PHOTOS: Hotelier Power 50 2015 top 10
01. Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide (Last year 1st)
Rudi Jagersbacher’s grass roots experience, strong relationships, business acumen and drive to succeed, with a team of more than 21,500 employees, including 69 GMs in 19 MEA countries, has snagged him the number one spot on Hotelier Middle East’s Power 50 for the third consecutive year.
After graduating from hotel school in Innsbruck, Austria, Jagersbacher joined Hilton in 1974 as a trainee at the London Hilton on Park Lane, and one of his proudest moments came 20 years later when he was appointed general manager of the same hotel.
“My four-decade long career has brought many challenges and highlights including managing hotels such as The Langham, The Savoy and Claridges,” states Jagersbacher, who has worked his way up the ladder across a number of different functions and countries.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 4
Number of years with company: 40
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 50
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 63 (1/3 in the mid-market segment)
Top inspiration
“The person who has inspired me in my career journey is my grandfather, Rudolf Ager, owing to his gentlemanly approach to life, which inspired my love of hospitality and encouraged me to follow my dream. In the Middle East, the opportunities in our industry are endless, which reminds me of a memorable quote from our founder, Conrad Hilton: ‘To accomplish big things… you must first dream big dreams’”
02. Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International (Last year 2nd)
Kyriakidis is targeting a further 50% growth in the Middle East/ Africa by 2020.
In an impressive year for signings, Marriott International has ramped up its pipeline portfolio in the Middle East with a whopping 25 new projects confirmed, spanning Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia, where the group has signed more hotels than any other location in the Middle East — with 10 new properties confirmed for the Kingdom.
“Our impressive growth story since the time I joined the team is testament to the impact we have made as a company on a regional scale,” explains Kyriakidis, who arrived in 2012 from professional services network Deloitte, where he established a number of key owner and investor relationships that he has since leveraged in his role with Marriott.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3.5
Number of years with company: 3
Number of Middle East operating hotels as of July 2015: 47
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels as of July: 39
Top inspiration
“My mother, who brought me up as a single parent and who worked relentlessly to support me through school and beyond, encouraging me throughout to succeed”.
03. Christophe Landais, Chief Operating Officer, AccorHotels Middle East (Last year 4th)
A trendsetter in mid-market growth in the Middle East/Africa since 2003, and Moving up one place in the Power 50 list this year, Landais is now coming into his own as three- and four-star hotel development rises to the top of the agenda for the region.
Since 2003, when it launched its Ibis brand at Dubai World Trade Centre, AccorHotels has been the leader in the development of internationally operated mid-market and economy accommodation in the Middle East, and is now capitalising on that position. “Our current development pipeline for Dubai is focused on the Ibis and Ibis Styles brands, which will enable us to offer close to 1400 additional keys in affordable accommodation,” explains Landais.
“Being able to successfully bring mid-scale and economy hotels to the Middle East, at a time when the region was largely focused on the development of luxury hotels, has been an exceptional feat that I am proud of,” he adds.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 15
Number of years with company: 15
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 72
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 42
Top inspiration
“My thanks are addressed to all members of the team at AccorHotels Middle East. They are the life and soul of our hotels and I am proud to witness daily the hard work they put into our projects, their inspiring interaction with guests, partners and colleagues, and the impeccably professional attitude they display along the way”
04. Guido De Wilde, Senior Vice President and Regional Director Middle East, Starwood Hotels And Resorts Worldwide Inc. (Last year 3rd)
Guido de Wilde maintains his top five position in the hotelier middle east power 50. Under his regional leadership, starwood hotels & resorts has made significant headway over the last 12 months with signings across its trendy lifestyle brand, aloft and eco-conscious long-stay brand, element.
Four new properties were signed this year, marking the launch of both the Aloft and Element brands in the region.The properties, signed with Wasl Asset Management Group are Aloft Al Raffa and Dubai Airport, and Element Al Raffa and Dubai Airport. Additionally, Starwood will be one of the first groups to open a hotel in Dubai World Central, following the signing of Aloft Dubai World Central with Radar DWC. The Aloft brand will also make its debut in Qatar and Oman with the signings of Aloft Doha and Aloft Muscat this year.
Another first secured this year is the company’s polo resort, The St Regis Polo Club & Resort in Dubai, being developed with the Al Habtoor Group alongside the three-property Habtoor complex on Sheikh Zayed Road, the first phases of which — the St. Regis and W Dubai Al Habtoor – are earmarked to open this year, followed by the Westin Habtoor next year.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 10
Number of years with company: 28
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 50
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 42
Top inspiration
“On a personal note I am inspired by the great athletes, especially in the world of cycling. I think in particular about my all-time favourite and hero Eddy Merckx, the Belgian cyclist who won over 500 races during his career and who just turned 70 a few weeks ago. He was an incredible champion and is a great human being. He believed in himself, pushed his boundaries during every race, gave his utmost to achieve his objective and constantly revised his goals. Yet despite all his wins he remained humble and was and still is easily approachable for everybody. I am privileged to know him personally”.
05. Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group (Last year 7th)
Consolidating strong relationships with owners and igniting new partnerships is key to Gauvin’s success in the region.
Pascal Gauvin has leaps two places into the top five of the Power 50 this year, as a result of key milestones he has achieved over the last 12 months. Leveraging existing and new partnerships, IHG has signed 11 hotels and opened five. With brands ranging from the three-star Holiday Inn to the five-star InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the company continues to strengthen its presence in key markets.
Testament to this was the signing of Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer in June this year, which will become the largest Holiday Inn in the world with more than 5000 rooms.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3
Number of years with company: 22
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 77
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 29
Top inspiration
“Nalin Mandaritta, general manager of Crowne Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee, who led the recovery from two devastating earthquakes and continues to help our guests, colleagues and the local community in the aftermath of the disaster. He has shown outstanding leadership in the midst of a crisis and was a source of strength to the hotel team in delivering aid to those affected. I am greatly inspired by Nalin – he is a true example of what being a great general manager is all about”
06. Omer Z. Kaddouri, President & CEO, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC (Last year 5th)
Despite having been At the helm of Rotana for just 18 months, Kaddouri has already made significant headway with openings, signings and brand firsts.
Responsible for 12,759 staff, Kaddouri took the helm of Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotel Management 18 months ago, having worked with the company for the past 18 years.
Now with 50 operating hotels and another 56 in the pipeline, Rotana continues to expand its presence across the globe. Over the last 12 months, the company has made some key openings in the region, and some brand firsts. This includes: The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana — Amman, Rotana’s first property in Jordan; the opening of the flagship ART Rotana – Amwaj Islands, Rotana’s second property in Bahrain; and the opening of Sedra Residences by Rotana, Rotana’s first property to open under the newly launched brand “The Residences by Rotana” and its second property in Qatar.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 1.5
Number of years with company: 18
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 50
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 56
Top inspiration
“Selim El Zyr – who opened his first hotel with Rotana, the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, back in in 1993 – has been my mentor for the longest duration, ever since I joined the group”.
07. Gerald Lawless, President and group CEO, Jumeirah Group (Last year 6th)
While Jumeirah Group is known for its luxury landmark properties, the Dubai-based operator is going international and expanding into the lifestyle segment with its Venu brand.
In 2001, under Lawless’s leadership, Dubai-based Jumeirah Group took on the goal of becoming a global luxury brand, and by 2015, it has 11 operating hotels and 12 pipeline properties in locations as far afield as China, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Azerbaijan, the Maldives, the UK and Germany.
The current development pipeline includes eight hotels in China, one in Bali, two in Muscat and one (and possibly two more) in Abu Dhabi. Next year, the company will open the fourth phase of its Madinat Jumeirah development, Jumeirah Al Naseem. According to Lawless: “It raises the luxury bar to another level, and we will have to keep doing that; I see no end to this.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 18
Number of years with company: 18
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 11
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 12
Top inspiration
“I am inspired by the leadership of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I have a lot of passion for what I do, which is a good thing when you are in the people business”.
08. Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, Founder, President & CEO, Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East & Africa (Last year 8th)
Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi has set ambitious targets for Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East & Africa, with the group eyeing 100 hotels by 2020.
Millennium & Copthorne has had a busy year, with five new hotel openings by June, and another 11 newly signed. It debuted its Millennium Executive Apartments brand in Muscat, Oman in March 2015 with 115 upscale apartments, and a Dubai property is set to open later this year.
Other openings include the 221-key Millennium Hotel Fujairah, the 295-key Millennium Hotel & Convention Centre Kuwait, the 208-key Millennium Taiba Hotel Madinah in Saudi Arabia, and the 484-key Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel Madinah in KSA.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 14
Number of years with company: 14
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 22
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 40
09. Mark Willis, Area Vice president, Middle East and Turkey, The Rezidor Hotel Group (Last year 12th)
Rezidor boss breaks into the top 10 after a record year for signings in 2014. the company is on track to achieve another record-breaking performance this year, with a focus on Saudi arabia and the UAE.
Having been in the Middle East now for 13 years with its core brands, the upscale Radisson Blu and long-stay Park Inn, the Rezidor Group had a record year for signings in 2014, under the regional leadership of Mark Willis, with the addition of 12 new hotels.
Now with 35 hotels operational, and 38 in the pipeline, Rezidor is considering opportunities for new brands announced last year, Radisson Red and Quorvus, and is going full steam ahead with its Saudi pipeline, having signed a master development agreement with local owner Al Hokair Group in October 2014, for 30 new hotels.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 2.5
Number of years with company: 18
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 35
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 38
Top inspiration
“I am inspired by our President and CEO Wolfgang M Neumann because he has taken a great company and made it even better. Under his leadership we have seen a new focus and real commitment to everything we do from the environment, to our commercial development and very importantly our people. I consider myself very fortunate to be part of the company’s development and progress as an international hospitality brand, watching it grow into something very special”.
10. Michael Zager, Regional Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group (New entry)
Having taken on his role just a few months ago, Zager is now tasked with building Wyndham’s management portfolio in the Middle East and Africa.
Leading the way in the region in the economy sector, Wyndham has this year opened its second Days Inn hotel in Saudi Arabia, and has signed its first Howard Johnson in the Kingdom, anticipated to open in the third quarter of this year. The 50-room hotel will be run as a franchise — a model that Wyndham is starting to move away from as it ramps up its Middle East management portfolio under the regional leadership of Michael Zager, who replaces his predecessor Bani Haddad in the top 10 of the Power 50 list.
Zager has successfully established the group’s management services offering during his three years in the region, during which he has developed standard operating procedures across multiple commercial functions and overseen hotel openings in locations as diverse as Qatar, the UAE, the UK and, most recently, Tanzania. Zager was also instrumental in the regional integration and evolution of the Ramada brand following Wyndham Hotel Group’s acquisition of the international rights in 2004.
By the numbers
Number of months in role: 4
Number of years with company: 11
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 42
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 15
Top inspiration
“My family and especially my father, who was a hotelier himself – he started as a chef, went to hotel school and worked abroad for many years, including in Germany, France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, where I grew up. He taught me the core values in both life and hospitality – trust, respect, honesty, love and patience – and I am very thankful for that”.