In this episode of the FHS Podcast, host Jay Green speaks with James White, Co-Founder of March & White Design (MAWD). James shares insights into MAWD’s recent expansion into Dubai, building on their success in London, New York, and Los Angeles. They discuss the firm’s experience with luxury residential and hospitality design, the importance of understanding local demographics and cultural nuances, and the growing demand for high-quality refurbishment projects in the Middle East. James...

In this episode of the FHS podcast, Michael Grieve, Chief Brand Officer of Jumeirah, joins Daria Smith to discuss Jumeirah’s ambitious global expansion plans and its strategy to maintain exceptional service quality while doubling its portfolio. Michael shares insights on how Jumeirah leverages its Arabian heritage and unique brand positioning to create distinctive luxury experiences. He highlights key pillars of the brand, including warmth, generosity, and joy, and discusses the importance...

In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Jonathan Worsley converses with Eng. Sultan Alshehri, Chief of Investment at Aseer Development Authority, to explore the ambitious plans for developing the Aseer region in Saudi Arabia. Sultan discusses Aseer’s unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, highlighting the region’s strategic goal of becoming a year-round sustainable tourism destination. He shares insights on infrastructure development, including the expansion of Abha Airport,...

In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, sits down with Duncan O’Rourke, CEO of Accor for the Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific. Duncan shares insights into his journey in hospitality, the strong post-pandemic performance of Accor, and the growth prospects in key markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and India. He discusses Accor’s strategy of balancing profit, people, and planet, emphasising sustainable initiatives like organic farming and...

  Join Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, as he sits down with David Keen, CEO & Founder of Quo, to explore the power of experiential branding in hospitality. David shares insights on how Quo brings brand cultures to life, the challenges of overtourism, and the role of technology in shaping the future of branding. Discover how unique brand identities are crafted and the importance of creativity in the evolving world of travel and hospitality. #FHSPodcast...

Giuliano Gasparini, Head of Hospitality Asset Management at WASL / Dubai Real Estate Corporation, talks about the evolving luxury hospitality market in this episode of the FHS Podcast. He explores trends in ultra-luxury experiences, the growing importance of ESG, and the rising role of specialized F&B operators in enhancing hotel value. Giuliano also shares insights on how asset managers can drive value and innovation in today’s competitive landscape. #FHSWorld #FHSPodcast...

In this episode, Jonathan Worsley sits down with Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, to discuss the company's rapid growth as the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa. They explore Aleph's unique owner-focused approach, the shift towards franchise models, and how innovation, sustainability, and local expertise are driving their success. Bani also shares insights into Aleph’s future expansion plans and the key challenges facing...

In the latest episode of the FHS Podcast, Naureen, Founder of Inspiring Women in Hospitality, engages in a compelling conversation with Judith Cartwright, Founder & Managing Director of BlackCoral Consulting. Judith, an expert in hospitality asset management and commercial strategy, shares her insights on the significant shifts taking place in the industry. Traditionally, revenue optimisation in hotels focused on rooms; however, today’s approach encompasses all business units, including...

  In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Matthew Weihs sits down with Wesam Okasha, Managing Director of TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts, to discuss the brand’s global expansion, particularly in Asia and Africa. Wesam highlights TUI’s innovative use of AI to reduce food waste, their strong commitment to sustainability, and the challenges of hotel development across diverse regions. They also explore TUI BLUE's goals for opening 200 hotels in the next eight years and their partnership with...

In this episode of the FHS podcast, Jonathan Worsley speaks with Turab Saleem, Partner and Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure at Knight Frank, about the rapid growth of the hospitality sector in the Middle East. They discuss key industry trends, including wellness and experiential tourism, the adoption of A.I. and technology, and the impact of rising costs on development. Turab also highlights the region's evolving role as a global tourism hub and the importance of sustainability and...

Marina Franolic speaks with Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of Twenty14 Holdings, about the company’s investment strategy and the evolving trends in hospitality. Adeeb discusses the importance of storytelling in creating unique guest experiences, the rapid growth of tourism in India and the GCC, and how Twenty14 Holdings approaches new developments and acquisitions. He also shares insights on future projects in key markets like Saudi Arabia and India, and the role technology plays in...

In this FHS podcast episode, Jonathan Worsley sits down with Elie Milky, Vice President of Development for Radisson Hotel Group in the Middle East, Cyprus, Greece, and Pakistan. Elie discusses Radisson's ambitious growth strategy, aiming for 150 hotels and 30,000 keys by 2030, with a significant focus on Saudi Arabia. He shares insights on hotel conversions, the rise of lifestyle brands like Radisson RED and Art'otel, and the challenges of brand awareness and staffing in emerging markets....

