Our team

A graduate from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Ahmed has more than 30 years experience spanning the hospitality and service sectors across the GCC, European, North American and Asian markets.

Previous to his founding of Ròya International in 1998, Ahmed held Regional Director Positions in blue-chip corporations including InterContinental Hotels and Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts/Forte Grand Hotels.

Ahmed's skill-set covers all aspects of hotel operations from a hands-on perspective, through to senior regional management roles.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Hotel Asset Management)
• Hotel Operations with specific emphasis in: Sales & Marketing, Food & Beverage, Conference & Banqueting, Rooms Division
• Development and Management of Restaurants
• Hotel Management Agreement Contract Negotiations
• Hotel Acquisition Advisory and Sale/Purchase Negotiations
• Master Plan, Hotel Development - Concept, Design, Construction & Handover and Pre-Opening Advisory
• Concept creation of mega development projects

Due to Ahmed's diversity and comprehensive understanding of hotels and operations, he brings fundamental value to Ròya's wide spectrum of hospitality services.

Gerhard is a diverse hotelier with more than 30 years of regional and international experience in the hospitality industry. Through his work with renowned international hotel chains, including a-22 year tenure with Hilton Hotels, Gerhard has acquired a broad and diverse skill-set from a hands-on perspective in operations, to management and corporate responsibilities. Although predominantly based in the Middle East, he has held a number of senior positions in North America, Europe and Africa, gaining perspective from a range of work environments, operations and markets.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Management of hotel operations
• Sales & Marketing strategy development and oversight
• Development of finance structure and implementation for new hotel operations
• Hospitality Advisory during hotel development
• Hotel Management Agreement contract negotiations

Gerhard's specific expertise and broad understanding of the hospitality sector adds considerable value to Ròya's diverse hospitality projects.

As Director of Special Projects for Ròya International, Asif brings more than 40 years of financial and hospitality experience through his tenure with InterContinental Hotels. With a major in business finance and a solid understanding of a number of different markets including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Europe, the Caribbean, Pakistan, Asia and Africa, Asif brings a wealth of market exposure and capability for the successful oversight of hotel financial systems.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Pre-opening oversight for the Implementation of financial systems
• Annual budget development and monitoring oversight
• Capital expenditure plan allocation and monitoring
• System control and measures oversight
• Financial operational performance analysis

Since joining Ròya International, Asif continues to play a key role in Hotel Management Oversight Services, either as a project leader or a team support member, in addition to providing significant contribution to Ròya's other hospitality projects.

With a foundation in Architecture and more than 30 years of experience, Tony has a proven track record in successfully developing, building and operating hotels in locations including Africa, Europe, Australasia and Asia, working with private practices as well as leading Hotel Groups such as InterContinental Hotels.

In his role as Design Development Director, Tony has provided invaluable contribution to a number of hotel projects in the region which Ròya has overseen from a Client Representative perspective, evolving from concept to development through to operational handover.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel positioning and brand identification
• Hotel design advisory during concept, schematic and detailed design
• Best use of hotel configuration and facility offering
• Brand standard guidance prior to hotel operator appointment
• Master Plan advisory

With Tony's extensive design and development knowledge, clients are provided with the confidence of achieving maximum efficiency and design functionality of their hotel projects.

Graham brings more than 35 years of construction management experience to the team, having worked with leading international companies including Ove Arup & Partners, WS Atkins & Partners and RMJM.

With a comprehensive and diverse understanding of project types, Graham has experience in the successful delivery of Hotels, Offices, Residential and Mixed-Use developments, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Safeguarding the general interests of the client at all times
• Execution of critical decision making in a timely manner to prevent undue project delay/cost implication
• Balance time, value and cost requirements of the project to deliver total quality

Since joining Ròya International, Graham has provided an instrumental role in a number of projects Ròya has delivered regionally.

In her capacity as Director of Asset Management for Ròya International, Madhu leads a team of specialist hoteliers to successfully manage Ròya's hotel asset management division. A chartered accountant by profession and hotelier by choice, Madhu has acquired more than 30 years of experience working with reputable hotel chains including InterContinental Hotels, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Imperial Hotels Group, enabling her to expand her financial skill-set and gain different hospitality market expertise.

Madhu's primary experience lies predominantly in Finance, where she has held a number of senior roles on a corporate and unit level such as Client Representative, Regional Director of Finance and General Manager.

In her current role as Director of Asset Management, Madhu continues to maintain a proactive approach in order to remain updated with the latest trends and approaches.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Budgeting and controls
• Financial and operational performance reviews
• Annual budget/capital expenditure plan development
• Manpower rationalization
• Securing of Hotel Operator Management Agreement contract negotiations

With Madhu's financial expertise, combined with her asset management ability, she provides significant contribution to a number of Ròya's hospitality projects.

With a combination of specialist capabilities in Investment Strategy, Feasibility Studies, Financial Management and Architecture, Charbel has provided significant value and contribution to a number of Ròya's projects both regionally and internationally.

Having gained his primary experience in Canada and Lebanon prior to moving to the UAE in 2004, Charbel has since acquired diverse exposure in markets including the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Maldives, Islamabad, Seychelles and the United Kingdom.

At Ròya, Charbel is responsible for the management of new or existing hospitality projects, which has enabled him to broaden his understanding of hotel development and operations, manage a complex team of specialist consultants and take on the role of Client Representative. His involvement in Ròya's asset management division has motivated Charbel to take asset management courses while also remaining at the forefront of current market trends.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Feasibility/market study management
• Strategy advisory
• Financial and investment analysis
• Acquisition advice for purchase and sale of hotel assets
• Project management
• Architectural concept and design

With Charbel's diverse range of capabilities, he is able to successfully manage and execute project that require versatile expertise.

Elie, a Lebanese/American national, joined Ròya International in 2007 as Director of Business Development. A hotel management graduate, Elie has over 20 years of in-depth experience in the Hospitality and Real Estate Industries having held senior managerial positions with international chains, such as Hilton International, Radisson SAS and one of the UAE’s leading business group’s as their real estate Business Development Director where he was successful in securing joint ventures and land acquisitions agreements.

In addition to his role in business development for Ròya International, Elie is involved in diverse assignments ranging from sales and marketing, hotel management and openings as well as hotel classification services.

Areas of Expertise:

• Sales and Marketing
• Real Estate
• Hospitality Advisory
• Food and Beverage
• Hotel openings and operations
• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)

With Elie’s diverse range of capabilities, he is able to successfully manage and execute project that require versatile expertise.

In his role as Engagement Manager, Colin brings more than 16 years of experience in hotel and recreational engineering. Working predominately with five and four star hotel chains such as Hilton International and Rotana Hotels, Colin has held a number of senior unit and corporate positions such as Building Facilities Manager, Operations Manager and General Manager, Engineering.

Further independent expertise has been obtained through multi-site management of individual Health Club operations for Virgin Active.

Colin's expertise covers a broad spectrum of engineering functions, which provide significant value for new (pre-opening) and existing hospitality developments.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Engineering operation and related function support (pre-opening)
• Engineering operation oversight (existing properties)
• Health and safety support including fire life safety
• Preventive maintenance oversight and implementation (new and existing properties)
• Quality control

Since joining Ròya International as an Engagement Manager, Colin has provided considerable contribution to a number of Ròya's new hospitality projects, while also being a key member of the Hotel Management Oversight division.

With a graduate degree in construction management and infrastructure development from NICMAR in Delhi and a Bachelor in Architecture, Bibhu has accumulated over 8 years of experience in architecture, construction and project management across a variety of asset classes including Hotels, Commercial and Mixed-Use.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Selection and engagement of competent consultants
• Management of consultant contracts and deliverables
• Best use of hotel configuration and facility offering
• Hotel design advisory during concept, schematic and detailed design
• Over all project schedule and budget oversight
• Overview of the entire tendering and procurement strategy
• Facilitation of efficient project closeout and handover to the hotel operator

Since joining Ròya International, Bibhu has contributed a key role during the design development of a number of Ròya's regional projects.

With an extensive background in Food & Beverage, Eric offers 21 years of solid experience working with international brands including Hilton Hotels, InterContinental Hotels and Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts.

