Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed John Davies vice president marketing for the leading, privately-held hospitality management company. Greg Champion, chief operating officer, made the announcement. John Davies will be the first professional to hold this title at Benchmark Hospitality International, as the position has been newly created to support the important role of integrated marketing at the growing company, including advertising and public relations. He was previously head of his own firm specializing in hospitality marketing and sales leadership. Prior to starting his company, Mr. Davies served as vice president marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts, while based in Carefree, Arizona.  In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of the communications and branding programming for the company’s portfolio of 13 hotels and resorts.

General Manager of Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club, Craig Biber is pleased to announce the appointment of David Murray as Duty Manager. Effective immediately, David Murray has been employed to assist with the continuing growth of operations at Paradise Palms with a focus on the clubhouse entities including 59 Restaurant and Bar, conference centre and newly opened, Pelicans in Paradise. David adds more than 10 years hospitality experience to the team as well as a passion for a proactive, hands-on style of management with a focus on delivering a positive guest experience. Most recently David was Restaurant Manager of Hamilton Island’s Beach Club. Having travelled extensively with his career, other prior roles include Residential Manager of Sebel Harbourside in Kiama, NSW, Restaurant Manager of Voyages Sails in the Desert, Northern Territory, acting Restaurant and Bar Manager/Food and Beverage Supervisor, Voyages Heron Island and various hospitality management roles at Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome, Western Australia.

Goran Aleks has assumed the position of General Manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the 609-room iconic hotel billed as a resort-sanctuary in the city. Having spent more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, German-born Aleks had held significant postings in Europe and Asia Pacific. His association with the Accor group began in 1994 and throughout his career he has occupied various senior positions in Munich, Koblenz and Berlin in Germany. He spent one year as the General Manager of Sofitel Project in Paris and subsequently was tasked to position the Sofitel brand in Australia. Aleks managed for four years the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach and most recently the Sofitel Brisbane Central before he moved to the Philippines. As the new General Manager for Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Aleks’s main objective is to ensure that the hotel maintains its reputation as the city’s luxury hotel and to charter new heights in the hospitality industry by offering the highest standards of fine cuisine, luxurious accommodation and superb service with a French touch.