AustCham Shanghai has welcomed the return of Executive Director Kate Pollitt who is back in the post after six months maternity leave. Kate, and husband Hamish, (Head Chef of Shanghai’s M on the Bund) became proud parents to Archie in April.

Meanwhile, after three years with the Chamber, AustCham Shanghai has farewelled Events and Marketing Manager Irina Mach who is moving to Nanjing to take up a business development role with International SOS. In that time, Irina has organised over 150 business and social events annually for the Chamber.

Telstra International has appointed Phil Mottram to the position of Executive Director, Global Sales and will be based in Hong Kong. Mr Mottram will report to Telstra International’s Group Managing Director, Tarek Robbiati. Previously, Mr Mottram was the Director of Sales for BT’s Openreach and has held various senior executive sales positions with BT for the past nine years. From the United Kingdom, Phil has almost 20 years experience in the telecommunications industry.

Amy Wong has recently joined Bank of East Asia (China) Limited as Business Development Manager for Financial Institutions. Her main clientele base and focus is centered on foreign banks based in Mainland China. Amy has recently moved to Shanghai from Sydney and previously worked for one of Australia’s big four banks. She has completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and International Business from Bond University, Gold Coast.

Michelle Koh has recently taken up a position as Apple Retail’s Project Manager of New Store Openings for the Asia Pacific. Apple plans to open 25 new stores across China in the near future and already has four stores in Beijing and Shanghai. Previously, Michelle worked as the General Manager of David Laris Creates in Shanghai. She had been with the company for the past five years as it launched numerous successful projects in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors in China. Michelle is originally from Sydney and remains based in Shanghai.

Sarah Stewart has recently joined Touchmedia, in a newly-created role as International Business Development Manager. Established in 2003, Shanghai-based Touchmedia is a world leader in interactive touch screen technology and in-taxi advertising. Sarah has been in China for three years, and spent the last two years as a Project Manager at the Beijing Consulting Group, and as Director of Development for the Australia China Alumni Association where she established the Shanghai branch of this now-national networking association. Sarah will continue to be based in Shanghai.

Beijing’s China World Hotel has announced Australian Matthew McCool as Aria Restaurant’s chef de cuisine and will lead the restaurant’s culinary team and kitchen operations. Prior to coming to Beijing, Matthew lived in London and worked in such Michelin Star establishments as Chez Bruce and Gordon Ramsey’s Maze. Matthew’s culinary career began at the Quay Restaurant in Sydney – ranked as one of the world’s top 50 restaurants.

Wine critic and author Jeremy Oliver, Australia’s leading wine presence in many of Asia’s key markets, has appointed a business partner for his activities in China – Yin Lixue, Godolphin Wine Services principal. Yin Lixue has a strong background in the wine industry and event management and is regularly employed in China to host wine educational events and courses. Ms Yin is well connected with the media, the wine trade and the corporate sectors within China.

After four years in Beijing, Matthew Chisholm is moving to Shanghai to take up the role of Director and Head of Office Services Landlord Agency with CB Richard Ellis where he replaces Tim O’Connor who is returning to Sydney. In Beijing, Matthew was a director of office services with CB Richard Ellis and is replaced by Eric Wang. Matthew is originally from Adelaide.

Christine Baker is the Australia China Alumni Association’s new Director of Communications and Development (Beijing). Christine is a University of Technology, Sydney and Macquarie University alumna. Christine will lead the ACAA’s communications strategy and play a key role in developing and expanding the association in Beijing. She has been based in Beijing since 2005 and brings more than five years’ experience in communications to the ACAA.

AustCham Beijing’s AIESEC-Australia China Young Leaders program recently placed Peter Tang as the news Project Manager for Intercedent Limited, an International Investment and Advisory firm. Peter recently completed his Masters in International Economics and Finance in the US and has previously worked for the China Construction Bank in Guangzhou. ■

*If your company or organisation has an Aust-China HR related announcement to make or you know of people on the move, send details to sophiel@chinaconnections.com.au.