3rd Edition Hospitality Innovation Summit

Founder of Sundukovy Sisters

(S+S) Studio

Sundukovy Sisters (S+S) Studio is a renowned interior design studio celebrated for its vibrant, artistic, and innovative designs in restaurants and hotels worldwide. With 20 years of experience and a portfolio showcasing over 200 projects across multiple countries, the studio has earned over 16 awards for excellence in hospitality design. The studio has a strong presence in the MENA region, with recent hotel projects in the UAE, Egypt, Kenya, and Benin and restaurant projects in London, Los Angeles, Marbella, Limassol, and Dubai.

Partner - Business Development, Hospitality Tourism & Leisure Advisory

Knight Frank

An accomplished and meticulous professional with 25 years of proven success record in various aspects of the hospitality industry including management, development and operations. A strategic thinker with excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic with the ability to inspire others through positive attitude, clear direction and resourcefulness. His consulting experience includes over 68 projects with a value of approximately USD 42 Billion. He has worked in various continents including Europe, North America, USA and the Middle East holding prestigious positions as Regional Partner Head, contributing his expertise over several years to renowned and established hotels. He has been involved in planning and advising some of the successful Hospitality and Tourism-related projects in Paris, Miami, New York, London, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Bangkok particularly with Academic/ Professional Qualifications Intercontinental and Shangri La group of hotels. Special Projects • Jazan Tourism Development Plan – Hospitality Advisory- Saudi Arabia • Tourism Development Fund – Hospitality Advisory – Saudi Arabia • Emirates Airlines – Hospitality Advisory– UAE • Qatar Airport – Hospitality Advisory – Qatar • Rua Al Madina - Hospitality Planning and Advisory - Saudi Arabia • Jeddah Central Development Co. - Hospitality Advisory- Saudi Arabia • Saadiyat Island - Master Planning Advisory – Abu Dhabi, UAE • Jabal Akhdar - Project Development and Planning– Oman • NEOM - Hospitality Advisory – Saudi Arabia • Gulf Coast Real Estate Development Company – Hospitality Advisory - Saudi Arabia • Qiddiya - Financial Advisory– Saudi Arabia • Diriyah Gate - Financial Adv - Saudi Arabia Turab Saleem has made significant contributions to various hospitality conferences across the Middle East and Africa as a distinguished speaker and moderator. With extensive years of expertise in the industry, he is a sought-after speaker, known for his insightful presentations and engaging moderation. Recently, Turab further solidified his reputation by presenting on "The Future of Hotel," where he explored the evolving landscape of the hospitality sector. His discussion covered upcoming trends, innovative technologies, and the changing expectations of guests, offering valuable perspectives on what the future holds for hotels. His contributions continue to shape the dialogue and development within the hospitality industry in the region. Turab Saleem has significantly contributed to the hospitality industry through his extensive media presence and research work, establishing himself as a credible source of information and insight. His deep expertise and years of experience make him a sought-after speaker and moderator at various hospitality conferences across the Middle East and Africa. His involvement in various research projects within the hospitality industry has solidified his reputation as a thought leader. This research work, combined with his forward-thinking perspectives, showcases his ability to identify emerging trends, innovative technologies, and evolving guest expectations. Turab's comprehensive analysis and insights continuously influence the discourse and development within the hospitality sector, further highlighting his expertise and leadership qualities.

Partner

HVS Middle East & Africa

Lee-Anne, along with her business partners, oversees various businesses within the travel, hospitality, hotel, and property sectors in South Africa. With over 27 years of experience in the industry, she has a proven track record of driving business development for a diverse portfolio of brands. She is passionate about leadership, empowerment, and social entrepreneurship, and actively participates in various community and entrepreneurship programs that foster social change and job creation. Her public roles include serving on the board of Cape Town Tourism; Committee Chair of the Tourism Sector Portfolio at the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and West Coast Chapter Committee member at the Chamber. She is also the Chairperson of FEDHASA Cape, the national trade association for the hospitality industry, and a board member of Glendale Home Cape Town, a home for intellectually disabled adults. Lee-Anne has been recognised as a positive role model in the corporate sector when she was awarded the 2020 Gender Mainstreaming Positive Role Model Award in the Cape province. She enjoys speaking at conferences and events, sharing her insights and expertise in the tourism industry. Her biggest and most exciting project, however, is raising her three children and pursuing her dream of running ten of the world's most famous half-marathons.

Senior Partner, Principal Architect & Senior Project Manager

DAA Architects Ltd.

Highly accomplished Architect and Managing Director with 35+ years of experience driving project and team success through exceptional leadership, collaboration, and innovative design solutions. Key Strengths - Proven track record of managing large interdisciplinary project groups and fostering ownership among clients, teams, and users - Expertise in complex architectural, technical, and functional projects, with a focus on hospitality design and development - Strong leadership and motivational skills, with a passion for challenging teams to adapt to evolving design and project development systems Experience - Managing Director, DAA (35 years) - Successfully led the firm to become the premier hotel design and development firm in West Africa - Collaborated with international hotel management groups and local boutique hotel brands on numerous hospitality projects in Nigeria and West Africa Specializations - Hospitality design and development - Project management and team leadership - Complex architectural, technical, and functional projects - Cross-cultural design and community engagement

CEO

Experienciah and H Partners

Abbas Azzouzi is a recognized leader in the hospitality industry, currently serving as the President and CEO of Experienciah, the first innovative Moroccan platform dedicated to hotel management. Since 2022, he has led this company, which manages a portfolio of 22 hotels, with a focus on Moroccan art of living and customer experience. Under his strategic vision, Experienciah provides tailor-made solutions for hoteliers and investors and aims to expand its influence across the African continent. In addition to his role at Experienciah, Abbas Azzouzi is also the CEO of HPartners, a hospitality investment fund investing in Morocco. His career includes a significant role at the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) where he has been appointed by His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco. he played a key role in promoting Morocco as a destination and implementing the strategic program “Vision 2010”. During his leadership the destination experienced an annual increase of 15% for arrivals, 25% for revenues and achieved 7.4 million tourists, $8 billions of revenues in 2007. He spent also a key role in formatting the media sector in Morocco by launching the first private news channel in Morocco. In 5 years, the channel reached a market share of 15% and multiplied the audience share by 10 to reach 7,5%. Before coming back to Morocco, he spent more than 15 years in Europe with a strong experience in the luxury industry (LVMH, Christofle) dealing with business acquisitions, transformation and internationalization. With a career marked by business transformation and the development of innovative strategies, Abbas Azzouzi stands out for his ability to lead ambitious projects and create sustainable value across various sectors, always with a strong commitment to excellence and innovation. Abbas Azzouzi is an alumni of EMLyon and The University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with an MBA. He managed (from 2007 until 2016) the Mawazine Festival, one of the biggest festival in the world.

Vice President & Head of Development Middle East, India and Africa

H World International

Siegfried Nierhaus is a well-respected name in the Middle Eastern hospitality industry, known for his passion and dedication towards his work and team. Born and raised in a family of restaurateurs and hoteliers in Germany and Austria, Siegfried inherited the love for hospitality from his family and has entertained guests at his family business since the age of 4. His more then 30-year career in the industry has been dominated by 15 years spent in France and 16 years based in Dubai with responsibilities throughout the Middle East, India, Asia, and Africa. In the Middle East, Siegfried has held strategic and leading operational positions, and board of director positions while working for different international hotel operators, hotel owners, and hospitality consultants. He is the only German in the hospitality industry who has been recognised as one of the Top 50 hoteliers in the Middle East since 2011. Siegfried holds the position of Vice President and Head of Business Development for H World International covering the Middle East, India, and Africa (MEIA) region with over 32 hotels, 8344 keys to date. With a strategic vision and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, Siegfried has led numerous high-profile projects, enhanced operational excellence and driven business growth across diverse markets. Siegfried’s deep understanding of the unique cultural and business dynamic within the MEIA region, has positioned him as a key influencer in the hospitality sector and inspire and empower teams to achieve new heights of success, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence throughout the organisation. Siegfried’s motto is to empower his team by fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where every voice is valued by encouraging open communication, providing opportunities for continuous learning and professional development with skills needed to succeed in a fast-paced industry. He promotes a culture of accountability and trust, empowering the team to take ownership of their roles and make decisions that drive the business forward. The leadership style is rooted in mentorship, actively guiding and inspiring his team to reach their full potential.

Design Principal, Global Hospitality Lead

Gensler

Diane is passionate about creative solutions in interior architecture, Diane Thorsen believes that great design begins with understanding a client’s vision, their culture & designing from the inside out. Her extensive experience spanning over 30 years coupled with leadership ability has resulted in an award-winning design studio of thought leaders. Diane relocated to the Middle East in 2008 where she embraced the region’s nuances and responded with sensitivity to appropriate design solutions. Most notably her designs for international hospitality and mixed-use developments display attention to detail, a love of local art, and quality of craftsmanship. Her award-winning work and design approach is informed by human centric design, creativity, collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach with a structured, detailed process. A graduate of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture from the University of Johannesburg South Africa, Diane furthered her studies to include sustainability and is a LEED Accredited Professional and a WELL Building Accredited Professional. She is a Registered Interior Designer within the IIDA and serves on the advisory board of the American University in Dubai. Skilled at creating beautiful designs under a variety of budgets, styles, timeframes, and requirements, Diane guides clients through every phase of the design process and remains committed to delivering quality experiences.

CEO

Millat Investments

Hamza Farooqui is a committed South African entrepreneur holding a commanding presence across multiple sectors including fuel, convenience, real estate, technology, hospitality, tourism, and global financial services. As the founding CEO of the Millat Group, he has consistently steered negotiations with global business giants to successful conclusions. Farooqui has not only earned the trust of the Canadian multinational Alimentation Couche-Tard, the force behind Circle K, but also bridged a strategic alliance with Swiss based Trafigura, allowing him to play in the downstream fuel and gas space through the Puma Energy brand. He envisions lighting up the South African convenience map with 300 Circle K stores within the next three years. His resilience shone through the COVID crisis when he brought American hotel giant Hyatt to South Africa, opening the Hyatt Regency in Cape Town at the pandemic’s peak. Following this, two more Hyatt properties sprouted in Johannesburg, with a fourth one set to open in 2024. With an ambitious target of controlling two thousand keys in South Africa by 2024, Farooqui is not one to rest on his laurels. His innovative thinking has led to a partnership with Uber Eats, making Millat the pioneer hotel group to launch dark kitchens in South Africa. Informed by diverse cultures and a powerful sense of community, he embodies a service-oriented ethos. Farooqui travels the world widely, has extensive business interests in the GCC and the sub-continent, and through an extensive network has high-level access to global companies and their leaders. He also draws inspiration from the cultural diversity in these regions and his parental roots of Pakistan. Farooqui previously served as MD for satellite radio company WorldSpace in Africa, where he spearheaded capital raising efforts that culminated in a triumphant NASDAQ IPO. Farooqui ventured into hospitality and tourism launching his first global hotel brand with Coral Hotels in 2009. He paved the way for the Hilton brand in South Africa, introducing Hilton to Cape Town in 2011, and opening Conrad Pezula in 2012 – a first on African soil for the prestigious brand. Farooqui remains committed to his vision of seeing South Africa emerge as an economic powerhouse on the global stage. For Farooqui, his journey has never been solely about achieving personal milestones or acquiring wealth. He is driven by the ethos of servitude, a principle that permeates all his ventures and partnerships.

