Hotelier Awards 2017 shortlist: Safety & Security Person
We can finally reveal the six candidates in the running for the Safety & Security Person of the Year category at the 2017 edition of the Hotelier Middle East Awards.
If you'd like to meet last year's winners of all categories, click here to find out more...
Click through to find out who has been shortlisted this year... and take a look at last year's event in the video below!
Abdelaziz Lbouir, director of security and safety, Fairmont Ajman
Abdelaziz Lbouir has, in the past year, improved security and safety level of the hotel, taking it from the fifteenth rank to third in JDP Guest Experience Index. He also also increased the team's job satisfaction scores to 100% in the yearly colleague engagement survey. He has also significantly increased safety and security awareness among all operational departments through constant training programmes.
Adnan Abu Kaff, risk manager, InterContinental Jordan
According to the IHG Risk Professional’s feedback, the security team under Adnan Abu Kaff’s wings was considered the best in the Middle East. His team has scored 100% compliance in all audits, internal and external inspections and assessments related to security, and the team has successfully renewed the ISO 22000:2005 certificate for Food Safety Management from the World Accreditation Agency. In addition, the team also won the Trust Award Programme Certificate from Jordan Food & Drug Administration.
Jack Weideman, director of security & recreation, Sofitel The Palm, Dubai
Jack Weideman has implemented procedures to enhance the management of lost & found cases, including partnering as a pilot hotel for Accor with Return Hound. His team, under his leadership, has received a multitude of certifications for health & safety and first aid. Weideman has also worked on enhanced risk management and reducing incidents involving younger guests. During 2017, the recreation department was added to his portfolio of responsibilities based on his extended background.
Mahdi Juma Alwail Alsuwaidi, director of security, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai
Mahdi Juma Alwail Alsuwaidi is a retired colonel who served in the UAE military for 23 years before embarking on a new career in the hotel industry. In the last year, the property, under his leadership, has received a recognition certificate from Dubai Police for ‘Effective Cooperation’. He has also worked on a number of cost-saving exercises to benefit the entire hotel. In addition, he has worked on booking group and corporate accounts from business partners.
Mohamed Ali, director of security, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
Mohamed Ali focused on finding new approaches to overcome the usual hospitality problems with minimum resources. Ali created and implemented a dedicated night emergency evacuation plan, and also created the training materials and provided the relevant training about crisis management protocols to all the department heads and their assistants. He is also a speaker over safety and security issues at relevant conferences.
Sinam Hijazeen, assistant fire & life safety manager, InterContinental Aqaba Resort
Sinam Hjazeen is the assistant fire & life safety manager at the InterContinental Aqaba Resort. She has set her short-term goals along with her manager and has been practicing management and leadership skills, to go beyond her job description by being the go-to person for the entire hotel for health and safety, as well as recognising risky areas and practices in order to be used as data for establishing training need analysis. She has brought about incidents reduction by 48% and has also worked on additional security measures for the property.