Choice Appoints New Regional Managers
Five new faces will take the Choice Hotels Australasia (CHA) franchising message to Australian and New Zealand hoteliers, with an expanded regional management team now offering stronger franchisee support at a local level.
CHA Franchise Services Director Iain Gunn said the new additions included two Field Support Manager roles created in Tasmania and South Australia to better service franchisees in these States, as well as three new appointments in New Zealand, Victoria and Queensland.
“These changes are part of a major restructure designed to give franchisees a highly effective local presence and ensure hoteliers are supported with services designed to capitalise on their CHA partnerships and help build their businesses. Field managers assist with attracting bookings, staff training, reservations, sales and marketing initiatives,” Mr Gunn said.
“Field managers are a very important resource for franchisees and these new appointments guarantee that CHA can provide complete support coverage throughout Australia and New Zealand.”
The new team members will join existing Field Support Managers Rick Anderson in NSW/ACT and Debra Gerreyn in WA.
The latest appointments include: –
Joanna Witkiewicz – Tasmania Franchise Training Manager and Field Support Manager, Joanna has more than 15 years’ experience in international tourism and hospitality working with a range of medium-sized to large CBD properties. She spent more than two years in the sales/marketing and product management section of Choice Hotels Scandinavia and joined CHA as Franchise Training Manager, before adding Field Support Manager Tasmania to her portfolio.
Tristan Garratt – SA, NT & western VIC Field Support Manager
Tristan is the first CHA Adelaide-based representative to be appointed for several years and will look after more than 50 properties across South Australia, western Victoria, the Northern Territory and Broken Hill. He has front of house, administrative and general manager experience and most recently oversaw the transformation of a Melbourne-based property into a Comfort-branded hotel.
Scott Brebner – NZ Field Support Manager
Scott ran his own hospitality management and consulting company in the UK and upon returning to NZ several years ago, he owned and operated a successful travel business. He is now using his entrepreneurial skills to add CHA franchises and will look after more than 30 properties already in NZ.
David Thomas – Qld & northern NSW Field Support Manager
David Thomas has more than 14 years’ experience in hospitality management and has spent four years working as a Business Development Manager for IT companies specialising in the hospitality industry. He is now capitalising on this experience to support CHA in Queensland and northern NSW.
Bryan Curran – Victoria & NSW (Albury, Corowa, Moama)
Bryan has a strong background in hotel operations and management, as well as extensive experience in business development. He will offer widespread support to franchisees in Victoria/southern NSW.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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