Rezidor Hotel Group names first Saudi female GM

Belgium-based Rezidor Hotel Group has appointed Maram Kokandi as its first female general manager in Saudi Arabia, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Kokandi will serve as general manager of a new Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Jeddah, scheduled to open later this year.

She studied hospitality management in the UK before moving back to the Middle East, taking up various hospitality roles in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has seen women appointed to key roles in recent weeks, particularly in the financial industry. Under its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, the kingdom plans to raise the share of women in the workforce from 22 percent to 30 percent.

Last month, the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) elected Sarah Al-Suhaimi as chairperson, making her the first woman to assume the position since Tadawul was established in 2007.

Later in February, Arab National Bank (ANB) named Latifah Al-Sabhan as chief financial officer, Al-Arabiya TV reported, citing unnamed sources.