Board of Directors

Andrew Cairns

Executive General Manager, Crown Hotels Perth


Andrew Cairns is the Executive General Manager – Crown Hotels Perth and has been in this role since June 2015. He made the transition to Perth from Melbourne, where he held the role of General Manager – Crown Towers Melbourne for the prior seven years.

As part of the Executive team for Crown Perth, he has responsibility for the operational and strategic planning of the Crown Perth Hotels portfolio, comprising Crown Towers Perth, Crown Metropol Perth and Crown Promenade, as well as collaborating across the Crown Resorts national hospitality structure.

Andrew has over twenty-five years’ experience, both domestically and internationally, with a lifelong passion for the tourism and hospitality industry.

Throughout his career, he has gained an extensive knowledge of operational, personnel and marketing strategies to ensure the success and effectiveness of various business entities. In his executive capacity, he has worked collaboratively to develop company brand values to enhance the guest and employee experience and drive positive business returns.

Andrew holds the board position of Accommodation Division President for the AHA WA, as well as Board Director for Business Events Perth.

Joanna Caruthers

Area General Manager, EVT Hotels


Joanna is a visionary, high calibre, hands on and energetic Hotel General Manager with a career hallmarked by over 33 years of international experience spanning across Australia and Europe. After 14 years in London in a variety of roles including Sales & Marketing and General Manager appointments, Joanna returned to her home town of Sydney, Australia in 2016.

Currently Joanna is Area General Manager NSW for EVT Hotels & Resorts and the General Manager at Rydges Sydney Airport, Australia’s most booked hotel where she has held this role for the last 8 years.  

EVT Entertainment, Ventures, Travel is an ASX Top 200 company with over 9000 employees catering to all segments from luxury to budget, throughout a portfolio of over 85+ owned and managed hotels throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji. Hotel brands include QT Hotels & Resorts, Rydges Hotels & Resorts, Independent Collection, Atura Hotels and LyLo. 

Joanna is a member of Accommodation Australia, SKAL Sydney South and SALA.

Her industry recognition has included:
Winner: 2024 AHA National Awards for Excellence- Employee Excellence in Service Accommodation Division
Winner: 2024 AA NSW Awards for Excellence - Executive of the Year
Highly Commended 2003 NSW Accommodation Awards- Hotel Executive of the Year
Nominee: UK Qantas Australian Business Woman of the Year 2008
Multiple EVT Hotel Property Awards for performance and service

Jason Nuell

Regional Vice President - Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific


Jason Nuell is the Regional Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International. He leads the area’s porftfolio of 46 hotels and resorts, with more than 20 properties in the pipeline.

Prior to this role, Nuell was the Global Senior Vice President of Premium Brands at Marriott International where he lead Marriott Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels, Tribute Portfolio and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy™. There Jason was instrumental in the development of new brands such as Moxy and AC Hotels, we well as the global transformation of the Sheraton brand.

With an impressive career in Marriott International spanning over more than 20 years, Nuell also served as Area Vice President, US Eastern Region, Select Brands for the managed portfolio, which represents a significant portion of the company’s sales and profit.

Throughout his career, Jason has worked across 21 hotel brands and spearheaded a wide variety of complex, brand and organization-wide initiatives and strategies, including the post-Starwood merger revitalization of Element Hotels and Aloft Hotels. Through this experience, Jason has developed a deep passion for developing a wide range of guest experiences.

A natural leader, Jason has played a key role in developing new operating standards, ensuring food and beverage excellence, and strengthening overall brand performance. Additionally, during his tenure at Marriott International, Jason also held the role of Vice President of Brand Operations, Design & Development, Distinctive Brands across the premium and select segment.

Born in Sydney, Australia Nuell started out in Marriott International’s Queensland properties in Food and Beverage roles and GM roles before moving around the globe taking up leadership positions in India, China, and Europe, with a decade long tenure at Marriott headquarters in Bethesda. After many years abroad, Nuell now resides back in his home country of Australia with his wife and children.

Nuell will lead Marriott International in ANZP in delivering the company’s ‘People First’ culture across their teams, the owner community, and stakeholders. “We want our people to be inspired by what’s possible and discover their own future, and there’s no better example of this than my own personal journey with Marriott” says Jason Nuell.  “My career with Marriott over 20 years has seen me grow my skills and venture into new disciplines. I’ve moved around the world, learning and carving out a career path that has now led me back home to Australia”, says Jason Nuell.

Shelley Verdouw

Hotel Manager, RACV Hobart Hotel / Accommodation Divisional President, Hospitality Tasmania Association


Shelley is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 30 Years of experience in the accommodation sector, both in Australia and overseas.  Shelley brings a wealth of operational experience, team leadership and a deep commitment to excellence in guest experience.

Her longstanding dedication to the industry is reflected in her 11-year tenure on the board of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, where she has been a strong advocate for the accommodation sector.  Recently elected as the Accommodation Division President.