Accor has announced several changes to its executive management teams in New Zealand and Australia.
Chris Sedgwick, (right) former Vice President Operations Queensland/Northern Territory has been appointed Senior Vice President Operations, New Zealand, Fiji and Polynesia and is relocating to New Zealand. Chris is replacing former Senior VP Garth Simmons who is on the move to Indonesia to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore effective 1 July 2015.
Chris’s most recent role with Accor was Regional General Manager, Queensland and Northern Territory since January 2012, overseeing a portfolio of 34 hotels before transitioning to the role of Vice President Operations QLD/NT. Chris was also the Ibis Brand Champion across the Australia network and is currently the Brand Operations Manager for The Sebel.
Chris has an extensive hospitality background having previously worked for Ayers Rock Resort, Hamilton Island and Rydges Hotels & Resorts both in Asia, New Zealand and Australia and this combined with his wealth of executive leadership will prove invaluable in his new capacity.
Stepping into Chris’s Queensland/ Northern Territory role is Matt Young (left). Matt’s previous role with Accor was Vice President Operations Western Australia and General Manager Mercure Perth and is currently the brand operations champion for Ibis Styles.
Matt has an extensive career in the hospitality industry having held several senior operational leadership roles with IHG and Rydges.
Completing the restructure, Accor’s first female Vice President of Operations has been appointed. Gillian Millar will relocate to Perth to take on Matt Young’s previous role as Vice President of Operations Western Australia, based at the Mercure Perth hotel.
Most recently Gillian (right) held the positions of Area General Manager for VIC/TAS/SA and General Manager of the Pullman & Mercure Albert Park, Melbourne. She also has the national responsibility for the Pullman brand.
Simon McGrath, Accor’s Chief Operating Officer Pacific, said the new changes ensure the best person is assigned to each role as the company moves forward and continues to expand its portfolio.
“We are focused very strongly on succession planning at Accor to ensure that our employees enjoy the mobility and development that come from being part of one of the largest hotel groups in the world,” he said. “These executive appointments have been designed to recognise the input of our key executive team and put the best available people into the top roles.”
