The latest industry appointments

EDWARD FRENCH has been appointed chief sales and marketing officer at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC. As a member of the Corporate Operating Committee, he will oversee the strategic positioning of the luxury hotel brands. In his role, French will serve as strategic business partner to the president and global chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and play a critical leadership role for the Marketing, Global Sales and Revenue Management discipline.

TORSTEN OBERMANN has been promoted to general manager at the JA Oasis Beach Tower, while OTTO KURZENDORFER takes over the general management reins at the JA Ocean View Hotel. In their new roles, they will have responsibility for the overall day-to-day operation as well as playing a key role in development of long-term strategic direction for the two high profile beach-facing properties.

ALESSANDRO REDAELLI has been appointed general manager of Kempinski Hotel and Residences Palm Jumeirah. In his new role, he will oversee day-to-day operations at the all-suite resort. Redaelli will also oversee the second phase of the hotel’s expansion. With construction for the project restarting in the coming weeks, the resort is set to open in the second half of 2015.

SAMEH SHAWKAT has been appointed regional director of sales and marketing – Middle East and Africa at Dusit International. He will be based in the Dubai MEA regional office. In his new role, Shawkat will focus on building and fostering relationships with key clients and partners and strengthening the Dusit brand in the region. Furthermore, he will also play a pivotal role in driving the properties performance and work alongside the Development team as Dusit continues to expand the portfolio in the Middle East and Africa.

ALAA SAGHA has been promoted to sales and marketing manager at Quality Suites Amman Hotel. In his new role, Sagha will be brining the sales and marketing department with extensive knowledge of maxim and its operations. He brings with him over 11 years of experience in reservation, events sales and direct sales including corporate and leisure communications in Jordan.

CHEF ABDERRAHIM LHANNAOUI has been appointed as executive chef at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai. He brings with him 16 years of experience with an intense knowledge of Continental, Mediterranean, Arabic, Italian and Asian cuisine. In his new role, Lhannaoui will lead the team in presenting authentic regional and international cuisine but also in following contemporary food trends.

JULISAH KASMAN has been appointed food and beverage manager at Mövenpick Hotel Deira. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in international hospitality and restaurant management. Prior to her appointment with Mövenpick Hotel Deira, Kasman worked as the director of operations for Lemongrass International.

BRONWEN BATEY has been appointed regional director – marketing communications for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. Previously director of strategic accounts at Banyan Tree, Batey already has immense experience with the Group having developed and managed marketing campaigns and brand partnerships in Europe. Her new role will expand to include the development of effective marketing opportunities for the hotels and brands via PR, Marketing Communications, Strategic Partnerships and Social Media.

RONY VALENY has been appointed executive managing director for Seven Tides. Valeny joins from the Deloitte Middle East Financial Advisory Practice, where he headed up the Technology, Media & Telecommunications division for the region following a decade with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London.

SALEM AL ZUMR has been appointed first consultant for Cultural Studies and Colloquial Literature at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center. As an Emirati poet, author and journalist, Salem Al Zumr, comes with credentials to provide his unique insights, know-how and experience to the Center.