Marriott International’s appointments in Brisbane
There have been four executive appointments at Marriott’s The Westin and Four Points by Sheraton hotel precinct in Brisbane, which offers 545 guest rooms and suites alongside 10 event spaces.
Kelvin Ramm has been appointed the cluster general manager, moving over from the Brisbane Marriott, where he is currently the GM.
Formerly a chartered accountant, Ramm joined Marriott in 2001 as director of finance at Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa – now the JW Marriott Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, Valerie Wade has been appointed the cluster director of sales and marketing and Julie-Ann Watt has joined the two properties as the cluster director of sales.
Wade has worked across a broad range of hotel brands, including the Copthorne Hotel, Mirvac Hotels, Novotel, Hyatt and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts. She joins the Brisbane cluster from Dubai, where she has spent the last 14 years, working primarily for Marriott.
Watt joins The Westin and Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane from another nearby Marriott property – the Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank. She has been with Marriott International for over 11 years, joining Brisbane Marriott as a business development manager in early 2013.
Finally, Pamli Bose has been appointed the cluster’s director of finance, and like Ramm, has moved over from the Brisbane Marriott. Bose has been with Marriott for over 13 years.
“Their extensive experience and dynamic approach to business development, innovation, service and sales will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our market presence and deliver exceptional experiences to our guests,” said the cluster director of brand, marketing and digital for Marriott’s premium and select hotels in Brisbane, Ben Roach, of the four new appointments.
“Having global expertise, right here in Brisbane, is something that will help elevate both brands.”
Sarah Derry takes up new role outside the hotels sector
Accor’s former head of the Pacific, Sarah Derry, has been appointed CEO of leadership initiative Homeward Bound.
Derry left Accor in March this year and has been consulting since.
She appears to be putting aside her more than two decades’ experience in hotels and hospitality for now, with her new role, which supports women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) to be leaders.
“I believe in people-focused leadership and building connections, which is why I look forward to leading Homeward Bound, as we continue to encourage more women with STEMM backgrounds to join our initiative and elevate their potential as we grow as an organisation,” said Derry.
SkyCity promotes from within for new managing director in Adelaide
Avril Baynes has been appointed the Adelaide managing director for SkyCity, moving from her existing role as interim chief operating officer for Australia for SkyCity.
Baynes originally joined SkyCity in Darwin in 2015, when SkyCity operated what is now Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
After working across various parts of the Darwin business including human resources, food and beverage and tourism, under SkyCity, Baynes stayed on at the property after SkyCity ceased operating the integrated resort in 2019, and she become its general manager in 2020.
Baynes rejoined SkyCity in November 2023 as the general manager of hospitality for SkyCity Adelaide.
“I’m delighted that Avril has agreed to lead our team in Adelaide on a permanent basis,” said SkyCity’s overall CEO, Jason Walbridge.
“She has led our uplift activities in Adelaide over the last five months and will continue to prioritise these alongside working closely with our regulators.”
