Experience

Adelphi Hotel

• Australia
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Manager

  • Nov 2008 - Present

  Taking over the helm of Adelphi after the GFC, my first priority was to assess the financial health of the hotel and identify opportunities to improve its performance. I reviewed all aspects of the business, from the rooms and amenities to the F&B offerings and the S&M strategy. One of the biggest challenges we faced was the need to upgrade the hotel's infrastructure and amenities to meet the changing demands of the market. While the hotel had a unique design and a loyal following, it was clear that guests were increasingly looking for more modern amenities such as updated carpets, new window furnishings, improved sound insulation, upgraded in-room entertainment, better lighting, and more comfortable bedding. In 2013, I co-founded Iconic Hotels Group (Hotel Management Company) and we purchased the Management rights to Adelphi and embarked on a comprehensive renovation program that included upgrading all the rooms, suites and public areas, adding new technology and entertainment systems, and renovating the lobby with design studio Hachem. We also invested in new food and beverage concepts, including Om Nom Dessert Bar that rapidly became one of Melbourne's most popular destinations. At the same time, we focused on enhancing the hotel's reputation through targeted marketing and public relations efforts, leveraging its unique design and history to appeal to both domestic and international travellers. We also worked closely with travel agents and tour operators to showcase the hotel and its new offerings to a wider audience. Despite the initial challenges of the 2008 economic downturn and the highly competitive market, we were able to successfully reposition the Adelphi Hotel as the leading luxury boutique hotel in Melbourne. Our efforts resulted in numerous accommodation awards, a number 1 TripAdvisor ranking (out of 168 hotels), increased occupancy rates, higher room rates, and improved profitability, all while maintaining the hotel's unique character and design. Show less



Iconic Hotels Group

• Melbourne, Australia

• Co-Founder & Managing Director

  • Mar 2013 - Apr 2023

  I co-founded Iconic Hotels Group in 2013. We are a Hotel Management Company who focus on Luxury Lifestyle, Boutique and Independently owned Hotels. Our first project started in 2013 with the successful refurbishment of Melbourne's Iconic Adelphi Hotel on Flinders Lane. In a highly competitive marketplace, we stand out amongst others. Since acquiring Adelphi Hotel, we have increased REVPAR by 42%, GP by 27% won numerous awards (including 5 TAA awards for Best Boutique Hotel in Victoria), improved Adelphi's TripAdvisor ranking from number 162 to the number one spot (2014 to 2018) and introduced Melbourne Diners to Om Nom Kitchen (Melbournes most popular Dessert Restaurant and Cocktail Bar). Show less



Merivale

• Australia
• Hospitality
• 700 & Above Employee

• General Manager - Establishment Hotel

  • Dec 2005 - Oct 2008

  This was a fantastic experience for me as it taught me to be adaptable, creative, and strategic in my approach to managing a hotel. In the role, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the hotel's operations, including the 31 rooms and amenities, breakfast, room service, minibar, housekeeping, maintenance, sales and marketing strategy, and staff management. I worked closely with other Merivale venue managers on developing hotel promotions and packages as well as staff incentives to reward great performance. I invested the time to understand the hotel's strengths and weaknesses, and implemented many new processes, systems and products which improved its financial performance in all departments and overall guest satisfaction. I negotiated with suppliers and other stakeholders and set clear expectations and goals for my team as well as providing the necessary training and support to help them achieve success. I developed a culture of innovation and collaboration between the hotel and other Merivale venues and encouraged my team to share ideas and feedback on how to improve the hotel's offerings and operations. This resulted in a number of new procedures being adopted and high staff morale. I continued to develop a strong brand identity for the hotel and targeted strategies to attract both domestic and international travelers and developed strong relationships with travel agents, tour operators, and other key stakeholders in the industry which I still have to this day. Show less



Firmdale Hotels PLC

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Deputy General Manager - Knightsbridge Hotel

  • Aug 2002 - Nov 2005

  My experience working with Firmdale Hotels in London is what inspired my life-long passion for Luxury Boutique Hotels. The personalised & intimate experiences we were able to offer, the unique design and atmosphere, the high-end ammenities (including toiletries, bedding & linen and state of the art in-room technology), the unique locations in trendy neighbourhoods and amazing dining options created an authentic experience which would be near impossible to emulate in more traditional hotel settings. I started at the 44 room Knightsbridge Hotel as Reservations/Revenue Manager and worked my way up to Deputy General Manager, which was ultimately to support the General Manager in ensuring that the hotel operated efficiently and effectively, providing guests with an exceptional experience. I coordinated and facilitated much of the staff training, developed the budgets and forecasts for Rooms Division and Food & Beverage and mentored the operations team. Show less



Rydges Hotels & Resorts

• Australia
• Hospitality
• 700 & Above Employee

• Hospitality Manager

  • 1998 - 2002

  After graduating from The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, my first full-time role was with Rydges Hotels under their "Corporate Cadet" Hotel Management program. This was a two year program which placed me in various management roles throughout each department in a number of Rydges Hotels. After finishing the programme, I stayed with Rydges and worked in the roles of Duty Manager, Reservations Manager and Front Office Manager at Rydges Paramatta in Western Sydney. After graduating from The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, my first full-time role was with Rydges Hotels under their "Corporate Cadet" Hotel Management program. This was a two year program which placed me in various management roles throughout each department in a number of Rydges Hotels. After finishing the programme, I stayed with Rydges and worked in the roles of Duty Manager, Reservations Manager and Front Office Manager at Rydges Paramatta in Western Sydney.