Executive Appointments at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

The Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast in Malaysia has made the following appointments to its executive committee in the lead up to the flagship hotel’s opening later this year:

AIDA RASHID, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Aida has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She possesses a solid track record in sales and marketing, having worked with Shangri-La Hotel & Resorts and serving as the National Director of Sales & Marketing. Aida was involved in 6 renovation projects with the Golden Sands Resort and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa (including the pre-opening of Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa and Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives). Her most notable achievement was the restructuring and development of strategies to drive hotel sales and the action implementation to achieve budget and goals. Prior to her appointment with Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Aida was the Group Director of Sales & Marketing for Impiana Hotel Resort Management.

GRACE CHIAM, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Grace (pictured) has more than 10 years of marketing and communications experience in the hospitality industry. She possesses a strong track record of result-driven marketing initiatives and has extensive knowledge of social media activations, public relations strategies and traditional advertising. Prior to her appointment at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Grace served as the National Content Manager and Marketing Communications Manager for Hilton Worldwide and won multiple awards including Marketing Excellence Award (2017), Creative Award (2015) & Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for Public Relations Excellence (2013).

KALAI MUNIANDY, DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE

Kalai has more than 18 years of F&B experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to his appointment with Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Kalai was the Cluster Director of Food & Beverage for Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resorts & Spa and Golden Sands Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Penang. He has also worked with multiple international brands in various countries such as The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives.

LAYZREE BONGSU, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

With more than 11 years of experience, Layzree has previously held senior positions in various hotels such as Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House. Layzree is also a member of the Australia CPA association which is one of the world’s largest accounting bodies.

DINESH BALRAM, DIRECTOR OF ROOMS

Dinesh has more than 14 years’ of experience in the hospitality industry. He has worked with many of the world’s leading Asia-based luxury hotel groups concentrating in rooms and hotel operations. He has experience in the field of rooms’ management, customer service and people management. Prior to his appointment with Hard Rock, Dinesh was the Resident Manager of the Suite @ D’Latour in Kuala Lumpur. He has also worked with Shangri-La Hotel & Resorts in Dubai as a Corporate Executive Trainee and as the Director of Rooms of Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang.

SHANMUGANATHAN MARIMUTHU, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Chef Shan (pictured) will be taking the stage as the Executive Chef of Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. He and his team will be overseeing operations of four restaurants in the property. With over 24 years of culinary experience in various properties around Asia and the  Middle East, Chef Shan will be in-charge of the entire kitchen, curating menus and managing vendors. Prior to his appointment, he was the Executive Chef of Katara Hospitalities in Qatar and the Culinary Director of F&B at IHG. Chef Shan has also won many awards such as the Star of Science Gourmet Style Cooking award, Sous Chef of The Year Award in the UAE and Park Hyatt Hotel Winner of The Platinum Award.

WAN ROHAIDA, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Wan joins Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast with more than 23 years of combined experience in Human Resources. With her appointment, Wan will oversee all aspects of the human resources department at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. Prior to joining the brand, Wan held various senior leadership roles in multiple companies including Ri-Yaz Hotels & Resort, Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences and her last position was with Best Western Premier Ion Delemen, Genting Highlands as the Director of Human Resources & Training.

SURYA ATMAJA, CHIEF ENGINEER

Surya has garnered more than 24 years of experience as an engineer, with the majority of his postings taking place in established hotels and resorts in Asia. Prior to joining Hard Rock, Surya worked with various luxury properties such as Four Seasons Bali, Four Seasons Maldives and Sofitel Bali.

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