Jumeirah Group announced a number of new senior leadership appointments across its global portfolio.
Mahmoud Sakr was recently welcomed as the new Managing Director of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel and Royal Residences. Mahmoud brings over 30 years’ experience and joins from Jumeirah Emirates Towers where he was General Manager and Area General Manager – City Hotels.
Originally from Egypt, Mahmoud is passionate about providing a personalised guest experience at this award-winning resort on Palm Jumeirah. As one of Jumeirah’s most experienced business leaders, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s journey over the last 20 years. He is a seasoned hotelier and his dedication to his employees and guests alike sets a great example and is highly commendable. Mahmoud’s strong market knowledge and excellent operational knowledge makes him well placed to take on the challenge of managing Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, Mahmoud worked for Le Méridien for 13 years across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Senegal.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Wild Wadi Waterpark recently appointed Jason Harding as Managing Director. He brings extensive experience to the role, having worked in the luxury hospitality industry for 28 years, nine of these in the UAE.
Originally from the UK, Jason’s journey began in 1991, when he joined the London Hilton Park Lane. His career has included General Management roles across the Rocco Forte Hotels. In 2010 Jason relocated to Dubai and worked as General Manager and Regional General Manager at The Palace – Old Town and Armani Hotels and Resorts with responsibility for their Dubai and Milan properties. Jason then took on Area Director and Complex General Manager roles at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and Marriott International.
Jason has extensive managerial experience which includes handling overall hotel operations, strategic direction and overseeing multi-million pound renovations. He has an impressive record of growing profitability, improving guest satisfaction, increasing staff retention and delivering increased revenues.
Rajesh Jhingon has been appointed as Regional Vice President for Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts and leads the operations and management of four distinct hotels: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf. With more than 18 years’ hospitality experience, Rajesh is a passionate service-driven hotelier and has worked in both leading luxury resorts and city-centre hotels in the Maldives, Singapore, Las Vegas, Manila, and his home country of India. Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, Rajesh held the role of Senior Vice President of Resort Operations for Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila for four years.
Rajesh has been instrumental in the positioning of quality hotel openings and refurbishments, including the opening of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas in 2008 and the multi-million dollar renovation of Mandarin Oriental Singapore in 2004.
Fergus Stewart joins as Regional Vice President, Europe and will be responsible for overseeing the upcoming renovation of Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London in addition to the extended London portfolio and hotels in Europe. Originally from Scotland, Fergus has over 30 years’ experience working in the luxury hospitality industry. He spent 25 years working overseas in 11 different countries including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the UAE. He joins Jumeirah from an 11-year tenure at IHG, where most recently he held the position of Vice President of the Luxury Hotels Division - Europe, responsible for overseeing iconic hotels including The Carlton Cannes, Paris le Grand, The Amstel in Amsterdam and the Intercontinental Park Lane. In addition, Fergus also oversaw Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Continental Europe, where he played an integral role in the expansion to key gateway cities.
Amit Majumder, previously General Manager at Jumeirah Vittaveli, has been appointed as Regional Vice President, Boutique Resorts, for Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts. In Amit’s new role, he will be based in the Dubai Design District at Jumeirah Group’s headquarters. His new mandate will include oversight of Jumeirah Vittaveli, and the development of expansion plans for high end luxury boutique resorts within the Jumeirah brand.
During Amit’s tenure at Jumeirah Vittaveli, he achieved many milestones and commercial success in the resort’s positioning, which included the opening of the lavish five-bedroom Royal Residence. Originally from India, Amit started his hospitality career with Oberoi in India and joined Jumeirah in 2002, where he contributed to the successful operations at Burj Al Arab.
Abhijith Ghosh, has been appointed as the new General Manager at Jumeirah Vittaveli and joins in September. Originally from India, he brings a wealth of 19 years’ hospitality experience gained during his time working with Six Senses, Hilton and Soneva. Throughout his successful career, Abhijith has demonstrated efficient leadership and people management skills with strong experience in managing multi-cultural teams across Jordan, Thailand, India and Vietnam.