Meet the team at UHM

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bringing over three decades of experience in Human Resources leadership, Jaime Sarmento assumes the role of Chief Human Resources Officer at United Hospitality Management (UHM) with a wealth of expertise. His career path includes significant roles such as Human Resources Director at Sheraton Algarve and later at Pestana Hotels & Resorts for Portugal and Africa. Prior to these positions, he served as an HR Executive at Arthur Andersen and as an HR Manager at Bacardi-Martini Portugal. Currently, Jaime also holds the position of Corporate Human Resources Director at UIP.

Jaime holds a degree in Human Resources Management and Occupational Psychology from Universidade Europeia, complemented by an MBA in General Business from the Darden School at the University of Virginia, USA. His extensive experience spans various industries, including Hospitality, Spirits, and Audit, where he has showcased expertise in optimizing HR strategies to drive organizational success and sustainability.

Jaime’s career journey is characterized by advanced functional expertise in Human Resources, deep industry knowledge in Hospitality, and effective team leadership. As an integrator by nature, he balances assertive leadership with emotional intelligence, fostering trust-based relationships across all levels of stakeholders.

Passionate about human capital development, Jaime is committed to optimizing HR strategies to drive organizational success within United Hospitality Management (UHM). He is well-prepared to lead complex teams and evaluate new professional challenges within the company.

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.

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.

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.

Nelson Santos brings an impressive track record in the hospitality sector, distinguished by prestigious accolades such as the Europe President’s Award from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, earned twice. These honors underscore his unwavering commitment to excellence and his remarkable ability to consistently surpass expectations.

His journey in hospitality commenced with various roles in accounting and management across Algarve hotels. Before assuming the role of Regional Director of Finance for UHM Europe, over the past decade Nelson served as Director of Finance at Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection by Marriott, where his strategic finance expertise and unwavering dedication to excellence continually optimized operations and delivered significant cost savings for organizations.

Looking ahead, Nelson is passionately driven to elevate United Hospitality Management into a trusted industry leader. His vision is to position UHM for sustained growth and success while leaving an enduring legacy in the business landscape.

Nelson Santos’ journey epitomizes dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His accomplishments reflect a life guided by purpose and a resolute determination to make a positive impact, both professionally and personally.

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.

Anthony E Wright is a seasoned hospitality professional, currently serving as the Vice President of Operations at United Hospitality Management (UHM), Middle East. In this role, Anthony leads the UHM team, ensuring a seamless transition of new acquisitions and maintaining profitable operations across all UHM hotels and holiday homes in the Middle East.

Anthony’s hospitality career began in the UK, where he developed a strong foundation in hotel management through various roles. His early experience includes opening and managing successful hotels for renowned brands such as Intercontinental Hotel Group, Hilton, Millennium Hotels, and Centara Hotels. His expertise includes everything from overseeing major refurbishments and rebranding projects to ensuring high standards of guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

In his tenure as Cluster General Manager at Centara Hotels & Resorts in Muscat, Oman, Anthony managed the opening of the first Centara Hotel in the Middle East, a 182-bedroom four-star hotel, which won the 2020 Traveler’s Choice Award. He has also served as Area General Manager for the Grand Millennium Hotel in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, where he oversaw the opening and management of multiple properties, including a 5-star hotel with extensive facilities.

Anthony’s experience extends to his role as Director of Operations at Chardon Management Ltd, where he managed 18 hotels across the UK, focusing on delivering profits and maintaining compliance with brand standards. His leadership at the Hilton Resort & Spa in Chester involved overseeing a £28 million redevelopment project, transforming the property into a highly successful resort and spa.

Anthony holds several certifications, including a Diploma in Leadership & Management, and has completed numerous training programs such as The Seven Habits for Managers and Leadership Trust Management. His technical expertise, combined with his strategic vision and exceptional people management skills, has earned him numerous accolades, including the Hilton Pride Award and IHG Torchbearer Award.

Fluent in English, Anthony is known for his ability to work under pressure while maintaining excellent interpersonal skills and building positive relationships with colleagues and business partners.

Alban is a seasoned professional in the hospitality and real estate sectors, known for his expertise in expanding market presence and implementing effective growth strategies. Currently with UHM, Alban previously held the role of Group Director of Development for EMEA at Rove Hotels in Dubai. He also served as Director of Development for North Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, where he was instrumental in advancing the brand’s presence in Egypt and Morocco, nearly doubling its footprint in the region.

Alban’s strategic approach is underpinned by his strong skills in financial modelling, risk management, and building impactful partnerships to meet ambitious business goals. His career also includes advisory roles with KPMG and Cushman & Wakefield, where he specialized in real estate consulting and feasibility studies, adding depth to his comprehensive industry expertise.

With an impressive career spanning over 27 years in the hospitality industry, Filipe brings a wealth of experience and an exceptional track record of success in hotel operations and brand management across Europe, particularly in Portugal, the UK, and Ireland.

In his most recent role as President and Shareholder at Ace Hospitality Management, Filipe led the restructuring and establishment of critical operational policies for multiple five-star properties under prominent global brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham. His leadership has been instrumental in brand negotiations, pre-opening strategies, and post-opening operations. Filipe’s expertise in managing high-caliber teams, along with his innovative approach to guest experiences, has driven the success of numerous luxury properties.

Throughout his career, Filipe has demonstrated exceptional skills in strategic planning, revenue growth, and talent development. His multilingual abilities in English, Portuguese, and Spanish further highlight his adaptability and commitment to fostering connections across diverse teams.