The Global Advisory Board

John Blakey

Helping CEO's rely on the power of trust

Founder – The Trusted Executive Foundation

John is committed to helping organisations and CEOs achieve their goals by relying upon the power of trust rather than trusting in power. In 2016, he published 'The Trusted Executive' which was subsequently shortlisted as the Chartered Management Institute book of the year and led to John being named as one of the top 100 thought leaders in trust globally by Trust Across America. The book has been featured in Forbes, Inc. Magazine and on the BBC's 'Daily Politics' programme. 'The Trusted Executive' was inspired by John's experience coaching over 120 CEOs across 22 different countries and his prize-winning doctoral research on trust at Aston Business School. The book also features anecdotes from his earlier business career as a FTSE100 International Managing Director, entrepreneur and director of Fast Track 100 technology consultancy, Team121. Most recently, John has established the Trusted Executive Foundation - a not for profit organisation that offers 'Journey of Trust' leadership development programmes to senior leaders and their teams.

Jennifer Fox

Passionate leader committed to creating and transforming value for all partners

Industry Executive

An unequivocal leader in the tourism and hospitality field, Jennifer has managed, grown, and developed some of the most renowned luxury hospitality brands, and properties across the globe.

Jennifer has a real commitment to the development and mentoring of people and as an industry leader this is something she takes particular pride in.

A seasoned operator with extensive management experience across North America, Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Africa, India, CIS, Middle East and Australia and has a robust academic background; MBA - Baylor university, USA and DBA - International School of Management, France, Jennifer combines her depth of knowledge with extensive international exposure, prizing a unique ability to provide a globalised perspective with a localised touch.

Jennifer has run some of the finest luxury hotels & resorts in the world, holding multiple executive positions, such as President Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, President FRHI International Division Chief Operating Officer , IHG Europe as well as SVP InterContinental and has been General Manager of some of the world’s finest hotels. Expanding her expertise into industries such as education, and entertainment, Jennifer serves as Advisory Board member and Non-Executive Director, and has invested in private companies in the areas of health, wellness and beauty. She has developed a global network of luxury industry contacts and connections in the media, owner, and investment communities.

David Keen

Curating purpose and driving transformational change

CEO, Quo

An evangelist for the power of experiential branding, David Keen is a successful entrepreneur and leading strategist for the travel and hospitality industries. Over the last 20 years, David has published and been interviewed in dozens of publications and has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences, tradeshows and professional events.

David was born in London and educated in New York at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. After embarking on his career in London and the United States, David ventured to Asia as a writer and editor, travelling widely in the region.

In 1996, David settled in Bangkok, where he founded QUO, a brand strategy and integrated communications agency. As CEO, David leads a team of over 90 esteemed professionals from around the globe as they use their extensive experience to craft brands that deeply resonate with today’s consumers. Whether branding nations, luxury hospitality giants, high-flying airlines, funky design hotels, adventurous travel companies or elegant boutique resorts, QUO brings ideas to life.

Marloes Knippenberg

Passionate, collaborative leader of change

Chief Executive Officer, Kerten Hospitality

The award-winning CEO of Kerten Hospitality, Marloes Knippenberg, has established the organization as a disruptive, dynamic international hospitality group dedicated to the management of mixed-use developments in key global destinations.

Her journey in the hospitality field started with Hilton where Marloes held senior operational and commercial management positions for over a decade. At the helm of Kerten Hospitality, which she developed and launched with the backing of Kerten, Ireland-based investment vehicle, Marloes has grown the organization’s operational and pipeline portfolio from one brand in one country to 12 aspirational lifestyle-driven concepts in 35+ development projects across 3 continents.

Known for her mentorship empowering the next generation of hoteliers, the topic of sustainability within the larger context of ecosystem’s build and the creation of “authentic” experiences in “’Cities of the Future” developments, Marloes continuously pioneers the role of innovation across the whole value chain of investors, owners, academia and the hospitality leadership. Empowerment of female hospitality leaders within WiH Group has been her latest commitment.

She sits on the Vice Chair role of GRI’s Hospitality Club connecting C-Suite real estate and Infrastructure leaders from around the world. In addition, Marloes serves on the Advisory Boards of flagship events like IHIDC – Vienna, AHIC - UAE, HITEC - Dubai, IHIF - Berlin and is frequently invited to contribute Thought Leadership to industry forums: ITHIC - Italy, SHIC - Saudi Arabia, HOST – London and The Retail Summit, Dubai. She has been a mentor for students in hospitality schools and was recently on the jury panel of the GENIO Innovation Summit by Hotelschool The Hague.

