Jumeirah Group has appointed Robert Swade as group chief operating officer following the resignation of Nicholas Clayton, who leaves the company on June 18.
Swade joined the company in October 2005 as general counsel.
In 2012, he was appointed as group chief development officer, tasked with building a portfolio of future hotel projects for the company.
Swade’s history in the hospitality business started in the south of England, where his family owned and managed a boutique hotel.
He started his career as a commercial lawyer, working in both London and Dubai and prior to moving to Dubai, fifteen years ago, he also worked at the House of Commons for a UK minister.
“In his new position, [Swade] will be responsible for our hotel and commercial operations, ranging from our owned hotels in Dubai to our managed properties in the UAE and internationally," Jumeirah Group chief executive Gerald Lawless said in a statement. “He will also continue to manage the development team as they work on the expansion of our portfolio of hotels.