Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, the operator of luxury hotels and resorts, has appointed Paul Arnold as vice president of development of the company’s Global Development Team for the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean.

In this newly created position, Arnold will be responsible for leading Rosewood’s expansion initiatives within the MEAIO regions, as well as providing support for development activities in Europe.

“Paul has spent the past seven years in the Middle East and brings extensive hospitality experience, a strong industry network and deep regional market knowledge to his new position,” said Alex Alt, senior vice president of Global Development and Strategy for Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.

“His experience and wealth of knowledge make him the ideal candidate to build upon the success of Rosewood’s Saudi Arabian properties as well as drive the opening of Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Rosewood Dubai hotels. We look forward to watching Rosewood’s growth and penetration in these regions accelerate under his leadership,” he added.

Arnold joins Rosewood following 12 years working globally with Ernst & Young, five of which were spent in the US before relocating to the Dubai office where he helped establish and eventually became responsible for leading the company’s real estate, hospitality and leisure advisory services practice across the Mena region.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts currently operates three hotels in the Middle East – Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel and Hotel Al Khozama in Riyadh and Rosewood Corniche in Jeddah.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012, while Rosewood Dubai will become operational in late 2012. – TradeArabia News Service