Michel Kok

I am a self-starting and passionate leader with 25 years of progressive international experience in the luxury hospitality industry. I believe in inspirational leadership, empowerment of my team and operating with the highest level of integrity.

I strive to create an open, positive, inspiring, honest, fair and communicative work environment ideal for creative thinking and a place where sharing of ideas and different views are encouraged for future growth and development.

Chief Executive Officer

Ganjina Real Estate, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, February 2025 – Present 

Written Business Plan 2025, Implemented Employee Handbook & Job Descriptions for entire company, Restructured full organization and reporting lines, CRM implementation, Marketing Plan 2025, Implemented Brand Book, Website revision, Owner Relations and Lead Generation initiatives, Financial Administration and Compliance improvements made. 

Director of Operations

Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, June 2024 – February 2025

Awarded FORBES 4 Star certification, Successfully restructured F&B Department, 

Managed refurbishment, snagging and initial planning and construction phase of newly created Ballroom facility and new Kids Club project, Improved online rankings for all F&B Venues, 

Managing Owner Relations

Group Director of Food & Beverage

Raspberry Hospitality Group, The Netherlands, October 2022 – June 2024

Leading all F&B aspects for 9 hotels and a stand-alone restaurant-bar. Reporting to the Board and leading General Managers as direct reports for F&B. Introduced USOALI for the Group, Established HACCP protocols and standards including online learning, Initiation of L&D Department, Streamlining Group F&B purchases and Group Breakfast Standards, Initiation of Corporate Identity and startup of Marketing and Social Media Department, Multiple restaurant concept development and implementation, Accurate annual F&B Budgeting and Forecasting. Improved F&B Revenue with 47.4% Y-O-Y with same portfolio to Euro 8.4mln.

Director Appointment Office – Europe

Mobilae, December 2020 – October 2022 (COVID-19)

Leading Appointment Offices in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France through Country Managers, Lead Managers, Planners and Telemarketing Teams. Exceeding KPI’s of 90% Occupancy, 85% Planning and Logistics and 30% Sales conversion and 17.7% Y-O-Y growth.

Director of Restaurants & Bars / Food & Beverage

QO Amsterdam - An IHG Luxury Lifestyle Hotel, The Netherlands, May 2019 – November 2020

Multiple Award winning Restaurants & Bars, including Gault & Millau guide 2020, Best Sustainable Bar 2020, Best Priceless Cocktail Award 2020, Average Customer Satisfaction of 91.5% over all platforms (+18.1% Y-O-Y), Michelin Star collaboration & consultancy with Chef Luc Kusters of Bolenius Restaurant (1* Michelin + 1* Michelin Green) 

Director of Food & Beverage

Sofitel Sentosa Singapore Resort & Spa, Singapore, April 2018 – April 2019

Multiple Award winning Restaurants & Bars, including Tatler Singapore Gold Award Best Restaurant 2019 & Best Resort (Service Excellence) by Travel Weekly Asia 2018, Michelin Star Guest Chef dinners, Guest Satisfaction increased from 80% to 88% Y-O-Y, Covers increased by 6% or 15K+ 

Y-O-Y, USD 13.2mln F&B Budget with 40.2% GOP

Executive Committee Management roles        

Executive Assistant Manager (Food & Beverage) &

Director of Food & Beverage (Incl. Pre-Opening), 2001 – 2017 

Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai, China | TAJ Dubai, UAE | Rixos Almaty, Kazachstan | Doha Golf Club, Qatar | Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Thailand | Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Dubai, UAE 

Management roles with Hilton Hotels

Curaçao, Belgium & The Netherlands                             

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Stenden University, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands