Award-winning independent lifestyle designer hotel collection Ovolo is excited to announce new appointments and internal promotions across the group, underscoring its commitment to fostering talent and maintaining excellence across the portfolio, both in Australia and overseas.
The recent changes see Roberto Russo move from Brisbane as Ovolo Hotels Cluster General Manager to Regional General Manager at Ovolo Hotels Melbourne. Russo brings more than 25 years’ experience in lifestyle hotels, boutique residential properties, co-living, and co-working projects to the role, with a proven track record in successful hotel openings, as well as extensive overseas experience as General Manager (pre-opening and launch) of Scale Space, London, and as General Manager of Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Malta.
Also in Melbourne, Gitta Margaretha moves into the role of Hotel Manager at Laneways By Ovolo. Having been with Ovolo since 2021, Margaretha has previously worked as Front Office Manager of Ovolo’s Bali property, Mamaka, before making the move to Australia earlier this year. She brings a wealth of hospitality knowledge, with previous international experience at Hilton hotels in Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam, as well as the Radisson and Six Senses in Uluwatu.
In Brisbane, James Clark joins as General Manager of Ovolo The Valley, with previous experience at top London hotels including the four-star deluxe St Ermin’s Hotel in St James’ Park, Chesterfield Mayfair and Great Scotland Yard – Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Clark is a passionate and driven luxury hotel manager, with a reputation for exceptional customer service.
In Sydney, Gabriel Polias moves into the role of General Manager of Ovolo Woolloomooloo. Prior to this, Polias managed Ovolo Nishi in Canberra, where he has led operations since March 2021. An accomplished hotelier with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. Gabriel’s extensive career includes roles such as Hotel Manager at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Executive Assistant Manager at Primus Hotel Sydney, and Director of Operations at Sydney Harbour Marriott. He also served as VIP Food and Beverage Director at Star Casino Sydney and held executive roles in Beijing and Shanghai at prestigious hotels like the Presidential Hotel, Tangla Beijing, and Radisson Plaza.
Joining the Ovolo team in late 2023, Nick Wright will lead Ovolo Nishi in Canberra as General Manager. Previously, Nick has held senior hotel roles in operations, commercial and leadership both domestically and internationally, working in a hotel advisory capacity in his time with curated collection specialist Mr & Mrs Smith, as well as Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts as Global Hotel Partnerships Manager. Previous to that he was General Manager of Hobart’s esteemed and awarded luxury Islington Hotel, also a Small Luxury Hotels of the World member.
