Simon Rees
Bisley,UK
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in project management, team leadership, and business development. Demonstrates a strong ability to drive strategic planning and financial planning initiatives within the hospitality management sector. Committed to leveraging skills to achieve organisational goals and foster growth.
Seasoned professional with career focus on steering complex projects to successful completion. Delivering transformative solutions by leveraging strategic planning, risk management, and team leadership. Excels at fostering stakeholder relationships and ensuring project alignment with business objectives.
Offering strong organisational and leadership skills, combined with keen eye for problem-solving and team collaboration. Knowledgeable about managing resources, timelines, and stakeholder communication. Ready to use and develop project management, strategic planning, and team coordination skills in consultancy roles.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Project Director
Six Senses Lofoten
Lofoten, Norway
01.2021 - 07.2025
- Company Overview: Ørsnesvika AS - Luxury resort development within Lofoten Islands in the Arctic circle Norway.
- I work as owners lead representative of this 500-acre site and have managed selection of architects including project master planners Lund Hagem from Oslo for creation of this 50 suites & 36 branded residential luxury resort.
- Managed hotel operator RFP over 9 months with Six Senses selected.
- Core finance has been sourced from Oslo & Luxembourg family offices at €125m.
- I manage hotel technical services & legal interface with operator as well as key consultants whilst project management & construction is coordinated by a dedicated Norwegian team I have assembled.
- Aiming to be first to market in the Scandinavian luxury hotel & branded residences space.
- Full permitting has recently been granted & project detailed design phase nearing completion.
- Anticipated opening 2028. GDV 350m
- Other Norwegian leisure projects are also under consideration as the luxury market opens to international hotel brands.
- www.gotolofoten.no
Project Director
BDAS
Oslo, Norway
01.2005 - 07.2025
- Company Overview: Norwegian holding company BDAS involved in real estate transactions in Brazil in the hotel and leisure sector
- BDAS developed 4 hotels and 5 residential schemes in NE Brazil with the largest hotel to date the Sun Bay Hotel Pipa. www.sunbay.com.br
- Worked as part of this Sun Bay land acquisition team for this 20,000m2 cliff top parcel and as part of the development team.
- 99 key Hotel opened 2008.
- 36 residential units were added, and I worked with the commercial team marketing these successfully to Brazilian & Scandinavian buyers at €500-1.25m per villa.
- BDAS developed 5 other residential schemes around Natal and sold each development to foreign investors.
- Cabo Sao Roque (CSR) is largest asset in the group is a 1350-hectare beachfront property.
- CSR luxury resort under development in Northeast Brazil will feature 2 hotels, branded residences, beach village, golf course & academy, tennis academy,4x4 academy, equestrian centre, turtle sanctuary
- Set up a local delivery team appointing key executives who I coordinated in Sao Paolo
- Worked alongside the project CFO on all funding activities in Norway, USA & Brazil for the development with over $75m committed to date of a $200m facility.
- Introduced additional construction finance in Brazil with 2 development banks which can be utilised for future phases.
- Managed the RFP for the hotel operator selection with 33 proposals and selected Rosewood Hotels & Aman Janu who have executed an LOI for the 2 properties.
- Managed the RFP for the Masterplan team - An international competition was initiated, and leading US & Brazilian consultants were engaged.
- Managed legal teams in Oslo, Brazil & London
- Project currently in detailed design phase and beginning horizontal infrastructure.
- Appointed a local CFO & COO and completed a handover of full time role to local team but remain as a consultant & shareholder.
- GDV $2.1bn
Project Director-Hotel & Sports
Kilada Hills
Porto Heli, Greece
01.2022 - 12.2024
- Company Overview: A Roque Capital project I sourced on a 500-acre site in Porto Heli, Greece. www.mykilada.com
- This distressed asset has been repositioned bringing in new architects and hotel operator via RFP.
- Rosewood Hotels are preferred operator subject to contract with project team currently working with shareholders to conclude finance.
- Having assembled the sports and hotel components and managed the partner selection process I concluded my consultancy role.
Sports Amenities Consultant
The Reserve at Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee, USA
01.2022 - 11.2024
- Company Overview: A resort & residential development in South Carolina. www.reserveatlakekeowee.com
- Acted as a consultant to this resort & residential development within the specific sporting areas of golf & tennis.
- The centrepiece of the resorts amenities is the Rafa Nadal tennis academy who I introduced.
- Developer Kipling Ventures Inc financed a $500m expansion of Lake Keowee and concluded a sale of the asset in 2024.
Lead Consultant & Owners Representative
Cala Xada
Mallorca, Spain
02.2023 - 10.2024
- Company Overview: A spectacular waterfront location in Mallorca, Spain.
- Working with local UK owners on this spectacular waterfront location as consultant.
- I established the project feasibility team including master planners HD Architects, Colliers Spain on finance and hotel feasibility, Argent Design in London on interior design.
- Appointed Arup as cost consultant.
- Project was sold with planning for a 50% increased value having completed masterplan & granting of outline planning with owners exiting to acquire larger sites in Ibiza.
- Hotel operator expression of interest obtained from 5 groups.
Lead Consultant & Owners Representative
The Montserrat Resort
Montserrat, Caribbean
03.2023 - 08.2024
- Company Overview: A luxury resort project in the Caribbean.
