Preferred Hotels & Resorts hired Nicolas Villemin as its new regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Villemin will oversee the retention and expansion of the brand's Middle Eastern and North African portfolio. He will be based in the Preferred Hotels' office in Dubai.

Villemin has 20 years of industry experience, more than 10 years of which he spent working in the Middle East. He previously served in senior executive positions and consultancy roles for luxury hotel brands, including Viceroy, Shangri-La and Habtoor Hospitality.