ArabWeeks

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has appointed experienced Human Resources professional, Abdul Rahman Al Harbi, as its new Director of Saudisation, effective immediately.

An accomplished HR expert with more than 14 years of experience, including roles with Mövenpick in Saudi Arabia, Al Harbi is now responsible for leading the Swiss hospitality firm’s Saudisation Strategy, which is aligned to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

This includes leading Mövenpick’s Saudisation programmes and practices across its 11 current and five upcoming properties in Saudi Arabia, ensuring a consistent, strategic and coordinated country-level approach is delivered and that Saudi talent is nurtured with long-term career prospects in mind.

Abdul Rahman, the former HR Manager at Mövenpick Hotel City Star Jeddah, is a prime example of this successful strategy in action. Having participated in the company’s recently-introduced Saudi Development Centre (SDC) – an intensive training programme that provides career development coaching for Nationals with strong leadership potential – he was promoted to his new role.

“Mövenpick has made strong headway with is Saudisation strategy to date and appointing a Director of Saudisation will further enhance and streamline our activities in this area, ensuring we continue to employ more Saudi talent in a variety of roles and provide them with accelerated career progression opportunities,” said Alex Rawson, VP Human Resources Middle East & Africa, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“Abdul Rahman is an experienced and passionate Human Resources expert who we have identified as a high-potential leader and I wish him every success in his new role. Not only will he spearhead the continued success of our wide-ranging Saudisation initiatives, but his promotion encourages other Saudi Nationals to pursue their ambitions, providing current and future colleagues with an inspirational role model.”

Educated in both Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, with a focus on HR and communication skills, and fluent in both Arabic and English, Abdul Rahman started his career as a Human Resources Specialist with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Saudi Arabia.

He then honed his craft working in senior HR roles for major hospitality firms and private sector business groups in the kingdom before returning to the Swiss hospitality firm in 2015 as HR Manager Mövenpick Hotel City Star Jeddah.

As Director of Saudisation, he will liaise with all hotel HR departments in Saudi Arabia and ensure training programmes are developed and delivered according to Mövenpick’s Saudisation Strategy. Abdul Rahman will also spearhead the company’s ongoing Saudi National recruitment drive.

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, which has been earmarked as a key growth driver in the government’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, is expected to generate around 1.2 million jobs for Saudis from now until 2030.

Creating employment opportunities in the kingdom’s thriving hospitality industry is a crucial component of this blueprint for long-term economic prosperity and Mövenpick is playing its part by committing significant resources to Saudisation, with an emphasis on education and training.

ALSHAYA International Trading Co., the leading international retail franchise operator, has launched a new dining destination in Riyadh, Sidra, which brings together a host of international food brands: The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Asha’s, Pinkberry, Texas Roadhouse, Shake Shack, IHOP, Raising Cane’s, Blaze Pizza, and Starbucks.

Five of the restaurants at Sidra will be making their first appearance in Riyadh: The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, and Asha’s will open immediately, with Texas Roadhouse and Blaze Pizza following a few weeks later.

Offering a wide variety of dining options catering to every taste and occasion, diners at Sidra Restaurants will be able to discover the best of American cuisine in juicy steaks, chicken tenderloin meals, premium burgers, artisanal pizzas and frozen yogurt, or indulge in the tastes and flavors of Asian cuisine that highlight the best of India and China. Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee or a bite of cheesecake or pancakes at the must-visit dining destination, which will be open seven days a week.

Ian Toal, President of Food at Alshaya, said: “Sidra represents Alshaya’s commitment to bring some of the world’s best loved food brands to a growing number of customers in Riyadh and the wider region. It offers a unique dining experience with a variety of cuisines and flavors that no other place does, and we hope it will be a favorite destination for our Saudi customers.”

Extending over an area of 18,000 sq m, Sidra is strategically located next to Granada Centre on two main highways in Riyadh on Exit 9, Imam Abdullah Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Road. — SG

Preparing a gift registry for a new baby will no longer be an overwhelming experience, with the launch of baby registry services at Pottery Barn Kids stores across Jeddah and Riyadh. The service guides expectant parents to share with family and friends, an inclusive list of essentials they would prefer as welcome gifts for their bundle of joy.  

Parents can select gifts from an eclectic collection of child-friendly furniture, safe and secure range of organic items, and superior quality products offered by Pottery Barn Kids. Furthermore, to make a baby registry extra special, parents can personalize the gifts with infant’s name emblazoned on the items.  Pottery Barn Kids team are also offering complimentary decoration services to add a touch of magic to the baby’s nursery.

Pottery Barn Kids have made baby registry stress-free with a carefully curated list of the most registered essential items and accessories to choose from. The top must-have for newborns includes a cozy and comfortable baby crib in a range of designs, colours and sizes,  organic crib mattress, storage essentials, plush toys, a nursing pillow, changing tables, a snuggly stroller blanket, cuddly bath wraps, a crib mobile to check-on the little one, a diaper bag with plenty of pockets, and gentle push rocker to entertain the baby.

Visit Pottery Barn Kids today to create a wish list of the most wonderful gift essentials and nursery must-haves. The stores are located at Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Street in Jeddah and Sahara Mall as well as Riyadh Gallery in Riyadh.