Regional Vice President - Lodging Development, Africa and All-Inclusive EMEA

Marriott International

In his current role, Karim oversees the growth of Marriott International's footprint across the African continent. He is also leading the company All-Inclusive hotel development across EMEA. Karim joined Marriott in 2010 as Vice President of Development for Africa. Karim has over 23 years of experience in hotel real estate development, finance and investments. Prior to joining Marriott, Karim was a Director of Investments at Istithmar. In his role he was responsible for origination and acquisitions of hotel and leisure assets globally. Karim started his career in hotel consulting with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young Transactions Real Estate Advisory. He has advised hospitality companies, investors and lenders on M&A transactions, strategy and investment opportunities within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Through his college years, Karim went to work as a summer intern with Club Med, and that got him to start his hospitality journey. Karim holds a Masters in Hospitality Administration from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, in Switzerland.

Creative Director

Source

Following a career in PR and media, Mardré’s passion for realising the full potential of brands continues in his work at Source Interior Brand Architecture. As Creative Director he ensures that the integrity of the concept is upheld and developed to its maximum. His involvement covers all aspects of the project starting from initial concept narrative, through design development and includes FF&E and finishes. Mardré has worked on projects ranging from large-scale hospitality developments, through boutique work environments to affordable housing schemes and exhibition stands. Most recently he has also formalised a branding offering as part of the studio’s hospitality expertise. This facilitates a much more meaningful creative relationship with the client, and more specifically the project, as it allows input and oversight of a much broader range of creative aspects that all contribute to the experiential storytelling. Mardré’ is currently included in Scape magazine’s ‘The One Hundred’ – ‘a special edition that spotlight the 100 iconic voices of the South African design industry earmarked by the publisher make waves and inspire. As a studio, Source IBA has spent more than 20 years passionately working to establish contemporary African design as an equal player on the global stage rather than a curiosity. As such, Source IBA has broken boundaries by becoming either the first and in some cases still the only African studio to be pre-approved by international hospitality brands Radisson Hotel Group, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt, Accor Hotels, Marriott International, Kempinski, Melia Hotels and most recently Intercontinental Hotel Group.

Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels & Director

Louvre Hotels

A trailblazer in Indian hospitality. An experienced hotelier with 46 years of work in India, Africa, Australia, France & UK. Ajay has contributed to the phenomenal growth story of Sarovar since its early inception, beginning from a shared office table to over 125 hotels today. Ajay was Director Rooms at Australia’s largest hotel, now the 878 room Hyatt Regency, Sydney. He was a GM with Oberoi Hotels at the age of 31 years. An MBA alumni of IMHI (Cornell – ESSEC, France), Ajay is a graduate of the Oberoi School, and a Bachelor of Science. He leads with entrepreneurial zeal. He has been awarded ‘Hall of Fame’, ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and ‘CEO of the Year’ in India.

Co-Founder

Sundukovy Sisters (S+S) Studio

Ira and Olga Sundukovy, founders of Sundukovy Sisters (S+S) Studio, lead a renowned interior design studio celebrated for its vibrant, artistic, and innovative designs in restaurants and hotels worldwide. With 20 years of experience and a portfolio featuring over 200 projects across multiple countries, the studio has earned more than 16 awards for excellence in hospitality design, including the Designers of the Year award at the Golden Key Awards in 2018. The studio has a strong presence in the MENA region, with recent hotel projects in the UAE, Egypt, Kenya, and Benin, along with restaurant projects in London, Los Angeles, Marbella, Limassol, and Dubai.

Head and Editor

Business Insider Africa

Victor Oluwole is the Head and Editor at Business Insider Africa, where he oversees both the editorial and commercial operations. With nearly a decade of experience in business journalism, Victor manages content direction while also driving revenue strategies and managing client relationships. Since joining Business Insider Africa, Victor has led the publication to new heights, significantly growing its audience and impact. His efforts have ensured the platform's commercial sustainability, and he has created influential stories that have resonated locally and internationally.

CEO & Creative Director

Living Design

A long and illustrious career with over 35 years of experience, and numerous prestigious projects in his portfolio, resulting in more than 420 plus projects, the majority being 5 stars hotels, Tarek Hegazy joined Living Design in 1999 and has since then gradually risen to become the CEO and Creative Director of the company since 2006. His company, Living Design, the oldest ID company in Scandinavia, a Swedish based International Interior Design firm established in 1984 and celebrating 40 year’s anniversary in 2024 is considered by its peers to be one of the leading Interior Design studio in Europe and Scandinavia with more than 400+ `hotel projects successfully completed to-date. Living Design has earned over 120 awards for their hotels and is considered a top ranked interior design firm within the hospitality, high end residential and commercial projects. During his time at the helm of Living Design, the company has grown to be a leading design player within its field. This all encompassing role has given him the impetus to develop a much stronger work and cooperation ethic with all key players involved within this industry. From clients, investors and operators, he continuously assists them in their comfort and ease of use with the facilities he creates, and of course, with his own team of professionals. Living Design has achieved a large number of projects in all 4 continents, and for some of the most prestigious hotel brands across Europe, the Middle East and the US. Prior to Living Design, Mr. Hegazy has also served at various major companies in his carrier all of them from the top 100 in architecture & Design. Living Design currently have it’s headquarter in Stockholm, Sweden with another offices in Zurich and in Geneva, Switzerland and a liaison office in Cairo with eye on expanding to Saudi Arabia in 2024. Mr. Hegazy is a member of the Swedish Architekt Association, The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Interior Designers Association (IIDA), NEWH The hospitality Network, as well as the Egyptian syndicate of Engineers Mr. Hegazy has lectured and continue to lecture about Interior Design and industry future topics to prestigious bodies including the AIA, The Chinese Institute of Architects, the UN Environment Summit, and several governmental bodies and investment conference across the globe in addition to design conferences and is considered as one of the top executives in the Hospitality. He has won numerous awards in Design and his work has been featured regularly in different reputable publications.

