Appointments @ Ritz-Carlton DIFC

The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre has strengthened its leadership team with the following appointments:

Rania J. Keedy, Director of Sales & Marketing: Rania Keedy joins The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC with 12 years of Sales & Marketing experience from InterContinental Hotels Group. Before joining The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Rania was Director of Sales & Marketing for InterContinental Doha The City, Qatar, where she was part of the pre-opening team, responsible for the commercial and strategic development of the property. Prior to this, Rania spent five years with Crown Plaza Dubai, starting in 2006 as Director of Sales, before progressing to DOSM in January 2008, where she held the position until March 2011. Rania also spent six years in sales management positions at InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut, Lebanon.

Lorenzo Maraviglia, Director of Food & Beverage: Following three years as Director of Food & Beverage at Armani Hotel, Dubai (2009-2012), Lorenzo Maraviglia joins The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC with extensive experience in the luxury food and beverage market. Part of the pre-opening team and responsible for six restaurants and two lounges at Armani, Lorenzo successfully helped create the concepts and launch the hotel’s food and beverage outlets. Prior to Armani, Lorenzo first joined The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, as Food & Beverage Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street, and also worked at The Dorchester Milan and Le Cirque Restaurant, New York City.

Benny Darsana, Director of Human Resources: Few people can claim the experience of Benny Darsana, who brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience to The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, including 18 hotel openings across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Benny rejoins The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC as Director of Human Resources, following a secondment to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in a regional capacity, as Area Director of Human Resources for Bvglari & Edition, Europe, Middle East & Africa. Prior to this, Benny was with The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC for five months and has been with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for 16 years, having first joined in 1996, as Front of House Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Bali. He has since held positions in four further Ritz-Carlton properties, including Jakarta, Doha, Sharm El Sheikh and Seoul. Immediately prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Benny was with The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta for six years as Director of Human Resources.

Hannah George, Director of Public Relations: Hannah George joins The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC with nearly 10 years of PR and Marketing experience in the UK and the Middle East. From an agency background, Hannah was previously Account Director for Dubai-based agency Dabo & Co, where she headed-up the Consumer PR Division, delivering strategic communications campaigns for luxury and hospitality brands including Hilton Worldwide, Anantara and Vertu. Hannah also spent many years as a PR professional in London, including three years with freud communications, managing integrated communications campaigns for a variety of global brands.

General Manager, Lothar Quarz, said, “As we head towards the start of our third year in operations, we are looking to take the hotel to the next level in terms of guest engagement and experience. Our Ladies & Gentlemen are fundamental to achieving this and by strengthening the senior management team with four new members, I am confident and excited that we have the best people in place, to further establish the hotel as a leader in the luxury hotel market.”

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