointed the new General Manager of The Peninsula New York.
Having most recently served as Vice President, Rooms Operations & Quality, Buehlmann will assume his position in early 2022.
CORA CORA MALDIVES
Cora Cora Maldives has announced the appointment of Justin Swart as General Manager of the new, luxury all-inclusive property situated in the Raa Atoll.
Born in South Africa, Justin Swart has over 15 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry, including being part of the team at Siam@Siam Design Hotel Bangkok, STAY Wellbeing and Lifestyle Resort, and the Royal President Hotel and Kingston Suites Hotel, part of the Kingston Hotel Group.
Justin began his career in the hospitality industry as a Sports and Leisure Manager and quickly gained experience as a pre-opening Sales Director and Hotel and Wellness Manager in resorts across Thailand.