General Manager

PIERRE E. FARES CURRICULUM VITAE

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A result oriented senior professional with more than 20 years of experience within multinational and regional organizations and 10 years of accomplishment in the GCC. A hands-on brand and team builder who adds value to any corporation through robust leadership, mentorship, strategic planning, operational management, service excellence, marketing, and business development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Towell International Holding, Kuwait February 2019 – Present https://www.towellholding.com/en_US/ https://www.bustankhaleeji.com/ Commercial Head

Responsible for managing and developing key accounts of the entire Food Service division at Al Bustan Al Khaleeji where we drive the sales activities in the HORECA market and represent a leading portfolio of renowned global premium brands in fast-moving consumer goods in Kuwait.

2022 Reinforced on the established building blocks to deliver a record high top line and profitability vs. 2021 (PbT +20%).

2021 Steered the division in its first ever profitable transformation +197% growth on PbT. Repositioned as one of the leading HORECA distributors.

2019 Tasked to restructure, address profitability and growth deficits in line with company-wide strategy and shareholder’s vision and values. International Trade Holdings Company K.S.C., Kuwait April 2016 – February 2019 http://www.ithc.com.kw http://irtrading.co/index.html# Corporate Director - Food & Beverage

Entirely responsible for the achievement of the financial, operational, service-oriented, safety and business goals for the food and beverage growth and strategy of the group, both in the Middle East and Asia.

Actively supported and assisted in the expansion and diversification of all regional and international business entities in retail chains/hotel properties.

Developed relevant and contemporary suitable F&B concepts regionally by creating value for the owner, advise ownership on suitable brand partners and new store locations based on market reviews and opportunities.

Performed regular on-site inspections and audits for evaluation, training, recommendation, and support.

Reported to the company’s Owner - Chairman/President. Radisson Blu, Batumi, Georgia February 2014 – February 2016 http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-batumi

168 guestrooms + 4 F&B outlets + In-Room Dining

Hotel General Manager

Fully responsible of all aspects of the property’s general management and leadership. Managed a team of 125 people.

Reported to the District Director in Ukraine, the hotel’s Owners and the Area Support Office in Moscow.

Successfully completed the General Manager Certification Programme (GMCP) and the Pro-Active Leadership for General Managers.

2014 Key Accomplishments

Year-end total revenue deviation above budget by +2.3% and above last year by +8.7%. Exceeded total GOP% performance budget of 32.5% by +3.8% and above last year by +3.7%. Met all guest satisfaction targets with a Medallia score of 69.4 above last year by +2.9 and above the company’s benchmark by +17.47. Surpassed last year’s Climate Analysis 2013 employee satisfaction survey results of 94% by +1.7% and above company’s benchmark by +8.2%.

2015 Key Accomplishments

Year-end total revenue deviation above last year by +0.3%. Exceeded total GOP% performance budget of 37.2% by +4.8% and above last year by +5.7%. Met all guest satisfaction targets with a Medallia score of 79.8 above last year by +10.4 and above the company’s benchmark by +28.05. Surpassed last year’s Climate Analysis 2014 employee satisfaction survey results of 95.6% by +0.9% and above the company’s benchmark by +9.0%. Improved hotel’s Quality Performance Review on company’s brand standards mystery audit scores to 92.2% above last audit visit in 2013 by +0.6%.

Awards

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi was named as Georgia’s Best Sea Accommodation 2015 at Welcome to Georgia National Tourism Awards 2015: http://awards-tourism.com/?page_id=16684 http://gobatumi.com/en/about-us/media-centre/news/georgian-national-tourism-award/366 http://georgiatoday.ge/news/2251/Radisson-Blu-Hotels-Win-National-Tourism-Awards The Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi was named as Georgia's Leading Hotel 2015 at World Travel Awards 2015 Europe ceremony in Sardinia, Italy: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-georgias-leading-hotel-2015 The Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi was named as Georgia's Leading Hotel 2014 at World Travel Awards 2014 Europe ceremony in Athens,Greece: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-georgias-leading-hotel-2014 http://news.boom.ge/geo/11/20140827/3520614/ http://ghn.ge/news-113672.html

Affiliations: A member of the Advisory Board in the Department of Tourism & Resorts of Adjara, Georgia. The advisory board plays a leading role in representing most private sectors in working with the Government in various tourism issues, with a special focus on positioning Batumi as a destination locally and internationally. State of Kuwait +965-****-****

E-Mail ************@*******.***

Linkedin Profile linkedin.com/in/pierre-e-fares-59a646 Born on the 8th of August 1979, Forbach-Moselle, France. Citizenship French.

