“It would be good to see the industry take more risk in providing opportunities for young, aspiring leaders to take on a leadership role to build a strong talent pipeline of future Executives and General Managers”

Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?

My first hospitality experience was with Starwood Hotels & Resorts at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers in Dubai as F&B &Banquets Coordinator in 1999. I spent total of 10 years in different progressive roles in PR and Marketing, Executive Office and eventually in HR Department.

In 2009, I joined the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as HR Manager for their pre-opening Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, followed by a lateral move to the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. After 15 years in the UAE, I moved to Bahrain in 2015 to join IHG’s Crowne Plaza Hotel as Director of Human Resources.

Beginning of 2018, IHG gave me another opportunity to move to Qatar as Director of Human Resources for its iconic property in the region, the InterContinental Doha Hotel as well as the InterContinental Residences.

Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?

High degree of ethics, loyalty, open mind set to embrace challenges as opportunity, work with inspiring leaders and mentors and definitely resilience and continuous personal drive to learn and grow.

Editor: What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?

The right attitude and leadership competencies to bring the brand to life. Having the right balance to deliver business success through developing and engaging people.

Demonstrate the inner drive and commitment to grow to the next level.

Editor: What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?

Growing competition leads to challenges in attraction and retention of right talents who fit the brand, especially in the luxury segment. Focus and emphasis towards due diligence on ethical recruitment to comply with international labour laws. Focus on operational efficiency to balance revenue opportunity and payroll cost management.

Editor: Tech is now an enabler for great hospitality. Can you share with us some of the techs that go into creating your guest experience?

Paperless check in process, online newspapers and magazines in different languages, in room interactive systems, automated marketing tools, evolving guests online surveys.

Editor: Two things you would like to change in the industry.

Take more risk in providing opportunity for young, aspiring leaders to take on a leadership role to build a strong talent pipeline of future Executives and General Managers.

Sustainability of constant innovation in F&B offerings to cater to evolving culinary attitude and food tastes of customers.