Key appointments: Gurner, Kerzner, TFE Hotels

Gurner Group hires former Crown Hotels CEO

Gurner Group has appointed former Crown Sydney and Crown Hotels Chief Executive Officer, Peter Crinis, as Group Chief Operating Officer of Hospitality – the latest of five major hires within the group from a stable of ex-Crown Resorts employees.

Crinis spent 24 years at Crown Resorts overseeing hospitality and service across 3,500 hotel rooms and 90 hospitality brands, before serving as Director of Melbourne Place Hotel.

Crinis is also a board member of Visit Victoria and the Children’s Cancer Foundation, and Co-Chairman of the Million Dollar Lunch which has raised more than $21 million for the Children’s Cancer Foundation since its inception in 2005.

The appointment comes at a pivotal time in the expansion of the property and lifestyle group expansion with a portfolio of established Saint Haven and Saint Private Clubs and hospitaiity offerings in operation, alongside 10 hotels in the development pipeline.

Gurner Group confirmed its intention to launch a hotel-specific capital fund in 2025 under its funds management arm.

“Peter is one of Australia’s most experienced operators across luxury and hospitality. His expertise will be invaluable across all six of our business models and in particular, our hospitality, hotels, clubs and major projects,” said Gurner Group Founder and Chairman, Tim Gurner.

“With over ten hotels in our pipeline we will be launching a hotel fund in 2025 to take advantage of a dislocated market and our pipeline and experience.

“We are serious about creating an impeccable 6-star service model that is unrivalled in Australia. We have recently appointed a number of ex-Crown personnel across Sydney and Melbourne as we remain absolutely steadfast in this commitment to our customers across the Group.

 Crinis joins Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Fahour OA to round out the Executive team.

“After watching the evolution of Gurner Group over the past few years and witnessing its rapid expansion into new asset classes and services, I’m excited to join the team and apply my knowledge to the Group’s hospitality, service and club operations, alongside the Group’s major projects and retail precincts,” said Crinis.

“There is a huge opportunity to apply a 6-star hotel-standard service across not just accommodation but retail, hospitality, clubs and sales, which Tim understands more than most.

“It’s a pleasure to be part of the Gurner Group team during its next phase of growth and expansion, working alongside Tim and Ahmed across such a diverse range of projects and service offerings.”

Vibe and Adina hotels welcome new leaders

TFE Hotels has made several leadership appointments at its Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour, dual branded Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront and Vibe Hotel Sydney properties.

Gabriel Polias joins Vibe Darling Harbour as General Manager, fresh from a stint at Ovolo Woolloomooloo.

An experienced hospitality leader with more than 20 years’ experience managing luxury hotels in Australia and China, Polias brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation across both rooms and food and beverage operations.

Brett Skinner has been appointed General Manager of Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront

With more than 20 years of hospitality experience under his belt, most recently serving as General Manager of Novotel Newcastle Beach and prior to that at Novotel Darwin, Skinner brings a strong operational and commercial focus to the role.

“Brett’s experience in food and beverage management, community engagement, and Indigenous partnerships makes him a valuable addition to our team,” said TFE Hotels Senior Director of Operations ANZ, Tish Nyar.

“We are excited to have Brett on board as we look forward to a new chapter at Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront.”

Aalap Rammurthy has been promoted to Executive Assistant Hotel Manager at Vibe Hotel Sydney working with General Manager, Sid Singh.

Rammurthy joined TFE Hotels in 2016, working as a Front Office Receptionist at Adina Apartment Hotel Surry Hills, before quickly expanding his skill set with roles as a Night Auditor. In 2018, he was appointed Duty Manager at Travelodge Hotel Martin Place (THMP) before joining the relief team, taking placements from North Sydney to Canberra, including his most recent assignment as the Executive Assistant Manager at Hotel Kurrajong.

During the Covid pandemic, Rammurthy stepped into various relief roles, providing essential support and leadership in Homeless Accommodation at Adina Chippendale and Isolation Programs at Adina Sydney Airport.

Kerzner announces leadership appointments

Kerzner International has announced two key leadership appointments.

Mark Kirby will join Kerzner International as President of One&Only, reporting directly to Philippe Zuber effective January 6, 2025.

Kirby brings over 25 years of hospitality leadership experience, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio of over 30 hotels, residences, and leisure clubs across the UAE, GCC, and international markets

Last month, Mattheos Georgiou Promoted to Senior Vice President, SIRO and Rare Finds Paul Baker at the helm of Atlantis.

International hospitality leader, Paul Baker, joined Kerzner in August, to spearhead the iconic Atlantis brand.

With nearly 20 years of international experience, Baker’s hospitality career has spanned key markets such as Las Vegas, USA, Malaysia and Macau, China.

“We are focused on fostering exceptional leadership that drives our brands forward,” said Kerzner International CEO Philippe Zuber.

“The appointments of Mark Kirby as President of One&Only and Mattheos Georgiou as Senior Vice President of SIRO and Rare Finds, as well as Paul Baker’s role as President of Atlantis, are pivotal to our vision for Kerzner International’s future growth, creating a corporate structure primed for the strategic expansion of our portfolio and the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

“Kerzner is renowned for creating trailblazing hospitality experiences that disrupt the sector, and these strategic appointments underscore our commitment to protect and enhance our innovative brands, demonstrating our dedication to nurturing talent and driving sustainable growth, positioning Kerzner for continued success in the dynamic hospitality landscape.”