AccorHotels has welcomed the return of Klaus Assmann to the position of general manager at Sofitel Dubai Downtown, the brand’s flagship hotel in the UAE.

Marc Descrozaille, chief operating officer, AccorHotels Middle East & Africa, said: “Klaus brings with him international five-star hotel experience, strong leadership skills and first-hand knowledge of operating this property, having successfully launched the hotel in 2014.

“We are delighted to welcome him back to the Accor family.”

With an extensive repertoire of hotel management experience, Assmann joined AccorHotels in 2013 where he was appointed general manager to lead the pre-opening team of Sofitel Dubai Downtown.

Prior to his appointment, Assmann spent ten years with the Jumeirah Group, where he was integral to the development of the Madinat Jumeirah project.

He was previously assigned in the company’s regional office in New York before utilising his pre-opening experience as manager for the group’s hotels in Dubai and Thailand.

Assmann completed a successful tenure at Dubai Parks & Resorts and more recently as an advisor to the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone.

A graduate of the German hospitality institute, Aachen Hotel School, Assmann began his professional career in the hospitality industry before moving into the financial sector.