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Meet the Principles

Creating Value for our Clients

We boast some of the best recruitment and advisory talent in Hospitality. We offer management experience and market understanding to create a system of value adds for clients. This week we showcase Axel Koster who heads up special International assignments. Click here for the his profile.

John G. Ortner - CEO

PhD (Swinburne), MBA (Monash), CMA (Monash)

Originally from Australia and educated in Europe, John founded Manhattan Group in 2001.

John divides his professional life between executive search, management consulting and organisational research. Alongside his extensive management experience in international hotels (Peninsula, Four Seasons & Savoy Groups), he has implemented significant recruitment and change projects leading to industry "Best Practice" levels. Through his applied research in managerial excellence, he is able to strenghten value propositions for a range of discerning hospitality clientele. He is member of several peak management and hospitality associations.

Trained and hospitality qualified in Austria and USA, he holds a PhD in Business Administration from Swinburne University, MBA from Monash University as well as attended Cornell University. John has authored several research articles as well as written extensively on industry trends as well as thought leadership in recruitment. You can follow him at Twitter @johnortner.

 

T: +61 3 9005-4931 (GMT +11hours) | SKYPE: john.ortner |   E: jo@manhattangroup.co

Axel Koster -  General Manager, International

A founding principle, Axel joined Manhattan Group in 2002 and heads up all International appointments and global talent acquisition programs for our extensive clientele. 

Ever the consummate hotelier, Axel offers a depth and understanding delivering excellence in hospitality search and recruitment. He is considered a subject matter expert in candidate management, talent acquisition and corporate recruitment strategies. He consults all major global hotel brands as well as leading independents of repute.

He has managed renowned luxury hotels and resorts in Europe, Asia and Australia with considerable commerical success. Orginally from Germany, he is a highly experienced and proven Executive who led large teams in achieving industry benchmarks in operational excellence.  

An avid cyclist, Axel is equally passionate about career coaching to Hospitality's future talent. You can follow him at Twitter @axelkoster.

 

T: +61 3 9005-4932 (GMT +11 hours) | SKYPE: axel.koster | E: ak@manhattangroup.co

Barbara Kundig -  Manager, Finance & Administration

A founding principle, Barbara has been with Manhattan Group since 2001. Alongside her extensive hospitality management experience in blue-chip hotels groups (Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Groups as well as leading Independents such as Monte Carlo's Hotel de Paris and Australia's Hayman), she was instrumental in streamlining administration and recruiting operations for Manhattan Group. 

Through her dynamic management experience in Europe, the USA, Asia and Australia, Barbara has lead large front and back of house teams. 

A Swiss national, Barbara is a graduate of the world famous Lausanne Hotel School. 

 

T: +61 3 9005-4937 (GMT +11hours) | SKYPE: barbara.kundig | E: bk@manhattangroup.co

Richard Riordan -  Recruitment Associate

A valued member of the Manhattan Group recruitment practice, Richard began his career in the Hospitality Industry in 1996 and over a ten year period managed the operation of nightclubs, hotels and restaurants throughout Melbourne.

These included tenures with such iconic establishments as Crown Casino and The Palace amongst key industry leaders. At the end of 2008 he moved from the operations side to utilise his substantial skills and knowledge of the hospitality industry to focus on recruitment excellence. Richard joined Manhattan Group in mid 2011 and has made significant contributions to our recruitment practice in Australia.

He is lead consultant on many mid-tier management as well as culinary assignments. Richard has been able to call on his years of experience to assist with all types of assignments not only in Australia but also key assignments internationally. 

Given his industry knowledge, Richard is able to assist with all types of assignments. You can follow him at twitter @manhattangroup. 

 

T: +61 3 9005-4933 (GMT +11hours) | SKYPE: r.d.riordan | E: rr@manhattangroup.co

Jeff Yiu -  Recruitment Associate

Jeff Yiu started his career in the Hospitality Industry in 2002 and over a nine year period managed the operations of many leading restaurants throughout Australia.

Managing all different style of venus from al-fresco restaurants, mult-outlet venues to world-known high-end fine dining restaurants he has excelled in management positions. With this fundamental understanding of the industry , he has gained an unique insight that benefit him a knowledgable hospitality recruiter specialist.

Jeff joined Manhattan Group in 2011 as Recruitment Associate - China Region. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, he is here to deal with not just local, but international assignments from the Asia-Pacific region.

 

T: +61 3 9005-4934 (GMT +5 hours) | SKYPE: jeff.yiu | E: jy@manhattangroup.co

Richard Parekh -  Support Manager

RIchard started his career as a chef and progressed from there...more to follow...Considered one the industry's foremost recruiters, he has been instrumental in all matters recruitment. You can follow him at Twitter @manhattangroup. 

 

T: +61 3 9005-4935 (GMT +5 hours) | SKYPE: rpmanhattan | E: rp@manhattangroup.co