In this episode of the FHS Podcast Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana shares insights into Rotana's growth strategy, focusing on regional expansion within the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. He discusses the importance of guest experience, technology integration, and sustainability in shaping the future of hospitality. Learn how Rotana’s "Treasured Time" philosophy drives its success and sets new industry standards. #FHSWorld #FHSPodcast #FutureHospitalitySummit

In this episode of the FHS podcast, Pascal Armoudom, Partner at Kearney discusses the latest trends in global hospitality, including the rise of personalised travel experiences, overtourism, and the growing focus on sustainability. Pascal shares insights on how A.I. and data are transforming the industry and offers a preview of Kearney’s upcoming thought leadership report. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of hospitality and strategies to navigate the evolving landscape. #FHSPodcast...

In this episode, Tjalling van den Burger, VP of Enterprise Sales at Adyen, discusses the evolving landscape of payments technology in the hospitality industry. Tjalling shares insights on how Adyen’s integrated payment solutions are enhancing guest experiences and boosting operational efficiency. The conversation covers the challenges of tech adoption in hospitality, the role of AI, and the importance of offering diverse local payment options. Tune in to learn how technology is reshaping the...

In this episode, Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, discusses the future of lifestyle hospitality and how Kerten is redefining guest experiences through tailored ecosystems and innovative projects. Marloes highlights Kerten's role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth, emphasising the importance of collaboration between private investors and government entities. Tap into her insights on leadership, the power of mentorship, and the critical role of empowering young talent in driving...

In this podcast episode, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, engages in a conversation with Jeff Tisdall, Chief Business Officer of Accor One Living and Global Head of Mixed-Use. They explore the evolution of branded residences, a segment that has grown significantly over the past decade. Jeff discusses his journey into the hospitality industry through real estate development, emphasising how branded residences have become integral to luxury and lifestyle hospitality...

In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Jay Green sits down with Aseem Kapoor, Chief Executive of ARK People Solutions, to discuss his journey in the hospitality and human resources industry. Aseem shares insights on how ARK helps organisations adapt to the evolving workplace, the balance between technology and human interaction, and the importance of creating a strong organizational culture. He also touches on the rapid development in Saudi Arabia and its impact on the future of hospitality. ...

In this insightful session, Marina Franolic sits down with Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President of Owner Relationship Management at Rotana Hotel Management Corporation. Shaikha Al Nowais shares her extensive experience in the hospitality industry, discussing the strategic growth and operational excellence that Rotana brings to its 73 operating hotels across 25 cities and 14 countries. She highlights the importance of maintaining strong relationships with hotel owners, staying...

  Join Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO of The Bench, as he interviews Hassan Ahdab, Chief Hospitality Operations Officer at Taiba Investments. Hassan shares his journey in the hospitality industry, discusses the strategic merger between DUR Hospitality and Taiba, and highlights the company's expansion plans in Saudi Arabia. They delve into opportunities for new investors, the integration of AI and technology, and Taiba's commitment to Vision 2030. Discover insights on the...

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO of The Bench, interviews Eezan Shahul Hameed, Chief Commercial Officer of Maldives Fund Management Corporation. They discuss the evolution of the Maldives Fund Management Corporation, its role in attracting foreign direct investment, and key tourism projects like the Han Kede integrated tourism zone and Gafaru lagoon development. Eezan highlights the importance of sustainability, community involvement, and innovative tourism models in driving the Maldives'...

In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO of The Bench, interviews Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism. They discuss the vital role of innovation and technology in transforming tourism, the importance of education for youth in the sector, and the challenges of over-tourism. Natalia shares insights on supporting SMEs through digitalisation, fostering sustainable tourism, and the impact of UN Tourism's startup competitions in driving growth and social...

In this episode of the FHS Podcast, host Jonathan Worsley sits down with Guy Hutchinson, CEO of Hilton Middle East and Africa, at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh. They discuss Hilton's significant expansion in Saudi Arabia, including a new deal introducing 1,600 keys across three brands in Medina. Hutchinson shares insights on aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the diverse range of hospitality projects underway, and the strategies for fostering a young workforce and...

In this episode of the FHS podcast, Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Advisor, The Bench, interviews Ashish Tulsian, Co-founder and CEO of Restroworks. Ashish shares his journey from running a telecom company to founding a restaurant and developing Restroworks, a leading cloud-based technology platform for restaurants. They discuss the challenges in the restaurant industry, the importance of innovative solutions, and the impact of digital transformation. Ashish also provides valuable advice for...