6 HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri

Since taking up the helm at Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) in May 2008, HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri has ensured the continued growth of the UAE-based hotel owner and operator, earning him position number six in the Hotelier Middle East Power 50.

Despite tough trading conditions felt by most companies this year, ADNH, which has interests in hotels, tourism, transportation and catering, reported net profits of AED 150.7 million (US $40.9) for Q1 2009, a 10.4% increase over the corresponding period of 2008 (AED 136.4 million ($37 million)).

The financial report for the period of January 1 to March 31, 2009 shows an improved performance of the Group’s operational profits, posting AED 158.7 million ($43.1 million) compared to AED 150.7 million ($40.9 million) in the same period of 2008. Non-operational profits increased to AED 15 million ($4 million), up from AED 4.7 million ($1.3 million) in Q1 last year.

Looking ahead, upcoming properties for ADNH are exciting, including those at Capital Centre, Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island and JW Marriott in Abu Dhabi — all part and parcel of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority targeting 2.7 million guests over the five years from 2008 — as well as Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach opening in July 2009. Al Hajeri was also instrumental in signing an agreement for ADNH to be the exclusive developer of at least two Yotels in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to leading the success of ADNH, Al Hajeri is chief executive officer of the Offset Programme Bureau (OPB), chairman of Tadreeb, (National Training LLC) and a board member of Bedaya (the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Programme for Small & Medium Enterprises), Horizon International Flight Academy, Caracal International, Abu Dhabi UAV Investments Company, Waha Capital and the German Emirati Company (BENA).

A graduate of the Lewis & Clark College in Portland, US, Al Hajeri holds a degree in Business and Economics.