(4 November 2008)
Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), the UAE’s leading hotel, tourism, transport, and catering group today announced the appointment of hospitality industry veteran Richard Riley as Chief Executive Officer of the company. As CEO of ADNH, Riley will focus on developing, strengthening and building ADNH’s portfolio in the region. Riley has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality-related sector including tenures in the Middle East as Director of Operations for Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts. Prior to joining ADNH, Riley was the Managing Director of Emaar Hotels Management LLC, based in Dubai. Riley started his career with Hyatt Hotels in Hawaii and later on moved to the group’s international division and the company’s Japan country operations. He also worked with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for more than a decade in senior leadership roles. As General Manager of Hong Kong-based Kerry Properties Group, Riley oversaw the development and operation of retail, residential and hospitality complexes in Hong Kong and Shanghai. ADNH Chairman HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri said Riley’s appointment will strengthen the company’s leadership portfolio and will enable the company to pursue its investment interests in the region. “We are confident that Mr. Riley will provide quality leadership for ADNH and its subsidiaries and play a key role in integrating our operations and management,” Al Hajeri said. “ADNH is one of the UAE’s most respected companies. It has made tremendous progress in diversifying its interests since it was founded more than three decades ago. I am very pleased to be a part of ADNH, and I look forward to working with the Board and management team in steering ADNH to greater heights in the coming years,” said Riley. Riley obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the School of Economics at the Michigan State University, USA in 1978.