New Appointments

MOHAMED TAHER has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ Dubai-based regional sales office (RSO). Prior to moving to Traders Hotel, Taher held the position of director of sales at Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. He has worked with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for 10 years, following a six-year career with Accor Business & Leisure Hotels.

ANDREA GREYBANKS has been appointed director of sales and marketing for Jumeirah Emirates Towers. In his current role, Greybanks is tasked with driving the commercial team which comprises sales, marketing, PR and communications, revenue management and events. Looking after the entire complex, he is responsible for the commercial strategy of the hotel and office tower, 15 restaurants and bars, leisure facilities including Talise, Jumeirah Group’s wellness brand and the shopping destination, The Boulevard.

JOHN SUN BECK has been appointed as executive sous chef at Six Senses Zighy Bay. Beck transfers from the role of senior chef de cuisine at Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand. He has worked with chef Richard on a task force at Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam. His Michelin-starred restaurant experience has taken him from positions at Spago and Patina in Los Angeles to Gordon Ramsay at the London Hotel.

OLIVIER CHOTEL has been appointed as pastry chef at Six Senses Zighy Bay. Chotel began his training in the patisseries of Lyon where he learnt basics of classic French pastry by working at Michelin starred restaurants. Following his role at the three-star Le Pré Catelan, he moved to the UK to take a role at Le Gavroche where he lead the pastry team.

MOHAMMAD ABU KHADRA has been appointed as Arabic chef de cuisine and AMIN ABDELBASET has been appointed as pastry sous chef with Arabic specialty at Six Senses Zighy Bay. Both have both previously worked with chef Richard at Evason Ma’in, Jordan. Together they bring over 25 years of Middle Eastern professional chef experience to round out the popular Arabic offerings at the resort. 

ABDO KAYALI has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah. He joins Kempinski Palm Jumeirah from Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Al Rayyan Hospitality in Doha, where he held the position of group director of sales and marketing. In this position he oversaw eight boutique hotels owned by the Government of Qatar and an additional two under development.

AL TAREQ AL AMERI has been appointed chief executive officer of Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit. He was part of the team who have, in the last five years, developed Yas Marina Circuit into an iconic motorsport venue. Prior to taking the role as commercial director at Yas Marina Circuit in October 2012, Al Ameri’s career developed at Abu Dhabi Aviation.

YUN LIU has been appointed senior project executive – Meetings, Incentives & Events (MIE), specifically to look after the growing Chinese/Asian market for Arabian Adventures. Her responsibilities are to develop innovative and unique programmes that would attract corporate clients/MIE planners from Asia, particularly China – to choose Dubai for their programmes.