Chief Development Officer

SODIC

Ahmed El-Halawany is the Chief Development Officer at SODIC. El-Halawany has over 15 years of experience in managing the development portfolio of prominent real estate players in Egypt and the region. Prior to joining SODIC, El-Halawany served as the Chief Development Officer at Orascom Development, Egypt, where he led the real estate business unit in El Gouna with special focus on projects' progress, revenues, deliveries, and cash flow management. El-Halawany also served as the Development Director for Malls & Residential at Marakez, the Development Director at Eagle Hills Properties and held the same role at SODIC, overseeing Eastown for two years. Earlier in his career, El-Halawany spent five years as the Development Manager at Emaar Properties, Mivida, following his role as Design Architect at Dar El Handasah. El-Halawany holds a BSc in Architecture from Cairo University.

Owner

Anyana Hospitality

Owner of Anyana Hospitality. Involved in the hotel business in Ethiopia and in the process of building the first luxury boutique hotel in Ethiopia - Founder and CEO of Stellar Solutions. Involved in the import of construction materials, export of agro commodities, and distribution of FMCG products.

Founder & CEO

Wells International

Wells International is a preeminent global hospitality design consultancy crafting some of the world’s most unique, original and luxurious hospitality projects. Founded by CEO Justin Wells, the goal of Wells International is to be the most distinctive hospitality design company in the world. Wells International uses a unique ‘manifesto’ in the ideation process being Design Mirrors Theatre. Their design approach is to create deep research-led, inventive storytelling, which results in emotively charged, transformational experiences. Wells believes the four pillars of Wells International’s design process, namely the creation of a Script, Scenography, and celebrations of Actors and Audience, are all deeply reflected in the hospitality industry, and therefore deeply shape the design philosophy of the company. As an award-winning designer and Australian architect, Wells has designed exquisite hospitality projects across the world for nearly three decades. His instinctive passion for hotel design was born out of travel at a youthful age, when he noticed the magical transformation of how resorts could reinvent from day to night, from a cognitive planning arrangement to a mystical ambience of intriguing spaces amongst light and shadow. Wells founded Wells International in Dubai to strategically service the locations of projects across Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asian regions. Having previously tenured with some of the hospitality industry’s giants, Wells continues to design with his international team located across Europe, Middle East and the Asia Pacific. As a positive contributor back to the design industry, Wells has also been a design judge for Global and MEA AHEAD awards on multiple occasions, a regular keynote speaker at industry events and conferences and is privileged to have an enviable client list comprising Royal Family members and Heads of State amongst numerous others. “Hospitality design and travel have been deep passions of mine from an early age,” says Wells. “I have always been fascinated by different places, cultures and experiences, and this has translated into an emotional approach to design.

Chairman & Managing Director

The Arab Co. for Hotels & Tourism Investments

In 39 years of hospitality experience, Asser, has built strong managerial skills within different 5 stars hotel brands in various regions including city and resort, serving both travel and corporate business mix. After having a degree in hotel management in 1982 ; with highest honors; Asser has started his career as a management trainee at Hilton international, he started stepping the ladder by becoming a front office manager, rooms division manager, ending by becoming General Manager. Asser has been with 5 stars international chains; including Hilton International, IHG, Le Meridien and lastly Sonesta International. Asser has attended the Genearal Managers Seminar & Workshop of The Hotel School – Cornell University. Asser has attended several AH&MA courses, and is a Front Office Management & Procedures (Certified Instructor). Since 2008; Asser has moved from the hotel operations field, into the owning companies field, starting with the Kharafi group of Kuwait , as Senior Director of assets for hotel operations of the group in both Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, ending with Emmar group in 2014 as Senior Director of Hospitality for Egypt operations. Starting 2015, Asser has joined the Oriental Weavers group ( OW); as Chairman & Managing Director, of their real estate and hospitality holding company; Orientals for Urban Development “ OUD”. Asser’s most recent role since January 2022, was the Chief Executive Officer for the hospitality division of Amer group. In his capacity, Asser was responsible for the overall performance and operations of the following subdivisions : Hotels, Malls, Sport Clubs, Porto Holiday’s program and Porto Vacation Club. Startin September 2022, Asser has started a new chapter in his hospitality career, when he became the Chairman & Managing director of The Arab Company for Hotels & Tourism Investment “ACHTI”. ACHTI, is the owning company of 2 hotels, Novotel Cairo Airport and Steignberger Achti resort Luxor. In his new capacity, Asser is in charge of the company operation, and that of the 2 owned hotels, including; renovation and refurbishment plans. The company’s budget and finding new revenue streams, is among his main duties.

