Alain Debare, Associate
Company: HVS
Position: Partner, Head of Investment and Asset Management
Bio
Alain is a Partner – Head of Investments and Asset Management for HVS - Middle East & Africa. He brings 30 years of expertise in hotel operations and development, having worked with top-tier companies like Mandarin Oriental and Hilton Hotels. Driven by his sector knowledge and hands-on expertise, he has experience managing multiple situations and optimizing performance, prioritizing value enhancement opportunities to ensure investors’ objectives are achieved.
Having worked with private investors, corporate, and listed companies, Alain understands the needs and requirements of all stakeholders. At Hilton, he rose through the ranks from F&B operations to General Management in Europe and South America. Later, at Action Hotels PLC, he played a key role in developing a portfolio of 15 hotels and managing its IPO on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Joining Equitativa in 2018, Alain managed various real estate portfolios totaling over USD 1 billion.
Alain has broad international management experience with a strong understanding of diverse markets and cultures. He holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Hotel Management from Institut Paul Bocuse - IGL Lyon and a certification in hospitality investments from Cornell University. Alain's multilingual proficiency in French, English, Spanish, and Italian facilitates seamless communication across global teams and stakeholders.
Geographic Areas
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Expertise
HOSPITALITY AND REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS, DEVELOPMENT, INVESTMENT & ASSET MANAGEMENT
Hospitality professional with a proven track record of 30 years in hotel operations, real estate, development, asset management and investment. Firm, respected, and credible achiever whose diversified background includes multinational hotel companies and the successful transformation of a privately hotel business into a PLC, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Known as a strong leader with style, personality, drive, and strong ability to adapt, develop business opportunities and create relationships. Effective conflict resolution abilities with a powerful drive for top- and bottom-line results within expansive, multi-site properties across the Middle East and Australia.
Alain is also a Member of ISHC (International Society of Hosppitalty Consultants) and a Foudning Member of HAMA (Hotel Asset Managers’ Association – MEA)
- Solid experience in developing and operating hotels
- Experience in restructuring and successfully listing a private company on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (2013)
- Strong leadership and cultural sensitivity
- Champions change, leads and drives performance
- Great insights and understanding of issues between brands, owners and managers / operators
- Thinks ahead & works collaboratively
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Sound business acumen & understanding of MEA region
Professional Memberships
Associate Member of ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants)
Founding Member of HAMA (Hotel Asset Managers’ Association – MEA)
Speaking Engagements
Future Hospitality Summit, Dubai, 2024
Morocco Investment Showcase, Casablanca, 2024
GIOHIS Summit, Ras al Khaimah, 2024
Education
CORNELL UNIVERSItY, School of Hotel Administration, USA (2012)
Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management
INSTITUT PAUL BOCUSE, IAE Lyon, Ecole Universitaire de Management, France (1994)
Bachelor Degree in International Hotel & Restaurant Management
ECOLE INTERNATIONALE D’ETAMPES, France (1991)
Baccalaureate Degree in Economics and Social Sciences
Past Experience
AUG. 2024 - PRESENT
HVS, Dubai, UAE
Partner – Head of Investments & Asset Management, Middle East & Africa
OCT. 2023 – PRESENT
Xpitality Group, Dubai, UAE
Founder & CEO
Xpitality is a boutique hospitality and real estate consultancy firm specializing in advisory, asset management, and investment opportunities offering a solution-oriented approach to complex hotel and real estate situations.
SEPT. 2018 – OCT. 2023
Equitativa, Dubai, UAE
(Manager of Emirates REIT CEIC PLC and The Residential REIT)
Group Head of Real Estate Portfolios
- Active management of the portfolios under management, with c. $1.5 bn in commercial assets and residential property
- Improving efficiency through operational reviews and product innovation, re-positioning and improving tenant satisfaction
- Maximizing performance through sales and marketing, revenue growth, retaining existing tenants and acquiring new customers
- Improvement of operating margins through portfolio synergies, contracts review and efficiencies
- Managing property teams, key performance indicators and quality management, performance against targets and benchmark
DEC. 2013 – SEPT. 2018
Action Hotels PLC , Jersey / Dubai DIFC, UAE
Chief Executive Officer (listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange)
- Developed a portfolio of 14 economy and midscale hotels in the Middle East in 7 countries with assets c. $ 600 m
- Led the restructure and transformation of the privately-owned business into a PLC, creating a solid platform for growth and allowing access to capital markets as a platform for accelerated growth. Take private and delisting process in 2018.
- Managed the process, raised the target funds from ‘blue chip’ institutional investors and managed a successful admission on AIM, thus becoming the first Kuwaiti business to list in London and the region’s only hospitality listed company
- Building the company’s international recognition and credibility with investors and partners
- Responsible for the delivery of the development pipeline, overseeing the groups development and technical team
- Maximizing operating performance through active asset management and coordination with global hotel brands (Accor, IHG)
FEB. 2008 – DEC. 2013
Action Hotels, Dubai, UAE
General Manager
- Responsibility for a regional portfolio of mid-market hotels in the Middle East, a sizeable business with over $ 250 m in assets and over 1000 rooms / 6 hotels in operations with another 6 under construction or under development
- Company set-up, strategize and drive ROI, long term business plan, development approvals
- Played key role in negotiation with a leading international investor for growth capital and private placement
- Identifying opportunities and raising funding for new projects including long term lease financing
- Ownership of asset life cycle from concept to completion, operator selection, feasibility, funding, develop plans & design, project management & procurement
- Negotiating and contracts administration, advising ownership on management issues & optimization strategies
- Review and approval of annual budgets and capital plans, monitor cash flows & capital expenditures
- Benchmarking performance, operational reviews, monitor ongoing commercial and financial performance
FEB. 2006 – FEB. 2008
Hilton Barcelona, Spain
Hotel Manager
JAN. 2004 – FEB. 2006
Hilton Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
Director of Operations (hotel opening)
MAR. 2002 – DEC. 2003
Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi, Brazil
Director of Operations (hotel opening)
Director of Operations, Hilton Sao Paulo (5/2003 – 12/2003)
MAR. 1999 – MAR. 2002
Hilton Caracas, Venezuela
Food and Beverage Manager (1/2000 – 3/2002)
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager (3/1999 – 1/2000)
SEPT. 1996 – MAR. 1999
Hilton Paris, France
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager (11/1997 – 3/1999)
Food & Beverage Coordinator (9/1996 – 10/1997)
JUN. 1995 – JUN. 1996
Mandarin Oriental, Manila, Philippines
Food and Beverage Management Trainee