Hozpitality Group Honors the Middle East Top 30 Engineering Leaders
Peer-Selected Pioneers Redefining Hospitality Infrastructure Across the Region.
Hozpitality Group proudly announces the winners of the 2nd Most Popular 30 Engineering Leaders in the Middle East, celebrating the brilliant minds shaping the future of hospitality infrastructure across the region. Selected entirely through an industry-wide voting campaign, these distinguished professionals represent the pinnacle of engineering excellence in one of the world's most dynamic hospitality markets.
This landmark recognition spotlights the visionaries who maintain the backbone of Middle Eastern hospitality – the chief engineers, directors of engineering, and facilities managers whose expertise ensures seamless operations across iconic hotels, resorts, and commercial properties. Their work in sustainability initiatives, smart building technologies, and operational resilience sets new benchmarks for the industry.
The Popular Choice format reflects the authentic voice of the hospitality community, with winners chosen by their peers for outstanding leadership and technical innovation. These engineering leaders have demonstrated exceptional skill in balancing cutting-edge solutions with practical implementation, all while mentoring future talent and driving the sector forward.
Hozpitality Group extends its congratulations to all the honorees and thanks the hospitality community for their enthusiastic participation. This recognition not only celebrates individual achievements but also inspires the next generation of engineering talent in the Middle East.
WINNERS: Engineering Leaders Power List 2025
Ahmed Elsayed, Complex Director of Engineering, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City
Ahmed Kabeer, Cluster Chief Engineer, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman & Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
Ahmed Lasheen, Director of Engineering, Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
Anil Kumar Sharma, Cluster Chief Engineer, Maple Wood Hospitality - Donatello Hotel,
Aser Mohamed Ehsan Matter, Cluster Director of Engineering, Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort and Naama Beach Villas & SPA- Jaz Hotels Group
Bhaskar Joshi, Director of Engineering & Sustainability, InterContinental Dubai Marina by IHG
Chamath Nishantha, Chief Engineer, The Tower Plaza Hotel Dubai
Daveed Balradje, Director of Engineering, Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences
Hari Ram Yadav, Director of Engineering, Hilton Doha the Pearl
Khaled Elblbisi, Director of Engineering, The Cove Rotana Resort - Ras Al Khaimah
Kuttappa P. Ittira, Director of Engineering, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
Manikanta Manchiganti, Chief Engineer, The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort
Mhd Anas Alakkad, Chief Engineer, Pyramisa Hotel Apartments
Mohamed Soliman, Director of Engineering, Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel
Mohammed Abdelwahab, Regional Director of Engineering, Minor Hotels
Narendra Shivnani, Cluster Director of Engineering, Khamas Hospitality Group
Rajesh Kumar Cheriyil Narayanan, Director of Engineering, Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel
Rakesh Kumar Nayak, Director of Engineering, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Ramy Essam, Chief Engineer, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Renjith Rajappan, Director of Engineering, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa
Roshan De Silva, Director of Engineering, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay
Sachin Kamat, Director of Engineering, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
Sandeep Kumar, Maintenance Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf
Sebastiao Ferrao, Chief Engineer, Dusit Thani Dubai
Sivasankar Ranganathan, Director of Engineering, Ayla Grand Hotel
Surandar Singh, Chief Engineer, Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel
Vineeth Vishnu Das, Chief Engineer, Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel & Convention Centre Dubai
Walid Zaher, General Manager, IMS Facilities and Projects Management
Yasser Ahmed, Director of Engineering, Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah
Zain Awan, Chief Engineer, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai - Jumeirah Beach
Ahmed Elsayed, Complex Director of Engineering, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City
With over 25 years of luxury hospitality experience, this Complex Director of Engineering masterfully oversees operations for Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City's three-hotel complex with 1,600 rooms. His expertise spans pre-openings, MEP systems, and sustainability initiatives.
Ahmed Kabeer, Cluster Chief Engineer, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman & Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
Rising from AC technician to Cluster Chief Engineer, he now leads engineering teams at two Wyndham properties in Ajman with over 10 years of hands-on experience in maintenance and renovations.
Ahmed Lasheen, Director of Engineering, Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
As Director at Rixos Al Mairid, he drove a 22% energy reduction and implemented innovative waste management systems, setting new sustainability benchmarks in Ras Al Khaimah.
Anil Kumar Sharma, Cluster Chief Engineer, Maple Wood Hospitality - Donatello Hotel
This Cluster Chief Engineer combines 9 years of pharmaceutical and hospitality expertise to optimize operations at Donatello Hotel through DEWA audits and preventive maintenance programs.
Aser Mohamed Ehsan Matter, Cluster Director of Engineering, Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort and Naama Beach Villas & SPA- Jaz Hotels Group
A certified Professional Engineer leading sustainability initiative across Minor Hotels' Middle East portfolio, with specializations in net-zero projects and LEED retrofits.