Group CEO

Abu Soma Development Company [Somabay]

Ibrahim joined Somabay in 2012 as Director of Development and assumed his current role at the end of 2014. He is responsible for managing the Somabay group of eleven [11] companies, comprised of ASDC the master developer of the 10 million sqm peninsula, 5-Hotel Companies, and other related subsidiaries all operating in Soma Bay on the Red Sea in Egypt. During that time, Ibrahim led the transformation of Somabay from a collection of resort hotels to a high-end mixed-use destination comprising 10 hotels, 2,500 homes,marina, 2.5 golf courses along with all the associated ancillary services. Ibrahim started his career in construction where he worked with Bechtel the largest construction company in the world at the time for around 14 years across various business units; including hotels, infrastructure, aviation, ports, high-speed rail across 3 continents. His experience included work on some signature projects such as the New Doha International Airport [the second largest airport in the world] and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, UK [Transferring the main London Terminal for the Eurostar from Waterloo to St Pancras]. He also worked for shorter spells with Orascom and CH2MHill. The latter part of his career has been in real estate development, starting with Dubai World’s international arm [Limitless] as they set up in North Africa. This was followed by four years working on the transformation of MNHD to becoming one of the fastest growing private sector developers in Cairo and finally Somabay. El Missiri graduated from the American University in Cairo in 1994 with B.Sc. in Construction Engineering with High Honors. He then got his M.Sc. Degree from University College London in 1999 in Built Environment after being awarded the British Chevening Scholarship.

FOUNDER & CEO

LEVA HOTELS

Named as part of Forbes' Top Travel and Tourism Leaders in 2023 and 2024, one of the Most Powerful Leaders and most inspiring visionary leaders in the Middle East by Arabian Business Magazine, with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and an impeccable record of notable achievements, JS Anand is a prominent hotelier and passionate corporate leader. After earning his diploma in hotel management, he refined his hands-on management style as he advanced through senior roles in world-class hospitality companies. He has been featured on the Power 50 - Most Influential Leaders by Hotelier Middle East, Executive Power list 2023: The Most Influential Hotel Leaders in the Middle East, Most Innovative Business Leaders Inspiring the World 2022 by The Excelligent Magazine, and Most Influential Entrepreneurs From Dubai To Watch in 2022 By The Gulf Entrepreneur Magazine. People-centric and future-focused, JS aims to make an impact on the hospitality industry by building on the importance of employee well-being and satisfaction, creating an unforgettable service culture that gains global recognition, and being more involved in humanitarian causes around the world. Building long-lasting connections play a pivotal role in his work, especially in his mission to propel LEVA across the MENA region and Europe. JS is a charismatic corporate leader with a hands-on management style. He lives by the company’s core values that are firmly focused on delivering, efficiently and effectively, what was promised to its stakeholders and clients. Now he is committed to creating the best lifestyle hotels in the Middle East and beyond, becoming one of the leading hotel management companies dedicated to clarity, transparency, and delivering on its promises to clients and stakeholders.

Vice President Development, North Africa

Marriott International

In his current role, Shady Hassan oversees the growth of Marriott International's footprint across North Africa. Shady has over 17 years of experience in hotel operations, consulting, and real estate development. Prior to joining Marriott, Shady was with Meraas Holding, responsible for the planning and financial viability for all their hospitality assets. Shady started his career in hotel operations with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in the US, and later the Middle East, after which he joined JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality team advising investors and developers across the Middle East and Africa.

Group CDO

Abu Soma Development Company [Somabay]

Mohamed joined Somabay in 2020 as Chief Development Officer. He is responsible for Somabay group Development, comprised of ASDC the master developer of the 10 million sqm peninsula, 5-Hotel Companies, all operating in Soma Bay on the Red Sea in Egypt. Mohamed started his career in development where he worked with Kharafi Holdings. A Leading Architectural and Engineering company in the world at the time for around 11 years across various business units; including hotels, infrastructure, and high-ways. He also worked for shorter spells with Damac Properties. The latter part of his career has been in real estate and hospitality signature development, such as Mandarin Oriental Maldives Resort, Long Island Resort – The Seychelles, Paramount Tower Hotel & Residences – Dubai , Majestine Tower – Dubai, Avanti Tower – Dubai, and finally Somabay. Shehata graduated from the American University in Cairo in 2002 with B.Sc. in Construction Engineering with High Honors.

Group CEO

Janus Continental Group

Kevin Teeroovengadum is the Group CEO of Janus Continental Group and brings on board 22 years of experience in various sectors across African Real Estate, Hospitality, and Financial Services. Kevin is a seasoned executive with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, focusing on the African continent. He also serves as an independent non-executive director for various companies in Mauritius and South Africa, and is the co-founder of ProptechAfrica. Kevin was previously Chair of the Boards for Radisson Blu, Azuri Resorts and Spa, and Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort and Spa, so we are delighted to have him share his knowledge and experience for this panel.

Managing Director

Mac-Folly Hospitality

Chike Ogeah is a 1983 graduate of Psychology and a 1988 graduate of Law, both from the University of Lagos and Barrister at Law in 1990, from the Nigerian Law School. After practicing as a Legal Practitioner for a number of years with SOFUNDE,OSAKWE,OGUNDIPE & BELGORE(Legal Practitioners), he started his own Law practice, OGEAH & CO.(BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS). With a keen interest in Governance and International relations, Mr Ogeah moved to work in the Presidency and worked in the National Planning Commission in the capacity of Special Assistant to two Chief Economic Advisers to the President. He later worked as the National Coordinator of the successful, States Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS). He proceeded thereafter to work as a Facilitating Consultant in the Office of the Millennium Development Goals also within the Presidency. In 2006, he was called upon to head the Federal Government of Nigeria –owned, Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited, (SAHCOL) as the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer. He held this position for four interesting years and judiciously handled the privatization of SAHCOL in 2010, one of the most successful and transparent processes, in the history of the privatization agenda of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 2011, he was called upon to serve as the Commissioner for Information for Delta State under the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, 2011 to 2015 administration. A position he held adeptly and successfully till May 2015. Mr. Chike Ogeah has attended numerous courses and workshops worthy of note, both locally and internationally and brought his expertise to bear, in all corporate and government positions held throughout his career. He is Chairman and Director of several companies and a member of several professional bodies. He was until recently the Vice-Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) and now the Managing Director of Mac-Folly Hospitality Limited,(Owners of the Lagos Marriott Hotel,Ikeja)all within the Sifax Group of Companies.He is also a Director in both Excelerate Energy Resources Limited (ExGas) and Vice Chairman,Paelon Memorial Hospital,Victoria Island, Lagos. Mr. Chike Ogeah is happily married with three children.

