Nicholas Smith played a significant part in launching Sindalah Island, Neom’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in Saudi Arabia.
To support its expansion in Asia, Thai hospitality firm Minor Hotels has named Nicholas Smith as Vice President of Operations for the region. In this position, Smith will manage the company’s expanding portfolio in Asia and guide a team of experienced leaders throughout the region.
In a press statement, Minor Hotels says that Smith, possessing 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, began his career with the Shangri-La Group in 2008 as a Food & Beverage Manager in Malaysia. Over the next 15 years, he served in senior leadership roles, including general manager positions at Shangri-La and Kerry Hotels in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaysia.
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It adds that he held the position of Vice President of Food & Beverage and Operations for MEIA (Middle East, India, Indian Ocean, Europe, and the Americas) where he oversaw 17 properties across the group.
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Minor Hotels says that Smith also held key roles with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and the Savoy Group in London and the United States. Additionally, he played a significant part in launching Sindalah Island, Neom’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in Saudi Arabia.
Dillip Rajakarier
“We are delighted to welcome Nicholas to Minor Hotels at such a pivotal time in our journey. As a seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record of delivering exceptional guest experiences, Nicholas brings invaluable expertise to our operations. Asia is a focal region for our growth, with more than 100 additional properties targeted across the continent by the end of 2027. His leadership will drive operational excellence and support our ambitious expansion plans,” says Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO Minor International, Minor Hotels.
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