UAE-based JA Resorts and Hotels has appointed Emirati national, Ali Al Qassim, to the role of group director of security for the hospitality group.
JA Resorts and Hotels aims to grow its local talent through its strong Emiratisation program and has implemented a fast track recruitment process to source, select and recruit outstanding UAE National candidates.
Prior to joining JA Resorts and Hotels in 2005, Al Qassim worked in the military as an intelligence officer for 11 years, before leaving to start his own business. He joined JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort as a management trainee in the resort’s security department and his risen through the ranks to his current role as group director of security. 
With programs such as the “UAE National Associates Six Monthly Engagement Focus Group” that measures UAE National associate engagement levels and identifies high growth potential amongst the team, JA Resorts and Hotels displays a strong agenda for the development of their Emirati talent.
JA also provides opportunities for its UAE National associates to join and participate in professional hospitality industry associations such as “The Union Internationale des Concierges ďHôtels”, “Les Clefs d’ Or UAE.”, “AICR Côte ďAzur UAE”, “The Emirates Culinary Guild” etc. The hospitality group is proactive in sending its UAE National associates on externally run college and university courses and training programs to further their development in the field. In addition, it recognises the importance that mentors can play in harnessing talent and runs a successful “Hotelier Role Models Mentoring Programme” to source and equip selected line managers with the skills to be mentors to the UAE National associates.
“I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work within an organisation like ‘JA Resorts & Hotels’, said Al Qassim. “I have great appreciation for JA’s strong and substantive Emiratisation program. I’d like to thank the entire management starting from Mr. David Thomson, and Mr. Ghanim Al Marri for embracing this program and I look forward to working for the group until I retire”, he concluded.
