Anchalika Kijkanakorn Voted Thailand’s Quality Person of the Year 2013

The founder, visionary and Managing Director of Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS), Anchalika Kijkanakorn, has been voted Thailand's Quality Person of the Year 2013, adding the prestigious recognition to a list of accolades.

The Quality Person of the Year award is organised by the Foundation of Science and Technology Council of Thailand (FSTT) to recognise individuals who succeed personally and professionally whilst dedicating themselves to the benefit of Thai society and the country in various fields.

Ms Kijkanakorn said she was honoured to receive the award. "Although AHMS has a strong focus on international visitors, we have always been fully committed to the sustained growth of both the global reputation of Thailand as a haven for tourism and the careers and welfare of local Thai communities. It is with a sense of great personal and national pride therefore, that I accept this award," said Ms Kijkanakorn.

AHMS currently employs almost 600 Thai staff, providing training and career progression programmes that allow the company to source talent from local areas. At present, 62% of managerial and supervisor positions at Aleenta Resorts are occupied by staff who have grown in-house at the resort, with similar figures to be replicated across all new AHMS resorts due to open over the next 2 years.

Ms Kijkanakorn, who owns and operates AHMS Hotels, is also the first Asian-based Chairman of SLH, which comprises an impressive selection of some of the world's finest independent hotels.

Ms Kijkanakorn has also found time to launch the Pure Blue Foundation - a charity close to her heart - dedicated to marine conservation including regeneration of damaged coral reefs and work with endangered sea turtles, as well as educating communities on how to protect their natural resources.

AHMS Hotels may be known for their warm, intuitive approach but Ms Kijkanakorn knows what it takes to run a business. She holds a BA in Marketing from University of Texas and an MBA in International Business from the University of South Carolina. She has held various leadership roles specialising in audit, consulting, mergers and acquisitions, and financial control, managing teams across Asia, Europe and the United States, during eight years with global financial giants GE Capital, and later Honeywell.