North, South and West – some changes for Scenic Hotel Group

Media Release
6 March 2012

North, South and West – some changes for Scenic Hotel Group

Scenic Hotel Group has today announced its new West Coast Regional Manager is KerryAnn Gibbs, current General Manager at Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier.

The incumbent Richard de Graaf is moving to Dunedin to manage Scenic Hotel Southern Cross and oversee the Group’s Otago operations. Executive Assistant Manager at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Richard Bungeroth has been promoted to General Manager of Scenic Hotel Te Pania in Napier.

Scenic Hotel Group Managing Director Brendan Taylor says the Group is fortunate to have such high calibre management staff who are willing and able to move around the country.

“This creates a real synergy within our management and staff. We keep the passion and interest alive in our managers and they bring their own talents and skills to all our properties. As the only wholly New Zealand owned hotel chain, we think it’s very important for our staff to get as much experience as possible across the country.”

Richard de Graaf has been the West Coast Regional Manager for the Group for three and a half years. Mr Taylor says Richard will miss the pristine wilderness and incredible isolation of the West Coast area, but his wife and 11 year old son are looking forward to a more urban surrounding. “I think Richard is quite looking forward to a bit of culture, with a movie theatre and a bit of shopping closer at hand than he’s been used to.”

KerryAnn Gibbs first started working with Scenic Hotel Group in 1998 and has managed its Marlborough, Auckland, Bay of Islands and Napier properties. She is very excited about the move to Franz Josef and bringing a fresh set of eyes and hands to the hotels on the West Coast. Mr Taylor says the Group is sponsoring KerryAnn for an intensive hotel management training course at Cornell University in America in June. “KerryAnn’s passion and drive are infectious, and we’re sure she’ll have no trouble adjusting to the West Coast lifestyle.”

Richard Bungeroth, Executive Assistant Manager of Scenic Hotel Southern Cross in Dunedin is excited about his pending move to Napier. Mr. Taylor says Richard came to Scenic Hotel Group with vast international experience last year, arriving in Dunedin in the middle of July with a two-week-old baby in tow. “Richard and his family are looking forward not only to the sunshine but also the new challenges ahead. He has certainly enjoyed his time in Dunedin, and we’re very confident his experience and passion for hospitality will put Scenic Hotel Te Pania in good hands.”

Richard de Graaf will take over from Mr Bungeroth mid April 2012.

ENDS

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