Amir LababediMövenpick Hotels & Resorts has opened a new development office in London and appointed experienced hotel development professional Amir Lababedi to spearhead its expansion strategy in Europe – including the UK - and North Africa, signalling the company’s ambitious growth plans for these core markets. In his previous role as Vice President Development Middle East & Africa, Amir lead Mövenpick through a period of exceptional growth in the Middle East and Africa, cementing the company’s status as the ‘top five-star brand in the Arab world’, with 47 properties across 10 Arab countries. He has now assumed the newly-created position of Vice President Development Europe & North Africa, heading up Movenpick’s first ever development office based in the UK’s capital. In his new role, Amir will be responsible for fast-tracking the hospitality group’s plans to expand its European footprint, which will not only involve identifying opportunities to manage and lease new hotels, but to also introduce the Mövenpick Residences model that has proven successful in other global markets. Actively targeting opportunities within the UK is a key part of Movenpick’s development strategy. Amir will also be instrumental in cultivating Mövenpick’s portfolio in North Africa, where the company has more than 20 properties and Nile cruisers and several more projects in the pipeline. He will lead the development strategy for this high-growth potential region. He has relocated from Mövenpick’s Middle East regional office in Dubai where he was previously based as Vice President Development Middle East & Africa for three years, and will report to the company’s Chief Development Officer, Andrew Langdon. Before joining Mövenpick, Amir was Associate Director at leading global hotel consulting and valuation firm, HVS, based in Dubai, a company he also previously worked for in London. He has also held managerial positions with Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth funds in their real estate departments.