Mohamed Mattar has been recruited as the F&B manager of H Dubai Hotel, moving from his recent post as F&B operations manager at Fairmont Dubai - Sheikh Zayed Road and brings with him 20 years of hospitality experience. Mattar started his career with Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Taba, Egypt.

Ligia Brasoveanu has been appointed as general manager of Hilton Garden Inn in Ras Al Khaimah. Ligia’s most recent role saw her serve as hotel manager of the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa, the award-winning beachfront property. She has 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara in Oman has appointed Adil Al Lawati as its new resident manager. Lawati joins following 18 years of experience, having previously worked for Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Millennium Resort Mussanah and Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort and Spa in Oman.

Minor Hotels has hired Ramine Behnam as vice-president development for Europe, Middle East & Africa. Behnam has worked with JLL Middle East & Africa in Dubai and the M.A. Kharafi Group in development, acquisitions and asset management, based out of Cairo. Most recently, Behnam was with Marriott in Dubai.

Jocelyn Ong is now director of finance (from her previous role of resident director of finance) for Hyatt Regency Dubai & Galleria. She will oversee all finance related activities at the property, which include budgeting, forecasting, account reconciliation, auditing as well as profit and loss reporting.

Anantara Qasr Al Sarab announces three key appointments: Jordan national Hussam Khraisat joins as executive assistant manager, Mario Pertl as food and beverage director, and Louis Badenhorst as executive chef. The induction of the trio with their vast experience will bring in new dynamism in the management team. Khraisat has a solid hospitality background in personnel and operations management and he has been in the industry for two decades. An Austrian native, Pertl is an enthusiastic hotelier with 20 years of food and beverage experience. Louis Badenhorst hails from South Africa and is a seasoned chef with 14 years of culinary expertise.

Ahmad Shaban Fernandez appointed vice president, sales and marketing, for Barceló Gulf, partner of Barceló Hotel Group. Apart from leading commercial operations, expanding brand presence in the entire Middle East region, he will be responsible for developing strategic plans based on the brand’s objectives.

The appointment of UAE national Sharihan Al Mashary as the general manager of Manzil Downtown sets a new milestone in Emiratization in the hospitality sector. Al Mashary’s appointment complements the unique appeal of Manzil Downtown, an upscale lifestyle hotel which celebrates its Arabesque design.