Marloes has been listed in the Hotelier Middle East Power List 2019 ranking the region’s most influential industry professionals. Most recently, she was listed in Hotelier Middle East 25 'women in hospitality power list' is a result of those women who are making waves in the industry. She is the Winner of CEO Today’s 2020 Business Women of the Year recognition in hospitality.

Gerald Lawless

Believer in the value of travel, tourism and hospitality to society

Ambassador, World Travel & Tourism Council

Gerald Lawless started his career with Forte Hotels which culminated in him setting up and growing Forte’s operations in the Middle East.

After a 23-year career with Forte Hotels, he joined Jumeirah in 1997 and helped establish it as one of the premier luxury hotel brands in the world. Taking on the challenge of launching Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, after the successful introduction of Jumeirah Beach Hotel to an eager travelling public, Mr. Lawless went on to become President and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Jumeirah Group.

At the beginning of 2016, having served for 18 years at the helm of the Jumeirah Group, Mr. Lawless assumed a new leadership position responsible for tourism and hospitality in Dubai Holding, the Group’s parent company. He has now retired from this role and continues to reside in Dubai.

He was the Chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council from April 2016 - April 2018, and is now WTTC Ambassador.

Mr. Lawless is a Graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland and holds an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management by the Johnson & Wales University, State of Rhode Island, USA; an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the National University of Ireland, Galway; and an Honorary Doctorate by the Middlesex University Dubai. He is a member of the Global Future Council on the Future of Mobility of the World Economic Forum; a fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality; and a member of the International Advisory Board of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne.

Recipient of the 2017 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.

Haitham Mattar

Inspiring others and being an agent of change

Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Multi-global awards winner in the Tourism & Hospitality fileds, Haitham Mattar is Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, Advising on the National Tourism Strategy and its execution as well as driving the execution of the Commercial strategy to build awareness, deliver trade partnerships, B2B marketing strategy, develop domestic destinations and key source markets, airline routes, tourism experiences and products.

As former CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority from 2015 - 2019, where he successfully repositioned Ras Al Khaimah to become one of the fastest growing destinations in the world, exceeding the target of one million visitors in the first three years, droving economic growth and winning a number of global travel awards and personal accolades.

With more than 25 years of experience in global destination and hospitality management and marketing, Mattar has also held senior roles with leading global brands including Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Hilton Worldwide.

Mattar’s cross-continent experience and valuable global insights allowed him to effectively lead Ras Al Khaimah’s destination growth strategy, through capturing existing and emerging source market movements and international tourism trends. He was also instrumental in the concept and delivery of globally recognized tourism demand generators in the emirate including Jebel Jais Flight: the world’s longest zipline and the region’s first Via Ferrata.

In 2020, Mattar was appointed as Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the UNWTO, in 2017, Mattar was elected as Vice Chair of the UNWTO Board of Affiliate Members as well as being appointed as a member of the steering committee for the UNWTO 2017 International Year for Sustainable Development in Tourism.

Mattar was also named a full-time advisory board member of the Global Thinkers Forum (GTF) in 2018, and an Advisory Board Member of Al Marjan Development. Mattar is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economy and was appointed in 2018 as a member of the Arabian Travel Market Advisory Board by Reed Travel Exhibitions. In August 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority joined WTTC as a member, being represented by Mattar.

Named ‘Tourism Promotion CEO of the Year’ at the Global CEO Excellence Awards, Mattar was featured in the Arabian Business ‘most powerful Arabs’ list, in addition to being named ‘Leisure and Tourism CEO of the Year’ at the prestigious CEO Middle East Awards and ‘Business Leader of the Year’ at the Hozpitality Excellence Awards in 2018.

A Lebanese-born American citizen and Arabic speaker, Mattar holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida, USA, and a MBA in Marketing from the University of Liverpool, UK

Anita Mendiratta

Inspiring excellence in purpose-driven leadership

Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UNWTO

A committed Tourism & Development practitioner, author, diplomat and on-air presence, Anita leads ANITA MENDIRATTA & Associates, a highly respected, London UK based international consulting firm. With 20+ years of professional and living experience across almost all continents Anita has an innate ability to feel the ‘heartbeat’ of economic, social, political and environmental dynamics of nations in times of both growth and crisis. Most recently, Anita has taken on a critical global role as a trusted advisor of government and business leaders seeking to understand the impact of COVID-19, guiding them through short, medium and long-term decision-making to re-build the strength and sustainability from not just an economic perspective, but from a humanitarian perspective.

