Industry movements: DNSW, Oceanwide Expeditions, Bench Africa and more!

Industry movements: DNSW, Oceanwide Expeditions, Bench Africa and more!
By Alexandra Coulton


There are some pretty high flyers in this week’s round-up of industry appointments, and it’s not just because they catch a lot of flights.

New chair for Destination NSW

Sally Loane (featured image) has been announced as the new chairperson of Destination NSW, with Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin thanking outgoing chair Christine McLoughlin AM.

Loane is a highly experienced non-executive director who serves on the boards of Chubb Insurance Australia, Venues NSW and Pankind, the Australian Pancreatic
Cancer Research Foundation.

From 2014-2021, Loane was the CEO of the Financial Services Council, is currently on the Advisory Board of Orizontas, is a trustee for Sydney’s Hyde Park ANZAC Memorial, a global ambassador for Business Events Sydney and a member of chief executive women.

Oceanwide Expeditions appoints new CEO

Oceanwide Expeditions’ CEO Clemens Van der Werf

Oceanwide Expeditions’ board of directors has appointed Clemens Van der Werf as chief executive officer.

Van der Werf is a results-driven executive with over 20 years of leading and building international businesses and has broad experience in the (expedition) travel, yachting, maritime, shipping and private aviation industries.

He served as president & CEO of companies dedicated to dealing with high-end customers and focused on creating first-class customer experiences.

Merlin Entertainment appoints Scott M O’Neil as CEO

Merlin Entertainment CEO Scott M O’Neil

Merlin Entertainments has announced the appointment of 25-year sports and entertainment industry veteran Scott M. O’Neil as chief executive officer.

O’Neil will be responsible for overseeing the business operations and global growth for Merlin Entertainments across its 147 attractions in 24 countries. O’Neil’s appointment comes following outgoing CEO Nick Varney’s decision to retire after 23 years.

O’Neil was most recently CEO for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a portfolio of sports, entertainment, and investment properties, where he oversaw more than $2bn growth in enterprise value, from $415m to $2.5bn, through his focus on talent, culture, and guest experience.

Andy Kirkman named Bench Africa’s new trade relations manager 

Andy Kirkman, Bench Africa’s new trade relations manager

Andy Kirkman joins Bench Africa following a 2-year hiatus from the industry due to COVID.

Previously Adventure World head of sales, Kirkman has been welcomed into the Bench ‘pride’ to shape and ultimately spearhead the company’s sales strategy as they chart their way forward out of the pandemic with trade partners as their core focus.

Intrepid’s new chief technology officer 

Anu Karunatilaka Intrepid Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Intrepid Travel has announced the appointment of Anu Karunatilaka as chief technology officer (CTO), in a new role that will lead digital transformation across the company’s global operations.

Having been with Intrepid for 15 years, Karunatilaka’s knowledge and expertise will be critical in delivering leading technology to customers post-pandemic and supporting business growth. The new role has been created to effectively implement Intrepid’s latest 2025 Digital Transformation Strategy across all functions of the business.

Karunatilaka will continue to be based in Colombo but will travel frequently to Melbourne and other regional centres. He will be responsible for the design, development, security, delivery, and management of technology to support Intrepid’s business needs and growth strategies.

He will commence in the new role starting December.

Discova appoints James Munro as global director of product

James Munro, Discova’s new head of product

Global destination management company, Discova has appointed James Munro as global director of product, replacing Susan Ogden, who is moving to Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) wholesale brand GOGO Vacations as their new executive vice president.

With over 25 years of senior leadership experience, Munro joins Discova from Ignite Travel Group, where more recently he held the position of product development director.

Based out of Queensland, Munro will be responsible for Discova’s end-to-end product capabilities, from procurement and design and development to distribution and will commence his role on 28 November 2022.

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