Jumeirah at Etihad Towers promotes Fuchs to GM

Stefan Fuchs is to assume the position of general manager of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, stepping up from his current role as hotel manager.

His appointment comes in the wake of Doris Greif’s impending departure from the property to take up the position of regional vice president Europe as well as general manager of Jumeirah Frankfurt.

German national Fuchs first joined Jumeirah in 2006, working at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai for three years as director of food & beverage. He re-joined the company in 2010 as hotel manager in its pre-opening phase.

He has over 15 years’ experience in hospitality, working for brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Kempinski Hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Russia.

The appointment of Grief to her regional role follows the decision of Derek Picot, the current general manager of Jumeirah Carlton Tower and regional vice president Europe, to leave the company.

Also a German national, she first joined Jumeirah in 1999 and has since held a number of senior roles in the company including executive assistant manager in charge of rooms at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, general manager Jumeirah Beach Club Resort & Spa, general manager operations and general manager Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

She left the company in 2008 to take on the role of chief operating officer - city operations at DIFC Investments LLC before re-joining Jumeirah in 2010 to become general manager of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. She will take up her new role on October 1.

Jumeirah Group president and CEO Gerald Lawless paid tribute to Picot, who has served the company since 2003. “Derek has been a great leader within Jumeirah, supporting the growth and development of our operations firstly in London and then throughout Europe,” he said.

“A consummate hotelier, he has leveraged his reputation in the luxury hospitality sector to support the Jumeirah brand and build loyalty among the many thousands of guests who have graced the lobbies of the hotels under his supervision.

“I would like to personally thank him for his many years’ service and for the inspiration he has provided to the many colleagues who have had and continue to have the privilege of working with him.”