Anita is also honoured to be:

• SPECIAL ADVISOR to the Secretary General of the UNWTO https://www.unwto.org/
• STRATEGIC ADVISOR to CNN T.A.S.K. https://commercial.cnn.com/cnn-task
• STRATEGIC RESOURCE to the WORLD BANK GROUP, WTTC, IATA and ATAG
• CO-CREATOR and CO-HOST of RISE http://www.rise-weekly.com/

Email: ANITA@ANITAMENDIRATTA.COM

Website: www.anitamendiratta.com

Gaurav Sinha

Evolving destinations by enriching human experiences

Founder & CEO, Insignia Worldwide and Quillon Hospitality

Gaurav Sinha is the Founder & CEO of Insignia Worldwide Group (IWG) and stands as the visionary mastermind behind the world’s first brand enrichment consultancy, specialising in travel and destination brands. As an agile brand strategist and creative protagonist, Sinha has created a formidable portfolio of achievements, consolidating his position as an internationally recognised leader in the field of destination marketing and luxury hospitality.

He is also the Chairman & CEO of Quillon Hospitality, a white-label hotel management and development advisory firm, which currently represents USD 2.4 billion worth of real estate projects across Asia & Africa.

Sinha has been based in Dubai for the past 22 years and previous to launching IWG, he spent a decade in advertising with his last stint at Lowe. He then took on the illustrious role of Head of Marketing for Hilton Worldwide in the Arabian Gulf between 1998 - 2002.

As much a philanthropist as an entrepreneur, Sinha believes strongly in giving back to the community and in 2009 he and his wife Lucy Bruce set up Harmony House, a day shelter for underprivileged children in India.

Nick van Marken

Trusted adviser, respected leader, curious traveller, champion for Africa

Industry Executive

Following a career in professional services spanning nearly 30 years, Nick is currently acting as senior adviser to several hospitality investors. Until recently he was a senior partner with Deloitte LLP and Global Head of Hospitality Advisory Services, based in London. In this role, he served a wide spectrum of clients across all six continents, including private family/HNWI’s; PE, SWF, institutional, RE; and corporates, and encompassing owners, investors, lenders and operators. The range of services provided included: commercial strategy and development advice; M&A/transaction services; operational/profit improvement reviews; capital-raising/IPOs; assurance; tax advice and restructuring.

Nick spent the early part of his career in hotel operations in Africa and Europe and has subsequently worked in over 70 countries and 250 markets. He is a sought-after speaker and was the organiser and chairman of the highly-regarded annual European Hotel Investment Conference in London (EHIC – which has been running for 29 years).

Nick served on the Board of global industry data provider STR from 2011 to 2017.

Sophie Le Ray

Relentless business enabler, on a mission to close the gender gap

Entrepreneur, Author, Business Facilitator, Co Founder, EVE List

Sophie Le Ray is an entrepreneur, an author and an experienced business facilitator.

In 2003, she co-founded Naseba, a business information company specialised in supporting enterprise development in emerging markets. She was instrumental in its international expansion, and in accompanying the group when it went public in 2006. She was appointed CEO in 2009 and was responsible for its strategic development and overseeing its operations worldwide until 2019.

For 15 years, Naseba pioneered in growth markets: Middle East, Africa, South East Asia, China. First European company to host a business summit in Saudi Arabia, in Algeria, Libya, Irak, the Naseba team conceptualised hundreds of summits from Healthcare to Fintech, Real estate to Renewable energy and facilitated $Billions of business transactions.

Sophie is the founder and spokesperson for the WIL Economic Forum, the first platform for business women leaders in the Middle East and Asia. Based in Dubai for over a decade, she is the co-author of award winner ‘Game Changers: How Women in the Arab World Are Changing the Rules and Shaping the Future’, published in May 2016.

She now lives in Europe where she regularly speaks in global conferences on entrepreneurship and women economic empowerment.

She is the co-founder of EVE List, a global Not for Profit organisation dedicated to connect and equip rising professional women and support organisations aiming at reaching gender parity in senior management.

Adnan Aleid

Building great knowledge, keeping a legacy

Senior Director, Royal Commission for Riyadh City

Adnan Aleid has a diverse experience with focus and passion in the hospitality industry and asset management function. Starting from commercial development with Emaar the Economic City, to a management role in hospitality & leisure asset management; leading in the planning, budgeting, and opening of a 4 Star Hotel Serviced Apartments, and overseeing operations performance and forecasts for 5 Star Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina, and Royal Greens Golf Course & Country Club; a World-Class property.

Adnan is currently working as a Domestic Tourism Manager at Saudi Tourism Authority, an Authority established to support the growth of the travel and tourism sector, serving the needs of tourism companies and other commercial partners. Aleid is leading the Public Private Sector Partnerships, working closely with various leading entities in the tourism sector; profiles which includes Airlines, Destination Management Companies, Local & International Hotel chains, and Resorts.

