Bahrain Hotels Company (BHC) has appointed Mohammed Buzizi as board member and BHC managing director.

Aqeel Raees will take over Buzizi's former role of chief executive. A new general manager to replace Raees has not yet been named.

BHC board chairman Farouk Almoayyed said the restructuring of BHC was necessary to cope with the increasing demands brought about by the company's expansion plans.

"We are acquiring and managing more hotels and tourism projects in Bahrain and overseas," he said.

Almoayyed praised the BHC management team, as well as that of the Gulf Hotel and Gulf Cellar, for their outstanding performance. Buzizi joined the Gulf Hotel in 1971 and went on to become the first Bahraini five-star hotel general manager.

He studied at Brighton College in the UK where he earned a degree in catering and hotel management.

When he returned to Bahrain, Buzizi worked as a trainee manager for nearly a year.

His first job at the Gulf Hotel was assistant office manager, then sales manager. He worked his way through the sales department and was promoted in 1980 to general manager, a position he held for 10 years.

In 1990, Buzizi was promoted to BHC general manager, and was responsible for both the hotel and Gulf Cellar. He was named chief executive a year later. Raees joined the Gulf Hotel nearly 28 years ago.

He also earned a degree from Brighton College, returning to Bahrain where he began the management training programme at the Gulf Hotel.

In less than a year, he was named night manager.

Raees has also worked as guest relations manager, front office supervisor and rooms division manager.

He has completed several overseas training and internships programmes before being named general manager in 1990.