Photo: Rodney Harrex & Andrew Bullock
South Australian hotel management group 1834 Hotels has announced a major leadership shift, appointing former South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex as its new Chief Executive Officer as the company prepares for its next phase of expansion.
The appointment signals a clear growth play for the Adelaide-based operator, which manages a portfolio of 60 hotels and tourism assets across Australia and New Zealand and is increasingly positioning itself as a major force in regional and metropolitan accommodation.
Harrex brings extensive experience across Australia’s tourism and hospitality sectors, having held senior roles in destination development and commercial strategy at both the South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Australia. He joined 1834 Hotels as Chief Operating Officer in 2025 and has since played a central role in strengthening performance across the group’s properties.
Founder Andrew Bullock will transition into the role of Executive Chairman, focusing on long-term strategy and development as the business accelerates its growth ambitions.
“Rod’s appointment reflects both the maturity of our organisation and the scale of opportunity ahead,” Bullock said. “His track record in tourism, combined with his intimate understanding of our business model and our owners’ priorities, makes him the right leader for this next chapter.”
The leadership change comes at a time of strong momentum for the tourism sector nationally, with operators looking to capitalise on increased domestic travel, events-driven visitation and renewed international interest.
Bullock’s shift to Executive Chairman is expected to sharpen the company’s strategic direction, particularly around new development opportunities and expansion of its management footprint across regional and metropolitan Australia and New Zealand.
Harrex said his focus would be on accelerating the company’s expansion while continuing to deliver strong results for property owners and partners.
“Australian tourism is experiencing strong momentum, and there’s significant opportunity for well-capitalised, owner-aligned operators,” Harrex said. “1834 Hotels has built a strong reputation for delivering results in both regional and metropolitan markets. I’m excited to work with our team and partners to grow the network and capture the opportunities ahead.”
Since its establishment, 1834 Hotels has built a reputation around operational performance, guest experience and owner alignment, managing a diverse mix of hotels, motels and tourism assets across multiple markets.
With Harrex now at the helm and Bullock stepping into a strategic leadership role, the company is signalling confidence in both the strength of the tourism recovery and the scale of opportunity ahead for operators with national reach and strong regional connections.
For South Australia, the move also reinforces the influence of local tourism leadership on the national stage, as one of the state’s most experienced industry figures steps into a role guiding growth across Australia and New Zealand.
