On the move

Berberoğlu is Rixos CEO

Buğra Berberoğlu, senior executive at Kempinski Hotels for the last 10 years, joins Rixos Hotels as chief executive officer to propel the Turkish hospitality brand’s growth in Europe, Asia and Africa. Berberoğlu worked in several senior roles after graduating from the prestigious Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne in 1995.

Tresch joins InterContinental

The iconic InterContinental Genève welcomed Jacky Tresch as the newly appointed director of business development. In his new role, Tresch will lead new business opportunities while strengthening commercial and marketing activities of the establishment. He brings with him over 25 years of international expertise in the luxury hospitality sector.

Jarkass promoted at Messilah

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa has promoted Ahmed Ibrahim Jarkass to the role of director of business development and marketing. An Egyptian national with 15 years of hospitality experience, Jarkass was a key member of the hotel’s pre-opening executive team when he joined in November 2009 as director of sales.

New chief engineer for Park Regis

The Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, Dubai, has appointed Sunil Kumar as chief engineer to upgrade technological infrastructure and ensure its proper maintenance. He will be responsible for technical infrastructure such as air conditioning, refrigeration, kitchen equipment, plumbing, electrical, as well as fire and safety.

Zaiane joins Kempinski

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates has appointed a new resident manager Slim Zaiane, who brings a wealth of expertise having previously worked at reputable hotel brands across the UK. Zaiane went to Glion Hotel School in Switzerland and then went on to complete his Masters at Oxford Brookes University.

Ghandoor joins Rosewood Corniche

Rosewood Corniche has announced the appointment of Amjad Yousef Al Ghandoor as its new executive chef, taking on responsibility for culinary direction. A Jordanian national, Chef Ghandoor brings more than 15 years of international culinary experience to his new position, having worked with high-profile hotel chains across the world.

Müller moves to Hyatt Capital Gate

Michéle Müller is executive sous chef at Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, taking over the kitchens from Ivan Musoni who will relocate in a similar capacity to the Grand Hyatt Dubai. She joins from Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, where she was part of the pre-opening culinary team.

IHG shuffles top deck

Karin Sheppard (pictured here) has been appointed COO for Australasia, Japan, Korea and Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) franchising; succeeded by Nick Barton as CCO for AMEA. Leanne Harwood heads Bangkok corporate office as VP of operations, South East Asia; while Lincoln Barrett is VP of commercial for AMEA.

Helal joins Millennium

Rania Helal will spearhead the communications strategy at Millennium Airport Hotel with her well-rounded market insight and extensive advertising, hospitality and media industry experience. Helal is a journalism and mass communications graduate with 15 years of experience in the advertising industry and broadcast media business development.

New GM for Coral Al Khobar

HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings has appointed French national Michel Mandrea as the new general manager of the Coral Al Khobar Hotel located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. He joins from Golden Tulip Resort Dana Bay, also in Saudi Arabia, where he served as the general manager.

Etihad appoints Thailand GM

Etihad Airways has appointed Dimitrios Karagkioules as general manager for Thailand. Karagkioules, who has more than 20 years of airline experience, takes up the Bangkok-based role after five years in Athens as Etihad Airways general manager for Greece. Prior to joining Etihad Airways, he worked for Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines.

Wyndham appoints Ruff

Wyndham Hotel Group has appointed Daniel Ruff as president and managing director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Indian Ocean regions. Ruff will be responsible for the group’s strategic development and operational, marketing, revenue management and sales services to the company’s franchisees and development partners.

Time Renero appoints de Vries

TIME Renero Resort and Suites Azzurra, Egypt has appointed Dutch national Duco de Vries to the role of general manager. De Vries has over 22 years of international hospitality experience, having held senior management positions in Hilton, Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts, Golden Tulip and the InterContinental Hotel Group.

Jumeirah appoints VP operations

Jumeirah Group has appointed Stephan Schüpbach as vice president operations. In his new role, Schüpbach will be responsible for overseeing the performance of Jumeirah-owned hotels in Dubai, managed hotels in Asia Pacific, the global wellness brand Talise and leading the pre-opening preparations for Jumeirah’s next phase of expansion in Asia.

Jannah makes new appointment

Jannah Hotels and Resorts has appointed Virginie Michaud as vice president project development. Michaud holds a bachelor of arts in hospitality and tourism management degree from the Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland. She has worked with different hotels and serviced apartments in the UAE since moving there in 2006.

Banyan Tree appoints new GM

Banyan Tree Al Wadi and Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach, UAE has appointed Axel Jarosch as general manager. Jarosch brings a wealth of over 20 years’ experience having held a number of management roles in the hospitality industry, most recently as general manager at Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman.

Changes at Pacific World

Mark Barber, current finance director at Pacific World, will have added responsibility as regional director Europe. Barber will lead the teams and businesses in Spain, Monaco, France and the UK. Harsha Krishnan (pictured here) will head up sales and marketing functions alongside his current role of strategic development director.

Mongeau comes to COMO

COMO Hotels and Resorts welcomed Pascal Mongeau as general manager of Parrot Cay by COMO, Turks and Caicos. Bringing with him over 20 years of hospitality experience, Mongeau will oversee all day-to-day operations for the 74-room private island resort, including its Lotus and Terrace restaurants and the acclaimed COMO Shambhala Retreat.

Sterner joins as hotel manager

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi has appointed Mark Sterner as its new hotel manager, focusing on the day-to-day operation of the hotel. Sterner joins the Abu Dhabi team from his previous role as general manager of Viceroy Maldives, where he worked for over two years.

Gordon joins Royal Jet

Royal Jet has appointed Captain W. Patrick Gordon MAS, as acting president and chief executive officer. With vast experience in the aviation industry, his previous tenures included managerial and advisory posts in aviation operations, training and safety in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and USA.