Jumeirah Group appoints Shafi Syed as Group chief development officer

Dubai-based luxury hotel company Jumeirah Group has appointed Shafi Syed as Group chief development officer.

Taking up his position with immediate effect, Syed brings over 25 years of development expansion experience across diverse hospitality sectors, including hotels and branded real estate, in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Jumeirah Group has an established reputation as a valued partner for successful hotel owners and investors globally and currently operates 22 properties across 11 destinations. Syed is a highly experienced business development leader and, in his new role, he will head the Development team and lead the Group’s development strategy.

Syed joins Jumeirah Group from Trump Hotels where he was regional vice president of development and acquisitions. He previously held senior positions in development and operations at Wyndham in London and Dubai, and Taj Hotels in India.

Shafi Syed

Key appointment

Stefan Leser, Jumeirah Group chief executive officer, said: “Shafi takes up his role at an important time for Jumeirah Group. Since 2011, Jumeirah has doubled its portfolio of properties and Shafi is tasked with continuing this impressive momentum.

“He has a solid track record for driving development success for luxury brands.  In addition to managing our existing development pipeline, his strong relationships with private and institutional investors will further support the Group’s drive for accelerated growth.”

Syed added: “The luxury hospitality market is highly competitive with owners demanding strong commercial performance and a real point of differentiation for their customers. Jumeirah Group is amongst the very best, with a reputation for consistently delivering its STAY DIFFERENT promise and imaginative and exhilarating guest experiences, backed by world class service excellence and distinctive design.

“It is an exciting time to join the Group and I am looking forward to working with the team and sharing the Jumeirah partnership experience with owners and developers across key Middle East, Asia and Europe markets.’”

Syed is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management in Bangalore and holds an Advanced Certification in Real Estate and Hotel Investments from Cornell University, New York. He is a dual citizen of the UK and India and has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.