This edition of FOTW is filled with appointments of GMs, BDMs, and ECPs, FYI.

Bobbie Murphy appointed GM of Richard Branson’s Makepeace Island

Makepeace Island, co-owned by Sir Richard Branson, Brett Godfrey and Radek Sali, reopened in November last year after an extensive refurbishment.

As the next phase in the island’s growth, Bobbie Murphy (pictured above) has now been appointed as its general manager.

Murphy has a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, including five years as GM at Spicers Tamarind Retreat & Spicers Clovelly Estate in the Queensland hinterland.

John Douglas named Marriott’s new regional finance director

John Douglas

Marriott International has announced the appointment of John Douglas as its new area director of finance for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Douglas will oversee the financial functions and operations across Marriott’s 30-plus operating properties in the region.

He steps into the role with more than 20 years of experience with Marriott, commencing his career at Brisbane Marriott Hotel in 1999 as assistant controller.

Douglas was promoted to director of finance at Melbourne’s Marriott Hotel in 2002, before moving into a series of overseas assignments.

In 2004, he took up the position of director of Finance at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and two years later he moved to the Caribbean as director of finance at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino and MVCI Residences.

Following this, Douglas spent four years in London as area director of finance for the UK and Ireland, managing finance operations for over 60 properties.

Most recently, he held the position of general manager at Brisbane’s Marriott Hotel.

Aurora Expeditions hires new regional BDM

Aurora Expeditions has announced the appointment of a new regional business development manager for Australia and New Zealand ahead of the launch of new state-of-the-art vessel the Greg Mortimer in October 2019.

Anthony Flores joins Aurora Expeditions with over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, including 17 years at Flight Centre and two years as sales manager for Intrepid’s Australian sales team.

Anthony Flores

Aurora Expeditions has also announced some updates to the territories its current BDMs look after. Flores will also take care of Victoria and Tasmania; Alex Fayan will be the BDM for NSW, the ACT and New Zealand; and Jackie Gordon will operate across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The Australian Ballet’s David McAllister to sail aboard Silver Muse as guest lecturer

Silversea Cruises has announced that David McAllister, artistic director of The Australian Ballet, will join Silver Muse as a guest enrichment lecturer in January 2020.

David McAllister

As a celebration of McAllister’s final year as artistic director in 2020 and as part of the exclusive partnership between Silversea and The Australian Ballet, guests travelling on board the elegant Silver Muse will have the chance to attend thought-provoking lectures presented by McAllister, along with the opportunity to meet him in person, during a 13-day Pacific Islands voyage departing Sydney on 3 January 2020.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages maintains WA focus with new BDM

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) Australia has announced the appointment of Bronwen Milsom as its new business development manager for Western Australia.

Based out of Perth, Milsom commenced with CMV this week, providing ongoing support for agent partners on the west coast to help develop their business and cruise knowledge.

Offering more than 30 years of experience in the travel and cruise industry, including roles as a retail and wholesale travel consultant, Milsom has previously worked with Royal Caribbean, Azamara and Celebrity Cruises.

Bronwen Milsom

She has also worked with British Airways, Garuda Indonesia and Thai Airways and, most recently, helped West Australian agents develop their business with Back-Roads Touring.

Milsom will work with agents in metropolitan and rural WA, while Faye Larrarte will continue to support agents in NSW and Queensland. Darren Chigwidden remains responsible for CMV’s key accounts and all other territories nationally and across New Zealand.

New GM appointed for Bali’s Six Senses Uluwatu

Six Senses has announced the appointment of Michael Gaehler as the new general manager of Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali.

Gaehler brings more than 33 years of experience within the high-end hospitality sector to the role, having recently completed a stint as GM of the Oriental Residences Bangkok.

Michael Gaehler

He also previously worked at Regent Hotels & Resorts, managing the group’s hotels and resorts in Montenegro, Taiwan, China, and Indonesia.

Flight Centre’s Cievents expands creative team

Cievents has expanded its creative team with the appointment of award-winning creative Ben Weir as executive creative producer.

Weir joined Cievents this week and will be responsible for facilitating the creative and strategy work across the business’ portfolio of events.

Ben Weir

He brings more than 18 years’ in the advertising, marketing and production industries to the role, and most recently held the position of executive creator at Sydney-based company Fourth Wall.