Industry trailblazer to manage Porter House Hotel Sydney
Highly-qualified Joleen Hurst charged with bringing "extraordinary project" to life
Accor has appointed high-profile Joleen Hurst to take the reins as General Manager at The Porter House Hotel Sydney – MGallery, set to open its doors to the public this Spring.
Announcing the news, Accor Pacific CEO, Sarah Derry said Ms Hurst is a highly regarded senior leader at Accor, her long tenure with the company including supervisory roles at several high profile properties.
These include the Sebel Quay West Suites and Apartments at Sydney’s Circular Quay, Novotel Sydney International Airport, Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, Mercure Sydney Parramatta, Mercure and Ibis Brisbane, Novotel Launceston and Accor Hotels Darling Harbour.
Her impressive career highlights to date include being appointed one of Australia’s first female general managers at the age of 25 and receiving a NSW Premier’s Award for ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’.
Internationally qualified, she has been a keynote speaker on the Art of Human Connection and is an independent director of Healthshare NSW.
Ms Hurst is also a foundation member of Accor Diversity, which was formed in 2012 to cement the group’s commitment to diversity and inclusion as priority initiatives.
“We know she will bring the experience, knowledge and commitment required to bring this extraordinary project to life,” Ms Derry said.
Located on Castlereagh Street, the multi-million luxury hotel occupies the first 10 floors of a 36-storey mixed-use tower within the re-imagined Porter House precinct.
Some 131 residential apartments (with their own private entry via Bathurst Street) sit above the new signature MGallery hotel, while a multi-level dining and bar destination has been created within the restored 1870s heritage-listed building itself.
Ms Hurst said she was excited to be part of this journey and introduce guests to an exciting and elegant new era for the iconic Porter House.
“The redeveloped Porter House plays with the concept of intriguing contrasts and by placing two extraordinary buildings together, we have created something remarkably original. I can’t wait to take local, interstate and international guests on this fascinating journey of discovery with me.”
Once open, Porter House Hotel – MGallery will become the 11th MGallery branded address in Australia and New Zealand.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
