[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#ef7d00 4%|#ffffff 4%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”130px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”130px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”130px||0px||false|false” background_last_edited=”on|phone” use_background_color_gradient_phone=”on” background_color_gradient_stops_phone=”#ef7d00 4%|#ffffff 4%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”||||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”eyebrow” _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|||on|||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Get to know<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font=”|||on|||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”||||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Ahmed-Ramdan-w.jpg” title_text=”Ahmed-Ramdan-w” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”AhmedRamdan” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Founder | Group Chief Executive Officer<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A driven, ambitious and diligent leader with a life-long passion for hospitality, Ahmed Ramdan brings over 50 years of specialist experience in hotel management and hospitality consultancy.<\/p>\n
He began his illustrious career by demonstrating his abilities in various hotel leadership roles, including running multiple properties for major global hotel groups such as InterContinental and Le Meridien.<\/p>\n
Then, in 1998, he recognised a gap in the market and decided to branch out and form his own business, R\u00f2ya International.<\/p>\n
Now the largest and most successful hospitality consultancy brand in the MEA region, Ahmed and the R\u00f2ya team have served as key advisors to many prominent UAE government projects, including Dubai Media City, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Reem Island and Saadiyat Island.<\/p>\n
Known for his dynamic and results-driven approach and efficient hospitality designs, Ahmed is skilled at taking investor visions and transforming them into landmark hotels and developments that produce maximum long-term returns on investment.<\/p>\n
His dedication and commitment to providing quality hospitality consultancy services ensures that R\u00f2ya International\u2019s exceptional reputation remains flawless, and that the group continues to expand rapidly across the globe.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Shaji-Thomas-t.jpg” title_text=”Shaji-Thomas-t” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”ShajiThomas” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Chief of Operations [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Renowned for his successful commercial strategies, Shaji\u2019s illustrious 27-year career has seen him work across many different industries, and receive a number of prestigious accolades.<\/p>\n Named as one of the \u2018Top 10 Sales & Marketing personnel in India\u2019 by Travel Span in 2014, and one of the \u2018100 most influential leadersin the tourism industry\u2019 by Global MICE Congress & Awards in 2019, he has acted as an advisor to the Royal Commission for Riyadh Cityand took up the helm as Vice President of Destination Tourism Development for the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Here, he managed to boost the number of international visitors to the emirate from 740,000 in 2016, to an incredible 1.072million in 2018.<\/p>\n Prior to this, he was responsible for providing support and strategic oversight in sales, marketing, events and revenue management for Hyatt Hotels in Dubai and West India, and IHG Northern Gulf in Kuwait and Bahrain.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Janelle-Schwartz.jpg” title_text=”Janelle-Schwartz” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”JanelleSchwartz” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n DIRECTOR OF ASSET MANAGEMENT [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A skilled operational and commercial leader, Janelle has held senior positions withInterContinental, Accor and other leading hospitality brands in the USA, Dubai and Australia.<\/p>\n Boasting extensive experience in events, she was responsible for ensuring that the 2000 SydneyOlympic Games, the 2005 Presidential Inauguration and the 2006 Melbourne CommonwealthGames all achieved tremendous financial success.<\/p>\n In 2010, she moved to Dubai to work with Hilton Worldwide across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.<\/p>\n Passionate about driving financial results and optimal performances, she is responsible for R\u00f2ya\u2019srevenue management services. She also lends her skills to creating reports and managing client relationships.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Kate-Harrison-w.jpg” title_text=”Kate-Harrison-w” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”KateHarrison” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Director of Hospitality Advisory<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Bringing over twenty-five years of international hospitality experience, mostly gathered in the UAE and across the GCC, Kate is a qualified lead auditor with a passion for food and beverage.<\/p>\n After starting her career as Head Chef\/Nutritionist of Bupa, the UK\u2019s leading healthcare insurance and healthcare group, she moved to Dubai in 2002 to take up the role of Quality Assurance Manager at JA Resorts & Hotels, one of the region\u2019s most prestigious hotel groups.<\/p>\n Kate joined the R\u00f2ya International team as Senior Manager for the Hospitality Advisory arm in 2007, and since then she has played a key part in the brand\u2019s ever increasing success.<\/p>\n Her day-to-day role involves advising clients on the quality and efficiency of hotel operations, developing operational manuals, and suggesting compliance guidelines in areas such as health and safety, hygiene, and hospitality project management.<\/p>\n She is also heavily involved in R\u00f2ya\u2019s Hotel Operator Selection services, where her responsibilities include providing protection to owners during the contract negotiations phases.