New leadership team as SKYE Suites bucks the trend
This week, the hotel division of global real estate developer Crown Group – SKYE Suites, announced the appointment of an expanded leadership team in anticipation of “skyrocketing” success in 2021.
It seems in the wake of the COVID pandemic which has caused near destruction of the global tourism industry, this affordable-luxury hotel brand is expanding and equipping itself with some of the best minds and intellects in the hotel industry – David Bowen, May Toh and Ari Foo.
The three recent leadership appointments to the SKYE Suites team, commenced with the recruitment of hospitality business leader and trailblazer in managing 4-and 5-star properties in international, regional and urban locations – David Bowen. As Director of Hotels, David will be in charge of the entire SKYE Suites portfolio of luxury boutique hotels including SKYE Suites Sydney, Parramatta and Green Square.
Formerly National Operations Manager at Lendlease, David brings over 15 years’ experience in the luxury hotel space and will take the brand interstate and eventually internationally. Key career milestones for Mr Bowen include winning a number of tourism awards and leading the operational development on Lendlease’s first Premium Retirement brand ‘Árdency’ where he established the first 5-star retirement portfolio in Australia.
Commenting on his new role, David says, “Having led numerous hotels through my career, I’m really looking forward to the task of building SKYE Suites into an award-winning 5-star luxury hotel brand. With such a new yet highly skilled leadership team, we will draw on the very best aspects from our past experiences and create a refreshing and invigorating cohort that delivers high-quality guest experiences.”
Joining David at SKYE Suites is Revenue Manager, May Toh who joins the business with over 13 years’ experience and knowledge in the hospitality industry. Working in some of Australia’s most renowned hotels such as Daydream Island Resort, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney and the Westin Sydney, May will handle hotel and revenue management while leading members towards corporate goals and revenue targets.
Earlier this year, Crown Group also announced Ari Foo as Sales Director of SKYE Suites. Adding to his 25-year career within the hotel sector, Foo has jumped straight into the role leading all hotel-based sales activities and strategies.
Commenting on his new leadership team, Crown Group CEO Iwan Sunito says, “Leading a quarter-billion-dollar hotel is in no way a one-person job. It’s about creating the right team for success and that’s exactly what we are doing at SKYE Suites from the leadership team right through to the staff on the ground welcoming guests’ day in and day out.
While many other CBD hotels have reported significant losses this year as a result of COVID and the rise in regional hotel stays, SKYE Suites has been bucking the trend and defying the odds with strong occupancy levels. I believe this is a testament to not just the facilities, affordability and uniqueness of our suites but also to our dedicated staff across the three SKYE Suites properties.”
While still a relatively new hotel brand launching in Parramatta in August 2017, the sky has been the limit for SKYE Suites. Just over a year after launching, SKYE Suites unveiled their second urban oasis in the heart of the Sydney CBD in the award-winning Arc residential tower. Recently, a third SKYE Suites was also added to the portfolio, with 90 fully serviced apartments at Green Square, part of the eye-catching $575 million Infinity building.
Currently a $250 million dollar portfolio, SKYE Suites has its sights set on expanding into new markets including Brisbane, Melbourne and internationally in LA and Indonesia. With the support of a new leadership team, the exponential growth pipeline of SKYE Suites is expected to exceed $1billion dollars within the next five years.
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