The latest industry appointments

WAYNE BUCKINGHAM has been appointed as FRHI (Fairmont-Raffles) Hotels & Resorts’ new senior vice president of Asia Pacific, heading up the company’s regional portfolio of 23 hotels. He has 20 years’ experience in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Indochina, and previously worked for the TCC Hotels Group.

FOUED EL MABROUK has been named as FRHI Hotels & Resorts’ vice president of operations for China, based in Shanghai. He joins the company from Hyatt where he held the position of area director for East China. But he previously worked for FRHI during a spell with Swissôtel Beijing.

LINDA KENT has been appointed as Pegasus Solutions’ senior vice president of distribution strategy. She brings more than 30 years of experience to the hotel technology company, most recently as senior vice president of electronic distribution for Wyndham Hotel Group.

MAUREEN DOUGHERTY has been named as the new president of Boeing Australia & South Pacific. She is no stranger to Boeing, having previously served as the vice president and manager of the KC-46A Tanker programme and vice president of the Airborne Early Warning & Control programme.

TONY SAUNDERS has become Tourism New Zealand’s new general manager for Australia. The move marks a promotion for Saunders, who currently serves as the tourism board’s regional marketing communications manager for Australia. He has 14 years of experience.

TOM MEYER has become FHRI Hotels & Resorts’ new regional vice president of Asia Pacific and managing director of the Fairmont and Swissôtel The Stamford hotels in Singapore. Meyer has 30 years’ of hospitality experience, including more than two decades with IHG.

CHRISTIAN HIRT has been appointed general manager of the Swissôtel Sydney. With more than 17 years’ hospitality experience, Hirt has worked in North America, Europe and now Australia. He previously served as director of operations at Swissôtel the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

LUDOVIC GALLERNE has become the new area director of sales & marketing for the Banyan Tree and Angsana Laguna Phuket. A French national, Gallerne brings 18 years’ experience to the role, including spells with JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort.

KATE GERITS has been announced as the new general manager of the Holiday Inn Pattaya. With more than 19 years of experience with IHG, Ms Gerits is a graduate of the company’s corporate trainee programme. She has since worked in IHG properties across Australia, including GM roles.

CHRISTINE HAYS has been appointed director of training for Six Senses Spa, based at the company’s Bangkok head office. Ms Hays joins Six Senses from Oberoi in India, where she held the role of vice president of spa operations, covering hotels in India, Egypt, Mauritius, Indonesia and the UAE.

LINDSEY UEBERROTH has been promoted to the position of chief executive officer with the Preferred Hotel Group. Ms Ueberroth joined the company in 2004 and has served in several roles, including president since 2010. She will continue in this role, alongside her new position.

YANNIS KARMIS has been selected to lead Sabre’s new Global Corporate Solutions group as vice president. Karmis brings a significant amount of corporate travel experience to the role, including several roles within Sabre. He will also continue to lead the Travelocity Partner Network.

PAUL MULCAHY has become Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ new vice president distribution & revenue management. An Irish national Mulcahy joins Mövenpick from Pierre & Vacances Centreparcs, where he was group distribution director, responsible for web business and call centres.

AYUKO SUZUKI has been announced as the new director of spa & fitness at the Ritz-Carlton Bangalore. A Japanese national, Ms Suzuki has 11 years of experience in the spa and hospitality industries across eight countries. She is a qualified clinical aromatherapist.