The latest industry appointments

MICHAEL VAN DER ENDE has been appointed head of OTA (Online Travel Agencies) for the Middle East, Africa and India at Travelport. Michael joins Travelport from dnata Travel (part of the Emirates Group) where he held the position of B2C manager. In his new role, Michael takes on the responsibility of overseeing and driving Travelport’s online business across the region, as the local travel industry increasingly seeks to establish its online presence.

GAVIN GLEESON has been appointed executive chef at Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat. He has previously worked at two Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Dublin, and most recently as executive chef at Marco Pierre White’s Wheelers in Dubai.

ASHRAF YASSIN has been appointed group director of human resources and training for Ayla Hotels and Resorts. He brings with him 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Yassin has an extensive background in human resources, training and operations. In his new role, Yassin will provide support and direction for the Ayla’s properties in all aspects of Human Resources and Training.

JONATHAN LAWRENCE has been appointed marketing executive for Reed Travel Exhibitions. Lawrence joins the team from Elsevier in London, where he project managed the launch of a number of new brands. Lawrence’s role within the ATM team will be to focus on website content management, develop and manage social media campaigns, database marketing and managing the photography and videography.

ABBI MODABERI has been appointed marketing executive for Reed Travel Exhibitions. She has worked with Reed Exhibitions since 2009 where her new skills were recognised by the Association of Event Organisers award in 2012 for best use of social media. Modaberi will now take on the added responsibilities of seminar programming, ATM blog-coordination, social media campaign management, developing a travel agents programme and coordinating media and sponsorship relationships.

MONIKA KIRCHER has been appointed to the supervisory board of Austrian Airlines. She is the chief executive officer of Infineon Technologies Austria AG. She succeeds Theresa Jordis, who passed away earlier this year.

KHALID AL ZAROUNI has been appointed country manager for Tanzania at Emirates. He started his career with the airline in 2006 as part of the airline’s successful UAE National Commercial Management Programme. He completed his outstation training in Singapore and was posted as Manager Cyprus in 2009 and Country Manager for Uganda in 2011. Before joining Emirates, Khalid worked in the banking sector for three years.

HUSAIN AL SAFI has been appointed country manager for Zambia at Emirates. In 2007, Al Safi joined Emirates as a commercial trainee and was appointed country manager for Bangladesh in 2009 and a year later for Yemen. Al Safi‘s recent position was country manager for Algeria for nearly a year.

THANI ABDULLA AL ANSARI has been appointed Country Manager for Uganda at Emirates. Thani joined Emirates in 2011 as a commercial trainee where he took on various roles as commercial manager in the UAE, Mumbai and London.

ABDULAZIZ AL HAI has been appointed country manager for Sudan at Emirates.  Abdulaziz started his career with Emirates in 2003 as part of the airline’s UAE national management programme. In 2006, he took on the role of airport manager in various markets: Damascus, Kuwait and three years later in Cairo. Abdulaziz moved from airport services to commercial operations and was appointed as country manager for Tanzania in 2011 for two years.

TARIQ OBAID has been appointed country manager for Algeria at Emirates. Tariq started his career with the Emirates Group in 2007 as a college work placement trainee in flight operations center, where he handled various aircraft and quality audit responsibilities. He progressed to join the Emirates Group’s commercial management program and took on various roles as sales manager in both Libya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Dammam station, and country manager for Sudan.

AHMED ERSHOOD AL SHEHHI has been appointed general manager for the Republic of Seychelles at Etihad Airways. He replaces Rashed Saif Al Shabi who has taken up the role of general manager in Cyprus. Al Shehhi’s key responsibilities will include driving commercial results and further enhancing strong relationships with the airline’s travel trade and corporate customers in Mahé.