Africa, Project Sales Manager SSA - Hansgrohe

KAM Global Projects - Africa

Chike Ogeah is a 1983 graduate of Psychology and a 1988 graduate of Law, both from the University of Lagos and Barrister at Law in 1990, from the Nigerian Law School. After practicing as a Legal Practitioner for a number of years with SOFUNDE,OSAKWE,OGUNDIPE & BELGORE(Legal Practitioners), he started his own Law practice, OGEAH & CO.(BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS). With a keen interest in Governance and International relations, Mr Ogeah moved to work in the Presidency and worked in the National Planning Commission in the capacity of Special Assistant to two Chief Economic Advisers to the President. He later worked as the National Coordinator of the successful, States Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS). He proceeded thereafter to work as a Facilitating Consultant in the Office of the Millennium Development Goals also within the Presidency. In 2006, he was called upon to head the Federal Government of Nigeria –owned, Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited, (SAHCOL) as the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer. He held this position for four interesting years and judiciously handled the privatization of SAHCOL in 2010, one of the most successful and transparent processes, in the history of the privatization agenda of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 2011, he was called upon to serve as the Commissioner for Information for Delta State under the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, 2011 to 2015 administration. A position he held adeptly and successfully till May 2015. Mr. Chike Ogeah has attended numerous courses and workshops worthy of note, both locally and internationally and brought his expertise to bear, in all corporate and government positions held throughout his career. He is Chairman and Director of several companies and a member of several professional bodies. He was until recently the Vice-Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) and now the Managing Director of Mac-Folly Hospitality Limited,(Owners of the Lagos Marriott Hotel,Ikeja)all within the Sifax Group of Companies.He is also a Director in both Excelerate Energy Resources Limited (ExGas) and Vice Chairman,Paelon Memorial Hospital,Victoria Island, Lagos. Mr. Chike Ogeah is happily married with three children.

Founder & CEO

Real Estate Investor Magazine

Neale Petersen is the founder and Content-in-Chief of Real Estate Investor (REI), South Africa's leading independent digital platform for real estate news, education, and investment content. Since 2007, REI has been a trusted resource for property investors through its digital magazine, monthly updates, webinars, seminars, and live events. Neale is also a seasoned real estate investor, mentor, event facilitator, and educator, frequently speaking at industry gatherings and sharing his wealth of knowledge with aspiring property investors. With a background in media from his time at media giant Naspers and a keen eye for property investment, Neale has earned a reputation as a prominent figure in real estate media. His expertise has allowed him to successfully bridge the worlds of property investment and digital media, making him a thought leader in both spaces. Neale is also renowned for his insightful interviews with high-profile business figures, including retail magnate Christo Wiese, investment tycoon Jannie Mouton, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and financial educator Robert Kiyosaki. Through these conversations and his ongoing work, Neale is dedicated to empowering individuals to unlock their potential for success in business and investing.

Head of Business Development - Middle East & Africa

United Hospitality Management

Alban Mabille de Poncheville is a dynamic leader in the hospitality and real estate sectors, bringing over a decade of expertise in development, strategy, and operations. As the Head of Business Development for United Hospitality Management (UHM) in the Middle East and Africa, Alban is at the forefront of driving the company’s expansion across the region. Before joining UHM, Alban served as Group Director of Development – EMEA at Rove Hotels, where he spearheaded strategies to double the brand’s footprint within five years. His efforts in financial modelling, risk assessment, and sustainability-focused initiatives were instrumental in achieving this ambitious growth. Prior to this, Alban held key roles at Radisson Hotel Group, including Director of Development – North Africa, where he facilitated major projects across Egypt and Morocco. With a strong background in real estate advisory and feasibility studies, Alban’s career also includes tenures at KPMG and Cushman & Wakefield. He has consistently delivered impactful results, supported by his robust academic foundation, including Master’s degrees in Real Estate from La Sorbonne University and Management from the University of Paris X, alongside a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the Glion Institute of Higher Education. Fluent in French and English, Alban thrives in multicultural environments, embodying a global perspective in his work. A native of the French Alps, he has a passion for travel, kitesurfing, and exploring diverse cultures, complemented by a deep appreciation for gastronomy.

Founder & CEO

CityBlue Hotels

Jameel was born and raised in England, where he read law at the London School of Economics. He qualified as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales in 2001 and practised in the firm's London and Paris offices for five years. BLP was regularly voted UK Law Firm of the Year before its merger to become Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. Jameel decided to leave the law in order to go into business and set up several start-ups in the UK and Middle East before joining hands with some of his family’s interests, now consolidated under The Diar Group. Since 2010, Jameel’s focus shifted to sub-Saharan Africa and he entrepreneurially built CityBlue Hotels from inception in 2013. Over the past decade, CityBlue has become Africa’s fastest-growing local hotel chain with properties across five African countries and more than one thousand keys in the pipeline. CityBlue Hotels is known for its focus on five-star locations, affordability, service and technology across several sub-brands which incorporate business boutique hotels, midscale hotels, aparthotels and curated experiences. CityBlue Hotels is also the hospitality partner of the National Museums of Kenya, emphasising the group’s focus on culture and giving back to the community in which it operates. Beyond East and West Africa, CityBlue Hotels has also entered into a partnership with Dream Hotels & Resorts of South Africa and Mozambique, creating a pan-African sales and marketing platform to compete with the goliaths of the industry. In recent years, Jameel has been recognised one of the leading business “thought leaders” across the African continent and in 2023, he was awarded the “Creating Impact” award for Outstanding Contribution to Africa. He has subsequently been invited to join the Advisory Board of the Lagos Business School’s Hospitality Initiative. Jameel continues to lead CityBlue Hotels’ business with a clear plan for growth within Africa and beyond.

