Profile

Gerald Lawless

Non Executive Board Member

Gerald Lawless started his career with Forte Hotels which led to him running their operations throughout Ireland and the Caribbean and culminated in him setting up and growing Forte’s operations in the Middle East and North Africa in 1990 After a 23-year career with Forte Hotels, he joined Jumeirah in 1997 as Group CEO and helped establish it as one of the premier luxury hotel brands in the world. Taking on the challenge of launching Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, following the successful introduction of Jumeirah Beach Hotel in 1997. In 2016, having served for 18 years at the helm of the Jumeirah Group, Gerald assumed a new leadership position responsible for tourism and hospitality in Dubai Holding, the Group’s parent company. He was also elected as Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council for a two year term. In September 2017, Gerald retired and continues to reside in Dubai from where he serves on a number of boards as a non executive director. Gerald is a Graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland and holds an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management by the Johnson & Wales University, State of Rhode Island, USA; an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the National University of Ireland, Galway; and an Honorary Doctorate by the Middlesex University Dubai. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality. He is a recipient of the 2017 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad He has been appointed as a non executive director to the following boards: Dubai Expo2020 Advisory Board.(Assignment completed 31 March 2022). Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority Advisory Board. TEMES Costa Navarino, Greece Board of Governors, Hartland International School, Dubai. Chair, Advisory Board, Shannon College of Hotel Management, Ireland. Member of Wasl Hospitality Advisory Board, Dubai. Advisor to: ACAC (Culinary Academy Phnom Penh, Cambodia) As a past Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) he serves as one of their International Ambassadors and is an Honorary member of the organisation.