Bear brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a decade-long career in the hospitality industry.

His journey in hospitality began with a Bachelor of International Hotel Management at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School between 2015 and 2017.

Bear’s career highlights include completing the Accor Post Graduate Program in 2021 and securing his first general manager role at just 26 years of age, at Mercure Sydney Manly Warringah.

Among his achievements, Bear was named runner-up for Australian Rising Star of the Year at the HM Awards.

He also led initiatives such as becoming the first sponsor of the Manly Sea Eagles Women’s NRL team.

His dedication extends beyond the workplace, with personal philanthropic efforts such as raising more than $14,000 for Children’s Cancer Institute through CEO Dare to Cure, and championing inclusivity in the disability sector through his involvement with Hotel Etico, Australia’s first social enterprise hotel.

“I’m thrilled to join Novotel Geelong and to have the opportunity to contribute to such a vibrant region,” says Bear.

“I look forward to working with our team to elevate the guest experience while building meaningful partnerships with the local community.”

As general manager of Novotel Geelong, Bear aims to create exceptional experiences for visitors to the city.

He is passionate about fostering local connections, engaging with charities and supporting volunteer initiatives that enrich the community.