This week there have been some big hires with senior VP appointments at Accor and Fairmont, a new F&B director at Rotana, two new hires at Shangri-La Dubai, new executive chef appointments at Amwaj Rotana and St Regis Abu Dhabi and a new director of F&B operations at Minor Hotels. Read on to meet them all.
Rotana appoints Tarek Daou as new cluster director of F&B in Kurdistan
Erbil Rotana and Erbil Arjaan by Rotana in Kurdistan have announced the appointment of Tarek Daou as the new cluster director of food and beverage. Daou brings in over two decades of international experience in luxury hotel brands, upscale catering operations, and independent F&B enterprises. He has amassed a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry across various global destinations, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Algeria, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi gets new executive chef
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed Kushan Perera as the executive chef. Karim Gharbi brings in three decades of experience in luxury hospitality. Perera has held pivotal roles at luxury establishments, primarily in the UAE. His most recent position was executive sous chef at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and previous accolades include being vice president at The Emirates Culinary Guild and winning silver and bronze medals at Emirates Salon Culinary competitions
Amwaj Rotana appoints new executive chef
Amwaj Rotana Hotel has announced the appointment of Salvatore Silvestrino as executive chef. With a career spanning over three decades in the culinary world, Silvestrino brings a wealth of expertise to his new position. Silvestrino has worked for an array of properties across several markets, such as Hotel Grand Vesuvio in Napoli, Italia, InterContinental Hotel Dubai Deira Creek, Marriott Resort & Spa in Bangkok, Fairmont Hotel in Singapore, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts in the Middle East, Jupiters Hotel and Casino in Broadbeach, Australia, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, and Sheraton Grand Mirage in Port Douglas, Australia.
Shangri-La Dubai announces two new faces in its leadership team
Shangri-La Dubai has appointed Eoin Whelan as its new F&B director. He brings a wealth of experience, spanning over 15 years in the hospitality industry. His career journey has included prominent roles in renowned establishments such as Four Seasons, Ashford Castle Hotel, Maybourne Hotel Group, and Gordon Ramsay’s acclaimed Savoy Grill in London. Moreover, Assem Moustafa, now promoted to the position of director of rooms, has 16 years of industry experience working across Hyatt and Rotana properties. A majority of his career was built within Shangri-La across different properties in the GCC region. Moustafa’s journey with the group began as duty manager for pre-opening of Shangri-La Doha, Qatar.
Minor Hotels appoints new director of F&B operations for the Middle East
Minor Hotels has appointed a new director of food & beverage operations at the regional office in Dubai. Industry veteran Pedro Carvalho with 30 years’ experience across UK’s coveted restaurants and members clubs, will now helm F&B operations for the brand. Carvalho held directorial positions at renowned establishments such as the renowned, exclusive member club Annabel’s in London and The Ivy Collection. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed and coordinated events for over 1,000 attendees, including film premieres.
Fairmont appoints new senior vice president of operations for Middle East & Asia
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of its new senior vice president of operations for the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. Luxury Hospitality veteran Nils-Arne Schroeder has been appointed as Fairmont’s new senior vice president, operations, Middle East & Asia. Schroeder joins Fairmont Hotels & Resorts with a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality. Most recently, Schroeder held the role of vice president for luxury brands at Hilton, Asia Pacific where he was responsible for spearheading brand initiatives for the company’s three luxury brands in the region: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts; Conrad Hotels & Resorts; and LXR Hotels & Resorts.
Accor names new VP of operations for Turkey
Sinan Köseoğlu has been appointed as Accor’s new vice president of operations for Turkey. He joins Accor Turkey with a track record and wealth of experience in various leadership roles. With over thirty years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, Köseoğlu is an industry veteran and brings a wealth of expertise to Accor Turkey, having held key positions across renowned brands in prominent regions such as the Middle East, Russia, CIS, and Asia.