Our Team

Maria d’Orey’s deep-rooted passion for wellness has defined her career. Initially pursuing law, her enduring love for exercise redirected her towards a thriving journey in health and wellness.

Maria’s professional odyssey began as a gym instructor and personal trainer at the Holmes Place chain, where she cultivated her expertise in fitness and lifestyle coaching. Her pivotal role at Pine Cliffs Resort in 2006 saw her playing a key part in conceptualizing the resort’s inaugural activity program, marking the genesis of her dedicated focus on spa and wellness.

After managing the Spa Ritual external-owned brand, Maria spearheaded the creation of the bespoke wellness offering, Experience Wellness, for Pine Cliffs in 2013. This initiative evolved into the flagship Serenity – The Art of Well Being, launched in 2016.

Under Maria’s guidance, Serenity – The Art of Well Being witnessed remarkable growth, garnering accolades such as Portugal’s Best Resort Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards. Her leadership was further acknowledged in the Merco Leaders Ranking, cementing her status as a visionary leader in Portugal.

Expanding the brand, Maria introduced ACTIVE by Serenity, an exclusive fitness brand, elevating the overall well-being experience. With astute planning and strategic vision, Maria oversees both brands’ units across properties in Portugal and the Middle East, driving planning, treatment development, partnerships, human resources management, and marketing strategies. She also leads the introduction of Serenity-branded products, underscoring her commitment to holistic wellness.

Maria holds a Postgraduate Degree in Spa Operations and Management and certifications from renowned spa brands. Outside work, she maintains a disciplined approach to wellness, engaging in training, half marathons, and cryotherapy. For Maria, discipline, happiness, and love are the guiding principles shaping both wellness and life.

David Guerreiro began his career at Sheraton Algarve in 2005, following a brief internship that confirmed his alignment with the company’s goals and strategies.

Starting as an IT Executive, he managed network infrastructure, connectivity, and guest support. His role expanded to include risk analysis, cybersecurity, compliance, and budgeting as a Complex IT Manager. In 2015, he was honored with Starwood’s prestigious President’s Award, recognizing excellence within the Starwood group.

In 2016, as Director of IT for Pine Cliffs Resort, David was entrusted by United Investments Portugal to oversee the IT strategy and the opening of four new hotels nationwide.

By 2022, with UIP’s ongoing development and international expansion, he embraced the role of Head of IT for UHM, leading multicultural teams to drive the company towards new opportunities.

She is the Founder of Rosastays, an asset-light boutique stays platform operating across India and Southeast Asia, blending home-style comfort with hotel services while enabling property owners to maximise returns through curated, immersive guest experiences.
Rosastays is a preferred third-party operator for IHG Hotels & Resorts in India for the Garner brand, underscoring Deepika’s ability to seamlessly integrate boutique sensibilities with global brand standards and scalable operational frameworks. Previously, as Head of Dusit Hotels & Resorts for the Indian Subcontinent, she successfully led the brand’s strategic re-entry into India, achieving a record eight signings within two years and establishing a robust pipeline for sustained growth.
Earlier in her career, Deepika held senior leadership roles with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide, where she played a pivotal role in pioneering franchise-led and asset-light expansion models in India. Her contributions have earned her numerous prestigious industry accolades, and as a TEDx speaker, she regularly shares insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and evolving hospitality trends. Deepika continues to be a driving force behind innovation, market transformation, and long-term value creation within the hospitality sector.

Dominic Arel is a popular figure among hoteliers in UAE bringing close to 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality and hotel pre-opening projects.

In this role, he will lead the team ensuring a seamless transition of new hotels in the portfolio and maintaining profitable operations across all UHM hotels and holiday homes in the Middle East. He is tasked to spearhead operational excellence, and brand elevation across the region. This role is instrumental in scaling a company’s footprint, maximizing profitability, and delivering world-class guest experiences.

Prior to his current role, Dominic served as the General Manager of Fairmont The Palm, joining in September 2022. Under his leadership, the hotel achieved a record year in performance, solidifying its position as a landmark destination in Palm Jumeirah. He fostered a culture of growth, learning, and collaboration.

In terms of financial excellence, Dominic’s strategic leadership resulted in Fairmont The Palm achieving its highest Gross Operating Profit (GOP) since its 2012 opening, with a flow-through that surpassed industry benchmarks. The hotel’s F&B outlets saw an impressive revenue improvement through curated activations and creative programming. Dominic has also significantly enhanced guest experience through major renovation projects, including the launch of Serenity – The Art of Well-Being spa, which transformed it into a premier wellness destination.

