Ariadne Australia Limited announced that the Company's Chairman, Mr. David Baffsky AO, passed away on 4 December, 2022. David was an inspirational leader, an innovative and strategic thinker and a compassionate mentor, who, with his many instrumental and decisive contributions to the Company during his 14 years on the Board, helped transform Ariadne into the company that it is today. His passion for hospitality in the Asia Pacific region, and his personal drive to raise the bar across the industry, was unparalleled.

Mr. Baffsky AO, was appointed as a Director of Ariadne on 18 March 2008 and Chairman of the Board on 13 January 2009. Mr. Baffsky was Honorary Chairman (formerly Executive Chairman between 1993 and 2008) of Accor Asia Pacific, which is the largest hotel management company in the Asia Pacific region. Amongst previous roles, Mr. Baffsky was Chairman of Investa Property Group, a Director of Destination NSW, The George Institute, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and a board member of Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

He was a Director of SATS Limited, Chairman of Food & Allied Support Services Corporation Ltd, a Trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW, Chairman of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Ltd. and a Director of the Indigenous Land Corporation. He was a member of the Business Government Advisory Group on National Security and a member of the Federal Government's Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce. In 2001 Mr. Baffsky was made an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia and in 2003 he received the Centenary Medal.

In 2004 he was recognised as the Asia Pacific Hotelier of the Year. In 2012 he was awarded the Chevalier in the Order of National Légion d'Honneur of France.