A Saudi citizen with a multinational background. Aleid holds a Bachelors Degree in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University of Virginia, USA, and a MSM in Finance from New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA.

Nivesh Bhagtani

Facilitating the dearth of coaching and mentorship

Founder, Young Hotelier Network

An MBA graduate from Les Roches Switzerland in 2022, Nivesh has worked in gamut of leadership roles across diverse functions including hotel general management, sales, marketing, and regional operations support to CEO of Marriott International, IHG Hotels and Resorts and The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts.

At the young age of 21, after he was chosen as a participant of the prestigious Future Leader Program at IHG Hotels and Resorts, within six months he was handpicked to work directly with the Head of South West Asia to support in the regional operations. As Head of Residences at the iconic The St. Regis Mumbai, he turned around the commercial performance of the luxury estate through strategic initiatives that led to significant growth in the ADR of South Asia’s debut St Regis in Mumbai.

His intensity driven track record earned him the moniker of ‘turnaround expert’ in the industry. He has also consulted the global luxury food and beverage company Cipriani for their upcoming opening hotel and an exclusive member’s club in Milan, Italy.

Over the years, Nivesh has been laurelled with umpteen recognitions. In the year 2021, he was adjudged as a winner of Hospitality Challenge by World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Spain and in 2019 he was recognised as a runner up at Next GM of India program by Taj Hotels, Palaces and Resorts. In 2018, he was also selected to represent India at the World’s Greatest Hospitality Talent by Emaar Hospitality Group, Dubai. In 2017, he was recognised with the Future Leader of the Year Award by IHG Hotels and Resorts

As a MBA graduate, he was felicitated with the Outstanding Students’ Award and Career and Professional Excellence Award. Nivesh is passionate networking and he founded Young Hotelier Network to facilitate the dearth of coaching and mentorship across the industries.

Shenin Hamid

Inspiring innovation and change, one experience at a time

Founder & CEO, Inspire Events

Shenin Hamid is the Founder and CEO of Inspire - a Dubai based Events and Experience agency. Shenin used passion and talent to build her business from scratch at 19 years old making her one of the few successful youngest entrepreneurs in the UAE. Under her leadership, Inspire has grown from an idea in her living room into a regional success, executing between 200 and 250 events and experiential campaigns a year across KSA, Dubai,Qatar and Kuwait.

In 2020 Inspire was awarded “Most Innovative Production Agency of the Year '' highlighting their ability to successfully pivot under the natural circumstances leading to Covid19 and still servicing their clients ensuring even better results. Under Shenin’s leadership Inspire has grown significantly through the years by offering tailor made technology driven Event and Activation Experiences to clients across the globe.

In Shenin’s words, “Inspire focuses on delivering custom made curated experiences specifically tailored for each client / brand. Technology plays an important role in how we serve our clients and help create an interactive band-led experience especially today. We strongly believe our focus in tech driven solutions over the years has been extremely rewarding for our clients”

Shenin is driven by passion, ambition and empathy. She actively supports young entrepreneurs at various start-up hubs based in Dubai and Silicon Valley and is a mentor to many young aspiring women led businesses around the world. “Women are natural problem solvers, it comes to us so naturally that we don’t think about it twice. It is a gift that flows into every area of our lives that we often take for granted. We are born with ingrained skills necessary for effective leadership - this is a massive advantage that with realization is the most powerful thing”.

Stella van Toor

Creating a more sustainable future

General Manager, Sustainable Hospitality Challenge

Stella is the General Manager of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge; a Student Challenge bringing together top tier Hospitality Business Schools from around the world delivering Sustainable Innovative solutions to Senior Executives within the Hospitality Industry.

Stella, a German and Dutch native who grew up in Germany, Switzerland and The Netherlands. She is a graduate of Hotelschool the Hague in 2018 and successfully concluded courses at the University of Delft for Circular Economy for a Sustainable Built Environment and Sustainable Tourism at the University of Wageningen.

Throughout her education she gained experience in various 5-star properties in Switzerland and The Netherlands and at the young age of 18 set up a Hostess company in Germany.

After her graduation Stella assumed a role of project manager Hotelschool The Hague leading various projects encompassing Industry & Alumni Relations, Recruitment and Placement Office. She has successfully organized large scale Sustainability and Industry Advisory Board events bringing together Industry Executives, specialists, speakers and students.

Stella’s interests are found in the areas of Sustainability, Hotels and Entrepreneurship. She’s passionate about Tennis, Interior Design, and Animal welfare.