James Berry

An experienced Cluster General Manager of over fifteen years managing some large iconic and flagship luxury five and four star properties. 

Experienced across seven major brands in openings, owned and leased portfolios, managed and franchised Hotels. 

Currently a Cluster General Manager in Dubai.  I am highly self motivated, organised and ambitious.  I am an experienced leader with a strong sense of responsibility and integrity, and a healthy fear of failure. 

I am a firm believer that you are only as good as your weakest link, and that your team is your route to success.

British National, UAE Resident

Achievements

• General Manager of the Year 2023 Hotelier Middle East
• General Manager of the Year 2023 – Runner up

Caterer Middle East

• Hotelier Middle East Power 100 GM list 2022
• General Manager of the Year 2021 – Runner up

Hotelier Middle East

• Hotelier Middle East Power 50 GM list 2021
• General Manager of the Year 2019 – Runner up

Caterer Middle East

• Chairman Commercial Focus Group – Radisson Hotel Group, UAE
• Hilton Premier Class Graduate
• Marriott Spirit to Serve Certified Trainer

Cluster General Manager 

Radisson Hotel Group - Apr 18 – Present

Radisson Blu Dubai Media City

Park Inn by Radisson Dubai Motor City

Cluster General Manager of Upper upscale and upscale Hotels with 400 keys, 6 outlets and 17 meeting rooms and an annual turnover around 80m AED.  Leading a well reputed high profile and high fee generating flagship Hotel in the region, and the only Park Inn by Radisson brand in the UAE

• Commercial repositioned both Hotels to achieve record levels of competitor set leading market share
• Increased both GOP conversion and NOP contributions to highest levels on record
• Created catering business worth 10m AED per year and repositioned outlets to award winning 
• Restructured both Hotel management teams entirely to create a high performing cluster management structure with high engagement and no turnover
• Built a guest centric culture and quality product focus that put both hotels Rank 1 and 2 respectively in the UAE region for Radisson Hotels guest satisfaction
• Lead both owners and both Hotels through the 2020 pandemic crisis staying open and protecting profits

General Manager 

Accor Group, Arora Group

Sofitel London Heathrow Terminal 5 - May 16 - Apr 18 

General Manager of the best luxury Hotel in Heathrow, the five star Sofitel with 605 rooms, 45 meeting rooms and 5 outlets with an annual turnover of 46m GBP 

• Converted, hosted, and retained several huge Pharma and Aviation global conferences; ACTE, Bayer, Novo Nordisk
• Consistently delivered the number one ranking on Tripadvisor for Hotels in the market through the Cousu main service ethos delivery and creating a culture of personal service excellence pre, during and post stay.  This was expanded as a program I lectured for other Hotels in the group and as part of a management development program
• Achieved a three rosette status with La Belle Epoque fine dining Restaurant
• Delivered growth in market leading market share
• Grew EBITDA performance to since unrivalled levels

General Manager 

Accor Group, Arora Group

Sofitel London Gatwick - May 14 - Apr 16 

General Manager of the market leading Hotel in Gatwick with 518 rooms, 12 meeting rooms, 5 outlets, annual turnover of 20m GBP

• Transformed the commercial strategy from committed to transient revenues by creating a turn key Park and Fly solution
• Maximised EBIDTA delivery in both years 1 and 2 through space maximisation generating rental contributions with tenants, concessions and parking
• Grew the average rate by 55% to levels not achieved since

General Manager (acting) and VC General Manager 

GLH Hotels, London – Mar 13- May 14 - The Tower Hotel, London E2

Value Centre General Manager at The Tower Hotel, London E2, the iconic Thames side Hotel adjacent to Tower Bridge and the The Tower of London with 801 keys and an annual turnover of 35m GBP.

• Principally in charge of executive and luxury segments, product and operations
• Created “The Lawn” concept from redundant parking space next to the river, an outlet that still exists today as a multi million pound operation
• Created an expanded Starbucks outlet as franchisee increasing revenues from passing tourists by 40%
• Hosted the London Marathon group, dignitaries, organisers, celebrities and security

General Manager (acting) and Hotel Manager 

GLH Hotels, London – Nov 10 – Mar 13 - The Cumberland Hotel, W1 Park Lane and Oxford Street

Hotel Manager and then Acting General Manager of the iconic Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch with 1019 keys, 26 meeting rooms, five outlets including Rhodes W1 Michelin Starred Restaurant and an annual turnover 50m GBP

• Delivered the most successful EBITDA returns in the previous eight years
• Transformed the commercial strategy from a group volume to a corporate and transient strategy increasing average rate, Revpar and market share
• Succesfully managed the operation of the huge convention business from oil and gas, banking, pharma and IT, plus hosted the European Cup event in London and the London Olympics 2012

General Manager (opening) (managed)

Radisson Hotel Group Nov 07 - Nov 10 

Park Inn by Radisson Peterborough City, UK

General Manager (leased)

Park Inn by Radisson Thurrock, UK

Languages

English (fluent)

French (intermediate)

German (basic)

Personal interests 

• Four time marathon runner raising over 20’000 GBP for childrens charities
• Minis and Junior Rugby Coach for 15 years from 7 to 14 years old in UK and Dubai
• Family man with two young children

UK higher education accreditation's (3)