Ramy Haykal

- Successfully oversee the operations of four hotels owned by the group, including:
1. Grand Millennium Sulaimani: A 5-star luxury hotel with 253 rooms and suites, a 1500 sqm ballroom, a 330-seat auditorium, 9 meeting rooms of various capacities, 7 bars and restaurants, a spa, health club with indoor and outdoor pools, 2 tennis courts, and 2 squash courts.
2. Millennium Kurdistan Hotel and Spa: A 5-star hotel with 137 rooms and suites, a multifunction hall, 2 meeting rooms, 3 bars and restaurants, and a spa, along with a health club featuring an indoor swimming pool.
3. Copthorne Hotel Baranan: A 4-star hotel with 78 rooms and suites, a multifunction hall, 2 meeting rooms, and 4 bars and restaurants.
4. Ashur Hotel and Resort: A 5-star resort located on the bank of the largest lake in Iraq, offering 120 rooms, a ballroom, 1 meeting rooms, 3 restaurants and bars, outdoor pool, and various water sports and nature activities.
- Drive operational excellence, ensuring high standards of guest satisfaction, revenue generation, cost control, and employee development.
- Lead a diverse team, fostering a positive work environment, and utilizing adaptive/situational leadership style to drive performance and achieve strategic objectives.

- Successfully managed the operations of Erbil Rotana and Arjaan by Rotana, two prominent hotels in Erbil, Kurdistan, with a combined total of 369 rooms, 7 restaurants and bars, 1 ballroom, 9 meeting rooms, and various spa and leisure facilities.
- Led a workforce of 600 associates, fostering a positive and high-performance culture while ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
- Restructured and revitalized the hotels, driving business growth and enhancing operational efficiency. Focused on building a strong base of corporate and leisure clientele from across Iraq.
- Overcame numerous challenges and achieved success in a hardship location, demonstrating resilience and adaptability

- Successfully managed the operations of Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Downtown Abu Dhabi, two properties located 500 meters apart, with a combined total of 477 rooms, 7 restaurants, 1 ballroom, and 5 meeting rooms.
- Led a workforce of 400 associates, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment while ensuring excellent guest experiences.
- Orchestrated the refurbishment of Holiday Inn, completing the renovation and introducing three new F&B concepts to enhance guest satisfaction and increase revenue.
- Initiated and oversaw the full refurbishment of Crowne Plaza, introducing two new F&B concepts to elevate the hotel's offerings and meet evolving guest preferences.
- Successfully managed the clustering of both properties, streamlining operations, and maximizing efficiency.

- Successfully managed the operations of Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Al Thuraya City Kuwait, two properties with a combined total of 544 rooms, 8 restaurants, 4 ballrooms, 20 meeting rooms, and extensive leisure facilities including a Health Club and Spa spanning 10, 000 square meters.
- Oversaw an additional portfolio of 18 restaurants outside the hotels located in various shopping malls, bringing the total number of managed F&B establishments to 22.
- Led a workforce of 1, 300 associates, ensuring effective team management and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Successfully re-branded the existing Crowne Plaza into Holiday Inn, executing a seamless transition and maintaining high guest satisfaction.
- Managed the project of establishing the new Crowne Plaza hotel, overseeing its development from concept to completion.
- Initiated and coordinated the launch of the Intercontinental hotel, strategically positioning all three hotels as an interconnected complex.
- Established shared services for the three hotels, enhancing operational efficiency and maximizing cost-effectiveness.
- Set up a separate company responsible for managing all 22 owned restaurants and cafes, while also expanding the franchising rights of the brands into the GCC region.

- Successfully managed the operations of Holiday Inn Kuwait, overseeing a property with 189 keys, 108 hotel apartments, 6 restaurants, 2 ballrooms, 18 meeting rooms, and a health club.
- Led a workforce of 450 associates, ensuring effective team management and maintaining high standards of guest satisfaction.
- Oversaw the conversion of a new extension into 108 hotel apartments, handling the project from concept to completion and seamlessly integrating the new accommodation offering into the property.
- Managed the development and operation of two new ballrooms and ten new meeting rooms, providing additional event spaces to meet the growing demands of the market.
- Played a key role in developing two new F&B concepts, enhancing the culinary offerings of the hotel and catering to the preferences of guests.

IHG MEA Head office - London, Dubai, and Cape Town June 2007 - June 2009
- Established and led the Franchise division for IHG MEA, overseeing a portfolio of 25 hotels across 10 countries.
- Acted as the primary liaison with franchisees, managing the relationship and providing guidance on their current and future projects.
- Collaborated with the Development and Legal teams to negotiate contracts and ensure compliance with IHG standards and policies.
- Authorized hotels to operate as IHG branded properties, ensuring adherence to brand standards and maintaining the integrity of the IHG portfolio.
- Advised General Managers on new opportunities and strategies to enhance their business performance, leveraging knowledge of IHG's offerings and market dynamics.
- Stayed abreast of changes and opportunities within IHG and the various markets, sharing insights and recommendations with stakeholders.
- Implemented IHG brand standards, conducting quality evaluations and business reviews to assess areas such as revenue management, sales, and marketing.

- Oversaw financial operations for 75 IHG managed hotels in the Middle East and Africa, including renowned brands such as Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn.
- Monitored the performance of hotels and the region to drive greater profitability, analyzing financial data, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategies to enhance financial results.
- Reviewed the control environment at hotels to ensure proper stewardship of funds, implementing best practices and internal controls to safeguard assets and mitigate risks.
- Established and maintained relationships with hotel owners and owner's representatives, providing financial insights, guidance, and support to maximize returns on investment.
- Implemented and monitored succession planning initiatives at hotels, ensuring business continuity and the development of finance managers and their teams through effective training and career advancement opportunities.
- Coordinated with internal and external auditors to address control aspects and findings in the hotels, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards.