Nishan Silva promoted to Accor Dubai & Emirates North Regional General Manager

Nishan Silva has been promoted to Accor Dubai & Emirates North Regional General Manager stepping into his expanded role at Accor, reporting directly to the Middle East, Africa & Turkey Premium, Midscale and Economy Hotels Senior Vice President Operations Jonathan Sheared.

Prior to his recent appointment, Nishan has held the position of Cluster General Manager overlooking seven Accor properties: Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel & Residences, Novotel Suites Mall of the Emirates & ibis Mall of the Emirates, Novotel Dubai Deira City Centre & ibis Dubai Deira City Centre Al Rigga totalling an impressive 1,667 rooms – one of the largest hotel cluster operations in the UAE. 

In his new role, Nishan will lead all aspects of Accor Premium, Midscale and Economy hotel operations to achieve the hotel portfolio's objectives in terms of financial, operational and ESG performance. He will collaborate and coordinate with multiple supporting functions to provide guidance to the managed and franchised hotels such as Pullman, Novotel, Adagio and Ibis in Dubai and Emirates North.

Nishan brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality, having taken various leadership roles throughout his career, with international brands spanning around the world across Asia and the Middle East having joined Accor in 2016.  

Nishan holds a Diploma in Hotel Operations from the International Hotel Management Institute in Lucerne, Switzerland, and an MBA from the University Of Leicester, UK. 

A strategic thinker with a solid understanding of the industry's intricacies and adeptly guiding business units through challenges, Nishan firmly believes in delivering authentic and personalised guest experiences and is dedicated to the success of his team and the hotels. He endeavours to create a work environment that fosters creativity and excellence. 

Nishan’s global experience including working in Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates, has equipped him with a unique and extensive skill set. Driven by a passion for learning, he has completed his Doctorate in Business Administration and thesis: ‘A Ten-Year Outlook on the Role and Importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation in High-End Hotels’ from California Southern University, USA. He has also completed a Program Driving Corporate Performances from Harvard Business School. Nishan has furthermore recently acquired his certification program on Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Breakthrough Innovation and Strategic Impact from Stanford University, California, USA.

Nishan, an alumnus of Nalanda College, was also a member of his school’s cricket team, which represented Sri Lanka in England. He took part in the Youth Asia Cup in Bangladesh and played first-class cricket for the Sinhalese Sports Club. Nishan is married to Ruvini and is a proud father of his daughter Ayanna. He is the youngest son of Wilmot Silva from Maharagama. Outside of work, Nishan is an enthusiastic golfer who enjoys exploring Dubai’s remarkable golf courses and is a passionate watch collector. 

Pullman Hotels & Resorts set a new tempo in global travel and living, delivering an inspiring, energising and enriching experience to new entrepreneurs. Pullman welcomes guests with the space they need to focus, work and play. Forward-thinking, hyper-connected and with a passion for art and fitness, Pullman retains the adventurous spirit and open-minded ambition that drove it to become a pioneering travel brand over 150 years ago. Today, Pullman features more than 150 properties in vibrant and cosmopolitan destinations around the world, including flagship properties such as Pullman Paris Bercy, Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui in Greater China and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. Pullman is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL– Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.