Nassar Khalil is the CEO and Co-Founder of Essential Hotel Group. With more than 25 years of practical and hands-on hotel and hospitality management experience and expertise, Nassar is internationally recognised for his achievements in the sector and significant contribution to the industry. Since leaving University, Nassar’s passion has been hotels and he has dedicated his entire career to the hospitality sector, with a 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 hotel concepts, boutique brand management, five-star multi-site and cluster general management, online reputation optimisation, facilities management technologies, 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 Nadler Hotels (formerly known as base2stay 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 including Nikko (JAL) Hotels International, where he was Head of Global Standards, Sanderson Hotels, Hilton Worldwide and The Kensington Boutique Hotel Group.

He has been recognised by the industry through the attainment of 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. Nassar was chairman of the West London General Managers Association from 2002 to 2005. He is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and a member of the British Institute of Facilities Management. He is a panel member of the advisory board of London & Partners and has consulted for hotel groups including Accor, Firmdale Hotels and Katara Hospitality.

He has chaired the quarterly Hotel Economic Forum hosted by Coutts Bank and is very often asked to sit in hotel panel Q&A sessions in exhibitions such as the Independent Hotel Show and World Travel Market. Nassar is also regularly asked to perform keynote speaking for internationally renowned hospitality schools, recently hosting a Q&A session at the Vatel International hotel institute and Business School in Brussels.