Queenstown's Hotel St Moritz has appointed Jo Finnigan as its new general manager, replacing Lynne McVicar who has been with the hotel for 18 years.
Mrs Finnigan, formerly the director of sales, distribution and marketing, steps in to the role having spent all but two of those years as Mrs McVicar's "right-hand man''.
The duo have been a force to be reckoned with over the years, winning several Tourism Awards, including the prestigious Distinction Award.
In New Zealand they also represent "Women at Accor Generation'' - a network focused on career progression for women within the AccorHotels group.
St Moritz Management director Graham Wilkinson said the hotel had been "incredibly fortunate'' to have retained Mrs McVicar as general manager for nearly two decades.
"Her guidance and mentoring of talent is her real legacy.
"She's nurtured and inspired countless employees, who've spread throughout the world, and many believe they owe their success to the values she's imparted.''
Mrs McVicar said while it was hard to leave she was excited about the hotel's future.
"After 20 years working with Accor and 18 years since I started working with Hotel St Moritz in its development stage, it's been an incredibly emotional decision for me to resign.
"Handing the reins over to Jo is truly the most perfect closure.''
Mrs McVicar would continue her association with Mr Wilkinson, who built the property in 1998, focusing on his portfolio of hotel and retirement village assets.
