New GM takes charge at Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort

Ferghal Purcell has joined the team at 254-key Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort as the new general manager.

An honours graduate from the Shannon College of Hotel Management, Purcell has extensive experience in resort management in South Africa and Ireland, having started his career as Food & beverage manager for the pre-opening team of The Lord Charles Hotel in the Cape Province, where he was later promoted to general manager when he played host to Nelson Mandela during the country’s reconciliation peace talks.

Following his time at The Lord Charles Hotel, Purcell was in charge at two spa and golf resorts in South Africa before returning to Ireland as general manager of the Adare Manor & Golf Resort in County Limerick – then branching out into hotel ownership with the purchase of the Aherlow House Hotel & Lodges in County Tipperary.

Commenting on Purcell’s appointment, Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of Hospitality Management Holdings, which manages the resort, said: "We are very pleased to have Ferghal Purcell in our team who brings a fresh outlook to the challenging hospitality market in Ajman with his broad skills and experience.

"After the initial launch phase, The Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort is now poised to consolidate its position as one of the major leisure and corporate venues in the emirate. With Ferghal at the helm, we can expect the hotel to develop in tandem with the economic expansion of Ajman where projects such as the new airport and port facilities are building awareness of its potential.”