WEIL Hotel is going full steam ahead in preparation for its soft opening as the Executive Management Team goes about providing all associates with intensive service training.
General Manager David Scully, a veteran of the hospitality industry who has moved through the ranks from his humble beginnings with the Shangri-La group and in three decades has held senior management positions with various 5-star hotels throughout South-East and Central Asia, is adamant that his entire staff be impeccably trained and on opening, Ipoh will see a level of service that will raise the bar for the hospitality industry within the state of Perak.
Scully with his natural service orientation, is a specialist when it comes to operating new properties. Prior to his return to Malaysia he was attached with the Islamabad Serena Hotel, a member of the LHW consortium (Leading Hotels of the World) and the Dushanbe Serena Hotel in Tajikistan, both part of the prestigious Aga Khan Development Network.
Scully will be assisted in his task by the rest of his Executive management team beginning with Adrian De Rozario – Executive Assistant Manager, a veteran of 25 years starting at the Hilton in Petaling Jaya, followed by experience garnered at the Sheraton Perdana Resort in Langkawi, Palace of the Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru and Sutera Habour Resort in Sabah. His experiences managing high-profile events such as The G-15 and ASEAN Summits, royal banquets and in his last appointment, as General Manager of Sutera Sanctuary Lodges – an integrated property within a UNESCO Heritage Site, will prove to be a valuable addition to the management team.
Financial Controller Daniel Lee will be taking care of the fiscal side of the business. A member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Lee brings to WEIL Hotel more than three decades of experience. He began his career in a public accounting firm and has since worked in various finance and accounting positions with international hotel chains like Shangri-La Hotels, Novotel Hotels, Meritus Hotels and Berjaya Hotels.
The people person is Vethambal Rajalingam, Human Resources Manager. Having honed her HR skills in the manufacturing and hotel sectors, Vetha brings with her a wealth of experience in a career that spans over 20 years. This includes managing personnel in a unionised environment and as part of the executive committee, formulating and implementing policies in a 4-star hotel. She is also an active member of the Malaysian Employers Federation and her understanding of HR regulations and policies will be beneficial for all staff at the WEIL.
Rounding out the executive team is Eugene Yau, Director of Sales & Marketing. A seasoned hotelier with more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, Yau’s expertise covers the full spectrum of hotel operations and management. His strength in sales and marketing has enabled him to be appointed at various esteemed organisations including the Shangri-La, Palace of the Golden Horses, Sutera Harbour Resort and the prestigious Serena Hotel in Islamabad. He brings along fresh, innovative and effective ideas to position the WEIL as the preferred choice of hotel and Ipoh the preferred destination.
This well-seasoned Executive Management Team is all set to launch Ipoh’s emerging brand with a well-defined and lofty HR mission to create employment opportunities for Ipohites and bring back locals who are working overseas and those who are outside Perak state. In so doing, these Ipohites with their own unique talents and well versed in the ways of Ipoh and Perak, can enrich the domestic hospitality industry and at the same time help build the brand. This should bring about a big boost in tourism to the silver state and also to small and medium businesses.
Currently the total number of associates already on board numbers 234, with a whopping 73% majority of them Ipohites whether hired locally or sourced from other states and some returning from overseas postings. More recruitment is on the cards with a goal of reaching a service ratio of 1:1.4 staff per room, making this probably the best serviced hotel in all of Ipoh.
In ensuring the quality of services that WEIL will be providing to all the guests, all their associates have been trained by an appointed HR consultancy – Edge Consultancy, to conduct talent training whereby they inculcate the WEIL working culture, vision & mission, shared values and brand personality.
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