Our Executive Team

Paul Waterson led the creation of Australian Venue Co, and has driven the group’s rapid growth from a small Victorian pub group to one of the country’s largest and most dynamic hospitality groups. Paul brings experience from General Manager roles at Spotless and Healthscope. Paul’s experience from outside the hospitality industry has brought strong corporate management to AVC and this has been instrumental to the company’s successful and rapid growth.

Craig Ellison is responsible for the operational performance of Australian Venue Co and his wealth of knowledge has been key in expanding the group’s portfolio. With more than 25 years’ experience in managing and owning large pub groups, Craig has stimulated long-term sustainable growth across a range of venues. Prior to AVC, Craig was the co-founder and COO of Open Door Pub Co and has strong credentials in operating large, historic gastronomic pubs. Craig’s extensive knowledge has been invaluable in re-developing existing pubs and successfully driving AVC’s business performance.

Kylie Moncur has built the group’s industry-leading sales and marketing strategy.

Kylie is heavily involved in the group’s brownfield and greenfield concept development and branding while also ensuring the sustained organic growth and development of existing venues.

Kylie draws on extensive hospitality experience including seven years as National Marketing Manager of Publican Group. Kylie leads a sales and marketing department which includes a number of specialised teams across digital marketing, brand & communications, events, activations, sales and marketing management.

David Noonan brings over twenty years of finance experience to AVC. David was previously the CFO of Regis Healthcare. Prior to joining Regis, David held the roles of CFO and GM Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Murray Goulburn. David has also held senior finance roles at Fletcher Building, OneSteel, Smorgon Steel, and Amcor. David commenced his career with Price Waterhouse in Australia and the US.

Marianne joined the Australian Venue Co team in 2018 and brought a wealth of knowledge from over 15 years working in the digital and marketing space, specialising in hospitality and retail. Previous roles at Australian Hospitality Management, The Publican Group, and Queen Victoria Market, have shaped Marianne’s career and her passion for food, drinks, and the technology that drives exceptional customer experiences.

Marianne brings a data-driven mindset to the sales and marketing team and has broad experience in delivering digital and technology projects and integrations. Marianne has led AVC to become an industry leader in technology and data-driven marketing.

Rachel Checinski brings extensive commercial experience in hospitality and FMCG to AVC in her role as Chief People Officer.

Overseeing the People & Culture team, Rachel is the driving force behind AVC’s human resources strategy that spans a workforce of over 8500 employees.

Central to this strategy is effective talent acquisition and recruitment, which ensures AVC’s 200+ pubs and bars across Australia and New Zealand are able to attract, hire and retain high performing teams.  This includes talent management and mobility alongside a robust visa program.

Under Rachel’s leadership, the People & Culture team has developed and implemented industry leading systems to increase rostering efficiencies, enhance staff onboarding experience and improve efficiency of staff contracting.

Rachel and team act as trusted advisors to the business and employees on complex workplace relations matters and workplace health & safety initiatives alongside a range of internal HR policies and procedures.

During her time with the company, Rachel has supported the growth of AVC from a small pub group to one of the country’s leading hospitality employers.

Working closely with the Executive Team, Chris Mallalue leads the group’s project development business strategy. Chris is a career property professional and development industry leader with experience within Lend Lease, Urban, and GURNER™. Leveraging business expertise in activations and placemaking, Chris forms long-term partnerships with landlords and developers to drive growth opportunities for AVC. Chris has been prominent in growing the portfolio as the preferred partner for new food and beverage opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2022, Bianca Dawson joined Australian Venue Co as Chief Training and Development Officer where she oversees the Group’s national learning and development strategy.

Previously the Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne-based hospitality company Sand Hill Road Group, Bianca brings extensive experience across people management, training, culture and recruitment to her role at AVC.

Bianca joined Sand Hill Road Group in 2017 as People & Culture Manager where she successfully managed the extensive recruitment, induction, and training program for the 300-strong opening team at Hotel Esplanade.

In 2020, Bianca was appointed Chief Operating Officer at Sand Hill Road Group, overseeing the operational performance and growth opportunities for the business.  After leading her team through one of the most challenging two years the hospitality industry has seen, Bianca was promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2022.

With over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Bianca is passionate about aligning learning strategy with business strategy to foster a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

Recently appointed, Sam Lewis brings deep experience to AVC. As Vice President at A.T. Kearney, a leading global consultancy, he was instrumental in setting up and leading the Procurement and Analytics consulting practice in Melbourne, delivering large-scale cost reduction and transformation-based projects to a wide range of clients and industries. His 20 years of consulting allow Sam to bring significant experience from many clients and industries to AVC.

Hardi Nagreh commenced as General Counsel and Company Secretary of Australian Venue Co in November 2017. Prior to AVC, Hardi held senior legal roles at Spotless Group and King & Wood Mallesons. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Monika joined AVC in October 2018 and is responsible for the management of the group’s licences and permit requirements to operate AVC’s hotels, pubs, restaurants, bars, and event centres across Australia and New Zealand. Monika works closely with the venues, department heads, and external stakeholders to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for acquisitions, new project builds, major renovations, activations and special events. Prior to AVC, Monika worked at Spotless Group within the Group Risk & Assurance team, managing the licensing and compliance requirements for the business.

Yvette leads the delivery of the AVC greenfield and brownfield projects in Australia and New Zealand. Yvette brings experience from outside the hospitality industry, drawing expertise from GURNER and Goldfields Group on the delivery of large scale residential and commercial projects.