Minor Hotels Announces Leadership Appointments in Sri Lanka

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels announces a senior leadership update following the addition of two properties in Sri Lanka, marking the introduction of its premium NH Collection Hotels & Resorts and select NH Hotels & Resorts brands in the country. Yann Decaix has been appointed the General Manager of NH Collection Colombo Hotel and Wim Fagel at NH Bentota Ceysands Resort.

A hospitality leader with more than 15 years of experience, Yann Decaix has worked for Minor Hotels, Accor and The Dorchester Collection. In his new role, he is responsible for converting the 219-key property in the heart of Colombo into the NH Collection hotel, as well as ensuring a smooth brand launch in the country. Prior to Sri Lanka, Decaix, who has a background in revenue, was based in Dubai, first as General Manager at Accor and later at Avani Ibn Battuta, also a Minor Hotels property. He holds a Bachelor degree in International Business Management with Finance from Edinburgh Napier University, a diploma in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University, USA and diplomas in Swiss Hotel Management and American Hotel and Motel Management from Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland.

Wim Fagel, the General Manager of the 166-key NH Bentota, has been with the resort since July 2022. He is now leading the rebranding and refurbishment efforts at the resort. With nearly four decades of international expertise in opening, restructuring, expanding and renovating luxury properties in Asia and Europe, Fagel is well placed to launch Sri Lanka’s first NH hotel. Earlier, his work for Centara Hotels & Resorts saw him at the helm of teams in Asia, including Myanmar, where he was Area General Manager, as well as in Thailand and Indonesia. He started his career in The Netherlands before moving to Nepal and eventually establishing roots in Thailand. Fagel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Middelbare Hotelschool ‘de Kogge’, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

“I am thrilled to welcome Yann and Wim to lead our pivotal conversions in Sri Lanka,” said Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, Minor Hotels. “Their extensive experience will be invaluable as we introduce the NH Collection and NH Hotels brands to this vibrant market. We are confident that under their leadership, the two properties will not only enhance our presence in Sri Lanka but also contribute significantly to the anticipated full rebound in tourism numbers post-pandemic.”