Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties, has appointed Morgan Tuckness as its corporate director – design and technical services.

Tuckness brings extensive expertise in the field of design, architecture and technical services and will be responsible for setting up and maintaining development and design guidelines, and the physical criteria for the development of new-build hospitality projects.

She will also be mandated with ensuring that all requisite design and technical service standards are executed in accordance with the guidelines to deliver on-brand projects. She will report to Olivier Harnisch, chief executive officer of Emaar Hospitality Group.
 
Harnisch said: “With a fast-growing footprint of hotel projects by Emaar Hospitality Group and three distinctive lifestyle hotel brands, it is important that we focus on our branding philosophy and design standards, which set us apart. Today, we work closely with developers in hotel project development right from design stage to operations, and Tuckness, who brings extensive expertise in the area, will lead all design and technical services aspects of our projects. She will also focus on introducing sustainable practices that help minimise the carbon footprint of our projects.”
 
Tuckness said: “It is my privilege to join Emaar Hospitality Group, one of the fastest-growing and globally recognised hotel operators. The operational and upcoming projects of the group are defined by high standards of design excellence and unique brand differentials. I look forward to being part of the organisation as it further expands its footprint to innovative projects in the UAE and new markets.”
 
Tuckness was previously the director of development and construction for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Latin America with Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation US and Singapore since 2006, responsible for a wide variety of hotel and resort projects in the US, Mexico, Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and various cities throughout Europe.  Prior to this, she worked as an architect with leading architectural firms in the US.  
 
She holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Oklahoma and is certified from the US Green Building Council as a Leed-accredited Professional.  
 
Emaar Hospitality Group owns and manages a portfolio of hospitality assets and brands including Address Hotels + Resorts, a premium luxury hotel and residences brand; Vida Hotels and Resorts, an upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand; and Rove Hotels, a contemporary midscale hotel and residences brand. The group is expanding its portfolio to international markets with projects already announced in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Turkey. The group plans to introduce its brands in key gateway cities and tourist destinations in Europe, Middle East and India. - TradeArabia News Service