Accor’s Simon McGrath to join Crown Resorts as CEO of Sydney operations

Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath AccorHotels
By Travel Weekly


Crown Resorts has announced the appointment of renowned hotelier Simon McGrath as CEO of Crown Sydney and head of hospitality for the entire group.

Currently the CEO of Accor across the Pacific, McGrath has over three decades’ experience in the region, and is currently responsible for over 397 hotels across the Pacific and 18,000 employees.

Prior to his current role, McGrath held senior executive positions in hotel groups including Southern Pacific Hotels and Rydges Hotel Group.

McGrath has also been recognised for his contribution to the hospitality industry with numerous awards, including inclusion in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant work in the promotion of Australian tourism internationally.

In his new role, McGrath will be responsible for strategic oversight of all operations, marketing, branding and business development for Crown Sydney, which includes a Crown Towers hotel with 349 guest rooms, luxury residences, retail outlets, a pool, a spa and conferencing facilities as well as an array of acclaimed premium restaurants.

In addition to the CEO at Crown Sydney, Mr McGrath will also assume a strategic advisory and leadership position as Crown Resorts’ group head of hospitality.

Steve McCann, CEO and managing director at Crown Resorts, said McGrath’s appointment is well-timed with Crown Sydney gearing up to help rebuild international tourism with a new asset designed to attract the lucrative, high-end luxury segment of the market.

“We are pleased to have attracted such a respected industry leader to Crown,” McCann said.

“Simon’s international credentials means he brings to Crown Sydney an unparalleled understanding of the operation of luxury hotels and global hospitality businesses.

“While it’s been incredible to see Sydneysiders embrace Crown Sydney over the last year, it’s now time for the world to experience it, and for us to use this great asset to help market ourselves as a prime destination in a very competitive market.

“This resort was built to compete with the best in the world and set a new benchmark for luxury experience and service. Under Simon’s stewardship, we look forward to seeing Crown Sydney exceed its potential.”

Crown Sydney

McGrath will be commencing his dual roles at Crown in February 2022, and is the latest in a series of key executive appointments this year as part of the company’s significant business transformation program led by McCann.

These include chief corporate affairs and brand officer, Danielle Keighery; chief compliance and financial crime officer, Steven Blackburn; chief of staff, Jeannie Mok; group general counsel, Betty Ivanoff; chief people and culture officer, Tony Weston; and executive general manager of transformation and regulatory response, Nick Weeks.

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