In line with its current development plans, Conrad Hotels
creates new positions and promotes some of its key senior executives, effective 15
August 2002.
Michael Governey, General Manager of Conrad Dublin since 1990, becomes Regional
Vice-President Development Ireland, Conrad Hotels. In this newly created role, he is
responsible for the development of Conrad Hotels in Ireland and focuses on the
expansion of the group portfolio throughout the country. He also ensures that the group
standards and that all product developments are implemented in the Conrad Dublin and
in the Mount Juliet Conrad, along with the identification of suitable marketing and sales
synergies.
Clem Barter, President of Conrad Hotels comments: ioIn our current phase of
development, Michael is the ideal candidate for this new role. With his distinguished
career of managing fine properties in Dublin, he is highly respected throughout the hotel
industry in Ireland, and will play a key role in developing the appropriate partnerships for
Conrad in this market.”
Michael Governey is also recognised for his contribution to the hospitality industry. He
has served as President of the Irish Hotel and Catering Institute and was later Patron of
the Shannon College of Hotel Management, until December 2001.
The General Manager?s position for the 191 guest room Conrad Dublin is being filled by
Laurens Zieren who is promoted from his previous role as Manager of the Conrad
Brussels. A Dutch national, he graduated from the Haagland Hotel School in The
Netherlands in 1988, and completed his post graduate education with professional
qualifications in technology, information systems and management. Laurens Zieren has
spent 15 years in a variety of hotel management positions in Belgium, The Netherlands,
France and in the Channel Islands working for Hilton, Disneyland and other independent
properties.
He was appointed Manager of the Conrad Brussels in 1999, successfully overseeing
projects in the fields of training, yield management and renovation. He also received
several prestigious awards for his hotel. These include the 2001 and 2002 Five Star
Diamond Award from the Academy of Hospitality Sciences (the only distinction ever
given to a Belgian property by the US organisation), and an award from the Institutional
Investor magazine, naming Conrad as one of the best European hotels and the best hotel in Belgium. The Conrad Brussels has established itself as the leading hotel in the
European capital since its opening in 1993.
The Conrad Brussels is in turn welcoming Ivan Hiel as Manager of the hotel. Ivan Hiel, a
Belgian national is promoted from Resident Manager at the Conrad Istanbul. Prior to that
he was Area Director of Engineering, for Conrad Hotels, based in Cairo.
A graduate in Engineering, Ivan Hiel has spent most of his career in the hotel industry. In
his thirties, he is one of Conrad Hotels` youngest senior executives. He has knowledge
of all Conrad properties combined with a clear technical and operational understanding
of the functions of a luxury hotel. His Belgian and international experience will be
valuable in his new role at the 269 guest room Conrad Brussels, which welcomes elite
travellers from all over the world.
All three executives directly report to Clem Barter, who in addition to supervising the
development of Conrad Hotels, manages a team of 16 General Managers and group
Vice-Presidents.
——-