Australia’s highly anticipated first Kimpton property, Kimpton Margot Sydney, has announced that Bruce Ryde has joined the hotel as general manager ahead of its January opening.
Ryde has a long history of both operating hotels and leading global brands across the Asia-Pacific region.
Most recently, he worked with visionary owners John and Karina Stewart on their holistic wellness brand, Kamalaya, in Thailand, where he helped expand its diverse range of solutions, improving its digital reach and launching an online platform, Kamalaya Connect.
Previously, the native Australian managed the luxury brand strategy for Marriott International’s brands – amongst them The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels – as vice president for APAC.
Prior to that, Ryde held the same position with IHG, overseeing the InterContinental brand as well as the launch of the Hotel Indigo and Kimpton brands in the APAC region.
Bruce will also act as the brand guardian for Pro-invest Group’s growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio.
Shantha de Silva, head of operations at Pro-invest Hotels, said: “Bruce’s appointment, alongside the bench strength of other talented team members we have ready to bring Kimpton Margot Sydney to life, will allow us to bring the Kimpton brand’s renowned heartfelt hospitality to Sydney, and we can’t wait to see locals, interstate and international travellers interact within the space.
“Kimpton’s impending opening comes at a time when the industry is well and truly roaring back to life, with vaccination rates at impressively high levels and quarantine-free travel allowed into NSW and Victoria, with other states soon to follow suit.
“The whole team at Pro-invest Group is so excited to be opening this landmark hotel in a few months’ time, and thrilled to be giving Sydney a world-class, industry-defining boutique brand that the city can be proud of.”
Commenting on his appointment, Ryde said: “Having led the original team that worked on the Kimpton brand’s adaptation for Asia Pacific, I am thrilled to be back at the helm of the brand’s first hotel in Australia.
“Sydney is my home city, and I am excited to join a team of amazing hospitality professionals delivering the brand’s award-winning, heartfelt hospitality.
“Like most Sydneysiders, I am also a self-professed foodie, so am equally as excited to be working alongside Sydney legend Luke Mangan, the name behind Kimpton Margot’s restaurant and bars.”
The Kimpton brand has been growing rapidly around the world over recent years, with 73 Kimpton hotels now open globally and 32 in the pipeline. Australia is the newest market for the brand, continuing the recent growth trajectory with hotels opening around the world.
