January 18, 2023 | By Graeme Kemlo
Doyen of Melbourne hotel general managers Clive Scott AM has announced he is leaving his role at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. He had been at the helm of the stylish property at the Paris end of Collins Street since 2005.
In a video sent to staff he announced he was retiring, “news I wanted to give to you personally, not to have you hear on the grapevine,” he said.
It was a very difficult decision.
“I think it is time. And yes I have reached a certain age and I think it is time that a younger person has a go at the job…if you put my whole career together, I worked for 27 years for Accor, I worked 21 years for Hilton and I had many other jobs before that…I have worked a lot more than 50 years,” he said.
In the June 2021 Queen’s Birthday honours list, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his significant service to the hotel industry and the arts. Previously France awarded him a Gold Tourism Medal for his contribution to tourism development between France and Australia.
Scott praised his team for a great job bring the hotel back after COVID and a period under renovation, so that it was now running at over 80 per cent of 2019 levels.
Under Scott’s stewardship, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins has been a significant supporter of the arts in Melbourne and it is understood he intends to continue his work in the arts sector.
Meanwhile the hotel is not only looking for a new GM, but potentially a new co-host for its podcast, Two Old Guys and a Hotel, which featured Scotty and Terry. Terry is Terrence Murphy, the hotel’s guest relations manager for the past 21 years.
