Eckhardt Kempinski president
Ulrich Eckhardt is the new president of Kempinski Middle East and Africa. Since Kempinski’s inception in the region, Eckhardt has spearheaded the group’s development. Area director Michael Henssler is responsible for the Gulf region and Southern Africa.
Tideman at the Towers
Frank Tideman has been appointed general manager of the new Millennium Towers Hotel Dubai. Prior to this he was executive vice-president for the Emerald Palace Group in Dubai. He has also worked at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel in China.
Emirates Palace strengthens team
Emirates Palace has announced the appointment of Janet Abrahams as director of sales and marketing. Abrahams brings to her post almost 20 years of experience with top hotel groups. She was previously regional director for Jordan and Palestine with IHG.
Al Murooj Rotana welcomes Saffarini
Al Murooj Rotana Hotel & Suites recently appointed Mahmoud Saffarini as business development manager. Saffarini worked as sales manager for the Dusit Dubai Hotel prior to joining the Rotana group. Saffarini also worked with Hilton Hotels International.
Golf Pro joins Four Seasons
PGA golf professional Richard Sheridan joins the Four Seasons Golf Club’s team of teaching professionals. Sheridan moves to Dubai from the Wisely Golf Club in the UK where he was deputy club professional. He also worked for Pro Golf Instruction, UK.
El Hayek promoted to COO
The Al Bustan Centre & Residence recently promoted Moussa El Hayek to COO. El Hayek had been general manager here for the past 10 years. He brings with him years of experience in the hospitality industry in the Middle East.
Four Seasons GM at SAS
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have appointed Jean Claude Wietzel as general manager of Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh. Wietzel joined Four Seasons in 2002, as hotel manager of the Four Seasons George V Paris.
Tiara crowns staff
Tiara Hotels & Resorts has appointed Simon Griffiths group finance director. Griffiths joins Tiara Hotels & Resorts from Broadwater Hotels & Resorts in Perth, Australia. Dean Schreiber is now group director of operations. Greg Hucker is group director of IT.
Al Namrouti joins Gulf Hotel
The Gulf Hotel Bahrain has appointed Mohamed Ahmed Youssef Al- Namrouti as director of sales and marketing. He joins the company from Neopharma LLC in Abu Dhabi, where he was regional business development manager – international markets.
Jet Aviation promotes Bernegger
Jet Aviation has appointed Martin Bernegger senior vice-president and general manager of Jet Aviation Dubai. Bernegger has been with the company for more than 15 years in the company’s EMEA & Asia aircraft charter and management divisions.
New board members for Jumeirah
Dubai Holding has appointed three non-executives to the board of the Jumeirah Group. Sir David Michels, (left) who was with the Hilton Group as CEO; Alan Parker, chief executive of Whitbread plc; and Michael Williams, previously at Mandarin Oriental.
New team at Elite Resort & Spa
The Elite Resort and Spa have announced the appointments of Abhay Bhargava (left) as the general manager for Elite Resort and Spa. Fadl Adib has also been promoted to executive assistant manager and Ajay Babbar has joined as food and beverage manager.
Ezdan has a new team
Ezdan Hotel & Suites recently appointed Hari Kumar as IT manager. Previously he held positions for Tamani Hotels and Resorts in the UAE. Imene Mrad (left) has been appointed personnel manager for the property and Sahar Kamal is the new PR executive.
Sheraton welcomes new chef
Sheraton Bahrain Hotel has appointed Kamal Verma as executive chef. Verma has worked for five star properties in Australia, Yemen, Oman, Dubai, West Germany, Nepal and Bahrain. His last appointment was as the executive chef, Hyatt Regency, Adelaide.
New hat for Al Ghraoui
Rotana Hotels has appointed Kinan Al Ghraoui as general manager of their forthcoming Suites property in Dubai. Al Ghraoui was until recently general manager for the three suites properties in Dubai; Villa, Rihab and Rimal Rotana Suites.