New Accommodation Australia Board Welcomed

board
Credit: Accommodation Australia

AUSTRALIA | Accommodation Australia has officially welcomed new board members as it outlined integral future sector growth.

The nation’s peak accommodation body has a new streamlined board and structure, representing each state and territory, following elections held in Sydney last week.

Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin said the 11-person board has two new members, including newly elected Treasurer Andrew Bullock (1834 Hotels) from South Australia and Shelley Verdouw (RACV Hobart) from Tasmania.

Respected Accommodation Australia Chair David Mansfield (The Ascott Limited) was re-elected, as was deputy chair Emma Hynes (IHG Hotels) from NSW. 

“I congratulate all re-elected board members, especially David and Emma, and would like to welcome both Andrew and Sally to the team,” Goodwin said.

“This is a board that is strong on industry and governance experience, and I look forward to working with everyone to deliver against our new strategic plan to get the best possible outcomes for our members and the broader tourism sector.”

Goodwin added that the new board is now made up of directors representing each state and territory, meaning they will be able to provide first-hand accounts of the unique issues impacting its members in their jurisdiction while having shared, national goals.

Chair David Mansfield said the newly confirmed Board comes at a crucial time for the association and the industry.

“These changes successfully complete the transition and amalgamation period of the new organisation, and the first meeting of the new Board was straight down to business, approving a new strategic plan for the next three years,” Mansfield said.

“Our direction is based on three pillars, evidence-based policy and advocacy, engaged members and strong governance, which will all work to achieve our vision and be underpinned by our values.”

Mansfield thanked the three outgoing board members, particularly former Treasurer Bruce Copland.

“Bruce has put in decades of service to the accommodation sector, and I would like to thank him for his tireless efforts on behalf of the industry,” he said.

“A special dinner was held in Sydney to welcome the new Board and to acknowledge Bruce’s service. I was pleased to present him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his leadership in accommodation associations over the past two decades, as well as making a valuable contribution to the broader industry over his successful hotel career.” 

Mansfield also wanted to pay tribute to outgoing board members Julian Clark, who has stepped down from the board after many years’ service to our sector, and to Wayne Taranto. He described all three as champions of the sector.

The new board includes:

NSW  Emma Hynes – IHG Hotels & Resorts 

NSW  Jason Nuell – Marriott 

VIC David Mansfield – The Ascott Limited

VIC  Adrian Williams – Accor, Pacific

QLD Barry Robinson – Travel+Leisure Co

QLD Geoff York – Crystalbrook Collection

WA Andrew Cairns – Crown Hotels & Resorts

SA Andrew Bullock – 1834 Hotels

TAS Shelley Verdouw – RACV Hobart

NT Paul Hutton – Hilton

ACT Joanna Carruthers – EVT

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