New Delhi India, 01 August, 2017: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the appointment of Marvin Alballi as its new Director of Restaurants and Bars – India, Middle East, Africa (IMEA).
In his remit, Marvin will be focused on driving commercial operations across IHG’s restaurants and bars (R&B) offering in IMEA, generating greater revenue and profitability for the company’s hotels. He will also be responsible for operational excellence and delivering great guest experiences across the region.
After studying in Europe and graduating with a degree in hotel and catering management, Marvin spent over a decade working in the Middle East, including senior roles in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Dubai. He has led multiple regional franchises, including Chili’s, Caribou Coffee, Fuddrucker’s and Applebee’s.
Prior to IHG, Marvin served as the Franchise Business Leader for a leading restaurant chain in North America, supporting 61 restaurants across Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. He also served as a Franchise Business Consultant for White Spot Restaurants in Canada.
He will report directly to Pascal Gauvin, COO, IMEA, IHG, who said: “At IHG, restaurants and bars have always been an integral part of the business, however, given our accelerated pipeline in the region, we now feel the need for more specialized expertise to consistently focus on optimizing the quality, standards and performance of our offerings across our brands in IMEA. Marvin brings forward expertise in driving commercial operations for food and beverage chains successfully across large geographies; I am confident that he will bring the right combination of leading profitability and enhancing guest experiences within our regional footprint.”
Shantha De Silva, Head of South West Asia, IHG said: “We are delighted to have Marvin join the IHG team. Our repertoire of restaurants and bars in the region is expanding, as we add new concepts to cater increasing number of dining-out occasions. With Marvin’s international experience and strong local focus, we are confident of delivering great F&B experiences to our guests across IHG hotels in India and maximizing profitability for our owners.”
As a Canadian national with Middle Eastern heritage, Alballi brings a valuable blend of international and regional perspectives to his new role.
Marvin Alballi, Director of Restaurants and Bars, IMEA, IHG added: “I am incredibly excited to be a part of such a renowned hospitality company both globally and in the region. IHG’s brand portfolio in India, Middle East and Africa allows for an extensive range of restaurants and bars offerings that caters to the most varied combinations of international and local cuisines and fine dining experiences. I look forward to expanding on IHG’s success in this space across the region.”
IHG currently operates 30 hotels across four brands in South West Asia: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express, with a further 39 in the development pipeline due to open in the next three to five years*.
* Figures as at 31st March 2017
