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.”
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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”.
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