Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Wouters as the new Food & Beverage Director. Originally from The Netherlands, Mark brings with him 14-years of experience in the hospitality industry where he has enjoyed a number of high profile positions in both Europe and New Zealand. In his new role at Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta Mark will oversee all the Food & Beverage activities including Events, while directing the hotel’s Food & Beverage team to provide both outstanding and memorable experiences to the property’s valued guests. In his most recent position Mark was General Manager at Huka Lodge Hotel in New Zealand in addition to having an overall management role at Dolphin Island, Fiji, where he was responsible for the management of overall guest satisfaction, budgets and profitability, “both properties are part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World”. Mark, who started his career as a sommelier at the Michelin-star Het Groot Paradjis Restaurant in the Netherlands has a passion for wines and fine cuisine.

Amadeus announces the key strategic appointment of hotel industry veteran Jeff Edwards to head up its growing hotel business. Edwards, formerly Chief Information Officer and EVP Distribution of Wyndham Worldwide, joins Amadeus with a clear brief to quickly expand its burgeoning hotel division; which incorporates both distribution and IT services. Prior to Wyndham Worldwide, Edwards spent more than five years at Micros Systems Inc where he held a variety of senior roles including President and Chief Executive Officer – Micros Fidelio, as well as Executive Vice President-Micros Distribution for North America. Both before and after his time at Micros Systems, Edwards was an entrepreneur who ran his own hotel and hospitality consulting business, creating numerous new enterprises whilst at the same time winning business from a wide range of leading hotel chains across the globe. Edwards officially joined Amadeus on 1 February 2012 and will be based in Madrid, Spain. With the addition of Jeff to the newly created New Business division in Amadeus, the company has completed the incorporation of three industry heavyweights – Thomas Drexler for Rail, John Jarrell for Airport IT and Jeff Edwards for Hotels - bringing unrivalled experience in the travel industry that will contribute to the company’s effort in diversifying the business.

Australian national, Ned Capeleris, is the new hotel manager at the beachfront, 245-room Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa announced General Manager, Mark Neukomm. In his new capacity, Mr. Capeleris is responsible for all matters pertaining to hotel operations and will act in conjunction with the guidance team as a key support member for the luxury resort. Before his move to Bahrain, Ned Capeleris was holding the position as executive assistant manager rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha where he played an instrumental role in ensuring the implementation of the rooms division basics and its standard operating procedures to further improve service standards and to enhance the guest experience. In 1995, Mr. Capeleris obtained an advance certificate in hospitality management, finishing with distinction, where he then went onto completing a diploma in hospitality management from Ryde College of TAFE/NSW Australia, graduating in 1997 also with distinction.