The Capital Club appoints Deputy General Manager

Well-acquainted with the region's corporate landscape owing to many decades of experience in the Middle East, Shahnaz will be responsible for ensuring a consistently exceptional level of service at the Middle East's most prestigious business club, while enhancing the club's monthly timetable of special business and leisure events for members.

"With an innate understanding of business norms in the region and as someone who has also previously managed a luxury property, Shahnaz is an ideal addition to the Capital Club's senior management team,"

said Guy Guillemard, Chief Executive, Signature Clubs International.

"Our aim is to serve the UAE's business leadership, to encourage regional and global networking and to be the region's premier private business club, and Shahnaz's wealth of international experience and demonstrated dedication to excellence in service will contribute greatly to us achieving these aims," he added.

Hailing from a diverse family background with strong ties to the UAE, Shahnaz's ancestors were integral to the construction of the Bastakiya heritage area in Bur Dubai, and she is the author of Those Were the Days. Dubai Journals, a book featuring first-hand commentary on the social and business development of the country in the last three decades.

Shahnaz also brings to her new role at the Capital Club considerable business experience in the Middle East region from her long-standing career within the broadcast media and event management sectors, and adds senior hospitality experience to her role, having recently managed a luxury hotel in Scotland.

As Deputy General Manager, Shahnaz will ensure that Capital Club members experience superlative levels of service as well as an events roster that keeps members abreast of business and cultural initiatives.

The role will see her organising business lunches and networking events, and delivering dining and hospitality experiences that meet the members' high-level expectations. Shahnaz will also work alongside the membership team to increase the number of members, with the personal aim of increasing gender and national diversity at the club, while broadening female and young executive presence among members.

Since its launch in late 2006, the Capital Club has attracted more than 1,300 members, from some 600 organisations including some of the region's most senior decision-makers and leaders in business, finance and government.

Much effort and thought has gone into creating an elegant and welcoming ambience in which club members can meet, exchange ideas and entertain guests. The luxury décor of the club - which houses restaurants, lounges, private meeting rooms, a wellness centre, and guest rooms -- is exquisite and includes contemporary art from the region, fine antiques, handcrafted furniture and rich imported fabrics.

In recent months the Capital Club has hosted or been the chosen venue for exclusive events for members with high-powered international guests and speakers. These have included The President of Singapore, The Royal Family of the Netherlands, The British Royal Family, The Royal Family of Denmark, Ministers from the UK, Thailand, Turkey and Switzerland, a Formula 1 Racing Driver, a World Champion snooker player, and the Board of the UAE Central Bank.