Bhaskar Joshi, Director of Engineering & Sustainability, Intercontinental Dubai Marina by IHG
Bhaskar Joshi is the Director of Engineering and Sustainability at InterContinental Dubai Marina, where he leads with a deep commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Chamath Nishantha, Chief Engineer, The Tower Plaza Hotel Dubai
With defense industry training, he brings military precision to maintaining The Tower Plaza Hotel's infrastructure and guest comfort systems.
Daveed Balradje, Director of Engineering, Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences
Achieved 100% operational uptime at Bab Al Qasr while earning Dubai's Sustainable Tourism Award through innovative energy conservation programs.
Hari Ram Yadav, Director of Engineering, Hilton Doha the Pearl
This versatile Director manages Hilton Doha The Pearl's engineering needs, drawing from experience with waterparks, adventure facilities, and luxury hotels.
Khaled Elblbisi, Director of Engineering, The Cove Rotana Resort - Ras Al Khaimah
Pioneered lithium battery research at The Cove Rotana to replace traditional systems, reducing energy consumption while enhancing reliability.
Kuttappa P. Ittira, Director of Engineering, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
With 30+ years in the industry, he leads engineering operations at Metropolitan Hotel Dubai while mentoring the next generation of technicians.
Manikanta Manchiganti, Chief Engineer, The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort
Spearheaded The Chedi Katara's pre-opening and achieved 98% compliance in engineering audits through rigorous maintenance protocols.
Mhd Anas Alakkad, Chief Engineer, Pyramisa Hotel Apartments
A self-taught engineering expert who rose from technician to Chief Engineer at Pyramisa Hotel, mastering both technical systems and hotel operations.
Mohamed Soliman, Director of Engineering, Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel
Certified CMRP professional implementing cutting-edge sustainability programs at Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina while maintaining luxury standards.
Mohammed Abdelwahab, Regional Director of Engineering, Minor Hotels
As Regional Director for Minor Hotels, he drives sustainability across 50+ properties in MEA, reducing single-use plastics and emissions.
Narendra Shivnani, Cluster Director of Engineering, Khamas Hospitality Group
Cluster Director known for optimizing both engineering systems and guest experiences across Khamas Hospitality Group's properties.
Rajesh Kumar Cheriyil Narayanan, Director of Engineering, Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel
Delivered Millennium Plaza Downtown's 568-room renovation without operational disruption while achieving 5% energy savings.
Rakesh Kumar Nayak, Director of Engineering, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
At Anantara's Al Baleed Resort, he implemented solar heating and a farm-to-table program yielding 3,500 OMR in annual produce.
Ramy Essam, Chief Engineer, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Waldorf Astoria's Chief Engineer, who designed an award-winning energy program while developing the "Sunset 55" restaurant from concept to completion.
Renjith Rajappan, Director of Engineering, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa
Fujairah Rotana's sustainability champion, reducing landfill waste by 66% through innovative composting initiatives.
Roshan De Silva, Director of Engineering, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay
Transformed from technician to Director, leading the pre-opening of two IHG Dubai properties and maintaining 97% audit scores.
Sachin Kamat, Director of Engineering, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
At Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek, his greywater system recycles 7.5 million gallons annually, saving AED 500,000.
Sandeep Kumar, Maintenance Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Al Jadaf
Sandeep Kumar achieved 3% utility savings at DoubleTree Al Jadaf through smart resource management and system upgrades.
Sebastiao Ferrao, Chief Engineer, Dusit Thani Dubai
With 18 years at Dusit Thani Dubai, he maintains the iconic property's systems while implementing award-winning sustainability projects.
Sivasankar Ranganathan, Director of Engineering, Ayla Grand Hotel
Oversees engineering across Ayla Hotels' international portfolio with 31 years of MEP expertise in India and the UAE.
Surandar Singh, Chief Engineer, Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel
Millennium Al Rawdah's Chief Engineer, who won "Young Engineer of the Year" after rising from handyman to leadership in 11 years.
Vineeth Vishnu Das, Chief Engineer, Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel & Convention Centre Dubai
Multilingual Chief Engineer at Mövenpick Al Bustan, fluent in 4 languages while managing complex HVAC and BMS systems.
Walid Zaher, General Manager, IMS Facilities and Projects Management
From construction sites to facility management, this IFMA-certified professional implements ESG principles across Qatar's real estate assets.
Yasser Ahmed, Director of Engineering, Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah
Unique dual-role leader managing both engineering and recreation at Radisson Blu Fujairah with Lean Six Sigma efficiency.
Zain Awan, Chief Engineer, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai - Jumeirah Beach
Specializes in beachfront property engineering at DoubleTree JBR, addressing unique coastal maintenance challenges.
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