Crowne Plaza Bahrain human resources manager Alena Miatlushka was named HR Person of the Year, sponsored by the European International College based in Abu Dhabi, at last night’s Hotelier Middle East Awards 2012.

The glamorous event, presented by Du, sported a Roaring Twenties theme and recognised the best industry professionals in 19 categories.

The award for HR Person of the Year takes into account staff retention, motivation and engagement among other key traits. The five finalists are known for thinking outside the box to keep their teams – and in turn their guests – the happiest in the business.

Story continues below
Advertisement

Miatlushka fought off competition from HR professionals from Hilton Salalah Resort, Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai, Raffles Dubai and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr to secure the top spot.

The judges chose Miatlushka as the winner because of her remarkable resourcefulness in managing the crisis situation since the unrest in Bahrain last year.

“Testament to her considerate yet practical strategies is the fact that this year, employee engagement survey results were the highest to date. In addition, Alena has been running the health club for 18 months, where she’s increased colleague incentives and guest satisfaction. A true HR professional, Alena helps out wherever, whenever she is needed,” the judges said.

Commenting on her win, Miatlushka said: "It was a surprise to win this award, but I think we put so much effort together as a team during the difficult time in Bahrain last year, and during that difficult situation we managed to find employment with our delegates there elsewhere in the company, because we had so many people and that’s something the hotel and the company is really proud of."

The Highly Commended HR Person is Rey Trimidal, known to friends and colleagues as ‘Rey of sunshine’. The judges wanted to recognise Trimidal for his sterling efforts to improve Fairmont Bab Al Bahr’s medical coverage plan, reducing costs for all his colleagues.

The Hotelier Middle East Awards 2012 took place at Ritz-Carlton DIFC in Dubai on October 31.