Source: LinkedIn Bio, Simon McGrath AM

I love the hospitality industry and I could never give back enough to this incredible industry. I have worked in some terrific hotel companies and have been fortunate to work throughout the Asia Pacific region, in the resorts and cities of Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. Ultimately I have found my home in Accor, which I joined in 2006. Every day at Accor I work beside a dedicated and focused team and together we experience exciting opportunities and challenges as we grow our business.

Growth is key for our business, whilst commercially it is essential, most importantly for our team members it’s about giving people opportunity who put so much into our company. Accor’s desire and drive for growth is underpinned by humility and a genuine concern for contributing to the broader travel industry. The travel industry comes first and Accor’s role comes second, growing the greater industry for all operators and players.

I go to sleep every night proud of Accor and obsessed about what we can do better. When I consider our strategies for innovation and growth, I always come back to the belief that everything we achieve is down to our great people. Our people bring diversity, experiences and stories to our culture, which makes Accor a richer and better community, a safe place for all to excel. Accor’s culture is one of the things that I am most proud to be a part of, it is unique and strong, a daily source of inspiration which we protect like gold.

At the heart of hospitality is our obsession and focus on making sure the guest has the best possible experience with us. We listen carefully to our guests to understand what they want. In our business, the closer you are to the customer the more crucial you are in our business. Therefore our frontline team are key – and I have so much respect and admiration for everything they do, a fundamental part of my role is to support our talented people.

I am Director of AAPC Limited, Allegiance, Accor Vacation Club and Reef Casino Trust and I am fortunate to sit on tourism boards, including:

• Deputy Chairman, Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF)

• Deputy President, Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA)

I have a keen interest in external learning and sit on two external boards outside of tourism and hospitality, I hold the positions of:

• Independent Director of GenesisCare (leading healthcare company)

• Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL)