Christopher Pye AM

Chris is the CEO and Chair of the Hospitality Group of Companies which includes Hospitality, Hospitality Inns, the Eco Company, WA Pass and DriveWA.

He was born in Perth, educated at Christ Church Grammar School and holds an Honours degree in Law from the University of Western Australia. His extensive practical experience in the Hospitality Industry spans well over 40 years.  His foresight, vision, leadership, hard-work and passion for the Western Australian Hospitality and Tourism Industries and the WA community have allowed him to make a strong contribution to the success of those companies and several community and sporting groups.

The Hospitality Group currently owns and operates motels in Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Esperance and owns a significant share with Jon Jessop in – and together they manage – the Kalbarri Edge Resort.  The Eco Company oversaw the completion and opening and then ran the Karijini Eco Retreat for many years.

Chris is also a Director of the ACE Cinemas PL Group with cinema complexes in a joint venture with Hoyts at Midland and on their own at Rockingham.

He was the chair of the Regional Tourism Organisation “Australia’s Golden Outback” – which represents about half of Western Australia – for more than nine years and a member since its inception.  Chris is also a Life Member and former Chair of the Tourism Council WA – the peak lobby group and membership organisation for the WA Tourism Industry

Chris was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2017 for services to Tourism and the Community.

He was also awarded the Sir David Brand Medal – the peak award given to an individual – at the 2009 WA Tourism Awards for his longstanding and passionate contribution to the WA Tourism Industry and is:

• member of the Australian Hotels Association Accommodation Division Hall of Fame
• former Director Perth Convention Bureau
• former Director WAITOC (Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council).

Despite these demanding positions, Chris finds the time to support his favourite children’s charity, Variety WA, of which he is a former Chairman of Directors and proud Life Member. He is also a former Vice Chair and a Life Member of the Western Australian Trotting Association and former Treasurer and now Life Member of the Western Australian Standardbred Breeders Association.

Chris brings a wealth of commercial, legal and governance, accounting and budgeting skills and many years of practical experience to the Executive Committee (Board) of FACET and some useful tourism industry contacts.  He is currently FACET’s Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Governance Subcommittee.