Q: You have built an impressive career across Australia and Asia with leading hotel brands. What first drew you to hospitality and what has kept you motivated over more than two decades?
A: I didn’t choose hospitality in a single moment, it revealed itself over time. Early on, I was drawn to the pace and atmosphere of hotels. No two days felt the same and even small interactions had the potential to mean something to someone.
What’s kept me in the industry is the people, both the guests and the teams I’ve worked with.
There’s something grounding about being part of moments that matter, whether it’s a celebration, someone’s first visit to a new country or just offering a space where they can pause and recharge.
One memory that’s always stuck with me is from an early role, when a returning guest would request the same room every visit because we’d remembered a small personal preference.
It was a simple detail, but it showed me how much genuine care can matter. That idea has stayed with me ever since and still shapes how I approach my work today.
Q: Having worked in diverse markets including Thailand, Vietnam, China and Australia, what key lessons have you taken from your international experience into your current leadership role?
A: Working across different markets has taught me the importance of listening and adapting rather than applying a one size approach.
Each destination has its own rhythm and expectations and understanding that local context is essential to delivering meaningful hospitality.
In Asia, I saw how deeply service can be shaped by culture and tradition, whereas in Australia there is a more relaxed and intuitive style and both approaches have real strength.
Those experiences have truly shaped how I lead today, particularly in building trust within teams and ensuring clear communication, which becomes even more important when you are working across different cultures and environments.
Q: You are now overseeing a significant portfolio of properties for IHG Salter Brothers. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges that come with managing such a diverse collection of hotels?
A: The diversity of the portfolio is what makes the role so rewarding – each hotel has its own identity, guest profile and connection to place. It creates a real opportunity to deliver experiences that feel distinctive rather than uniform.
At the same time, there is a responsibility to ensure consistency in how we deliver service and represent the brand, regardless of location.
Balancing individuality with that consistency requires really strong alignment across teams and a clear sense of purpose; but it also opens up opportunities to share insight, develop talent and continually evolve the guest experience across the portfolio.
Q: The return of InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach (above & main) is highly anticipated. What is your vision for the property and how will it stand out in Sydney’s competitive luxury hotel market?
A: Our collective vision for InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach was to create a refined coastal experience that feels genuinely connected to its surroundings.
Being directly opposite Coogee Beach offers something quite rare in Sydney, a true luxury beachfront setting and we want guests to feel that sense of ease from the moment they arrive.
It’s really about creating a seamless connection to the destination. What sets the hotel apart is that well placed balance between considered design and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that resonates equally with locals as it does with international or interstate guests.
On a more personal note, having spent a large part of my life living in the Eastern suburbs, having the privilege of working at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach and seeing our vision come to life over the past few months has been so rewarding and really felt like coming home.
Q: You are known for your collaborative, people-first leadership style. How do you foster that culture across multiple properties and teams?
A: At its core, it starts with being present and genuinely listening to our teams. When people feel heard and supported, it sets a strong foundation for everything that follows.
Across the portfolio, the focus is on consistency in values, making sure leaders are aligned in how they support, recognise and develop their teams.
It’s also about giving people the confidence to make decisions. In a dynamic environment like hospitality, some of the best guest experiences come from individuals responding instinctively in the moment.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see guest expectations evolving in the luxury and lifestyle hotel space and how is IHG positioning itself to meet those changes?
A: Guest expectations are shifting toward more personalised, place-driven experiences, with luxury defined less by physical surroundings and more by how a stay actually feels.
There’s also a stronger emphasis on wellbeing, as more people look for opportunities to slow down and reset when they travel.
IHG is very well positioned to respond to this through the strength of its brands and its ability to adapt to changing guest needs, whether that is through thoughtful design, bespoke local experiences or the integration of wellness into the overall stay.
This is evident in initiatives such as the pre-departure integration of the Time Shifter app, aiding guests in the management of jet lag and to optimise rest, as well as a flexible anytime, anywhere dining options – a selection of scientifically backed, nutritionally rich dishes such as the Nourish Bowl that traverse meal periods and are designed to re-energise guests at any time of day.
IHG continues to elevate the role of the Concierge, an essential pillar of its guest experience – offering personalised recommendations, handpicked local insights with the Destination Guide that helps guests connect more meaningfully with their surroundings and emphasis the sense of place.
The aim is to create experiences that feel considered, intuitive and genuinely relevant to each guest.
Q: Finally, having travelled extensively, what are some of your favourite places in the world?
A: Bangkok is a place I always return to – it has such a special place in my heart and that is largely because of the people.
There is a warmth, generosity and genuine sense of care in the way hospitality is delivered that leaves a lasting impression and it’s something I really admire.
It’s a city full of energy, contrast and culture, but it is the human connection that defines it for me.
