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Board & Management
Director and Chair - James Baillie
James Baillie is a 20-year veteran of high profile Australian luxury lodge properties. Having (almost) grown up on Heron Island, James became the founding managing director for P&O Resorts in the 1998 and steered Australia’s first portfolio of premium experiential properties including Lizard, Bedarra & Wilson Islands and Silky Oaks Lodge. When P&O sold to Voyages in the 2003, James began planning an intimate collection of new Australian luxury. In 2004, James and wife Hayley opened Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island and in 2008 they launched the much lauded Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. In early 2009, British travel magazine Tatler named Southern Ocean Lodge as Hotel of the Year, confirming SOL’s many accolades. Throughout his career, James has actively promoted Australia as an up-market global destination for discerning travelers and is personally known to media and travel trade in major markets such as the US, UK and Europe.
Director and Deputy Chair - Phillipa Harrison
Phillipa Harrison is general manager of sales for Hamilton Island, and particularly for its three year old luxury retreat, qualia Resort. qualia is widely regarded as the new top luxury destination on the Australian Whitsunday Coast and Great Barrier Reef. Previously she was vice president for internet travel services company Viator, following a 15-year career in travel trade in Sydney and London. Phillipa is particularly focused on the use of internet search engine technology, website tools and online social media for connecting visitors to exciting destinations.
Director and Secretary - Jim Carreker
Jim Carreker is managing director for Arbutus Hospitality Group, the owner / manager of The Louise luxury vineyard retreat and Appellation restaurant in South Australia’s Barossa Valley. The Louise was named as the country’s Luxury Accommodation category winner in the Qantas National Tourism Awards in February 2008 and Australia’s top Luxury Accommodation (Under 100 Rooms) in the Weekend Australian’s annual Travel & Tourism Awards in February 2010. Jim has piloted the foundation of Luxury Lodges of Australia, having convened the principals of Australia’s top properties and guided the creation of the not-for-profit association through its formation. Earlier in his career, he was CEO of a US technology company for 15 years.
Director - Charlie Carlow
Charlie Carlow is the CEO of Wild Bush Luxury, an owner / operator of three premium Australian properties offering luxury accommodation and memorable guest experiences in natural remote locations: Bamurru Plains in the Top End, recently opened Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges and Sal Salis tented camp at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.
Director - Judith North
Jude North is the Sales Director for Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, the Emirates owned luxury conservation-led resort located in the Greater Blue Mountains region north west of Sydney. Judith has had an extensive career with the tourism industry, with a focus on international marketing and sales. Following 15 years with Tourism Queensland in various roles culminating in managing Tourism Queensland’s European operation, based in Munich, Judith has held various senior marketing and sales roles with tourism product. This includes six years with P&O Australian Resorts initially based in London looking after the UK/Europe markets then as Director of Marketing & Sales based in Sydney, responsible for marketing premium resorts such as Lizard Island, Bedarra and Silky Oaks globally. Judith's contact base within the tourism industry is extensive, covering most major international markets, the Australian inbound industry, and Australian national, state and regional tourism organisations.
Executive Officer - Penny Rafferty
Penny Rafferty heads up the marketing and operations for Luxury Lodges of Australia, reporting to the board. Penny joined Luxury Lodges at formation in January 2010 from The Louise, Barossa Valley where she served as general manager for four years, leading this fifteen-suite property to international acclaim as one of Australia’s new luxury lodge culinary tourism destinations. Previously she was general manager of Chateau Tanunda in the Barossa, after being part of the launch team and sponsorship manager for the See Australia domestic marketing initiative (now incorporated into Tourism Australia). Earlier in her career she led the startup marketing development for the performing arts festival and centre at Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch South Africa and was a business development manager and marketing director for the performing arts and publishing in London and Sydney.