Omran, the Oman Government’s tourism development and investment arm, today announced the appointment and promotion of a number of key members of staff to its senior management team. These appointments cover key areas of focus for Omran, including project development, construction, commercial and corporate communications.
The expansion of Omran’s senior management team is testament to the company’s pragmatic approach during 2009, which was an important year for Omran as many of the company’s projects started to move in to development and construction phases.
The appointments, ongoing since Q4 of 2009, are:
•Gregory Philis, promoted to Vice President, Development•Nasser Saif Al-Maqbali, promoted to Vice President of Construction•Said Mohamed Al Qasmi, appointed as Vice President for the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre Project•Ali Nasser Al-Rasbi, appointed as Senior Commercial Manager•Abdul Wahid Abdul Aziz Al Farsi, promoted to Vice President of Corporate Affairs
Commenting on the new appointments, Eng Wael Al-Lawati, CEO of Omran, said:
“During 2010, we will be working hard to deliver an even greater contribution to Oman’s tourism sector that in 2009. With many of our projects and joint ventures now underway we will shift our focus to their ongoing development and delivery, and we need quality senior personnel to help us achieve this.
“Our pragmatic approach during the global economic recession has meant that we are now in a position to continue growing in to 2010. I am delighted to be able to welcome our newest recruits to the Omran Senior Management team and look forward to working closely with them to deliver for a growing Oman tourism industry.”
Omran will place heavy focus on the development and delivery of projects this year. The promotion of Gregory Philis to Vice President of Development will support this shift in focus for 2010 as Philis will be responsible for managing the project design process up until the point of construction.
Previously Senior Development Manager within the hotel development division, Gregory Philis has been with Omran since 2008.
Nasser Saif Al-Maqbali has taken on the role as Vice President of Construction and will be responsible for overseeing all of Omran’s construction projects ensuring they are constructed within the time, budget and quality frame and comply to strict health, safety and security systems.
With extensive experience in the construction sector, Al-Maqbali has been with Omran since 2008 and will draw on his expertise to also develop a new health, safety and security system for Omran.
The appointment of Ali Nasser Al-Rasbi as Senior Commercial Manager will also support the development of Omran’s portfolio of ongoing projects. Al-Rasbi is primarily responsible for new project development in tendering, contracting cost management and procurement and will be working on some of Omran’s major projects including the Asian Beach Games site, on schedule for delivery in November 2010.
Al-Rasbi joins Omran after 19 years of working with Petroleum Development Oman and Oman Gas Company.
Another new recruit to the Omran team, Said Mohamed Al Qasmi takes on the role of Vice President for the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre Project. Al Qasmi will oversee all aspects of this project, Omran’s largest so far, including project planning, design, financial planning and construction.
Al Qasmi has a long history in the construction sector with his previous roles including Director of Projects, Muscat Municipality.
Abdul Wahid Abdul Aziz Al Farsi has been promoted within the Corporate Affairs department to Vice President, with a brief to communicate Omran’s vision internally and externally. His many responsibilities will now include developing and implementing communications strategy, external and internal communications, ensuring the implementation of responsible tourism strategy and brand reputation.
Prior to joining Omran, Al Farsi spent 10 years working for Shell Oman and specifically on the Initilaaqah programme.
