One of the Kingdom’s premier hotels has announced a raft of promotions among senior staff.

As the season begins, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s General Manager, Bernard de Villèle, has appointed Jeremy Canivet as the new Executive Assistant Manager in-charge of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations. In this new role, Canivet will continue to direct sales and marketing and oversee the hotel in the absence of the General Manager.

Canivet began his hospitality career in sales and marketing in Toronto, Canada, before moving on to positions in Europe and then the Middle East in 2010. In addition to working for notable brands such as the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, St. Regis and Kempinski, his career has also brought him to work in key market cities including Toronto, Zurich, London, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat.

“Through Jeremy’s hard work and dedication, he successfully led the team during these unprecedented times, maintaining the five-star property as the top provider of luxury experiences in the Kingdom,” says Bernard de Villèle. “Jeremy’s purposeful leadership, commitment and adaptability make him the ideal candidate for this important role, and I am confident he will continue to elevate the entire Sales and Marketing Division to the next level, as well as helping me with the operation of the overall property.”

Executive Chef Yann Bernard Lejard has been appointed as Director of Culinary and Food and Beverage. In this new role, he will oversee a culinary and F&B team of 220 people along with the entire strategic vision and operation of the hotel’s unique gastronomic experience. With passion and pride, Lejard will continue to keep the property’s 12 restaurants and banqueting facilities in prime positions within the local market.

“Yann Bernard Lejard is a master of art and an icon in the food scene with a vast following on social media. His hands-on leadership of the entire kitchen brigade made it a natural choice to elevate him into this important role,” says Bernard.

With more than 15 years in luxury hospitality, Rasha Ghoul has been elevated to the position of Director of Human Resources. She will oversee all aspects of the HR division, including the resort’s award-winning Community Footprints and Leadership Voyager programmes, talent acquisition and management and employee relations strategies.

Rasha began her career with The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain in 2012 where she worked as a training manager and shortly after as the Director of Learning and Development. A key player on the progressive team establishing a new learning system for the five-star property. With an outstanding passion to serve, and more than a decade of experience with progressive roles in areas of hospitality, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources in 2018 and now to her current role.

And, lastly, Alper Kucukbaycan becomes Senior Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Originally from Rize Turkey, he will oversee all facets of the food and beverage operations under the guidance of Yann Bernard Lejard, including the resort’s award-winning restaurants, in-room dining, and banquets catering division.

“It’s my honour to continue to elevate the gastronomic experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. I believe that hands-on leadership is critical, as well as building relationships with our members and guests. I am very passionate about the business that we do and will ensure that The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain continues to lead as the Kingdom’s finest dining destination,” says Alper.