A Canadian citizen, his extensive experience encompasses three continents: North America, Europe, and Asia. Before joining Fairmont The Palm, Dominic served as the General Manager at Swissôtel Al Ghurair & Swissôtel Living Al Ghurair. Preceding this role, he held the position of General Manager at Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery by Sofitel in Qatar. Further back, he was the General Manager at Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade in Portugal.
Dominic Arel pursued his higher education in Canada and France, focusing on hospitality and human resources. He earned a College Diploma (DEC) in Hotel Management from the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec between 1995 and 1998. Subsequently, from 1998 to 2001, he obtained a Higher Advanced Certificate in Human Resources Management, part of a Bachelor’s Program, from Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC), University of Montréal. His professional development continued with the International Hospitality Management Program (IHMP) in Hotel Management, undertaken at ESSEC Paris / Accor Academy in France between 2010 and 2011. He recently completed the Hotel Management and Owners Relations program from eCornell.

Sunny Simon Babar is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Sunny leverages his extensive expertise to drive financial excellence across the organization. His responsibilities include overseeing financial operations, developing strategic financial plans, and managing budgetary allocations to optimize profitability.

Sunny’s finance career began in 2008 in Dubai with Rotana, a renowned hotel chain. He has since gained valuable experience with esteemed hospitality brands such as Address Hotels, Accor Hotels (including the Movenpick, Fairmont, and House of Originals brands).

In his prior role before joining UHM, Sunny served in a Cluster Finance capacity, overseeing the financial departments of Fairmont The Palm, TH8 Hotel Apartment, Movenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and Riva Beach Club from March 2019 to September 2023. During this time, he demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving financial performance, executing strategic initiatives, and ensuring efficient reporting and budget management.

With a proven track record of success and a comprehensive understanding of finance in the hospitality sector, Sunny Simon Babar continues to be a valuable addition to United Hospitality Management, contributing to its growth and success in the dynamic hospitality industry.

Kiran Kumar is a seasoned hotelier with a proven track record of excellence in hospitality Marketing and Sales, boasting over 20 years of experience across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, United Kingdom, and India. With a rich educational background, unwavering passion, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, Kiran has become a respected figure among industry peers.

Equipped with an MBA in Marketing and HR, Kiran combines a deep understanding of business strategy with a solid foundation by bachelor’s qualifications in Economics and Hotel Management. This unique blend of academic prowess and practical experience has paved the way for remarkable achievements and groundbreaking contributions to the organizations he has been a part of.

Throughout his illustrious career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, among others, Kiran has excelled in a myriad of roles, demonstrating unparalleled expertise in various facets of the industry. From spearheading hospitality marketing initiatives to orchestrating successful openings, he has consistently raised the bar for excellence. In the era of digital transformation, Kiran has leveraged technology and social media to revolutionize marketing and branding strategies. His proficiency in social media and influencer marketing, F&B branding and positioning, Partnership marketing, restaurant and bar marketing, and digital marketing has not only kept pace with the ever-evolving landscape but has also helped organizations achieve unprecedented levels of success. Kiran also serves as a member of the Marketing advisory board of HSMAI Middle East and continues to inspire and innovate, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. His journey so far is a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, learning, and unbridled passion in shaping a solution-led marketing culture in hospitality organizations.

Rola Chakroun is a proficient commercial leader with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and real estate sectors. As Regional Director of Sales for UHM Middle East, she has built a reputation for driving sales performance, fostering business growth, and leading high-performing teams through innovative strategies and exceptional leadership.

Rola excels in brand development, market positioning, and revenue optimization. Her expertise includes launching and managing hospitality brands from inception, ensuring long-term commercial success while cultivating strong client relationships and maximizing market share.

Before joining UHM, Rola was Head of Chains MEA at WebBeds, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing regional chain connectivity and strengthening partnerships with global hotel chains. She also led the GCC sourcing team, driving supplier engagement and regional business development.

Her career includes notable leadership roles such as Director of Leasing, Marketing & Tenant Relations at Al Ali Property Investment in Dubai, where she oversaw the company’s digital transformation. At Accor Hotels, she held executive positions including EAM of Novotel and Adagio Premium Dubai Al Barsha, and Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for Novotel, ibis, and Adagio Premium Dubai Al Barsha, where she was part of the pre-opening leadership team.

Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, Rola is adept at managing multicultural teams and navigating complex international markets. Her customer-centric leadership style and commitment to service excellence make her an invaluable asset in UHM’s continued expansion across the Middle East and beyond.

