Meet the industry’s latest movers and shakers. We’ll be doing some moving and shaking of our own tonight – into the pub that is.
A new Matt steps up at McLachlan Travel Group
Matt Masson returns to Australia and steps into the general manager touring role at McLachlan Travel Group. Masson returns to his native Australia after nearly 15 years in senior travel industry roles in Vietnam and Singapore, and will be responsible for several McLachlan Travel Group (MTG) brands including:
- Mat McLachlan Battlefields Tours
- McLachlan European Holidays
- Amadeus River Cruises through MTG’s GSA arrangement
There’s plenty happening at McLachlan Travel Group, and Masson will be at the front line of product and business development.
“I am delighted to join the McLachlan Travel Group family. I look forward to building on the excellent foundation which Mat McLachlan Battlefields Tours has laid over the past 11 years to ensure we remain the market leader,” he said.
COMO Point Yamu Appoints Steven Black as Executive Chef
COMO Point Yamu, a contemporary oceanside resort overlooking the Andaman Sea, has recently appointed Steven Black as Executive Chef. Black will lead the culinary offering of the resort, which includes the Italian restaurant La Sirena, serving simple, wood-fired cuisine; the southern Thai street food restaurant, Nahmyaa; the colourful Aqua Bar; and the beach-style bar and restaurant at COMO Beach Club, which serves authentic Thai dishes and refreshing juices.
Black, an Australian native, started his hospitality career in 1982. He has worked in several top restaurants across Europe and was the co-owner and former chef of London’s Berkeley Square Restaurant, which earned a Michelin Star. He was also awarded a Michelin Star during his time as Executive Chef at Eastwell Manor Hotel in Kent, England.
Before joining COMO Point Yamu, Black was in the kitchen of Wildflower – the rooftop restaurant at COMO The Treasury, which in 2017 was awarded The Western Australian Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year and recently received two Chef Hats. Continuing this success, Black was awarded Chef of the Year by the Australian Hotel Association.
Black is passionate about sourcing organic, local produce while applying modern cooking techniques. He’s keen to share his experience and knowledge with his new team and hopes to inspire creativity in the development of COMO Point Yamu’s menus and dining experiences.
Design Hotels appoints Allison Barclay as sales manager for Australia and New Zealand
Design Hotels appoints Allison Barclay to represent their global collection of independent hotels, in Australia and New Zealand.
Design Hotels represents and markets a select collection of more than 300 hotels in 60 countries and 200 destinations around the globe. Australia and New Zealand is an important growth market for those truly original and unique destinations.
Barclay, of Revolve Communications, is based in Sydney and has national responsibility for representing Design Hotels and supporting travel partners in Australia and New Zealand.
New state manager at TMS Talent Group
Ed Hewitt has been promoted to state manger NSW at TMS Talent Group
Hewitt joined the TMS Talent brand in 2015 as a Recruitment Consultant and quickly progressed to Team Leader within the following two years. His promotion to State Manager NSW coincides with the rapidly expanding brand recently acquiring inPlace Recruitment in Sydney, New Frontiers in the UK and Top Dog in New Zealand.
Hewitt will now lead the NSW team through this major growth period alongside John Terry MD at TMS Talent Head Office in Sydney. He first started his career at Flight Centre UK.
“I am looking forward to the next stage of my career within recruitment, to build the TMS Talent brand and develop the head office here in Sydney. My focus now is to invest in the next generation of recruitment consultants , helping them achieve their goals and reach their full career potential,” he said.
