Pan Pacific Hotels Group Appoints Craig Bond

Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appoints a new Area General Manager for Oceania and General Manager of ParkRoyal Darling Harbour, Sydney

Craig Bond will develop efficiencies and synergies across the Group's portfolio of Pan Pacific and PARKROYAL hotels in Australia. Properties include PARKROYAL Parramatta, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport and Pan Pacific Perth.

In his Area role, Craig will be responsible for the financial performance and operations structure for the Group's hotels in Oceania which include PARKROYAL Parramatta, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport and Pan Pacific Perth. He will also develop efficiencies and synergies for all Australian hotels as the Group continues to grow its presence within Oceania under both its Pan Pacific and PARKROYAL brands.

As General Manager of PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, Craig will oversee operations of the 345-room hotel which enjoys a prime location in Sydney and close proximity to Darling Harbour, the Sydney Convention and Entertainment Centre, George Street, Chinatown and the Queen Victoria Building.

ParkRoyal Darling Harbour, Sydney

A highly accomplished hotelier, Craig Bond joins the Group with more than 20 years of tourism and hospitality management experience, of which the last decade was spent in group operations and regional management roles. He has also amassed broad knowledge of Asia through his extensive travels to China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore to develop business opportunities. 

Prior to joining the Group, Craig spent over four years with Mirvac Hotels & Resorts where he was the Regional General Manager for 11 properties throughout Victoria and Tasmania. He was also concurrently the General Manager of The Sebel & Citigate Albert Park Melbourne where he successfully managed a multi-million dollar refurbishment and repositioned the property as one of Melbourne's top conference and event venues during the global financial crisis.

His extensive work experience in Australia, dedication and business achievements saw him winning 'Australian General Manager of the Year' at the 2010 HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence.

"Craig's vast experience in managing multiple properties and maximising revenue opportunities aligns perfectly with our focus on refining the competitive edge of our four great hotels in Australia," said A. Patrick Imbardelli, President and CEO, Pan Pacific Hotels Group. "His insight and connections established from working in many key cities in Australia will also support the Group's expansion strategy as we remain committed to growing our portfolio in this important market."

Pan Pacific Hotels Group commenced its expansion in Australia in late 2010 when it reintroduced the PARKROYAL brand to the market after close to a decade's absence with PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney and PARKROYAL Parramatta. This was followed with Pan Pacific Perth and the acquisition and rebranding of Hilton Melbourne Airport to PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport in April last year.  

Outside the Group's network of Australia hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group will be opening two new PARKROYAL properties this year. The PARKROYAL brand will debut in China in October 2012 with the opening of PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Green City, Shanghai.

In Singapore, PARKROYAL on Pickering, the flagship PARKROYAL with a hotel-in-a-garden concept in Singapore will launch in December.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group

Pan Pacific Hotels Group is a listed hotel subsidiary of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited, one of Asia's most established hotel and property companies with an outstanding portfolio of investment and development properties. Based in Singapore, Pan Pacific Hotels Group owns and/or manages  over 30 hotels, resorts and serviced suites with over 10,000 rooms including those under development in Asia, Oceania and North America. The Group comprises two acclaimed brands: Pan Pacific® and PARKROYAL®. Pan Pacific ® is a leading brand in Asia and the Pacific Rim with hotels offering premium accommodations and services.  PARKROYAL® is a collection of comfortable leisure and business hotels and resorts located in the heart of cities and interesting locales across Asia Pacific. For more information, visit pphg.com.

Media Contacts: Pan Pacific Hotels Group

- Elaine Heng, Corporate Communications Manager

DID: (65) 6808 1269, Fax: (65) 6821 8001, elaine.heng@pphg.com

- Chan Hse May, Director, Corporate Communications

DID: (65) 6808 1265, Fax: (65) 6821 8001, chan.hsemay@pphg.com