Speaker profile

Walter Knight

Director of Hospitality
Farnek Services

Walter is an experienced hotelier with more than 15 years’ international experience, across different roles and operations, ranging from branded five-star to mid-market hotels and upscale apartments.

Walter joined the FM services provider Farnek earlier this year and was handed the responsibility for structuring and developing its fledgling hospitality division, managing a range of traditional outsourced FM and manpower services, as well as revenue driven services, such as central reservation offices and associated sales services.

Shortly after, Walter’s role was expanded to cover all aspects of hotel management from initial consultation to day-to-day operations. The added responsibility came in the wake of a series of impressive contract wins, including the 2,273 apartments in Expo Village, where Walter’s team manage reservations, concierge, front office and housekeeping.

Prior to joining Farnek, Walter developed the mid-market ‘Rove’ brand from concept to delivery, for Emaar Hospitality, which culminated in the launch of the first property in Zabeel, in 2015. Subsequently, he directed the successful conversion and launch of the QE2 Heritage Hotel, the first floating hotel in Dubai.

Earlier in his career, Walter completed successful assignments for Hyatt in Kazakhstan and Avari in Pakistan, before taking up operational and general management positions in the UAE with Ramada, Holiday Inn, Citymax.