JMJ Hospitality Announces New President (United Arab Emirates)
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JMJ Hospitality Announces New President (United Arab Emirates)
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Category: Middle East - United Arab Emirates - Careers -
Appointments
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-04-09
Bernard de Villèle to Lead JMJ’s Expansion Efforts in Middle East
JMJ Hospitality announced today it has named award-winning hotelièr and entrepreneur Bernard de Villèle as President of the company. Mr. de Villèle will be based in Dubai and will be responsible for all JMJ Hospitality projects including development of hotels and branded residences globally.
“We are pleased to have Bernard join JMJ as he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the ultra-luxury hotel market,” said Timothy Barton, CEO of JMJ Holdings. “As we continue to expand in the Middle East, we need an experienced industry professional on the ground in Dubai to execute and manage our projects.”
Mr. de Villèle has spent three decades serving as a senior executive and in general management capacities with some of the leading global brands including most recently with TAJ Hotels. His background also included stints at Hilton International, Intercontinental, Four Seasons, Rosewood, The Savoy Group, and Orient Express hotels. Some of the highlights of his career were the opening of the Lanesborough Hotel in London, the transformation and re-branding of La Samanna hotel in St. Martin French West Indies and the creation of 51 Buckingham Gate voted by Condé Nast Johansens as the “Most Elegant” London hotel in 2005.
“Tim's intuitive ability to unveil the next global opportunity is legendary and has made him one of the foremost developers in the ultra luxury market,” said Mr. de Villèle. “I am so delighted to be entrusted by him to head JMJ Hospitality and to be a part of this exciting new era for our company.”
JMJ was the first U.S.-based real estate developer to break into the Dubai market. The company is developing the Rosewood Dubai hotel and was recently named developer and brand manager for the Le Diamond Ivana Trump projects, a unique property concept that will span across the Middle East and India. JMJ also expects to be involved in about 30 additional projects over the next eight years in the Middle East. The rapid growth in the region and high hotel prices has spurred investment and development, largely in Dubai.
“We were really here before the rush,” said Barton, who entered the Dubai market four years ago. “With the dollar weakening, developers and investors are looking to areas where they can get a better return and move quickly. The Gulf region certainly fits that criteria and our relationships with local Dubai officials and investors have allowed us to secure deals where other U.S. developers have not succeeded.”
JMJ Hospitality, based in Dallas, provides global acquisition and development of ultra-luxury hotels, resorts and branded residences. JMJ has produced a number of world-class projects for high-profile clients including the Rosewood Mayakobá and Cabo Pacifica in Mexico. JMJ has received the Five-Star Diamond award by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, a distinct honor that is recognized worldwide as a hallmark of excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector.
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