Radisson Hotel Group promotes Tim Cordon to Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa

Leadership expansion at Radisson Hotel Group

Radisson Hotel Group has appointed Tim Cordon as Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The promotion reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening leadership as it accelerates its expansion strategy across key hospitality markets in the region.

Cordon previously served as Area Senior Vice President for the Middle East and Africa since 2017, where he played a significant role in expanding the brand’s footprint and enhancing operational performance across multiple markets.

Jan Hanak appointed Managing Director for Gulf markets

Alongside Cordon’s promotion, Jan Hanak has been appointed Managing Director for the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar.

Hanak previously served as General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek, a flagship Radisson property in the UAE. In his new role, he will lead operations and strategic initiatives across the Gulf markets while working closely with owners and partners to support the group’s regional expansion plans. Hanak will report directly to Cordon.

Tim Cordon’s long-standing career with Radisson

Cordon has been associated with Radisson for many years, including during the period when the company operated under Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. His career within the organisation includes multiple leadership roles that have contributed to the company’s growth strategy.

Before becoming Area Senior Vice President in 2017, Cordon served as Regional Director in 2015. Earlier in his career, he held General Manager positions at several Radisson properties, including:

• Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek

• Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport

• Radisson Blu Portman Hotel London

These roles helped him develop strong operational expertise across both European and Middle Eastern hospitality markets.

Strategic growth plans for the region

Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its footprint across the Middle East and Africa, where tourism growth and investment in hospitality infrastructure remain strong.

The group currently has 167 hotels operating or under development across the region. One of its strategic targets is to reach 100 hotels in the Middle East by 2025, increasing the company’s presence and strengthening its competitive position in the regional hospitality landscape.

Expanding brand portfolio in EMEA

Radisson Hotel Group has also been actively signing new hotel agreements across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. Since 2021, the company has added more than 50 hotels to its pipeline.

The expansion includes several brands from the Radisson portfolio, such as:

• Radisson Collection

• Radisson

• Radisson Individuals

These brands support Radisson’s strategy of offering a diverse portfolio that ranges from luxury hotels to flexible affiliation models for independent properties.

Strengthening the regional hospitality network

With Tim Cordon taking on the role of COO and Jan Hanak assuming leadership of key Gulf markets, Radisson Hotel Group aims to further enhance operational excellence, expand partnerships with hotel owners, and strengthen its position as a leading hospitality brand across the Middle East and Africa.