New Director of Operations for Hilton Colombo

Manesh Fernando a product of Hilton Colombo steps in again in a more challenging role as Director of Operations. Having started his career in the hospitality industry in 1995 initially at the Hotel Inter-Continental Nairobi, Kenya as a Trainee, and in 1996, when the opportunity arose in Colombo with the opening of the Hilton Colombo, he decided to take wind to his home country and venture into the sphere of accounting.

Starting as a Management Trainee he gradually began moulding his chosen career path. In the year 2000 he was chosen to follow the Hilton Fast Track General Manager Development Programme (Elevator) for around 300 candidates in the Asia Pacific Middle East region. In 2001 Manesh was posted to the Hilton Melbourne Airport - Australia to commence his intense hoteliering programme in the field of Food & Beverage, Accounts and Sales & Marketing. Completing this task in 2002, he was transferred to the Hilton Singapore to cover areas in Accommodation Management, Information Technology and Humann Resources.

In 2003, he was posted as the Revenue Manager of the newly opened Hilton Hanoi Opera - Vietnam and moving on in 2005, as Director Operations overlooking two properties - Hilton Batang - ai Longhouse resort, a 100 roomed nature resort and Hilton Kunching a 315 roomed hotel with 5 F&B outlets and Conference & Banqueting for 800.

Early 2007 saw Manesh moving to the 700 roomed Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort as the Interim Director of Operations. Manesh commenced his education in Colombo at St. Thomas' Prep. Up to O'Levels and proceeded to Kenya in the early 90's and completed his higher studies at the University of Buckingham - England.