Jumeirah Group, the luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, has announced the appointment of Joanne Behrens as Senior Vice President of Architecture & Spatial Design. The appointment is a pivotal step in the Group’s commitment to evolving the Jumeirah brand with a guest-centric design approach, blending creativity, lifestyle, and local elements across its physical spaces.
With almost two decades of architectural and design expertise in the luxury hospitality sector, Behrens will spearhead the evolution of Jumeirah’s design ethos to align with the brand’s new expression of luxury hospitality. With capital assigned to grow its portfolio globally, as well as refine its existing properties, Behrens will play a central role in elevating Jumeirah’s brand vision across all new projects, renovations, and conversions, including Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab Dubai, Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva and Jumeirah Red Sea.
Katerina Giannouka, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: “Since the creation of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah over two decades ago, Jumeirah has consistently broken boundaries and created the exceptional. Our hotels offer immersive experiences, connecting the most discerning travellers, cultures and communities. As we enter a new era for the Jumeirah brand, we are taking the opportunity to evolve our business and our entire value proposition, with a very human-centric approach. This new role forms an essential part of our vision for Jumeirahto shine brilliantly, with a refined position among the highest echelons of luxury hospitality operators.”
Behrens brings an impressive track record, having collaborated with world-renowned designers and artists to conceive and deliver distinctive designs, fashioning the guest experience with captivating and unique spaces. She has held senior positions with renowned luxury brands, including most recently Rosewood Hotel Group, where she was Vice President of Design & Project Services for the Americas.
Central to the evolution of the Jumeirah brand is a commitment to embrace tangible, scalable and practical sustainable solutions for the hospitality industry. As part of this commitment, Behrens will work closely with Jumeirah Group’s Sustainability Committee to uphold sustainable and inclusive design practices across its portfolio.
Hyatt Regency Chennai proudly announces the appointment of Dinesh Sreevasudevan as the new Director of Sales.
Dinesh’s journey with the Hyatt family began in 2012 when he joined the pre-opening team of Park Hyatt Chennai as an Events Executive. Over the years, he ascended through various senior positions, including, Senior Sales Manager, Associate Director of Sales, and Director of Sales, proving to be an indispensable part of the team.
Most recently, Dinesh served as Director of Sales at Hyatt Place Hyderabad. With over 14 years of experience, his expertise encompasses sales funnel management, pricing strategies, and key account management, all of which have fueled the success of the properties he has led.
Dinesh embarked on his career after earning an MBA in Marketing Management from Annamalai University. His early roles included senior sales positions at luxury hotels, where he crafted and executed impactful sales plans while managing key partnerships. His leadership and agility in adapting to evolving market trends have been vital in achieving ambitious sales targets.
In his new role, Dinesh will spearhead all sales and marketing efforts at Hyatt Regency Chennai, ensuring the property not only strengthens its market presence but also continues to deliver unparalleled guest services.
James Overbaugh, a seasoned executive with over 16 years of dedicated service to The Peninsula brand, returns to California, where his journey with the brand first began in 2008. Overbaugh brings extensive global hospitality expertise and a personal passion for the culinary realm to Carmel Valley's cherished destination. After serving as an Executive Chef at an esteemed collection of hotels for the first 13 years of his career, Overbaugh joined The Peninsula team in 2008 as the Executive Chef of The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Over the next nine years, he ascended to the role of Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Operations.
After his tenure at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Overbaugh was elevated to leadership roles at The Peninsula Hong Kong and The Peninsula Shanghai, culminating in his most recent position as Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations for The Peninsula Hotels Worldwide at the brand's head office in Hong Kong. Under Overbaugh's leadership at The Quail, guests can expect an enhanced culinary experience at the Monterey County gem, while remaining true to the timeless California experience that has become synonymous with The Quail.
Fusion Hotel Group has announced several key appointments in Vietnam as the wellness-inspired luxury brand continues to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian region.
Taking over as Cluster General Manager at HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong and HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong New City in the outskirts of Saigon, Mr. Bui Duc Khiem has a Bachelor of Materials Science from the University of Natural Sciences Ho Chi Minh City and was a graduate in Information Technology at the University of Transport and Communication HCMC. Prior to joining the HIIVE brand, which is considered Fusion’s branch to the discerning business traveller, Mr. Khiem was the pre-opening Hotel Manager for a four-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and has more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality sector.
Fusion Group has also announced the appointment of Mr. Tran Huu Thanh, popularly known as Colin, as the new General Manager of Fusion Suites Vung Tau, effective August 5, 2024. Commanding spectacular vistas across a peninsula on the coastline south of Saigon, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, which opened in 2020, is a 19-storey property featuring 171 well-appointed suites and apartments, a multitude of dining options, a 12-treatment room maritime-inspired spa, a yoga studio, and a rooftop infinity pool.
Colin moves up from Executive Assistant Manager at Fusion Suites Vung Tau to the GM role. He previously worked for a five-star hotel in Saigon and a casino resort in Macau before joining the Fusion team.
Ms. Van Vu takes the role at the newly opened Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. Fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, Vietnamese-Costa Rican dual citizen Ms. Van brings 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, operations, and revenue management, including 12 years at her previous post as a resort manager in Phu Quoc Island.
A fourth appointment is Mr Cang Lam, who now becomes Cluster Resort Manager at Maia Resort Quy Nhon and its newly opened next-door neighbour The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon. Cang had previously been Executive Assistant Manager at Maia during the pre-opening and opening periods from February 2020.
A native of Ho Chi Minh City, Cang started out as a Room Attendant at a 5-star hotel in Saigon in 2009, quickly working his way up the managerial ladder with experiences across the length of Vietnam, as well as spells in Macau and the Maldives.
Mr. David Roberts, COO of Fusion Hotel Group, emphasised that these appointments align with the company’s core values of nurturing and empowering local talents. “The dynamic Vietnamese managers appointed at our hotels and resorts will inspire team spirit and contribute to enhancing Fusion’s reputation as one of the region’s leading wellness-driven brands,” he said.
Blending an innovative ‘all-spa inclusive’ approach to wellness vacationing with their signature ‘breakfast anywhere, anytime’ concept, Fusion has won several prestigious awards recently – including accolades for its spas and wellness facilities, as well as sustainable practices.
