Mantra Group Leadership Team

Mantra Group's leadership team...

Bob East | Chief Executive Officer

Bob has guided Mantra Group since 2006, when the company was then known as Stella Hospitality Group. Under Bob's leadership the group has grown from 50 properties to more than 130 properties in Australia and New Zealand under the Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree brands. While expanding the portfolio Bob has developed and implemented Australia's largest apartment brand in Mantra Hotels and Resorts. Bob has worked extensively in the tourism sector, domestically and internationally. He holds tertiary qualifications in Education and an MBA. With over 3000 staff in Australia and 15,000 rooms under management, Bob has positioned Mantra Group as the second largest operator within Australia and there are plenty of plans for growth.

Steven Becker | Chief Financial Officer

Steven is the Chief Financial Officer of Mantra Group. Steven has over six years of experience in the hospitality and tourism sector. Prior to working with Mantra Group, Steven was the Global Operations Leader for Flight Centre Ltd and worked in Corporate Finance for Ernst & Young. Steven holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Graduate Diploma of Investment and Finance. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and also a member of the Financial and Securities Institute of Australia.

Kevan Funnell | General Manager Finance

Kevan joined the Mantra Group as General Manager Finance in March 2006. Prior to his appointment, Kevan spent six years as Area Director of Finance Australia and Director of Finance Surfers Paradise with Marriott International. Kevan has spent the last 14 years in hotel finance with the Marriott and Sheraton Hotel Groups, and prior to this was a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young for six years. Kevan holds qualifications in Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and Chartered Accountancy.

Cherie McGill | Group General Manager Human Resources

Having held senior human resources positions with both Saville Hotel Group and P&O Australian Resorts, Cherie has been able to combine her 15 years of operational experience with her HR knowledge to ensure the ongoing development of Mantra Group's work force. Cherie is responsible for the human resources practices for all brands.

Michelle Lalli | Group Asset Manager

Michelle is the Group Asset Manager. Michelle leads a dedicated team designed solely to look after the interests of the owners in our strata-titled entities. In March 2006, Michelle and her team joined Mantra Group to work closely with operations and ensure that all company policies and business processes are in line with owner satisfaction. Previously, Michelle spent five years working with Sunleisure, the tourism arm of the Sunland Group, which develops and operates Palazzo Versace. During her time as the Licensed Director of Sunleisure, Michelle was heavily involved in resort operations, pre-opening of several of their tourism developments and unit owner relations.

Mark Hodge | Executive General Manager Operations Northern States, Australia

Mark joined the Mantra Group team in September 2006. He has been involved with many facets of the tourism and hospitality industry for the past 22 years. He has worked through all layers of management up to General Manager and Chief Executive Officer at both corporate and resort style hotels. His experience is broad with clear acumen in both Strata and typical hotel ownership models. Mark's experience and ability has also been recognised by his peers through being awarded "Queensland Operator of the Year" by the accommodation industry's peak body, HMAA (Hotel Motel Association Australia). He has held a Regional Chairman's role for Tropical North Queensland as well as being a National Board Member of peak accommodation body HMAA.

Kent Davidson | Group General Manager Sales

Prior to Kent starting with Mantra Group in July 2002, he served as Peppers Group General Manager of Sales for two years where he headed international, domestic and conference sales teams and was a member of the Peppers Executive Committee. Kent then progressed to become the Peppers Group General Manager. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing, Kent has also worked as General Manager for Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal; Executive Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing for Radisson Hotels and Suites in Sydney; General Manager of Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge in the Northern Territory; and Sales and Marketing Manager for Royal Pines Resort.

Ken Minnikin | Director of Marketing

Ken joined Mantra Group in April 2008. With over 20 years in senior marketing roles he has worked with a number of leading brands in tourism and leisure. Prior to joining Mantra Group he was Chief Commercial Officer for Living and Leisure, CEO Sunleisure, and for 14 years was Director of Marketing for Warner Village Theme Parks - owners and operators of Movie World, Sea World, Wet n Wild, Sea World Hotel, Paradise Country and Australian Outback Spectacular. Ken holds a Bachelor of Business (Communications).

Luke Jamieson | General Manager Distribution

Luke joined BreakFree Holidays Pty Ltd as Financial Controller in 1998 and has seen BreakFree Holidays become part of Stella Hospitality Group, and then evolve into Mantra Group. Luke has held a variety of development positions including General Manager Central Reservations, Yield Management and Wholesale Product. Prior to joining the company, Luke held a variety of accounting roles both in Australia and overseas with companies such as Santos Oil & Gas, Natwest Bank and Mount Isa Mines. Luke holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and is also a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).

Tomas Johnsson | Executive General Manager Operations - Southern States Australia and New Zealand

Tomas has more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry. He previously worked with GPT, where he was responsible for the asset management of the leisure portfolio including Sheraton Four Points Darling Harbour, Ayers Rock Resort and Voyages Resorts. Previous roles also include Regional Manager for Mirvac Hotels in Victoria, as well as General Manager with Como Hotel, Sebel, Quay West and Rydges Hotels across Australia.

Luke Moran | General Manager Revenue

Over 17 years, Luke has acquired a wealth of operational and corporate experience in the Australasian Hospitality Industry. Having held various roles for operators Holiday Inn, Starwood, Hayman Island and the Langham Group, Luke has gained exposure to diverse market segments and styles of accommodation - from budget family to luxury international. His thorough understanding of Mantra Group's business models and his knowledge in effective rate and inventory management is key to delivering a profitable revenue outcome for the business.