Marriott appoints GMs for trio of top-performing Aussie hotels

By Travel Weekly

Marriott International has promoted a number of high-performing associates to general manager roles across its portfolio of properties in Melbourne.

Stephen Ferrigno has stepped up to the plate as GM of The Westin Melbourne, Chris Johns has been named GM of Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands, and Harry Singh (pictured above) has taken on the GM role at AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank.

Ferrigno commenced his career in the hotel industry close to 30 years ago at Sheraton Southgate Melbourne.

He worked his way through the rooms division, including tenures at some of Marriott’s flagship properties in the Pacific region, including the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park and Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour.

Chris Johns

Ferrigno has held several GM positions, including at Four Points by Sheraton, Geelong and Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa. In 2016, he successfully opened the Four Points by Sheraton, Melbourne Docklands.

Ferrigno commenced his role as GM at The Westin Melbourne on 1 July.

Johns began his journey with Marriott in 1996 as bar manager at the Renaissance Sydney Hotel.

In 2003, he embarked on several international postings, including joining the pre-opening team of the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Florida and the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tuscon, Arizona.

Johns’ career journey with Marriott continued and saw him move to Asia as director of food and beverage at the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, and then to Hong Kong and JW Marriott Bangkok.

His first GM position was at the Courtyard Seoul Namdaemum Hotel, South Korea, followed by the Courtyard Bali Nusa Dua Resort. Johns returned to Australia and commenced as GM at Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands on 1 July.

Singh recently completed 20 years’ service with Marriott, having commenced his career in 2001 as a management trainee at The Renaissance Mumbai Hotel.

In 2005, Singh landed his first role in Australia at the Sydney Harbour Marriott, and was then promoted to operations manager at Courtyard by Marriott North Ryde.

A move to Melbourne Marriott as director of operations was followed by a return to Sydney to join the team at Pier One Sydney Harbour.

Singh successfully launched the award-winning Element Melbourne Richmond in 2018. He commenced at the AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank on 19 July.

Sean Hunt, area vice president for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific at Marriott, said all three appointments demonstrate the hotel giant’s commitment to internal promotion and providing long-term career prospects for employees.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of three new general managers across a number of our top-performing hotels in Australia,” he said.

“A testament to the success of our talent and retention programs, the senior associates’ careers with Marriott International have spanned several decades. The experienced and talented executives will lead three of our top-performing hotels in the Melbourne market.

“I congratulate all the associates on their recent appointments and look forward to working with each of them as they play a vital role in the successful management of Marriott International’s signature hotels in Australia.”

The latest round of appointments come not long after Marriott promoted four other associates to GM roles.

Featured image source: Marriott International/Jarrad Seng

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AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank Chris Johns Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands General Manager general managers GM Harry Singh hospitality hotels marriott marriott international melbourne properties Sean Hunt Stephen Ferrigno The Westin Melbourne