Assila Hotel, Jeddah’s new landmark hotel, which opened last month, has announced the appointment of Harry Fernandes as general manager.
Fernandes made his first appearance on behalf of the hotel at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The event was held Monday to Thursday at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center (DICEC).
Fernandes said: “The Arabian Travel Market is the biggest and most important event in the Middle East travel and tourism sector, and therefore it is the ideal opportunity for us to showcase Assila Hotel to the global and regional travel industry, strengthen existing relationships and make new contacts.”
He added: “I am delighted to take the helm as general manager of the splendid new Assila Hotel in the beautiful city of Jeddah. Assila is the first Rocco Forte hotel to open in the Middle East and I am very pleased to contribute my 14 years’ experience with Rocco Forte Hotels and Resorts to uphold the highest standards of excellence that have established Rocco Forte as one of the premier hotel brands in the world.”
Fernandes takes over from Frank Heller who was appointed as interim general manager of Assila Hotel in June 2016 to oversee the pre-opening and initial opening period, while simultaneously retaining his position as general manager of The Charles Hotel in Munich, Germany, a position he has held since August 2007 and to which he now returns.
Fernandes started his career with the international hotel group in 2004 when he was appointed rooms division manager at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, followed by promotion to resident manager of The Balmoral in 2005. He transferred to Brown’s Hotel in London in 2012 and then in 2014, was seconded as resort manager of the Verdura in Sicily. After that he rejoined The Balmoral until November 2016 when he came to Jeddah as hotel manager of Assila.
Prior to his career with Rocco Forte Hotels, Fernandes held various roles in the front office of several London properties including the Hilton Park Lane and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Assila Hotel occupies two towers in a prime central location on Tahlia Street, Jeddah’s most fashionable business and luxury shopping area.
Assila Hotel’s new GM makes debut at Arabian Travel Market
Assila Hotel’s new GM makes debut at Arabian Travel Market
Alfanar Engineering signs MoU with Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia
Alfanar Engineering Services announced the signing of a strategic MoU with Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia during its participation in the Saudi Arabia Smart Grid Conference. Both Schneider Electric and Alfanar Engineering have committed to further enhancing operational excellence and customer-centric service delivery thereby ensuring long-term asset reliability of their clients in the Kingdom.
Alfanar Engineering brings to the collaboration a strong in-Kingdom service footprint, supported by extensive operations and maintenance capabilities, advanced testing and commissioning equipment, and a network of specialized service centers and labs strategically located across Saudi Arabia. These capabilities enable the delivery of responsive, high-quality technical support tailored to the needs of critical infrastructure and industrial operations. Schneider Electric, with its extensive installed base of energy management and automation solutions, plays a key role in supporting mission-critical facilities and national industries across the Kingdom.
The collaboration was signed by Sattam Al-Motairi, chief operating officer of Alfanar Engineering Services, and Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president — Saudi Arabia, Schneider Electric. It brings together Alfanar’s local operational expertise and service reach with Schneider Electric’s global technologies and service standards. Together, the two companies will enhance service reliability, improve response efficiency, and deliver greater value through sustainable solutions that optimize asset lifecycles. The MoU also supports the development of localized technical services, contributing to the Kingdom’s objectives for sustainable infrastructure, localization, and industrial resilience.
Al-Motairi said: “At Alfanar Engineering Services, we believe that true value is created long after equipment is installed, through reliable service, fast response, and teams that understand the realities of the field. This collaboration with Schneider Electric enables us to enhance the delivery of after-sales services across the Kingdom, combining deep local expertise with world-class technology. Our focus is clear: keeping critical operations running, supporting our customers’ long-term success, and contributing meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s industrial and infrastructure ambitions.”
Oday Al-Aithan, vice president of field services for Schneider Electric in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen, and Bahrain, said: “At Schneider Electric, we are turning advanced energy management and digital solutions into tangible outcomes through our partnership with Alfanar Engineering Services. By combining our integrated technologies, extensive installed base, and global expertise as a leading energy technology partner with Alfanar’s strong in-Kingdom field services, we deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions that optimize asset performance, accelerate response times, and support resilient, sustainable infrastructure, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