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”250px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Walid-Harouni-t.jpg” title_text=”Walid-Harouni-t” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”WalidHarouni” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n CEO of Asset Management<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A multilingual and multi-disciplinary international hospitality professional, Walid has worked across many prestigious properties,including InterContinental Hotel Riyadh and Le Meridien hotel properties in Paris and Cairo. Appointed General Manager of theInterContinental Hotel group in 2000, he then joined Abu Dhabi\u2019s National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels as Hotels Division Director in 2007. In this role, Walid oversaw all aspects of the group’s hotel division, including the rapid growth of the Danat Hotel sand Resorts chain, and numerous signature properties in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.<\/p>\n Boasting extensive knowledge of the hospitality markets in Oman, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Egypt, France, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, hesees every challenge as an opportunity to learn. Today, he uses his great leadership skills to develop the 30+ hotels in the R\u00f2ya Asset Management Portfolio.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Francesco-Soster-Profile.jpg” alt=”Francesco Sostero” title_text=”Francesco-Sostero-Profile” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”FrancescoSostero” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n DIRECTOR OF ASSET MANAGEMENT [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A highly motivated hospitality and real estate professional, Francesco brings extensive international consulting and entrepreneurial experience. After beginning his career in Italy atIBM Consulting Group and Vodafone, he went on to gain senior marketing and commercialpositions with famous luxury international hotel chains such as Hilton, Jumeirah and Kempinski. Meanwhile, his time as Director of Marketing for Majid Al Futtaim saw him successfully overseethe commercial asset management of 13 hotels.<\/p>\n Francesco has proven experience in hotel pre-openings and post opening asset management fordevelopers, banks, and private owners. He consistently ensures that properties perform to theiroptimum potential, and that operators fulfill all their obligations.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Jaeem-Mohamed-t.jpg” title_text=”Jaeem-Mohamed-t” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”MohamedJaseem” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|||on|||||” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Director of Asset Management \u2013 Finance<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15%|false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Born in Dubai, Mohamed Jaseem studied hotel management and majored in hospitality accounting.He then joined the Rotana Group in 2003, where he played an instrumental role in the brand\u2019srapid regional and international growth.<\/p>\n Bringing more than 20 years of experience working in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon andEgypt, he is skilled in financial analysis, controls and compliance, cash flow management andprocess audits.<\/p>\n As part of the R\u00f2ya Asset Management team, he provides key support for the group\u2019s hotels. Thisinvolves creating financial studies and annual budgets and ensuring that owner interests are safeguarded without compromising quality.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yannis-Anagnostakis.jpg” title_text=”Yannis-Anagnostakis” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”YannisAnagnostakis” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ADVISOR – HOSPITALITY<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Yannis has over 30 years of international experience in the hospitality and leisure sectors, including holding senior positions in fourcontinents, eight countries and 12 cities. This includes roles for Hilton International in Greece, the UK, South Africa and Egypt, for theInterContinental hotel group in the USA, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, and for the Jumeirah Group in New York and Dubai.<\/p>\n His specialisms spanhotel operations, project management, estate management and hotel development. Between 2013 and 2019, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of RAK Hospitality Holding LLC and its five core subsidiaries, beforetaking on other additional board roles for a number of other companies in Ras Al Khaimah and Georgia. Finally, in 2019, he set upNostos Ventures, a private investment and advisory partnership based in the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/royainternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Dr-Verginis-1.jpg” title_text=”Dr-Verginis” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”DrCostasVerginis” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#EF7D00″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ADVISOR<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#555555″ max_width=”1050px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|15%|||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Costas is an expert in hotel development, real estate consultancy, hoteloperations and hospitality education.<\/p>\n During his time with Marriott International, Costas led the growth of the group across the Middle East, including all its hotel brandsand branded residences.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, as the leader of Deloitte\u2019s hospitality and real estate Middle East consulting team, he advised major real estate developersand hotel owners on corporate strategy, strategic growth, competitive strategy, business planning, hotel asset management, hoteloperator selection and market trend analysis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Get to knowOUR TEAMAhmed RamdanFounder | Group Chief Executive OfficerA driven, ambitious and diligent leader with a life-long passion for hospitality, Ahmed Ramdan brings over 50 years of specialist experience in hotel management and hospitality consultancy. He began his illustrious career by demonstrating his abilities in various hotel leadership roles, including running multiple properties for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":34,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-766","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n
& Business Development<\/span><\/p>\nJanelle Schwartz<\/h3>\n
\u2013 REVENUE MANAGEMENT<\/p>\nKate Harrison<\/h3>\n
Walid Harouni<\/h3>\n
Francesco Sostero<\/h3>\n
\u2013 COMMERCIAL<\/p>\nMohamed Jaseem<\/h3>\n
Yannis Anagnostakis<\/h3>\n
Dr Costas Verginis<\/h3>\n