Executive Advisory Board

Close industry ties are critical to the School of Hotel Resort and Tourism Management’s success. In order to ensure industry relevance the Executive Advisory Board acts to:

• Support the School’s strategic plan
• Enhance the School’s public image
• Ensure industry best practice

Furthermore the board seeks to both facilitate and enable the achievement of the School’s mission and objectives by lending their support, energy, expertise and influence. The Board is also a great source of mentors for students in the School and their extensive networks ensure our students are up-to-date with the industry’s latest trends.

Barry Robinson
CEO & Managing Director
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific
Wyndham Hotel Group (South Pacific)

With more than 30 year’s hospitality experience, Barry has a vast knowledge of the hotel industry, from development to branding, management, franchising and operations. Barry has been instrumental in facilitating the recent expansion of Wyndham Hotel Group in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. Barry has worked  for some of the world’s largest hospitality companies including Swissôtel Worldwide Partner Hotels, Choice Hotels International and, since 2003, with Wyndham Worldwide.

Rajeev Menon
Area Vice President – India, Malaysia, Maldives and Australia
Marriott International

Having joined Marriott International in March 2001, Rajeev has worked in a variety of positions in Australia and India before commencing in his current position in August 2007. Prior to joining Marriott, Rajeev worked for companies including Stamford Hotels and Resorts Australia and New Zealand, Radisson Hotels and Resorts Australia, and Welcomgroup Sheraton Hotels in India. His outstanding work in the industry has resulted in him receiving numerous awards including General Manager of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year.

Bob East
Chief Executive Officer
Mantra Group

Bob East’s leadership has seen Mantra Group grow from 50 properties in 2006 to more than 130 properties in Australia and New Zealand. As CEO, Bob has strengthened the brands of Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree and his strategic business model has developed the group into one of the most impressive accommodation providers and marketers in Australasia. Bob has enjoyed an extensive career in the domestic and international tourism sector. He holds a MBA and sits on a variety of boards including the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF), the Gold Coast Football Club (AFL) and the Bond University Advisory Board for Tourism.

Bruce McKenzie
Chief Operating Officer, Australasia
IHG

Bruce oversees operations of IHG-managed, owned and franchised hotels in Australasia (Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific). Prior to his current appointment, Bruce joined IHG as the Regional Senior Vice President, Operations for IHG Greater China in 2004. In that role, Bruce led the China Operations team in driving successful business performance across the expanding hotel portfolio, which grew by more than 70 hotels during his tenure. Bruce was the recipient of the Outstanding Multi Unit Leadership Award at IHG’s 2007 Asia Pacific Leadership Conference. He was also named on the Top 10 Hoteliers list in China by Hotel Modernization Magazine and China Tourism Hotel Association in 2008.

Bruce has over twenty-five years of successful hospitality experience during which he has worked for three global hotel groups in senior positions in management, finance and sales and marketing across Asia Pacific. Prior to joining IHG, he served as Director of Operations for Mirvac Hotels Pty Ltd, Vice President Asia Pacific for Choice Hotels International, and Managing Director, Indonesia for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

David Gibson
Former CEO Asia Pacific, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

For the past 12 years David Gibson has led the growth of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels to see it become the leading tourism property services group in Asia Pacific and globally. He personally advises many of the leading hotel investment and operating groups to help them achieve their tourism goals.

John Lee
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Chief Executive

Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Chief Executive John Lee has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of TTF’s policy, public affairs, research and corporate services agenda. John’s career to date has spanned a range of industries, including public transport, major events and tourism. John has extensive senior management experience in both the public and private sectors, including heading up major government departments in NSW. As the former head of the NSW public sector, John has an intimate understanding of public policy and decision making in government.

John van der Wallen
Senior Fund Manager, CPHF, Colonial First State Global Asset Management
Executive Advisory Board (Chair)

John oversees the investment performance of the group’s hotel fund and the team responsible for its delivery. The Fund owns the three large Marriott hotels located in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane with a combined assets value of approximately $350 million.

Olivia Wirth
Head of Corporate Communication, Qantas Airways Limited

Olivia Wirth is the Head of Corporate Communication for Qantas Airways Limited. Olivia has over a decade of experience in tourism and public affairs working for the Transport and Tourism Forum Australia, Australian Tourist Commission, Tourism Australia, and the former Minister for Small Business and Tourism, the Hon. Joe Hockey.

Simon McGrath
Vice President, Accor Australia

Simon McGrath’s role encompasses both operational and corporate office responsibilities across Accor’s Australian hotels. Simon joined Accor in 2005 as General Manager, Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns and was later appointed Regional General Manager, also overseeing all hotel operations in Northern Australia and Perth. Prior to joining Accor, Simon worked for Rydges Hotels and Resorts across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East.

Sture Myrmell
Vice President Hotel Operations and Purchasing, Carnival Australia

Sture Myrmell is responsible for maximising passengers’ onboard experiences for P&O Cruises Australia. Sture was previously based in Los Angeles as Director of Hotel Operations for Princess Cruises where he was responsible for hotel operations, including the conversion of Australia’s first superliner Pacific Dawn.

Tony Ryan
Principal, Ryan Capital Advisors
Executive Advisory Board (Vice Chair)

Tony Ryan, principal of Ryan Lawyers has over 23 years experience providing commercial and legal services to the real estate and hotel/tourism industries. Tony provides strategic and practical advice, assisting Australian and international companies to expand locally and overseas by acquiring, financing and disposing of assets & corporate entities.Tony is retained solicitor and adviser for the Property Council of Australia and TTF Australia, the peak bodies for the property and tourism industries.

Victor Tiffany
Head of Hospitality and Food & Beverage

Victor Tiffany joined Tabcor’s Casinos Management Division in early 2009 as Head of Hospitality and Food & Beverage. He has been heavily involved in the $860 million redevelopment currently underway at Sydney’s Star City Casino & Hotel and is also in charge of Hospitality at Tabcorp’s casino properties in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville.

Prior to relocating to Sydney, Victor worked with a number of leading hotels/casinos in the United States, including the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, California and the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.