Directing operations at Safir
SAFIR has appointed Mark Elawadi group director for development and asset management. He is also a regional director for operations in Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

Elawadi has held executive positions with the Renaissance International Hotels, Marriott Hotels and the Cumberland Hotel, London.

PR gets Ritzy
NEW to their positions at the Ritz-Carlton are Lorey Heynike and Laura Perez. Both ladies have been promoted to directors of public relations for The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai and The Ritz-Carlton, Doha respectively.

Thai’s right!
LE Meridien Abu Dhabi welcomes Chef Puwin Chunesiri as the new chef at its popular Talay restaurant. Puwin is dedicated to Thai cuisine and is known for his creative and imaginative food. He has worked  in Singapore, Malaysia and the Maldives.

Al Nasiri flies high
AIR Arabia has appointed Khalid Abdulla Al Nasiri as manager for Qatar. A Qatari national, Nasiri began as a management trainee at Gulf Air and grew to regional head of security, airport manager and area manager.

Selling paradise
THE Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, has named Mohamed Taher director of sales. Taher brings with him 17 years of experience in tourism and hospitality and joins the Shangri-La from Accor Business and Leisure Hotels.

David at the Dusit
DAVID O'Hanlon has been appointed director of food and beverage at the Dusit Dubai, part the Bangkok-based five-star hotel chain, Dusit Hotels and Resorts. David joins the Dusit Dubai from the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels in Istanbul, and has 15 years of international experience under his belt.

GM for Le Royal Meridien
MAJEED Khalil has been nominated general manager of Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi. Khalil has over 34 years experience in the hospitality industry.  In his new position, he will oversee the last stages of the hotel’s refurbishment plan and the huge task of positioning this newly branded hotel in the marketplace.