May 2004 - Safir Hotels & Resorts has assembled a new management
team to redirect its strategic initiatives and reposition the group as
a premier hotel management company in the Middle East & North Africa.
Since its privatization in August
2003 Safir�s majority shareholder is UREC (United Realty Estate Company),
which is part of Kipco (Kuwait Projects Company), a Kuwait based conglomerate
with major interests regionally and Internationally. Kipco is a dynamic,
fast moving, entrepreneurial and bottom line driven company where success
is measured by results. The company is determined to deliver on its promises
to shareholders, customers and services by employees. The long-term objective
is to turn the newly acquired |
Safir International Hotel
B'neid Al Gar
Safat 13060 Kuwait |
Safir around and add value. The company shares its success with associates
and business partners. Kipco, with assets of more than $10 billion under
management or control, is the most actively traded stock on the Kuwait
Stock Exchange.
Earlier this year Safir formed a strategic alliance with Swiss Inn Hotels
& Resort. Under this agreement, both parties will explore business
opportunities in areas including hotel and resort development, acquiring
of hotel management contracts and joint marketing and promotion activities.
The Executive Director for the new alliance is Anton Good, former President
of Movenpick Hotels and the founder of Swiss Inn Hotels & Resorts.
Mark Elawadi has been appointed Group Director Development & Asset
Management. In this position he will pursue Safir brand growth through
development, acquisitions, joint ventures, and management contracts.
Other members of the team include Peter Janssen, Group Director of Operations
and Edward Safar, Regional Director of Operations, Lebanon, Jordan and
Syria.
Omran Hayat, Vice Chairman of Safir and Chief Executive Officer for
United Realty Company said, �We have assembled a group of experienced
hotel executives and are confident to have the right people in place to
execute our objectives�. The group reported profits for the year 2003 after
years of considerable losses.
Anton Good the Executive Director adds, "The overall plan is to strengthen
the services offered by Safir Hotel & Resorts and build up the company
to a leading level in the region and internationally.�
Safir
Who is Who
Sheikh Fadel Khaled Al Sabah, Chairman
Omran Habib Jowhar Hayat, Vice Chairman
Anton Good, Executive Director
Peter A. Janssen, Group Director � Operations
Mark Elawadi, Group Director � Development & Asset Management
Majed Jowhar Hayat Corporate Director Administration & Human Resources
Naji Sharobeem, Corporate Director Budgeting & Financial Control
Horst Berger, Corporate Director Food & Beverage
Mubarak Al Ajmi, Area Manager Kuwait
Hani Al Arbash, Manager Sales & Marketing/New Projects & Development
Hussain Arty, Technical Manager-Design & Building Construction
Ahmed Jarkass, Director of Sales Outbound Business |
In its new format the goal of the company is to attract strategic partners
and hotel investors. Presently the company is developing a strong hospitality
asset based company with the prime objective to create value for shareholders
and partners through joint ventures ands equity participation.
About Safir Hotels & Resorts.
Safir is an international hotel management company based in Kuwait.
The parent company is Kuwait Hotels Company, which was one of the first
hotel management companies in the Gulf. Over the years the company
has been involved in several prestigious hotel ventures including the establishment
of a catering division named �Safat Catering Services Company�. The Safir
Group owns 50 percent of the Abou Nawas Hotel Management Company, which
operates 17 hotels in Tunisia. The Safir group operates in Kuwait, U.A.E,
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Algeria.
About Kipco (Kuwait Projects Company)
KIPCO (Kuwait Investment Projects Company) is a diverse privately owned
company with major interests worldwide. KIPCO is a successful and professionally
managed group of companies in core businesses including banking, insurance,
real estate, hotels, catering establishments, retailing, information and
communication technology, consultancy services, satellite TV broadcasting
and other media services. The company is stock listed and share prices
have multiplied several times since founding in 1973. Hospitality experience
includes ownership of a catering company and several hotels in the region,
including the Sheraton Heliopolis in Cairo.
About Swiss Inn Hotels & Resorts
The company was established in 1994 and operates 4 and 5 star properties
in North Africa and Kuwait. Swiss Inn employs accomplished hoteliers, marketing,
training and finance specialists with creative, innovative and entrepreneurial
strengths and experience, the team provides the expertise and experience
for new and pre-existing projects. With the high quality of service and
dedication towards customer satisfaction, a reliable return on investment
is the fundamental rationale of all Swiss Inn�s businesses. |