Stuart Nielsen joins FRHI as VP F&B for MEIA

Stuart Nielsen has been appointed vice president, food & beverage for FRHI Hotels & Resorts, Middle East, Africa and India.

Sami Nasser, SVP operations for FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI), Middle East, Africa and India said: "As a renowned leader on the global culinary scene, FRHI continues to excel by offering our guests memorable culinary and dining experiences at our hotels.

"Stuart’s extensive expertise will allow for innovation and further growth within our food and beverage portfolio.”

Based in Dubai, Nielsen will oversee the company’s expansive F&B portfolio throughout 19 hotels in the region, and will lead the division in maintaining the highest standards in quality and service.

He will also be responsible for the successful implementation of new restaurant concepts for FRHI’s growing pipeline in the Middle East, Africa and India, including the recently announced project in Nigerian capital of Abuja as well as the opening of Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate, next year.

Nielsen brings a wealth of experience to this position with over 20 years in the F&B and hospitality industry across cities including Dubai and Hong Kong.

Having held director level positions within hospitality companies such as AccorHotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa and Grosvenor House) in Dubai, notable career highlights include developing F&B franchised concepts for Buddha Bar Dubai, Maya by Richard Sandoval, and Indego by Vineet Bhatia.

From 2006 – 2010, Nielsen was part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), first as cluster F&B director for the tri-branded hotel complex in Dubai Festival City and later as regional director of food & beverage and design director for Middle East and Africa (MEA). With the former, he was instrumental in bringing to life Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire at InterContinental Dubai - Festival City from French chef Pierre Gagnaire.

As regional director at IHG, Nielsen provided systems, concept development, franchising, licensing and design and engineering support to 94 cross-branded hotels within the MEA portfolio.

In 2010, Nielsen added a new dimension to his career by taking on the role of director of development, restaurants, for lifestyle publisher – Condé Nast International. Based in Hong Kong, he leveraged media brands such as Vogue, GQ, Tatler and Wired into restaurant, bar, club and café concepts in cities and emerging markets.

He joins FRHI from his most recent position as founder and managing director of POD Hospitality, a consultancy company offering full strategy and planning support within the areas of recruitment, operations and development for clients in Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Nielsen holds a Bachelor of Business (Hospitality Management) from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.