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Natalie Siemsen’s career in hospitality began at the Eastwood Hotel, where her passion for people and creating memorable experiences took root. Over the years, she’s grown through diverse roles, including Gaming Logistics Coordinator, Gaming Training and Operations Manager, Area Manager, and now Group Gaming Manager. For Natalie, hospitality is more than a job – it’s a balance of work and life, driven by amazing people who’ve shaped her personal and professional growth.

An extrovert at heart, Natalie loves the dynamic nature of hospitality and the opportunities it provides for building relationships and tackling new challenges. Her advice to aspiring professionals? Embrace the ever-changing landscape and focus on creating exceptional, fun, and memorable experiences.

When she’s not working, Natalie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and loved ones, indulging in great food and drinks. Her go-to pub meal is a schnitzel, and with summer around the corner, you’ll find her sipping an Aperol Spritz.

Jonathon Strickland’s (aka Jono) passion for hospitality began at a young age, influenced by his parents’ dedication to hosting and creating special experiences for their guests. His first job, washing dishes at a small hotel in a UK village, sparked a love for the industry. From there, Jono’s career expanded to roles across gastropubs, restaurants, nightclubs, and even a hairdresser in Australia, each experience helping him build a broad set of skills.

Now an Area Manager at Redcape, Jono is focused on developing teams that deliver magical, personalised experiences. He believes that great hospitality comes from genuine care and attention to detail, whether it’s remembering a guest’s favourite wine or simply offering coasters without being asked. His advice to aspiring professionals? Integrity, sharing knowledge, and saying yes to new opportunities are key to success.

Jono’s favourite pub meal is a hearty chicken and mushroom pie, paired with his drink of choice – a South Australian Chardonnay. Outside of work, he enjoys running, boxing, and spending time with his dog Erik. Fun fact: Jonathon’s hair grows into an afro!

Angela Norton’s career path took her from auditing to managing complex gaming systems, but it’s her passion for problem-solving and teamwork that defines her success. Starting at Star Casinos, Angela worked her way through finance and IT roles, including major projects like rolling out SAP and the Konami gaming system. After 16 years, she joined Redcape, where she now drives innovation as Business Systems Manager.

Angela loves the ever-changing landscape of hospitality, where no two days are the same. Her goal? To simplify processes and enhance the customer and staff experience through technology. For Angela, it’s all about working with great people – from venue staff to suppliers – and embracing the variety that each day brings.

Her favourite pub meal is a chicken schnitzel with Diane sauce, and when she’s not working, you’ll find her enjoying the races, watching NRL (go the Bunnies!), or unwinding with friends. Fun fact: Angela was a national-level swimmer in her youth!

Jaimie Masson’s journey in hospitality began while studying at university, picking up casual shifts at The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay. Starting out by clearing tables and cleaning floors, he quickly progressed through barback and cellar roles, eventually moving into management. After two years, Jaimie joined Merivale, working across various venues before becoming Licensee of Ivy during his nine-year stint.

In late 2020, Jaimie joined Redcape, and by 2022, he was promoted to Area Manager. He believes hospitality offers unmatched flexibility, growth opportunities, and a rewarding career. His advice to aspiring professionals? Immerse yourself in every role, and always have a mentor.

Jaimie’s favourite pub meal is a classic steak with chips and Bearnaise sauce, and when it’s time to unwind, you’ll find him taking his dog for a long walk or enjoying a cold beer or a nice glass of red wine.

Josh McMahon’s journey in hospitality began nearly 19 years ago while he was studying medical science with plans to become a doctor. But while trying to break into clinical research, he picked up bartending roles in Sydney and got hooked on the city’s food and drink scene and loved the creativity that hospitality allows. So, Josh made a bold move and seized an opportunity to swap science for hospitality. The decision saw him embarked on a fulfilling and exciting career that has taken him from superyachts on the French Riviera to country pubs, high-end cocktail bars, and fine dining restaurants.

