The First Group Hospitality makes five senior appointments
The First Group Hospitality, a Dubai-headquartered advisory and management company, has made five senior leadership appointments to boost its capabilities and accelerate its growth.
Brendan McCormack steps into the role of Vice President of Business Development with a focus on the food & beverage sector. He has been part of The First Group Hospitality’s leadership team since 2020, having first joined as Vice President of Operations.
McCormack will focus on expanding the firm’s business development organisation and drive commercial opportunities.
Robyn James-O’Connor has been appointed Senior Vice President of Marketing, overseeing brand, advertising, public relations, social, digital, and development marketing. She previously built a 20-year career with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, rising the ranks to Vice President of Marketing for the group.
During her tenure at the hotels group, she led award-winning B2B and B2C marketing programmes that strengthened brand visibility and commercial performance across Jumeirah’s global portfolio.
Antonio Bissoni assumes the role of Vice President of Commercial, with responsibility for revenue management, guest engagement centres, distribution, and commercial strategies. Bissoni will focus on maximising profitability through data-driven revenue management and pricing strategies, optimised market segment and distribution channel management, and advanced analytics.
He joins The First Group Hospitality from Marriott International, where he most recently served as Regional Senior Director of Sales & Distribution, following a global 15-year career with Hilton.
Sohail Pedari takes on the role of Vice President of Sales, with group-wide oversight of sales operations and performance. He brings senior commercial leadership experience with global hospitality brands, including Hilton, Marriott International, and Rocco Forte Hotels, as well as prior service as Head of Commercial & Cultural Affairs at the Italian Consulate General in Dubai.
Maria Kuzeva joins as Corporate Director of Wellness & Spa, bringing over two decades of experience leading wellness operations, concept development, and brand creation for destinations including Madinat Jumeirah, Atlantis The Palm, and Atlantis The Royal.
At The First Group Hospitality, Kuzeva will lead the firm’s growing focus on the wellness segment.
Commenting on the appointments, Apo Demirtas, Chief Strategy Officer of The First Group Hospitality, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome these talented leaders into their new roles. As our portfolio continues to grow both regionally and internationally, it is essential that our leadership structure evolves in parallel.”