In addition to Eric's operational expertise and hands-on approach, he has held senior roles as Executive Assistant Manager of Food & Beverage and has successfully opened a number of Food & Beverage outlets across the Middle East and Asia.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• All aspects of project management for Food & Beverage development
• Restaurant design/concept visualization
• Food & Beverage budget development oversight for existing and new operations
• Restaurant management
• Food & Beverage operational analysis
• Tenant selection for new and/or existing Food & Beverage operations

Eric's role within Ròya International is diverse, and ranges from providing key contribution for new (pre-opening) development of Food & Beverage operations, operational and financial reviews of existing properties, and the oversight role of Ròya's individually owned restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In her capacity as Manager of Special Projects, Kate brings more than 15 years of international experience, eight of which have been in the region, having worked for leading organizations in the UK and the Middle East.

As a qualified Lead Auditor with a comprehensive understanding of hotels, Kate’s experience has been in managing the quality and efficiency of hotel operations, in line with hotel brand standards, mandatory requirements such as health and safety, hygiene, HACCP, and international and/or applicable tourism standards.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Asset Management
• Oversight/coordination of special hospitality projects
• Management of policy/procedure development for new hotel operations
• Operational assessments to monitor hotel process efficiency
• Service quality audits

Since joining Ròya, Kate provides considerable contribution to the Asset Management and Hospitality Services division, whilst supporting with the overall quality control of Ròya’s administrative structure.

As Ròya's Senior Interior Design Consultant, Louise brings more than 20 years of expertise in Architecture and Interior Design. With 16 years experience in the Middle East, predominantly working on hospitality projects, Louise has worked with leading firms including, Cinmar Design, WA International and LW Design Group.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Leading Design teams in developing concept through to construction packages
• Site based supervision and coordination of specialist consultants to ensure the design remains within budget and design intent
• Leading the project brief and incorporating the client's vision in line with hotel operator brand standards
• Reengineering of design package to fit the client's budget while maintaining the project's positioning

Since joining Ròya International, Louise has provided significant contribution to a number of successful hospitality projects Ròya's has delivered in the region.

With a foundation in Architecture and Project Management, Sameh in his capacity as Engagement Manager, provides significant contribution following his experience in the construction and project management field, where he has acquired expertise in the development of Hotels, Retail, Residential and Mixed-Use projects across the Middle East.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Project management
• Project architecture and detailing
• Value engineering
• Project planning and resource management
• Project execution, coordination and technicality
• Quality control and quality assurance

Since joining Ròya International, Sameh has played an instrumental role in a number of Ròya's existing developments in the region.

As an Asset Management Analyst and a hospitality graduate with more than 10 years of regional experience with InterContinental Hotels, Fidel has gained considerable knowledge in Food & Beverage and Front Office operations, prior to moving into the finance and business support department during his tenure with InterContinental.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Hospitality specific research
• Data analysis
• Budgeting and controls evaluation and oversight
• Financial performance review and analysis
• Operation and/or pre-opening support for key financial activities

Fidel provides an influential role in Ròya's Hotel Management Oversight division, in addition to being a support function to many of Ròya's other hospitality projects.

With a Masters in Hospitality Management and a major in Asset Management, Turab brings with him15 years of hospitality experience working with highly reputable hotel chains including InterContinental Hotels, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels, in locations in Europe, America and the Middle East.

With a core strength in Food & Beverage, Turab offers invaluable contribution to new (pre-opening) and existing Food & Beverage developments, providing clients specialist hospitality guidance to fulfill venue functionality and commercial potential on all aspects of the operation.

Key strengths and capabilities include:

• Hotel Management Oversight Services (Asset Management)
• Restaurant design/concept visualization for new developments
• Hospitality advisory services in regard to space optimization and commercial efficiency
• Menu engineering oversight
• Kitchen design review
• Hotel and food and beverage financial and operational performance analysis
• Project management of new food and beverage developments
• Hospitality advisory services in regard to design of new developments, considering industry regulations such as HACCP, International Tourism Regulations etc

Turab plays a lead role in Ròya's Hotel Management Oversight division, while providing key input to many of Ròya's other hospitality projects.

With a degree in Business Management (Real Estate/Finance), Samih in his role as Analyst provides significant contribution and support to a number of Ròya’s projects through the various divisions:

• Development
• Hospitality
• Asset Management

Key strengths and core capabilities include:

• Leasing oversight of commercial space (mixed-use)
• Tenant management during fit-out of leased components (mixed-use)
• Oversight/coordination of special projects
• Financial analysis of hospitality/development statistics
• Compilation and analysis of market data