First on his to-do list after his arrival was overseeing the opening of Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park and the iconic seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel.

Since then, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Madinat Jumeirah – The Arabian Resort, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa have all been added to the group’s Dubai portfolio.

The hospitality group has also expanded internationally, with the opening of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and Jumeirah Essex House in New York.

Despite the drop in occupancy rates amid the economic downturn, the Dubai-based firm is still forging ahead with its international expansion plans and has a number of agreements to manage properties in the US Virgin Islands, China and Mallorca in Spain.