Senior Vice President

Middle East & Africa - Minor Hotels

Amir Golbarg heads up the Middle East & Africa region for Minor Hotels, in addition to the Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles and Mauritius. Minor Hotels’ portfolio currently totals 550 hotels in 56 countries and includes the highly-acclaimed luxury Anantara brand and the upscale Avani brand. Amir currently oversees a total of 38 properties in operation across ten countries and five brands, in addition to driving the development of the strong pipeline of properties within the region across multiple brands. Early in 2024 the group added two Anantara properties in the UAE, including Minor Hotels´ first property in Ras Al Khaimah, , bringing the brand´s total to nine in the country. In 2023 Minor Hotels debuted NH Collection in the Middle East with the opening of a new-build property on The Palm in Dubai. The group also launched NH Hotels earlier this year in Africa with a hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Joining the Minor Hotels regional team in March 2019 as Vice President Operations for Middle East, North Africa, Mauritius and Seychelles, Amir was promoted in September 2021 to Senior Vice President Operations, including adding the group’s operation in Southern Africa into the mix. Amir previously held the strategic position of Chief Operating Officer at Al Rayyan Hospitality and Corporate Director – Asset Management at Katara Hospitality. Both entities are subsidiaries of the state-owned Qatar Investment Authority and in this dual role, Amir supported the State of Qatar with the opening and positioning of government assets and hotels both locally and internationally, in addition to managing a portfolio of operating entities and opening five luxury properties. These included the relaunch of Ritz Carlton Doha, the rebranding of the Six Senses Spa with Chiva-Som Resort in Thailand, the renovation of Raffles Singapore and the acquisition of Grosvenor House London. A graduate of Glion Institute of Higher Education, Amir began his career in hospitality in 2004 and held various front of house roles for prestigious hotels such as Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Amir first joined Minor Hotels in 2012 as Director of Operations & Hotel Openings based in the Bangkok Corporate Office. He then held several international positions with Minor, before becoming Hotel Manager at Souq Waqif Hotel Doha, Qatar in 2015. Amir, who is a Danish national, is based in the Middle East Regional Office in Dubai. Now a seasoned international hotelier, Amir’s passion for excellence has led him to successfully drive the operations and hospitality assets for a number of companies for over 17 years. Minor Hotels is an international hotel owner, operator and investor with a diverse portfolio of brands including Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli, NH Collection, NH, nhow and Elewana.

Founder & Managing Director

GBB Venture

Since 2009, Ravi Kumar Chandran has been a driving force in international business development, shaping trade initiatives and forging strategic partnerships across continents. With a network spanning over 100 countries, he has successfully built value-driven collaborations and established enduring relationships with key organizations globally. Under his leadership, GBB has partnered with prestigious institutions such as the United Nations, Société Marocaine d’Ingénierie Touristique, PIF Saudi Arabia, African Tourism Board, Asian-African Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Saudi Business Council, Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), KenInvest (Kenya Investment Authority), Egyptian Furniture Export Council, Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC), and GHORFA Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As the visionary organizer behind impactful events like the Real Estate Development Summit, Hospitality Innovation Summit, Affordable Housing Investment Summit, and Emerging Tech Summit, Ravi is committed to fostering sustainable growth and connecting global leaders. A passionate advocate for international trade and development, he continues to champion initiatives that drive long-term success and bring together businesses worldwide.

Executive Director of Hospitality

Talaat Moustafa Holding Group

As the Executive Director of Hospitality at Talaat Moustafa Holding Group, Egypt’s largest hotel ownership company with portfolios includes renowned properties under brands such as Four Seasons, Marriott, Kempinski, Accor, and Steigenberger, Mohamed Abudagher plays a critical role as the owner’s representative, overseeing a portfolio of luxury hotels * and fostering strong global partnerships between operators and ownership. His deep understanding of both sides of the business, coupled with over 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, gives him a unique edge in aligning the goals of stakeholders, investors, and operators. Mohamed’s prior role as Executive Director of Hospitality at Al Rajhi Holding further solidified his expertise in managing the delicate balance between ownership groups and international hotel operators. This experience, along with his background working directly with top luxury hotel brands, allows him to drive operational excellence, optimize profitability, and ensure an exceptional guest experience. Holding dual master’s degrees—an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute and a Master’s in International Hotel Management from Les Roches—Mohamed blends strategic leadership, operational insight, and financial acumen. He has successfully led the development and operation of high-end hotel projects, from feasibility and design to marketing and operations, ensuring that every project exceeds both financial and experiential expectations.

Partner and Head of Design

El Ghoneimi International

Shadi El Ghoneimi is a distinguished French-Egyptian architect with over 20 years of experience specializing in hospitality design. He currently leads El Ghoneimi International, a family-owned firm founded in 1983, continuing its legacy of innovative and avant-garde design tailored to the evolving hospitality industry. Shadi earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Paris-La Seine (Les Beaux-Arts de Paris) and is a member of the Ordre des Architectes Français (Île-de-France) as well as the Egyptian Union of Architects. Throughout his career, Shadi has directed the design of a diverse array of notable hospitality projects across the EMEA region, collaborating with leading international brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Accor, and IHG. Born and raised in Cairo and educated in Paris, Shadi’s design philosophy is deeply influenced by these two vibrant cities. He is passionate about creating timeless spaces that seamlessly blend multicultural aesthetics with operational functionality, ensuring each project reflects its unique historical context and a strong sense of place.

