Fairmont Announces Personnel Appointments Across Its Portfolio

. June 23, 2011

June 22, 2011 - Fairmont announces recent management and supervisory-level appointments at its properties worldwide. These include:

Ian Wilson, who takes on the role of regional vice president, Asia Pacific. Wilson, who was most recently general manager at Fairmont Singapore, moves into the new role to provide greater support to Fairmont's growing presence within China and South East Asia. Wilson has spent the past 24 years of his career with Fairmont, originally starting with the company at The Fairmont Banff Springs.
Philip Barnes, who has been appointed vice president & general manager, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver. Barnes brings over three decades worth of hospitality experience to his new role and returns to Vancouver from Dubai, where he held his most recent role as regional vice president, U.A.E & general manager, Fairmont Dubai.
New to Fairmont is Henny Schaeffer, who takes on the role of hotel manager, Fairmont Dubai. Starting his career in Egypt with Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, he has since held a series of progressive hospitality positions throughout the Middle East and the United States.
Simone Harms, who moves into the position of director of operations, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Harms began her hotel career as a chef de range at a hotel in Zurich before joining Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston and then transferring to The Fairmont San Jose where she most recently served as the hotel's acting director of operations.
Rudolf Gimmi, who has been appointed director of operations, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver. He heads north to Vancouver from his most recent position as director of operations, Fairmont Mayakoba, Mexico.
Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi has named Rana Mukherji as director of operations. Mukherji joined Fairmont in 2002 as part of Fairmont Dubai's opening team and has since progressed through several positions. Most recently, he held the title of director of operations, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club.
Geoff Carkner, who has been appointed to the role of executive chef, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Carkner's culinary career began in 1997 at the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside where he was a culinary apprentice. He joined Fairmont in 2008 as executive sous chef, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
Christopher James Stephens, who joins the kitchens of Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, as executive chef. Stephens brings a wealth of international hospitality experience to this Saudi Arabian icon having worked in kitchens from Australia to Switzerland. He joins Fairmont from a luxury hotel in India.
The Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver, welcomes Joanne Perschbacher as director, sales & marketing. Perschbacher arrives with nearly 20 years of experience under her belt. She is very familiar with the Rocky Mountain region having joined Fairmont from her most recent role as director, sales & marketing at a resort and spa in Whistler.
Magdi Gamil, who takes on the role of director, sales & marketing, Fairmont Nile City, Cairo. Gamil joined Fairmont in 2007 in the capacity of associate director of sales, Fairmont Heliopolis, Cairo and was subsequently promoted to his most recent position as director of sales, Fairmont Nile City.
Fairmont welcomes Tekla Maira, to the role of director, global sales, based in New Delhi. With over 20 years of experience in hotel sales and marketing with several top hotel brands, Maira brings a wealth of expertise to the new role. She will be focused on the leisure, retail and wholesale market segments.
Roli Sharma, who is welcomed to Fairmont as director, global accounts, based in New Delhi. Sharma will be supporting the brand in India, along with sister brands Swissotel and Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Sharma will target the MICE and business travel segments.