Stands as a distinguished Bahraini luminary within the global hospitality industry, Mr. Mohamed Al Kayed, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Gulf Hotels Group is boasting a decade-long tenure laden with profound expertise in business stewardship, operational excellence, hotel expansion initiatives, asset optimization, and strategic counsel. Armed with a Bachelor in Managerial Accounting from the esteemed New York Institute of Technology, PMI-PBA from Project Management Institute and fortified by a Hotel Leadership Certificate from Cornell University, Mr. Al Kayed’s ardor resonates in fostering and emboldening resilient teams, spearheading transformative organizational initiatives to expedite progress, and furnishing stakeholders with unmatched value propositions.
Mr. Al Kayed’s ascendancy is underscored by myriad accolades, including the illustrious distinction of being the inaugural Bahraini laureate of Business Elite’s esteemed 40 Under 40 Award, a testament to his indomitable prowess and visionary acumen. In a seminal moment of recognition, in November 2023, Mr. Al Kayed was accorded the esteemed privilege of assuming a directorial mantle within the esteemed Bahrain Family Leisure Company’s Board of Directors, further cementing his stature as a paragon of corporate governance and strategic foresight within Bahrain’s vibrant business landscape.
Additionally, Mr. Al Kayed was named one of the Global 200 Inspirational Leaders in 2023 by White Page International, underscoring his influence on a global scale. His most recent accolade includes being recognized as a Global Inspirational Leader by WCRC, further solidifying his reputation as a prominent and inspirational figure in the industry.
Mr. Al Kayed garnered acclaim for its adept management of a diverse portfolio of hospitality assets, both locally and internationally. This includes handling signed franchise agreements, development, pre-opening, opening, and operations for venues such as Play, Black Tap, Bagatelle, Opa, Scalini, and Ula Beach Club. He also excels in creating concepts, development, pre-opening, opening, and operations for establishments like Havana Cigar Club, The Terrace Roof Top, and more.
“It was a pleasure to work with Mohammed on the Iconic One & Only Bahrain project. Mohammed was able to work under high pressure and always dedicated to deliver high end ultra luxury project. He has a strong expertise on project management and know how to deal with various very specialized functions. I have really appreciated all interaction with Mohammed and especially his passion for impeccable professionalism.” Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer at Kerzner International
Visionary Leadership in Luxury Hospitality
Preceding his current tenure, Mr. Al Kayed assumed the mantle of Chief Executive Officer and Advisor to the Chairman at Sevens Holding, where he orchestrated pivotal strategies instrumental in the development and operational efficacy of the opulent Royal Saray Resort in Bahrain, formerly renowned as the One & Only. His leadership steered the establishment towards unparalleled heights of excellence in the realm of ultra-luxury hospitality.
Drawing from his seasoned insights, Mr. Al Kayed espouses a steadfast conviction in Bahrain’s ascendancy as a preeminent business hub, attributing this trajectory to a confluence of factors. He extols the Kingdom’s business-friendly milieu, underscored by a strategic geographical advantage, well-established infrastructure, and visionary stewardship epitomized by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. These salient attributes, in his estimation, confer upon Bahrain a definitive edge over its regional counterparts, positioning it as an alluring destination for investment and commercial endeavors.
Moreover, Mr. Al Kayed harbors an unwavering belief in Bahrain’s enduring appeal as a beacon for investment and commerce in the years ahead. He contends that the Kingdom’s distinctive selling propositions, coupled with its strategic positioning, are poised to catalyze its transformation into a pivotal regional nexus for trade, commerce, and tourism, thereby underscoring Bahrain’s indomitable potential as a harbinger of economic prosperity and innovation.
“I had the opportunity to work through a difficult negotiation between our two organizations and I can say that Mohammed was honest, fair and always calm even when confronted with disagreement. We always found a fair solution for both our organizations. I find that it is during conflict management that we truly discover the character and true values of individuals. I highly recommend Mohammed for his professionalism and high ethics. I would be delighted to work with Mohammed again in the future.”- Jose Silva, Former CEO at Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts
A Paradigm of Growth and Innovation in the Gulf
Mr. Al Kayed’s illustrious career has afforded him the privilege of collaborating with esteemed brands and enterprises across diverse sectors. Through his discerning perspective, he identifies Bahrain as a veritable paragon among its regional counterparts, distinguished by its congenial business landscape, strategic geographical positioning at the nexus of the Gulf, seamless market access, robust infrastructure, and, paramountly, visionary leadership.
In Mr. Al Kayed’s estimation, Bahrain’s unique selling propositions (USPs) are poised to sustainably allure investment and foster commercial endeavors in the foreseeable future. The Kingdom’s strategic advantages, coupled with its unwavering commitment to innovation and progress, augur well for its ascension as a quintessential regional hub for trade, commerce, and tourism.
“It was a pleasure to work with Mohammed the past 3 years and see our relationship evolve from fruitful negotiations to great execution. Mohammed is always available and focused on problem solving when any situation arises. I will be looking forward to working with Mohammed again.”– Remi Laba, President at Bagatelle Group Inc
Setting the Bar High
Mr. Al Kayed’s leadership prowess is underscored by an array of formidable strengths, encapsulating his unwavering commitment to excellence and his innate capacity to inspire and galvanize teams towards unparalleled achievements such as personal driver to excellence, natural leadership acumen, exemplary goal setting, efficiency and systematic leadership.
Mr. Al Kayed methodical approach to problem-solving and decision-making instills confidence and fosters resilience, positioning the organization for sustained success in the face of adversity.