Valentin Crepieux is a highly accomplished hospitality and commercial strategy executive with extensive leadership experience across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. A French national, he has established a distinguished career with globally recognized hospitality organizations, including Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Accor. His core competencies encompass revenue optimization, market positioning, and commercial performance, leveraging strategic pricing, advanced distribution management, and data-driven decision-making to drive sustainable growth.

Holding an MBA in Hospitality Management, Valentin possesses a strong analytical foundation and a results-oriented approach to maximizing top-line revenue and long-term profitability. As Regional Director of Revenue Strategy at United Hospitality Management, he spearheads the development and execution of innovative revenue strategies, ensuring adaptability to evolving market dynamics and enhanced financial performance.

With a profound understanding of global and regional market trends, Valentin has successfully led demand forecasting, digital transformation initiatives, and cross-functional strategic projects, driving operational efficiencies and competitive advantage. His leadership is characterized by analytical rigor, strategic foresight, and a commitment to innovation, positioning him as a key driver in the evolution of hospitality revenue management.

Dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement, Valentin remains focused on shaping the future of commercial strategy in the hospitality sector, fostering innovation, and delivering sustained business success.

Jane has accumulated over 15 years of experience during her tenure at Marriott, refining her expertise across 12 Marriott brands in four countries: India, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain. Throughout her HR career, she has skillfully navigated pre-opening phases, facilitated conversions and rebranding initiatives, operated within union environments, and spearheaded the pioneering effort of implementing multi-country  clustering strategies. Her passion for fostering brand excellence, nurturing talent development, and cultivating meaningful connections with employees exemplifies her unwavering commitment to the HR profession.

Esther Marijuan is a results-driven Sales professional with over 13 years of experience in the Hospitality sector. She is a sales expert currently working as Regional Director of Sales for UHM based in the Algarve. Born in Spain and with an extensive international background in well-known Hotel companies like Marriott, Hyatt and IHG; she has lived in 6 different countries giving her a distinct growth in her career path.

With a deep passion for Hospitality and particularly Sales, Esther has dedicated her efforts to develop the company’s business strategies, leading a large team of young professionals, and ensuring maximum performance. Attentive and detail-oriented, Esther possesses excellent organizational skills, business acumen and the ability to build strong relationships with customers wherever she goes.

Beyond her professional pursuits and her passion for continuous improvement, Esther loves to travel and a good challenge, hence the reason she enjoys competing in triathlons and diverse sports races.

Esther can be reached via email, and she welcomes connecting with fellow hospitality professionals, enthusiasts, collaborators, and individuals who share a passion for Hospitality and Sales.

Sandro Fonseca has been appointed Regional Director of Revenue for United Hospitality Management, recognizing his exceptional expertise, leadership, and contributions to the organization.

Since joining UHM in April 2023 as Head of Revenue Management at Pine Cliffs Resort, Sandro has demonstrated a strategic approach to revenue optimization, consistently delivering strong performance and enhancing operational efficiencies. His ability to implement data-driven strategies and drive commercial success has played a pivotal role in strengthening UHM’s revenue management framework. Additionally, revenue management teams across UHM-managed properties in Europe will maintain a dotted-line reporting structure to him, further aligning our revenue strategy across the region.

Sandro’s appointment reflects UHM’s commitment to excellence and innovation in revenue management. Please join me in congratulating him on this well-deserved promotion and wishing him continued success in driving growth and performance for the organization.

Manuela Figueiredo brings a wealth of experience to the table, having navigated diverse roles in the hospitality sector, including Cost Control Manager and Purchasing Manager across several prestigious Algarve hotels. She spearheaded supply chain operations as Director of Supply Chain at Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection by Marriott, and as Cluster Procurement Manager for the Algarve region at Hilton.

As a seasoned Director of Procurement, Manuela leverages her extensive expertise in strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier management to drive transformative change. Her innovative approach has led to substantial cost savings for her organizations, while her meticulous procurement strategies have been meticulously aligned with business objectives, enhancing operational efficiency. With a keen eye for market trends and supplier landscapes, Manuela identifies opportunities for cost reduction and consistently elevates supplier performance.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, Manuela has redefined procurement operations, fostering greater transparency and accountability. In her role, she is dedicated to optimizing procurement processes, unlocking maximum value for organizations, and driving their overall success through effective supply chain management.

