Kuala Lumpur, July 06, 2018: Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast today announced the appointment of its executive committee, leading up to the flagship hotel’s opening this year.
The appointed committee comprises executives who will be managing operations for the renowned Hard Rock brand’s stunning property in Desaru Coast, Malaysia. The appointed committee members are as follows:
GRACE CHIAM
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Grace has more than 10 years of marketing & communications experience in hospitality. She possesses a strong track record of result-driven marketing initiatives and has extensive knowledge of social media activations, public relations strategies and traditional advertising. Prior to her appointment at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, she served as the Marketing Communications Manager for Hilton Worldwide and Hard Rock Hotel Penang. Grace has won multiple awards including Marketing Excellence Award (2017), Creative Award (2015) & Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for Public Relations Excellence (2013). In her appointment with Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Grace will manage all internal & external communications, develop marketing campaigns, manage design & production of collateral and manage the social media platforms of the property.
AIDA RASHID
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Aida has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She possesses a solid track record in Sales & Marketing, having worked with the renowned Shangri-La Hotel & Resorts and serving as the National Director of Sales & Marketing. Aida was involved in 6 renovation projects with the Golden Sands Resort and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa (including the pre-opening of Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa and Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives). Her most notable achievement was the restructuring and development of strategies to drive hotel sales and the action implementation to achieve budget and goals. Prior to her appointment with Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Aida was the Group Director of Sales & Marketing for Impiana Hotel Resort Management. Her appointment with the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast will see her leading various departments such as e-commerce, revenue management, digital marketing and sales.
KALAI MUNIANDY
DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE
Kalai has more than 19 years of F&B experience in the hospitality industry. He has extensive experience in the in F&B department ranging from banquet services, restaurant management, to fine dining & casual dining management. Prior to his appointment to Hard Rock Hotel, Kalai was the Cluster Director of Food & Beverage for Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resorts & Spa and Golden Sands Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Penang. He has also worked in pre-opening projects with multiple international brands in various countries such as The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Hyatt International. In his new appointment, Kalai will oversee In-room dining, banquet services and four casual & fine dining F&B restaurants at the stunning Hard Rock property.
LAYZREE BONGSU
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Layzree brings more than 11 years of financial expertise to the property. Given his past experience as an operational and senior level member, he will be managing and leading the finance team of Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. Prior to his appointment, Layzree held senior positions in various international hotel chains such as Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency & Hyatt House. Layzree is also a member of the Australia CPA association which is one of the world’s largest accounting bodies.
DINESH BALRAM
DIRECTOR OF ROOMS
Dinesh has more than 11 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He has worked with one of the world’s leading Asia-based luxury hotel groups concentrating in rooms & hotel operations. He has experience in the field of rooms’ management, customer service and people management. Prior to his appointment with Hard Rock, Dinesh was the Resident Manager of The Suitel @ D’Latour in Kuala Lumpur, which was re-branded from a residential complex to a high-end service apartment. He has also worked with Shangri-La Hotel & Resorts in Abu Dhabi as a Corporate Executive Trainee & as the Director of Rooms of Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang. In his appointment with Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, he will be leading the Housekeeping and Front Office departments of the 365-key room hotel which includes suites and rooms. He will also be overseeing the Roxity Kids Club®, Rock Royalty Lounge®, Rock Spa®, Body Rock® fitness centre, Rock Shop® and the flagship Kids Boutique Roxtars®.
SHANMUGANATHAN MARIMUTHU
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Chef Shan will be taking the stage as the Executive Chef of Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. He and his team will be overseeing operations of four restaurants in the property. With over 24 years of culinary experience in various properties around Asia, the Middle East and Europe, Chef Shan will be in-charge of the entire kitchen operation, curating menus and managing vendors. Prior to his appointment, he was the Executive Chef of Katara Hospitalities in Qatar and the Culinary Director of F&B in IHG. Chef Shan has also won many awards such as the Star of Science Gourmet Style Cooking award, Sous Chef of The Year Award in the UAE and Park Hyatt Hotel Winner of The Platinum Award.
WAN ROHAIDA
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Wan joins Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast with more than 23 years of combined experience in Human Resources. With years of human resources experience, she has mastered the division including development of hiring strategies, regulatory compliance, retention & development. With her appointment, Wan will oversee all aspects of the human resources department at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. Prior to joining the brand, Wan held various senior leadership roles in multiple companies including Ri-Yaz Hotels & Resort, Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences and her last position was with Best Western Premier Ion Delemen, Genting Highlands as the Director of Human Resources & Training.
SURYA ATMAJA
CHIEF ENGINEER
Surya has garnered more than 24 years of experience as an engineer, with majority of his postings taking place in established hotels & resorts in Asia. Surya will be responsible for maintaining the facilities and amenities in the hotel and to develop an exceptional operational standard for this team. Surya will also be in-charge of the hotel’s pre-opening construction works and liaise with construction vendors to ensure smooth development of the 365-key hotel. Prior to joining Hard Rock, Surya has worked with various luxury properties such as Four Seasons Bali, Four Seasons Maldives and Sofitel Bali.
Managed directly under the Hard Rock International team, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is the latest addition to the Hard Rock portfolio. Located strategically along a beach front as part of the Desaru Coast integrated development, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast promises a premium, authentic experience for patrons across all ages.
For more information on Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, please visit https://www.hardrockhoteldesaru.com/.
Corporate Comm India(CCI NewsWire)
