On the move

Aparthotel Adagio hires GM

Aparthotel Axdagio Premium Dubai Al Barsha has hired French national Philippe Montaubin as general manager. Montaubin has more than 29 years of management experience in the hospitality sector. For the past 16 years, he has been general manager of various hotels around the world, winning awards and recognition.

Bleakley joins Marriott Abu Dhabi

Richard Bleakley is general manager at the Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind in the UAE capital. Bleakley began his career as an area sales manager for Marriott UK, rising through the ranks and holding a number of key roles before relocating to the UAE. 

New head chef for Royal Rose

Royal Rose, the first five-star property from City Seasons Hotels and their flagship property in Abu Dhabi has appointed Thierry Gallas as head chef for their newly open Mediterranean Restaurant, Barocco. Chef Thierry brings with him 18 years of experience, having worked in restaurants in France, England and USA.

New GM for Crowne Plaza Bahrain

French national Gilles Nicolas has been hired as Crowne Plaza Bahrain. With 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has worked across six different countries in three continents. He has a degree in hotel management from a Hospitality School in Paris and a MBA from the University of Liverpool.

Promotions at Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Rosewood Abu Dhabi has promoted Said Oueini (pictured here) from senior sales manager to director of sales, announced managing director Luigi Romaniello. Among other news: Badr Zizi has been promoted to senior sales manager and Iraida Khon, from reservations manager to revenue manager.

Gavois joins as executive chef

Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi has appointed French-born Christophe Gavois as executive chef. Gavois has worked in London, Palm Beach, Dublin, Cairo, Hampshire, Abu Dhabi and Ajman over the last 20 years. He European, French, Provençale, Caribbean, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Rosewood Jeddah gets new chef

Chinese national Chef Meng Zhao Fu joins Rosewood Jeddah, to oversee all daily operations at Noodles restaurant. Chef Meng brings more than 10 years’ culinary experience to the role which will see him assisting executive chef Amjad Yousef Al Ghandoor in menu planning and creating new dishes.

New DOSM for Park Inn Al Khobar

The Park Inn by Radisson, Al Khobar has appointed Nizar El Ezz as the new director of sales and marketing for the hotel. Originally from Lebanon, Abou El Ezz has over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Abdulmoeen Nasser also joins as the new human resources and government relations manager.

New GM at Radisson Blu Fujairah

The Rezidor Hotel Group has appointed Norwegian national Frank Eikeland as the general manager of the Radisson Blu Resort in Fujairah. Eikeland has worked with the group’s Middle East team since 2010 and has a track record of leading hotels and lifting their performance to the optimum level.

Etihad appoints VP guest services

Etihad Airways has appointed Linda Celestino as the airline’s vice president guest services. Celestino has more than 25 years of experience in the airline industry having held senior positions in her native Australia and the Middle East, as well as being president of the New York-based Airline Passenger Experience Association.

Wanda Hotels appoints Zhu

Kent Zhu has been appointed as the executive vice-president of Wanda Hotels & Resorts. In his new capacity, Zhu will play a key role in the operation of the company, including strategic direction, hotel profitability, brand standards, service standards, guest satisfaction and operation efficiency.

Reed appoints new travel director

Reed Exhibitions has appointed Nick Pilbeam to the position of divisional director – travel. Newly appointed Pilbeam, who brings with him an enormous amount of growth strategy knowledge and industry insight, will head up the travel division of the world’s leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions.

Sheraton Bahrain welcomes new GM

Thomas Flindt joins as general manager of Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. Before this post, Flindt was general manager at Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun in Lebanon. Flindt has been with Starwood Hotels & Resorts since 1982, having started his hospitality career in 1979 as a chef apprentice in Copenhagen.

Lotfi Jabou promoted

Lotfi Jabou has been promoted from director of sales and marketing to operations manager/in-charge of commercial initiatives at Crowne Plaza Madinah. Lotfi, who started his career in Corinthia Bab El Bahar Libya in 1982, has more than 30 years of invaluable hospitality experience at different levels.

Daniel joins Domain Bahrain

Stephen Daniel has joined The Domain Hotel & Spa Kingdom of Bahrain as assistant general manager, moving on from his most recent role of direct Daniel joins Domain Bahrain or of sales and marketing in Al Safir Hotel and Tower. In his quest for growth, Daniel has won many accolades and is an active SKAL member since 2011.