Marital Status Married to a Russian citizen.

Number of Dependents 1 boy born on 20.03.2013.

PIERRE E. FARES CURRICULUM VITAE

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Meritus Shantou, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China August 2013 – January 2014 http://www.meritushotels.com/en

318 guestrooms + 5 F&B outlets + In-Room Dining

Executive Assistant Manager (EAM)

Property sold and de-flagged to a local Chinese owner: http://www.haiyihotel-group.com/en/hotel-stjh/about.p

Reported to Meritus Hotels & Resorts Corporate Office & General Manager.

Managed the entire hotel's operation and acting General Manager in the absence of the GM.

Banquet operations with 3 interconnecting ballrooms and 5 function rooms.

Managed a team of 370 people.

Meritus Surabaya City Centre, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia June 2012 – July 2013 http://www.meritushotels.com/en

300 guestrooms + 6 F&B outlets + In-Room Dining

Executive Assistant Manager (EAM – Pre-Opening & Opening Team)

Reported to Meritus Hotels & Resorts Corporate Office & Hotel Owners.

Managed the entire hotel's operations/departments as acting Hotel Manager.

Spearheaded the pre-opening and opening phases of the overall operations.

Banquet operations with 2 interconnecting ballrooms up to 1000 guests and 10 function rooms.

Managed a team of 350 people.

Property re-branded under: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/surabaya-indonesia/wyndham-surabaya-city-centre/overview Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe, Guangzhou, China July 2011 – June 2012 http://www.hiltonworldwide.com/

504 guestrooms + 8 F&B outlets + In-Room Dining

Food & Beverage Manager (Pre-Opening & Opening Team)

Reported to the General Manager.

Spearheaded the overall pre-opening and opening phases of the F&B division. Managed a team of 150 people.

Overlooked Banquet operations, 1 pillarless Grand Ballroom up to 400 guests, 3 meeting rooms up to 250 guests + 9 meeting rooms. InterContinental Abu Soma Resort, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt January 2010 – April 2011 http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/

445 guestrooms + 10 F&B Outlets

Director of Food & Beverage

Reported to the General Manager.

Overlooked Banquet operations 3 meeting rooms, one ballroom up to 400 guests and Abu Soma Tent for up to 1,000 guests.

Managed a team of 250 people (F&B Service Team, Culinary & Stewarding).

Property re-branded under: http://www.palmroyaleresort.com/. Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 2008 – September 2009 http://www.mandarinoriental.com

643 guestrooms

Food & Beverage Manager

Reported directly to the EAM in charge of F&B.

Overseen 7 F&B outlets + In-Room Dining + Banquet operations with 2 ballrooms up to 2,400 guests + 16 meeting rooms.

Launched two additional new F&B entertainment and food outlets “Sultan Lounge” the hotel’s first lounge and bar nightspot and “Pacifica” a stylish fine dining seafood restaurant. (Pre Opening & Opening Team) http://www.thestar.com.my/Story.aspx?file=%2F2009%2F1%2F2%2Fcentral%2F2877034&sec=central

IMS/ISO/HACCP trained and certified.

Managed a team of 350 people (F&B Service Team & Stewarding). ROSEWOOD Corniche, Jeddah, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia January 2007 – October 2008 http://www.rosewoodhotels.com

127 guestrooms

Assistant Food & Beverage Manager (Pre-Opening & Opening Team)

Spearheaded the overall pre-opening and opening phases of the F&B division.

Overseen 7 F&B outlets + In-Room Dining + 8 meeting rooms.

