Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts, which operates 10 Middle Eastern and African properties with eight more under development in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, has appointed Briton, Mark Willis, as general manager of the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Bahrain.

Willis replaces Heimo Leitgeb, who moves to spearhead the chain's operations in Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Willis, 36, joins from Radisson SAS Airport Hotel, Oslo, where he also was general manager.

He has extensive Middle East experience stemming from various management positions in Radisson SAS and other industry players.

In 1995 he was appointed as executive chef at the Al Ain Intercontinental Hotel and two years later he moved to Dubai's Oasis Beach Hotel where he was in charge of food and beverage. He has also held managerial positions in hotels in the UK and South Africa.