Wafik Youssef, a 10-year hospitality expert, has been appointed vice president operations, Middle East & Africa at Kempinski Hotels. In his new role, Youssef will continue to support the MEA operations and reinforce the Kempinski brand. More recently, he was the regional director of operations, Middle East & Africa.

Kieran Hartwell is the first MD for corporate travel at Travel Counsellors. Hartwell’s role will include scaling Travel Counsellors for Business over the next five years, identifying the right investments to support the growing network of corporate travel specialists and clients, and acting as global leader for corporate.

Emirates has appointed Shahreyar Nawabi as senior vice-president Legal, Compliance & Privacy. In his expanded role, Nawabi, a UAE National, will lead Emirates' growing compliance efforts globally. He will continue to lead and manage the legal teams, while also retaining his appointment as the Group's data privacy officer.

Miguel Duarte Silva has been appointed as F&B director at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Since arriving in Dubai in 2015, Silva has worked as operations manager for Grosvenor House which won multiple awards under his leadership, and managed the teams at Belgian Beer Café, Cargo, Maison Mathis and Le Petit Belge.

Fairmont Dubai appoints Samuel Saravanan as director of engineering. Most recently, he was chief engineer at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Saravanan brings 24 years of experience across multiple industries. His prior tenure with Accor included successful senior unit leadership appointments. 

Simarna Singh, a 22-year-old joins JA Resorts & Hotels as their official sustainability consultant, responsible for all 9 properties across the UAE and Indian Ocean. Singh represented the UAE Youth Delegation at the GMIS conference in Russia and was UN Global Compact Youth Ambassador in 2017.

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi bolsters its F&B team by welcoming a new executive chef, pastry chef and restaurant manager. The 51-year-old executive chef, Michael Gremer, brings with him more than two decades of culinary expertise. He has a solid background in top management roles in luxury and international hotels across Asia, including countries such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. Hamza Ghazi Al Durdang is the second to join the team as their newest pastry chef. Themis Kouris has been welcomed as the venue manager of MAZI Abu Dhabi.

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi bolsters its F&B team by welcoming a new executive chef, pastry chef and restaurant manager. The 51-year-old executive chef, Michael Gremer, brings with him more than two decades of culinary expertise. He has a solid background in top management roles in luxury and international hotels across Asia, including countries such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. Hamza Ghazi Al Durdang is the second to join the team as their newest pastry chef. Themis Kouris has been welcomed as the venue manager of MAZI Abu Dhabi.