Managed a team of 130 people (F&B Service Team, Stewarding & Kitchen). Quintessentially May 2006 – January 2007

http://www.quintessentially.com/

Pre-Opening Team (Temporary Side Project)

Assisted in setting up a Quintessentially franchise in Beirut, Lebanon for the Levant region with a personal business contact. Quintessentially is a private members' club with a 24-hour global concierge service with offices in almost every major destination and thousands of suppliers worldwide. My contribution included networking with vendors and potential business partners. In addition, I was also involved in comprehensive market research and business strategy planning for the set-up of the company. PIERRE E. FARES CURRICULUM VITAE

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The Sukhothai, A Beaufort Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand October 2005 March 2006 One of The Leading Hotels of the World®

http://www.sukhothai.com

218 guestrooms - 7 F&B outlets

Restaurant Manager, Colonnade & Zuk Bar (Re-Opening & Opening Team) Colonnade – A Luxury All Day Dining Venue + Zuk Bar Seating Capacity: 128 pax + Private Dining Room for 24 pax + 80 pax (bar) / Staffing: 31

Lead the re-opening and re-launching of both outlets after undergoing renovations.

Established all staff F&B trainings, SOPs, JDs, Organizational Charts, Menu Designs, Plating Guides, F&B tastings, Staffing/Hiring, Service/Hostess Station Designs, Floor Plan/Seating Layouts, HOEs, Table Setting/Tabletops, Uniforms, Entertainment, Lighting/Atmosphere, Media Releases/Promotional Collaterals, …

Reported to E.A.M. Food & Beverage and General Manager. Raffles Hotel (1886) Ltd., Singapore

https://www.raffles.com/singapore/

14 F&B outlets

Restaurant Manager, Bar & Billiard Room June 2005 – October 2005 Seating Capacity: 250 pax / Staffing: 38 employees

Exceeded highest record percentages of profitability and produced an influx in business volume.

Planned Revenues, Budgets and Forecasts with an emphasis on sales, covers and payroll.

Have sound financial knowledge of Profit and Loss statements. Manager, Room Service July 2004 - May 2005

103 Suites + The Pool Bar + 2 formal Corporate Boardrooms / 12 employees

Maximized a historical revenue/profit including the Minibar.

Ascertained continuous operational training needs as a team leader and builder.

Upheld a personalized service for residents and positive customer satisfaction results.

Prepared monthly and yearly Forecasts and Budget sales, covers and payroll costs.

Developed yearly departmental business plans/goals through a highly structured Competitor’s Analysis, SWOT Analysis and Marketing Plan. The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, United Arab Emirates http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/dubai/

138 guestrooms - 6 F&B outlets

Assistant Restaurant Manager, The Gulf Pavilion / Amaseena September 2003 - June 2004

(Pre-Opening & Opening team)

The Gulf Pavilion - Open Air Poolside Restaurant Amaseena® - Tented Bedouin Village 80 pax + Gardens + Beach / 12 employees 100 pax / 16 employees

In charge of the profit and loss of the total operation.

Played a leading role in opening and establishing the entire concept and operation. V.I.P. Guest Services

Developed a successful program providing enhanced personalized stay and services to the G.C.C. guests, especially among the Royal families with use of advanced projection techniques.

Supervisor, The Lobby Lounge & Bar August 2002 - August 2003

Lead the management of the Lobby Lounge, The Library Bar and Cigar Room.

Exceeded profit expectations to date for year 2002/03. Campo Cevichee, “COROM S.A.L.”, Beirut, Lebanon November 2001 -May 2002 Floor Supervisor for Nuevo Latino Restaurant-Bar

(Pre-Opening & Opening Team) - 80 pax / 12 employees The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia June 2001 - September 2001 http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/kuala_lumpur/

248 guestrooms - 4 F&B outlets

Front Office Trainee

Phoenicia Inter-Continental, Beirut, Lebanon August 2000 - September 2000 http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

Food & Beverage Trainee

Savoy Comfort Hotel, “Choice Hotels International”, Beirut, Lebanon October 1998 - December 1998 http://www.choicehotels.com

Trainee in Rooms Division, Food & Beverage, Accounting and Cost Control. PIERRE E. FARES CURRICULUM VITAE

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EDUCATION 1999 – 2002 Lebanese American University (L.A.U.), Beirut, Lebanon http://www.lau.edu.lb.com

Degree of Bachelor of Science (Business) with Honors, 2002 International Hospitality & Tourism Management

1995 – 1998 Grand Lycée Franco-Libanais, Beirut, Lebanon http://grandlyceebeyrouth.edu.lb

Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général en Sciences Economiques et Sociales, 1998 1989 – 1995 Saudi Arabian International School, Lycée Français, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Diplôme National du Brevet, 1995

CERTIFICATES

The Arbinger Institute March 2022

Set to Succeed - Strategies for emerging from a crisis with an outward mindset Certificate of Completion HEC Paris Executive Education November 2021

People and Performance Management Program Certificate of Completion Afterskils Limited February 2021

Fundamentals of Data Driven Strategy – Analytics Level I Certificate of Completion Bureau Veritas Certification 1828 January 2021

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Awareness Training Certificate of Completion INSEAD Executive Education January 2021

Successful Strategies in Disruptive Times Program Certificate of Completion Maqlink Consultants December 2020

ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2018 & FSSC 22000 Awareness Training Certificate of Completion Radisson Blu, Batumi, Georgia

Pro Active Leadership (for GMs & Area Functions), Kuwait City, Kuwait August 2015

Information Security and Data Privacy Awareness - Online Course August 2015

Performance Management Process & Competency Based Interviewing Training (for GMs), Dubai, UAE July 2015

Upselling Food & Drink, 9 guaranteed ways to make some money! – Online Course June 2015

Social Communication Training - Foundation Level – Online Course May 2015

Shane Talks - Personalised Development Plans – Online Course February 2015

General Manager Certification Programme (GMCP), Brussels, Belgium December 2014

Basic Revenue Management Principles – Online Course November 2014

Bribery Act e-learning Module – Online Course April 2014 Certificates of Attendance & Achievement

Meritus Surabaya City Centre, Surabaya, Indonesia

The Meritus Difference July 2012

Hilton Tianhe, Guangzhou, China

A Fresh Outlook on Breakfast Buffet Merchandising - Online Course August 2011

Breakfast @ Hilton - Online Course August 2011

FCPA & Anti-Corruption Training – Online Course August 2011

Journey Ambassador Training – Online Course August 2011

The Virtual Buffet - Online Course September 2011

Information Security Training - Online Course November 2011

Hilton Complaint Handling - Online Course November 2011

Taleo Training for Hiring Managers - APAC - Online Course November 2011

Hilton HHonors 101 - Online Course January 2012 Certificates of Achievement

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Understanding ISO 22000:2005 on Food Safety Mgmt Systems/Overview of Hazards Analysis & HACCP Plans April 2009

Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering 500/5483/1 April 2009

Foundation Certificate in HACCP FCH March 2009

Mgmt of Integrated Mgmt System for ISO9001:2008 QMS, ISO14001:2004 EMS, OHSAS18001:2007 & MS1722:2005 PART1 February 2009

Managing Performance & Development Training for MOHG January 2009 Certificates of Attendance & Achievement

ROSEWOOD Corniche, Jeddah, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Fire safety – Fire Extinguisher Training February 2007

Rosewood Reception: New Employee Integration Program April 2007 PIERRE E. FARES CURRICULUM VITAE

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Raffles Hotel (1886) Ltd., Singapore

TPMS Training (Total Performance Management System) May 2005

The 10th Annual Raffles Hotel Wine, Food & Arts Experience February 2005

Raffles International Enculturation November 2004

Fire Warden Training+ Appointment October 2004

Think On Your Feet® - “Presenting Your Ideas with Clarity, Brevity and Impact™.” October 2004

The Story of a New One Minute Manager® Training Program September 2004

FISH! Workshop - “Catch the Energy. Release the Potential.” September 2004 Certificates of Attendance & Completion

The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Leadership Orientation January 2004

Boecker Food Safety: The Basic Food Hygiene Training Course September 2003

Leadership Transformation Workshop March 2003

Departmental Trainer Program January 2003

Certificates of Achievement & Completion

Lebanese American University (L.A.U.), Beirut, Lebanon

Student Honor Society - Membership Certificate for the Academic Year 2001-2002 May 2002

The Second Hospitality & Tourism Management Conference April 2002 Tourism Recovery in the Wake of New Global Changes Certificate of Participation

The First Hospitality & Tourism Management Conference March 2001 Tourism Performance Strategy: A Leadership Approach Certificate of Participation Phoenicia Inter-Continental, Beirut, Lebanon September 2000 Customers Come First Workshop Certificate of Training & Development LANGUAGES French & Arabic Mother Tongue

English Proficient

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