The Team

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nassar Khalil is a Non-Executive Director and chairs the Board at Kings Oak. With more than 28 years of practical and hands-on hotel and hospitality management and property development experience and expertise, Nassar is internationally recognised for his achievements in the sector and significant contributions to the industry. Since leaving University, Nassar’s passion has been hotels and real estate and he has dedicated his entire career to the sector, with a particular focus on tactical planning, brand development and growth strategy.

His operational management expertise is both profound and widespread and encompasses an impressive and outstanding track record in the development of award-winning concepts, boutique brand management, five-star multi-site and cluster general management, online reputation optimisation, facilities management, emerging technologies, funding, e-commerce and compliance.

Nassar graduated from Imperial College in Business Studies and holds an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management from The London School of Business and Finance. Formerly the Chief Operating Officer for Royal Luxury Hotels, he led and managed the launch of the luxury group’s seven-star hotel in Doha, Qatar. Prior to that, Nassar played a pivotal role in the development of, and successful launch and growth of The Resident (formerly known as Nadler Hotels), where he was a shareholding board member and the Operations Director. Nassar has also held other board and senior management roles for hotel groups and property developers including Nikko (JAL) Hotels International, where he was Head of Global Standards, Sanderson Hotels, Henley Homes PLC, Hilton Worldwide and The Kensington Boutique Hotel Group.

He has been recognised by the industry through attaining numerous industry awards, including Hotel Manager of the Year in 2005, a GTBS Gold Award in 2010, Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award in 2011 and an Outstanding Achievement Award by World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2012. He was named by the influential Boutique Hotelier’s Power List 2020 as an Industry Titan and recently again as a Market Marvel in 2022.

Nassar was chairman of the West London General Managers Association from 2002 to 2005. He is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and sits on their influential steering committee. He is also a fellow of the British Institute of Facilities Management. He is a panel member of the advisory board of London and Partners. He has consulted for hotel groups including Accor, Firmdale Hotels Kempinski, Jumeirah, Ardmore Group, Beaufort Hotel Group and Katara Hospitality. Widely regarded as a global expert and leader in the hospitality sector with an executive career spanning over three decades and multiple continents, Nassar is a trusted advisor and sounding board to hotel owners, groups, institutions, and private UHNW investors globally. He is a leading international reference authority in the sector. He has chaired the quarterly Hotel Economic Forum hosted by Coutts Bank and is often asked to sit in hotel panel Q&A sessions in hospitality summits, forums and exhibitions such as the Independent Hotel Show and World Travel Market. He is a visiting hospitality lecturer at the Vatel International Hotel Institute in Brussels and Stratford College in London.

A well-networked leader, Nassar brings a truly international perspective, strategic leadership skills, governance knowledge, a strong interpersonal style and exceptional communication skills to the table and has the rare ability to drive transformational change and steer management with strategic thinking. He is an ardent proponent of sustainable new-age challenger brands and disruptive growth models. He is passionate about people, and technology and enjoys public speaking. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and contributor at industry events.