Heidi has a diverse career in the hospitality industry across Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE. She started in 2005 at the Movenpick Hotel in Doha, Qatar, then moved to Banyan Tree Al Areen in Bahrain in 2008. In 2010, she became the Food & Beverage Secretary at Sands Hotel Abu Dhabi (now Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown), where she worked closely with senior management.

Heidi transitioned to Events Coordinator at Aloft Abu Dhabi in 2011, winning “Employee of the Year (Front of the House).” In 2013, she joined Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, starting as a Sales Coordinator and later becoming Administrative Assistant to the General Manager and Area General Manager.

Heidi joined the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, in 2022 as an Executive Administrative Assistant on the pre-opening team, showcasing her competence and reliability. Beyond work, she enjoys being a fur mom to her cat and is passionate about travel.

Rosa Santos is a passionate Marketing and Communications Director with more than 15 years of experience shaping brand strategy, storytelling, and global market presence for luxury hospitality, real estate, and education brands. Her background includes leading the international launch, positioning, and expansion of premium hotels, branded residences and F&B outlets, managing multicultural teams, and driving high‑impact communications across Europe and key global markets.

Rosa’s expertise spans strategic brand development, global communications, digital marketing, media relations, partnerships, and high‑impact campaign execution. She has overseen complex digital ecosystems, managed global PR and communications networks, and led multidisciplinary teams of designers, digital specialists, and agency partners – ensuring alignment with industry and marketing trends in today’s fast‑paced, ever-evolving landscape.

Rosa brings together deep luxury hospitality insight, international marketing experience, and hands‑on leadership. She thrives in dynamic, purpose‑driven environments where innovation, collaboration, and authenticity shape the brand narrative. Her leadership combines analytical rigor with creativity and empathy, building high‑performing teams and delivering marketing strategies that elevate brand equity while achieving measurable commercial results.

As a Regional Director of Marketing at United Hospitality Management, Rosa oversees all Marketing activities, leveraging the brand’s positioning as a leading hospitality management partner while driving market growth across a diverse portfolio of hotels and hospitality ventures in Portugal and throughout Europe.

With a Marketing and Advertising degree from the University of the Arts London and a Master’s in Brand Management, she embraces continuous learning and has participated in executive programs such as Leading Hospitality and AI for Marketing Excellence at NOVA SBE more recently.

Ricardo Leal is an accomplished hospitality executive serving as Vice President – Operations for India & South East Asia, bringing over two decades of international leadership experience in luxury and ultra-luxury hospitality operations across the Maldives, China, Europe, UK and South Africa.

His career is distinguished by a deep, holistic expertise across the hospitality asset lifecycle. He has held multiple General Manager and Project Leadership roles, overseeing everything from initial feasibility studies, conceptual design, and master planning to operator negotiations, pre-opening, rebranding, and full-scale operational management. Immediately prior to his current appointment, he acted as Project General Manager for a luxury resort development in the Maldives, working directly with ownership on all aspects from financing to operational readiness.

Ricardo has a strong track record of enhancing profitability, guest satisfaction, and team performance. He notably led the successful rebranding and launch of OZEN Reserve Bolifushi. His career includes senior leadership roles with globally recognized brands such as Alila Hotels & Resorts (Hyatt), St Regis & Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton, Le Meridien, Pestana Hotels & Resorts, and independent owners.

He is renowned for his hands-on leadership style, ability to build strong owner relationships, and drive operational excellence in geographically diverse and multi-cultural settings. At UHM, he plays a key role in aligning operational delivery with brand vision while ensuring sustainable growth and exceptional guest satisfaction.

Rozenn Lavaur Fournier is an accomplished hospitality development and commercial strategy professional with over 20 years of international experience across Europe and the Mediterranean. She most recently served as Development Director for France, Iberia, and Greece at Sophos Hotels, where she led strategic growth initiatives and project development across key Southern European markets.

Previously, Rozenn held senior development roles with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, driving expansion across France and Iberia. Her achievements include executing the group’s first franchise agreements in Spain and Portugal, supported by in-depth market research, feasibility analysis, and owner negotiations. Her background also includes global account leadership for Dolce Hotels & Resorts, as well as entrepreneurial ventures through Yuma Connexion, advising upper-upscale independent hotels and high-end lifestyle and MICE destinations.

Rozenn began her career with Accor and Sofitel, developing strong expertise in sales leadership, international markets, and owner relations. She holds advanced degrees in Marketing & Hotel Management and Foreign Languages, and recently completed a Master’s degree in Insurance, combining strategic insight with a robust understanding of hospitality investment, risk, and operations.