Dubai Developer Nakheel is expanding its business portfolio with the creation of a new division – Nakheel Hospitality and Leisure.

The unit will focus on the company’s growing number of hotels, beach clubs and community recreation centre's.

The new division, headed by newly-appointed Managing Director Thorsten Ries, will oversee the development and operations of Nakheel’s hotels and clubs – a key element of the company’s business strategy.

Nakheel is building a 240-room hotel at Dragon Mart, as part of its major expansion of the China-themed mall, a five-star, 40-storey hotel that will form part of the Nakheel Mall and Hotel complex on Palm Jumeirah and an economy hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall. More hotels are in Nakheel’s project pipeline.

The developer also owns and operates a growing number of recreation and leisure clubs, including Jumeirah Islands Club, Jebel Ali Club and the Shoreline Beach Clubs on Palm Jumeirah.

German-born Thorsten has more 20 years’ experience in the industry, starting his career with Kempinski before moving to Marriott, Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, among others.