Russell is the Radisson’s new Roula!
THE PROPERTY developer who project managed the building of Birmingham’s Beetham Tower, home to the Radisson Blu Hotel, has swapped careers – to become the hotel’s director of operations.
Russell Markou, 37, left Beetham Organisation, one of the UK’s leading property investment and development companies, after falling in love with the hospitality industry whilst working on hotel projects. He is the nephew of Beetham Organisation’s chairman, Hugh Frost.
Mr Markou, who started his new job this month, replaces Roula Samaha who has become director of operations at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.
Ms Samaha, 31, rose from being PA to the Radisson’s general manager Kathrine Ohm Thomas, to becoming what is effectively deputy general manager. The Glasgow position is the last stage of the hotel group’s Mentor-Mentee Programme before she is given a general manager’s post.
Mr Markou said he was particularly taken with the Radisson Blu in Birmingham when he was involved with the build four years ago.
He said: “I saw Beetham Tower come out of the ground and I stayed with the project until the penthouse apartments were completed – it’s my favourite Beetham property. During the construction, I became closely involved with the hotel’s pre-opening team and I oversaw the interior design and fit-out of the hotel.
“Since then I’ve become more and more drawn to the hospitality industry – it’s an exciting industry to be in and one that is also very challenging. I particularly liked what I saw with Radisson. It’s a massive change for me, but as with property development, hospitality is mainly about communication.”
Ms Samaha said: “Although I’m excited about the next stage of my career, I am very sad to be leaving Birmingham.
“Birmingham has been very supportive to me, and through my involvement with the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year awards – I was chairman for two years – I hope I’ve given something back. Birmingham is where I’ve developed such a lot professionally, through Rezidor’s training approach and also my boss: Kathrine has supported and encouraged me in every way.”
Kathrine says: “This hotel, which has only been open four years, has already developed four general managers and that’s because I have gone out and got the best team possible around me. And then I’ve given them the wings with which to fly.”
