Leadership

Harry Triguboff A.O.

Owner & Managing Director

As founder and Managing Director of The Meriton Group of companies, Harry Triguboff A.O. has overseen the construction of over 78,000 residential dwellings and has won numerous awards for his contribution to the Australian property industry. Born in Dalian, China in 1933, Harry spent his early childhood in the Russian community of Tianjin, south of Beijing. He came to Australia in 1948 and was educated at Scots College in Sydney, before attending Leeds University in England. He graduated with a degree in textile engineering and began his working life in the textile businesses in Israel and South Africa, returning to Australia in 1960. Harry Triguboff became an Australian citizen in 1961. He drove a taxi and owned a milk run before building his first block of apartments and establishing Meriton in 1963 at just 30 years of age. Since then, he has become Australia’s most successful residential property developer and a generous philanthropist, donating millions of dollars each year to many causes. Harry Triguboff is still passionately involved in the design and construction of all projects.

Matthew Thomas

Group General Manager - Meriton Suites & Director - Meriton Group

Matthew Thomas is the Group General Manager of Meriton Suites, Australia’s fastest-growing luxury accommodation brand. Matthew has been a senior executive at Meriton Suites (formally Meriton Serviced Apartments) since 2004, joining the organisation as Group Revenue Manager before assuming the role of General Manager in 2006. He is passionate about the hospitality and tourism industry and has worked in the sector for more than 25 years, holding key leadership roles in groups as diverse as Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Princess Cruises and Accor. At Meriton Suites, Matthew oversees the strategic expansion of the chain, with a further four hotels underway, and leads a workforce of more than 500 hotel professionals. Together with Meriton Group Managing Director Harry Triguboff A.O., he works closely with industry groups and government to constantly improve the overall visitor experience. Under Matthew’s expertise, Meriton Suites has grown from its early days as a pioneer of the serviced apartment concept to an award-winning hotel market leader with 6,204 suites in 23 locations across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Matthew became a company director of Meriton Group in 2015.

Shayne Lucas

State General Manager - QLD

Shayne joined Meriton Suites in 2006, starting in front of house operations. With over 20 years of hotel experience, Shayne led the successful opening of multiple hotels in Queensland. He now oversees hotel operations in the Sunshine State, from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, as the State General Manager. Shayne’s role is crucial in planning, forecasting, and setting objectives.

Katherine Jenkins

Head of People & Culture

Katherine joins Meriton Suites with over 8 years of experience in Human Resources Management, with her most recent role being Regional People and Capability Manager for TFE Hotels, where Katherine looked after 28 hotels across NSW & ACT and TFE corporate head office.

Pamela McCabe

National Revenue Manager

Pamela joined Meriton Suites in 2016 and has brought a wealth of knowledge with nearly two decades of experience in operations, having worked previously with Accor. Pamela has progressed from Hotel Manager to Area Manager and now as National Revenue Manager, where she leads a team to set strategies to position Meriton Suites as the leader in apartment accommodation in Australia.

Temara Exton

Head of Operations - NSW, ACT & VIC

Temara joins Meriton Suites from the Park Hyatt Sydney, where she has led the Rooms Division as Executive Assistant Manager – Rooms since July 2018. Temara brings a wealth of leadership experience to Meriton Suites, previously as Director of Rooms at the W New York and Gansevoort Park Avenue New York, Assistant Director Front Office W New York Union Square and 15 years’ prior experience in Front Office and Housekeeping.

Wendy Lemaire

National Sales Manager

Wendy has worked in hotels for the last 20 years, starting in operations and then taking up Business Development roles with Stamford Hotels & Resorts and Mantra since 2002. As the National Sales Manager, Wendy and the Corporate Sales Team are responsible for showcasing our brand to potential clients, securing new business and driving valuable relationships with all of our corporate travellers.