March 10, 2023 | By Bronwen Largier
Accor has appointed four people to senior roles in the Pacific while TFE has promoted three long-standing TFE staff in Australia into newly created global roles.
At Accor, Anne Gill has become senior vice president of commercial for premium, midscale and economy brands for Accor Pacific, after joining the business in 2019 as vice president of sales and connected partners. Gill is taking over from Renae Trimble who has been promoted to CEO of loyalty subscription program Accor Plus.
After 28 years with the hotel group, Steven Lake has been promoted to senior vice president of finance for premium, midscale and economy brands for Accor Pacific. Lake has held a variety of financial controller roles and led procurement for Accor Pacific for three years. He is stepping into the role being vacated by Phillip Basha who has been promoted to CFO for premium, midscale and economy brands for Accor in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Claire Haigh has been promoted to vice president of communications for premium, midscale and economy brands for Accor Pacific, having joined Accor three years ago as director of communications. As part of Accor Pacific’s communications team, Haig was recently awarded Travel Communicator of the Year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers.
Accor has also recruited Angela Howard as its new senior vice president talent and culture for premium, midscale and economy brands in the Pacific. Howard was most recently at Carnival Cruises where she held senior talent, people and culture roles over the last seven years. Howard is filling a role vacated by Shelley Perkins who has been promoted to senior vice president of talent and culture for premium, midscale and economy brands, for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
“Anne, Steven, Angela and Claire have an outstanding track record of leadership in their areas of expertise,” said Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry.
“Focusing on growth and guest service excellence, they will support our teams, owners and communities. I’m proud to have them on board to further advance the performance of Accor’s hotel, apartment and resort portfolio.”
Meanwhile at TFE, three women in Australia have been promoted into new global roles within the hotel company.
With 13 years at TFE under her belt, Amanda Hoolihan, based in Brisbane, is now Global Revenue Officer.
“The growth that has been reflected in Amanda’s innovative analytic adaptions has played a large part of the rapid recovery for TFE Hotels, post pandemic,” said TFE Hotels CEO Antony Ritch.
“And I’m pleased to see Amanda step up into a global role.”
Meanwhile Katia Giurtalis has become Global Marketing Officer and will spearhead a brand-centric cultural shift for TFE Hotels out of Sydney, to augment the guest experience through digital technology. Guirtallis has been with TFE for seven years and has a background in digital marketing and global eCommerce.
And Shahnaz Bakhshay, who has spent 19 years with TFE, including leading the sales team since 2016, will become Global Sales Officer, focussing on the development and implementation of global and local sales strategies.
“In her new global role, Shahnaz will ensure sales best practice is implemented across all teams and synergies in order to maximise business opportunities and streamline standardise systems and processes,” said Rich.
“I am excited to see Shahnaz take on this challenge, particularly as markets are recovering and trends are emerging in global travel post pandemic.”
Tish Nyar has also been promoted to Senior Director of Operations for Australia and New Zealand at TFE.
