Joined Hilton in November 2021 as Regional HR Director for Australasia

Prior to Hilton spent 8 years as HR Director for Merlin Entertainments (world’s second largest tourist attraction operator), initially for Australia & New Zealand then in Asia Pacific leadership role

Originally from UK, relocating to Australia in 2012

20 years in HR across a variety of sectors but always with a service orientated ethos

Strong commitment to upholding hospitality as an employer of choice where the most diverse talent can forge unique careers.

Lives in Sydney with husband (Liam) and two children (Betsy and Dexter)

Michelle has more than 20 years experience in customer service and human resource management, having held senior management roles in the Hospitality, Information Technology and Financial Services sectors.

Michelle has a breadth of experience from undertaking both specialist and general human resource management roles and combines this with general management experience where she transformed and built customer service teams and business units.

Michelle  was appointed Director of Human Resources for TFE Hotels in 2014, with responsibility for human resources strategy and practice including service culture development, learning and organisational development, talent and career development, attraction and selection, rewards and recognition and employment policy.

She has been part of many business change projects and cross functional team to drive improved customer experience, finance transformation, systems implementations and preparation for and delivery of new hotel openings.

Con has over 30 years of Hospitality and Cleaning industry experience. He graduated from University with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, and joined Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation where he developed his career over eleven years through a number of Parkroyal properties. As a key member of the team at the then flagship Hotel (Landmark Parkroyal), Con accomplished a great deal in turning the property into one of SPHCs success stories. 

When this task was completed Con sought a position that could best capitalise on his strong rooms background and interest in human resources issues. This coincided with International Hotel Services (IHS) joining the market in housekeeping and labour provision to the Hospitality industry.

Since 1998 Con has been using his Hotel knowledge and experience to build IHS to the successful business it remains today.

Sam leads the Business team at Mullins Lawyers. He specialises in employment law, including employment relations, industrial relations and health and safety.

Sam combines practical business acumen and a high level of legal expertise to deliver clients with a full range of employment law representation across contentious and non-contentious issues including unfair dismissal, adverse action and discrimination claims an advice on contracts and policies and procedures.

His focus on achieving commercial outcomes makes him a valued advisor to clients across many industries; particularly building & construction, pubs & restaurants, clubs, and hotels, resorts & accommodation, where he also advises on enforcing and restraint of trade issues.

Approachable and pragmatic, Sam has significant experience in large-scale employment litigation across a number of jurisdictions and appears regularly for clients before the Fair Work Commission, the State and Federal Courts, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland.

Helen has almost 30 years’ experience working within the superannuation sector, predominantly in leadership, consultancy and client facing roles both in the UK and Australia. Helen joined the national Industry Fund for those who live and love Hospitality, Tourism, Recreation and Sport and aligned sectors, Hostplus, 7 years ago and currently leads the national employer and member facing teams in her role as Executive Manager Client Relationships and New Business.

Helen is passionate about championing consumer access to meaningful financial education, guidance and advice to support the achievement of retirement goals and to improve financial literacy. Her passion for the Hospitality and Tourism sector is born from a family history of ownership of travel and hospitality businesses.

Outside of work Helen enjoys family and friend time, good food and wine, travel, walking and tennis.

A dynamic and strategic leader with experience as an Executive and Non-Executive Director. A skilled communicator with a background in media, communications, government relations, public policy and corporate affairs. A history of working in the transport, infrastructure, tourism, travel, aviation, automotive and education sectors.

James joined Accommodation Australia as their new CEO in September 2024 and looks forward to nurturing and building on the strong relationships already created with key stakeholders, both in government and accommodation industry leaders. 

Prior to his role with the AA, Mr Goodwin was the CEO of the Australian Airports Association (AAA) for more than four years and before that was Chief Executive of Australia’s leading vehicle safety advocate, the ANCAP Safety from 2015 to 2020.  James has held senior government relations, communications and stakeholder relations roles at industry associations and government agencies following a career as a journalist, including in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery.

He has served on a number of Boards and is currently Chair of St John Ambulance ACT and a Board Director with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Solutions.