- Engaged by the UK & local landowners to work with the local Montserrat government & UK Government in positioning this luxury resort project.
- Engaged Colliers & HD Architects as consultants and initiated hotel RFP.
- Project currently awaiting planning consents.
- A luxury resort project in the Caribbean.
- Land value asset has appreciated by 40% via project masterplanning and permitting work
Sports Amenities Consultant
Anasu Resort
Guenoc Valley, USA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- 22,000 acre gated community in Guenoc Valley California with 4 hotels currently under development and led by Adrian Zecha founder of Aman Resorts
- Coordinated all sports components & partner selection including; Kelly Slater Surf Ranch - man made surf facility features surf lagoon area providing access to water, surf and creates waterfront living for 250 residences,hotel and F&B on boardwalk.
- Nacho Figueira Polo Academy Polo - Design has been completed for 2 polo fields, indoor and outdoor arenas, clubhouse and 100 luxury villas which will be key component to attract Bay Area buyers to the resort.
- Rafa Nadal Academy- clubhouse and 20 courts will be phased into development around Rafa Nadal Clubhouse.
- Other sports activities will include Tom Doak golf course, Land Rover 4x4 Experience, Hot Air Ballooning, Mountain Bike Course & Watersports Area.
- www.guenocvalley.com
Commercial Director
Blair Design
London, UK
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Company Overview: US design agency in London.
- On return to Europe after 15 years in Asia-Pacific joined US design agency Blair in London to head up business development in Europe.
- Secured accounts for long term event & brand design work with Michelin, Raytheon, RAI Italia and Brass Hat Films.
- In 2005 led management sale of Blair Design to client Brass Hat Films.
CEO Asia Pacific
Marcus Evans Group
Sydney, Australia
01.1996 - 01.2001
- Company Overview: Events & Publishing group. https://www.marcusevans.com/home
- Hired as Commercial Manager in Sydney and went on to open offices in Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore & Auckland spending time creating & leading local management structure in each location before installing a local General Manager.
- Became regional CEO in 1998 establishing & managing a team of 400 people and 8 offices and relocated to Los Angeles in 2000 to open West Coast region.
General Manager/Managing Director
Wembley Japan KK
Tokyo, Japan
01.1988 - 01.1995
- Company Overview: JV between Wembley Plc & Nissho Iwai in Tokyo.
- Following a management training program at Wembley Stadium London, I was transferred to open the new Tokyo office in 1989.
- I carried out business development of stadium & sports real estate services on projects in Japan with the new soccer J League, the Hong Kong stadium, Honolulu stadium and Olympic bids for Beijing & Sydney.
- I secured Licensing & management contracts for the Wembley Group assets throughout Asia from the regional HQ in Tokyo managing a team of 16 people.
- Became a board member of Wembley Japan Ltd aged 27
- Secured site & investment & oversaw development of major entertainment complex in Tokyo-Julianas Tokyo in 1991
- Created live TV music show Juliana’s Tokyo Live sponsored by Coke
Education
Diploma - Business Administration
Surrey University
Guildford 06.1984
O & A Levels -
Treviglas School
Newquay 01.1974 - 01.1982
Management Training Program - Business Management, Stadia & Arena Management , Finance, HR,Sales & Marketing & Legal
Wembley Plc
London & Tokyo 01/1989 - 06/1995
Skills
- Project Management
- Team Leadership
- Business Development
- Hospitality Management
- Financial Planning
- Strategic Planning
Languages
English
Native
French
Advanced
German
Elementary
Japanese
Elementary
Portuguese
Elementary
Affiliations
- Sailing Sea Swimming Hiking & Family
References
- Mr Tim Lawlor, CFO, Vistry Group PLC, https://www.vistrygroup.co.uk
- Mrs Liliane (Lil) Stacishin Moura, Partner & Head Of Business Development, VITA | Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, https://vitainc.com
Personal Information
- Citizenship: UK
- Marital status: Married
- Place of birth: U.K.
Simon Rees Partial Project Deck
A partial portfolio link of various projects I have been contracted to:
- https://1drv.ms/b/c/2f65b574d87ecc7b/EaS8M1xXVFVKpPfptLAO60UBoQgvsTJucSqg3gC2yD6PuA
Timeline
Lead Consultant & Owners Representative
The Montserrat Resort
03.2023 - 08.2024
Lead Consultant & Owners Representative
Cala Xada
02.2023 - 10.2024
Project Director-Hotel & Sports
Kilada Hills
01.2022 - 12.2024
Sports Amenities Consultant
The Reserve at Lake Keowee
01.2022 - 11.2024
Project Director
Six Senses Lofoten
01.2021 - 07.2025
Sports Amenities Consultant
Anasu Resort
01.2020 - 01.2022
Project Director
BDAS
01.2005 - 07.2025
Commercial Director
Blair Design
01.2001 - 01.2005
CEO Asia Pacific
Marcus Evans Group
01.1996 - 01.2001
General Manager/Managing Director
Wembley Japan KK
01.1988 - 01.1995
O & A Levels -
Treviglas School
01.1974 - 01.1982
Diploma - Business Administration
Surrey University
Management Training Program - Business Management, Stadia & Arena Management , Finance, HR,Sales & Marketing & Legal
Wembley Plc
01/1989 - 06/1995
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