| | DECEMBER 20248IN FOCUSRobb Report Thailand is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Sumitha Soorian as Managing Director for Phuket. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and business development, especially in the luxury hospitality and real estate sectors, Sumi brings exceptional local expertise and industry insight to this esteemed role.Sumi will be working alongside Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Matthew T. Nekvapil and Marketing Director, Dr. Chanida Charuchinda a leading authority in the global luxury sector and an expert in the gems and jewelry industry. Dr. Cee leads the development of strategic partnerships with some elite brands worldwide."We are very happy to welcome Sumi to Robb Report Thailand," Nekvapil said, "We are confident that she will strengthen the leadership team while her hands-on experience with Phuket's luxury market will help to enrich our coverage of the island".This new role adds to Sumi's impressive portfolio. She is currently the Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at The Headland, Phuket, a prestigious oceanfront branded real estate development on the exclusive Cape Yamu peninsula. Additionally, she co-owns and manages the marketing for Mrs B Bar & Table, a renowned culinary destination in the upscale Laguna area of Cherngtalay.A founding member of the Phuket Hotels Association, Sumi played a pivotal role in its establishment as Development Director in 2016, shaping its strategy and growing its membership to 100 hotels. Her contributions continue as a Senior Advisor, supporting the local community and environmental initiatives.Sumi's career began in Australia with IDP Education (co-owner of IELTS), where she held senior roles in Sydney, Beijing, and Shanghai, overseeing global brand management, sales, and operations. She has a Business Administrative degree in Management and Marketing from the U.S.A., following studies in Malaysia.As Managing Director for Phuket, Sumi will guide Robb Report Thailand's strategic direction, business development, and content creation, reinforcing the publication's position as a leader in the luxury sector. ING is excited to announce the appointment of James Haines as the new Country Manager for Japan. With more than 25 years of experience in the Japanese market, James will oversee ING Japan's operations, focusing on enhancing client relationships and fostering growth in the region.James brings extensive expertise in banking and financial services, combined with deep local market knowledge. Most recently, he served as General Manager and Deputy Group Head at Aozora Bank, Ltd., where he led the bank's ex-Japan real estate activities and managed relationships with global real estate lenders and investment firms. Before that, James held senior leadership roles at Bank of America, including as Chief Operations Officer for Global Corporate & Investment Banking in Japan and Co-Head of Corporate Credit Risk in Japan. He was also involved in origination and risk management at Shinsei Bank. James started his career in sales and marketing at Hakuto Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based technology trading company. James succeeds Riko Kikuchi, who served as country manager for the past three years. Under her leadership, ING Japan strengthened its offerings and set the stage for future growth.Commenting on the appointment, Uday Sareen, chief executive and head of ING Wholesale Banking for Asia Pacific, said: "James' strong understanding of the Japanese market, paired with his extensive experience in corporate banking and ability to build relationships across diverse industries, will be instrumental as we look to further enhance our presence and deliver value to clients in the region. At the same time, I would like to express our gratitude to Riko for her contributions and wish her every success in her future endeavors".James holds a Bachelor's degree from Amherst College, a Master's from Columbia University, and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. ROBB REPORT THAILAND APPOINTS SUMITHA SOORIAN AS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR PHUKETING APPOINTS JAMES HAINES AS COUNTRY MANAGER FOR JAPAN
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