Josh thrives on the buzz of a packed service, interacting with guests and staff, and the satisfaction of creating unforgettable experiences. As a self-proclaimed food and beverage nerd, he appreciates the access to world-class products and skilled teams. His top tip for newcomers in the industry? Stay curious, dive into every aspect of the business, and turn every customer interaction into a learning moment.

Josh’s favourite getaway? Tokyo, Japan, for its amazing food and drink culture. Fun fact: he once worked for Judge Judy on her yacht in Antibes, France! When it’s time to unwind, you’ll find him sipping on an ice-cold gin martini with olives and fino sherry.

In her early twenties, Jenny’s mum encouraged her to get a casual gig at The Retro nightclub in Sydney to boost her confidence. From her very first shift, she was hooked on the industry. At first, she didn’t think she’d stick with hospitality long-term, but over time, she found a way to mix her love for hospitality and marketing and now holds the position of Head of Brands at Redcape.

Jenny has some great advice for people pursuing a career in the industry: Make sure you let your team know your passions and skills beyond hospitality, as there is a breadth of opportunities out there! For her, delivering extraordinary experiences is all about creating joyful moments that reach beyond the customer’s expectations.

When it comes to her favourite pub meal, Jenny is all about a good schnitzel – it’s a great ‘yard stick’ when judging the quality of a pub. As for travel, she loves London for its rich history and Taormina in Sicily for its stunning beauty. Outside of work, she’s into arts and crafts, like drawing and up-cycling furniture. Her biggest inspiration comes from her lifelong friends, a tight-knit group of ten strong women who’ve had each other’s backs for over 30 years.

Rebecca’s passion for hospitality shines through in every aspect of her career. “What do you enjoy most about working in the hospitality industry?” For Rebecca, it’s all about the people. “I love looking after people and making sure they have a good time,” she shares warmly. This genuine enthusiasm for creating the right experience for her guests extends beyond work; she and her wife frequently host friends for dinners, embodying hospitality in their personal lives.

Rebecca’s journey in hospitality began at the age of 17, collecting glasses in an English nightclub. By 18, she was a bartender, drawn to the vibrant atmosphere and joy of satisfying customers. Even after pursuing university studies, Rebecca’s heart remained in hospitality and in 2017, she moved to Sydney with her wife, where she landed a role managing a café for four years.

Joining the Willoughby Hotel team as Functions Manager in 2022, we’re thrilled to announce her promotion to Venue Manager of the beloved, heritage-listed pub in Sydney’s Lower North Shore.

Rebecca’s vision for the Willoughby Hotel is to maintain a strong community presence where people of all ages and backgrounds feel welcomed and at home the moment they step through the doors.

When asked for advice to aspiring hospitality professionals, Rebecca’s message is clear: “Go for it, get involved, enjoy it, work hard, and have fun!” Her enthusiasm is infectious, reflecting her own approach to her career.

Rebecca’s journey in hospitality isn’t just about career milestones; it’s about embracing passion, community, and the joy of creating memorable experiences for everyone she encounters.

Congratulations on your appointment to Venue Manager, Bec – we’re all behind you and excited to see you succeed in your new role leading the Willo team!

Meet Brian, our Group Executive Head Chef. His journey from Ireland to Australia, culminating in his recent Australian citizenship, epitomises a career driven by a passion for delivering quality and exceptional customer experiences, alongside a pursuit of diverse and fulfilling opportunities in hospitality. Since joining Redcape in November 2022, Brian has added a new chapter to his already dynamic career.

Brian’s hospitality journey in Australia began a decade ago as Sous Chef at Chiswick in Woollahra, followed by roles at prestigious restaurants including being part of the opening team at Bennelong at the Opera House and Head Chef at the celebrated three-hat restaurant, Quay. He also served as Head Chef at Stix within the Fink Group, overseeing various aspects of its business from cafes to catering.

At Redcape, Brian works with our GM of Food, Ben, to drive the performance of our food channel. He also plays a pivotal role in mentoring, training and inspiring our head chefs to exceed our customers’ expectations while coaching them to lead their teams and manage their businesses. As a leader, Brian is dedicated to fostering a culture of trust, respect, and continuous learning among his kitchen teams. He passionately advocates for sustainable practices and teamwork.