Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates appoints Jayakumar R. Pillai as Director of Technical Services

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates announced the appointment of Jayakumar Ramakrishna Pillai as its new Director of Technical Services. 

Jayakumar brings 25 years of experience to his role ‒ 11 of which have been spent in the Middle East, leading teams of multinational talents in a broad range of engineering and facilities management activities. 

In his new role, Jayakumar will be responsible for the daily operations of the hotel's engineering department, ensuring that the property and assets are maintained to the highest order. Jayakumar will also take on the task of developing strategies for the future growth of the department and ensure that competent personnel are in place to support these plans. 

Further, Jayakumar will be responsible for preparing comprehensive budgets and forecasts to ensure the efficient and cost effective operation of the hotel's engineering department, implementing an effective energy management strategy to ensure the property utilises energy as efficiently as possible and will be responsible for ensuring that all mechanical, electrical and plant systems as well as technical equipment are always in excellent working order, operating safely and efficiently. 

“The Director of Technical Services has a huge responsibility towards maintaining the safety of our guests and staff. Jaya is one of the most respected professionals in this business in the UAE and we are happy to welcome him to the team," says Alejandro Bernabé, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. "His extensive experience in the hospitality industry, his thorough knowledge of his chosen field and his ability to train and transfer skills to the rest of his team makes us very secure in the knowledge that the hotel's engineering functions are in incredibly capable hands," he continued. 

Jayakumar moves to Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates from InterContinental Hotels Group, where he served as Cluster Chief Engineer of three of the group's UAE properties and an 18-hole golf course. He previously worked for the Ministry of Defence in Saudi Arabia and has held consultative roles advising construction of five-star hotels in the past. 

Commenting on his new appointment, Jayakumar said: "Managing the daily operations of a hotel offers a very dynamic application of my engineering knowledge and it is a field I have had the pleasure of getting to know very well. I look forward to the challenges and satisfaction of serving a hospitality brand that is so well respected in this field and working to raise its prestige in the industry even further."   

Jayakumar holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, a Masters of Science Degree in Power Engineering, a graduate diploma in Material Management and several training courses in leadership, management and safety, including HACCP training. 

Jayakumar lives in Dubai with his wife, a Civil Engineer and two children. Outside of work, he is an avid reader and a keen movie buff.