CEO & Creative Director

Living Design

A long and illustrious career with over 35 years of experience, and numerous prestigious projects in his portfolio, resulting in more than 420 plus projects, the majority being 5 stars hotels, Tarek Hegazy joined Living Design in 1999 and has since then gradually risen to become the CEO and Creative Director of the company since 2006. His company, Living Design, the oldest ID company in Scandinavia, a Swedish based International Interior Design firm established in 1984 and celebrating 40 year’s anniversary in 2024 is considered by its peers to be one of the leading Interior Design studio in Europe and Scandinavia with more than 400+ `hotel projects successfully completed to-date. Living Design has earned over 120 awards for their hotels and is considered a top ranked interior design firm within the hospitality, high end residential and commercial projects. During his time at the helm of Living Design, the company has grown to be a leading design player within its field. This all encompassing role has given him the impetus to develop a much stronger work and cooperation ethic with all key players involved within this industry. From clients, investors and operators, he continuously assists them in their comfort and ease of use with the facilities he creates, and of course, with his own team of professionals. Living Design has achieved a large number of projects in all 4 continents, and for some of the most prestigious hotel brands across Europe, the Middle East and the US. Prior to Living Design, Mr. Hegazy has also served at various major companies in his carrier all of them from the top 100 in architecture & Design. Living Design currently have it’s headquarter in Stockholm, Sweden with another offices in Zurich and in Geneva, Switzerland and a liaison office in Cairo with eye on expanding to Saudi Arabia in 2024. Mr. Hegazy is a member of the Swedish Architekt Association, The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Interior Designers Association (IIDA), NEWH The hospitality Network, as well as the Egyptian syndicate of Engineers Mr. Hegazy has lectured and continue to lecture about Interior Design and industry future topics to prestigious bodies including the AIA, The Chinese Institute of Architects, the UN Environment Summit, and several governmental bodies and investment conference across the globe in addition to design conferences and is considered as one of the top executives in the Hospitality. He has won numerous awards in Design and his work has been featured regularly in different reputable publications.

General Manager

OASE

Ali Hammoud was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985, raised in Germany and is a German national. He holds a degree in Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) from the Hochschule Osnabrück – University of Applied Sciences, with a specialization in Industrial Engineering and Management. In 2011 Ali Hammoud joined OASE where he has been spending more than 13 years of his professional career. He held various positions in different departments like engineering, projection and sales and gained extensive experience in the fountain industry. In 2019 he was appointed as the General Manager of OASE Middle East.

Managing Director

Murano

Mr. Suneja is a certified Hatha Yoga and Laughter Yoga teacher based in Dubai. He is also Managing Director of Murano Lighting Company, running his own business for over 25 years and founder of “Friends of Yoga Club”. He is conducting Yoga and Laughter Yoga classes on six (6) places in UAE over last 20 years. Mr. Suneja has been spreading laughter moments in UAE and other nearby countries by living laughter. He has been using laughter as a tool for spreading happiness, as a tool of good health, healing, and harmony by connecting with the people through laughter. Recognized as the Emirates Laughter Ambassador, Mr. Suneja has dedicated his life to promoting laughter as a powerful tool for physical and mental well-being. His unique approach to laughter yoga has touched countless lives in the Middle East, earning him the affectionate title of "Laughing Soul." His business model is based on abundance through laughter, and he firmly believes for well-being one should oxygenate, lubricate & hydrate the body to an optimum level. He preaches “when in trouble laugh double & the trouble will disappear like a bubble”.

Technogym Master Trainer

Sarah is a Wellness Coach and Consultant, certified as a Pilates trainer and Level 4 Strength & Conditioning Coach. Promoting the wellness concept through educational workshops, Sarah works one-to-one with business owners, entrepreneurs and athletes. She also works on rehabilitation, particularly with spine-related injuries.

Director of Corporate Services

Janus Continental Group

Nyawira has worked in Kenya across various industries across Hospitality, Real Estate, Beverages, and Energy, overseeing the marketing and communications, sales, business development, IT and legal functions. As CEO JCG Hospitality, the vision she has created is to redefine the hospitality experience. JCG is expanding their footprint, with several exciting new developments on the horizon. They currently own the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club and have three new properties in development, each designed to capitalize on Kenya's diverse landscapes, with a clear focus on bush and beach experiences. Nyawira sits on various boards and is the Chair of the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of wildlife in Kenya. Nyawira has a Bachelor of Law (LLB) and qualified as a solicitor in 2007. She also holds an MBA from ESSEC Business school in Paris, France.

All Speakers

Ravi Kumar Chandran

Turab Saleem

Amir Golbarg

Justin Wells

Laurinda Marsh

Lee-Anne Singer

Siegfried Nierhaus

Shady Hassan

Ajay K. Bakaya

Mohamed Abudagher

Ahmed El-Halawany

Mohamed Shehata

Tarek Hegazy

Ira Sundukova

Olya Sundukova

Dipo Adebo

Diane Thorsen

MARDRE MEYER

Shadi El Ghoneimi

Neale Petersen

JS Anand

Ezana Kirubel

Chike Ogeah

Alban Mabille de Poncheville

Jameel Verjee

Ali Hammoud

Suman Kumar Suneja

Nyawira Kariuki

Sarah Zakzouk

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