AccorHotels has announced a number of key appointments across its Australian hotels.
Lorraine Mercuri has been appointed General Manager at Swissotel Sydney. Lorraine started with AccorHotels in 1992 at Novotel Wollongong Northbeach and was one of two candidates accepted into the first Accor National Management Trainee Programme (now AELP) for Australia in 1994. She has held various management positions across 4 and 5 star hotels as well as Special Projects Manager at AccorHotels Sydney Corporate Office, Executive Assistant Manager at Novotel and ibis Sydney Olympic Park, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and Accor’s Darling Harbour Hotels. Lorraine has held the gm position at Novotel Canberra, AccorHotels Darling Harbour Hotels, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park and, most recently, with the redevelopment of Mercure Sydney International Airport.
Belinda Paterson has been appointed General Manager at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort. In 2008, Belinda secured her first gm position at the Courtyard by Marriott Columbus West, in Ohio, USA, prior to being appointed General Manager at the Atlanta Marriott Downtown, in 2009. Belinda joined Mirvac in 2011 as General Manager at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, transitioning the property to AccorHotels in 2012. In 2013, Belinda moved to The Sebel Kirkton Park as gm and, most recently, assisted with a gm secondment at Novotel Sydney Parramatta, before being appointed gm of Mercure Newcastle Airport.
Zayne Boon has been appointed General Manager at Mercure Sydney International Airport. Zayne joined AccorHotels in 1992 working across various hotels in Australia and New Zealand and was appointed gm at Novotel Bangkok Impact in 2012, and gm of Pullman Saigon Centre and Area General Manager – Southern Vietnam in 2014. Zayne moved to Thailand in 2016 as Area General Manager – Southern Thailand and General Manager, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort followed by Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre as General Manager. His most recent role was as gm at Novotel Darwin CBD.
Jessica James has been appointed General Manager at ibis Styles Mt Isa Verona Hotel. She began her career with Mantra Group in 2010 as a Team Leader working across multiple departments and joined AccorHotels in 2014, undertaking various roles including Assistant Manager, Marketing and Events Coordinator at Mercure Townsville, and Assistant Front Office Manager at Novotel & Mercure Darwin Airport Resort. In 2017, Jessica was selected to participate in the AccorHotels Executive Leadership Program (AELP). Her first placement was at Novotel Darwin Airport as Front Office Manager followed by Operations Manager at The Sebel Quay West Brisbane.
Adriette Meyer has been appointed General Manager at ibis Mackay. In 2008, Adriette joined AccorHotels at the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort and held various leadership roles. She was selected to be a part of the AccorHotels Executive Leadership Program (AELP) in 2013, with her first placement as Rooms Division Manager at Novotel Forest Resort Creswick. She then moved to Cairns Harbour Lights as Front Office Manager and on completion of her AELP program, Adriette was promoted to Property Manager.
Benjamin Brown has been appointed General Manager at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu. Benjamin began his hospitality career as a Duty Manager at the Intercontinental Hotel Group Gagudju Lodge in 2008 and moved through roles including Credit Manager at Couran Cove Resort and Guest Relations Manager at the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort. In 2012, he joined the Mantra team as an Assistant Manager at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa and was promoted to Area Front Office Manager across Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Peppers Bale and Mantra on Salt. In addition, Benjamin has been gm at several Mantra hotels including Breakfree Diamond Beach, Mantra Wings Resort, and Mantra Hervey Bay and Great Sandy Straits.
Ross Buchanan has been appointed General Manager at Mercure Sydney Parramatta. Ross has an extensive career in the tourism and hospitality industry, starting out in the airline industry. He has held several key leadership positions such as National Conference & Incentive Director for the previously known Mirvac Hotels & Resorts, and Director of Sales & Marketing for the Sydney Marriot Hotel. Ross joined the Swissotel Sydney team in 2011 as Director of Revenue & Marketing and in 2016 Ross was promoted to gm.
Rens Breur has been appointed General Manager of Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach. Rens has worked across multiple luxury hotel brands including Sofitel, Fairmont and The Langham. From a F&B background, he has since held several management positions including Assistant Director, Food & Beverage at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Director of Food & Beverage at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. In 2010, Rens was part of the pre-opening team of Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa as Hotel Manager, holding various other Executive Assistant Manager and Hotel Manager positions at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 and The Langham Melbourne. In 2017, Rens re-joined AccorHotels as Hotel Manager for Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.
