SVP Branding and business development

David Thomson – Senior Vice President of Brand & Business Development for TFG Hospitality is one of the region’s most experienced hospitality industry professionals, David was recruited by The First Group in 2018 to oversee the ongoing development of its burgeoning hotel portfolio. Committed, industrious and passionate about the industry’s growth and development, David is a regular feature among the Power 50 of Hotelier Middle East’s annual ranking of the region’s most influential hotel professionals and has also served as a member of Dubai Tourism’s Five Star Hotel Committee.

 Prior to joining The First Group, David spent almost 17 years with the Dubai-based JA Resorts & Hotels, whose portfolio spans nine hotels and leisure venues across the emirate as well as luxury resorts in the Maldives and Seychelles. Most recently, he was employed as the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer. David also boasts extensive experience in advertising, sales and marketing, working with some of the world’s largest agencies and world-class hotels, including six years steering his own advertising and marketing agency specialising in hospitality.

Since joining The First Group in 2018, David has celebrated several impressive milestones, including overseeing the launch of the firm’s award-winning The First Collection hotel brand in his role as Senior VP of Brand and Business Development for TFG Hotel Management.

The first property to open under the innovative lifestyle brand, The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, opened in September 2021, and since then has gone on to forge a reputation as one of the city’s most popular upscale hotels.

Last year, the hotel was named one of the 25 ‘Hottest New Hotels for 2022’ worldwide by TripAdvisor – the world’s largest independent traveller reviews website.

David was also instrumental in delivering the successful opening of the brand’s second hotel, The First Collection Business Bay, earlier this year, which was nominated in this year’s Conde Nast Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards in the ‘The Best Business Hotel’ category.

David has played a key role in driving The First Group Hotels’ sustainability agenda, which has seen properties operating within the portfolio eliminate single-use plastics, reduce energy and water usage, and increase recycling.

He is actively developing the firm’s pipeline and has signed HMA with new properties in Ajman, Jeddah and on the Red Sea in Egypt..

In addition to his professional achievements, David is actively involved in fundraising for the charities Rashid Centre for the Disabled, Food For Life India and the All As One Orphanage in Sierra Leone. David is a graduate of Scotland’s University of Stirling, where he earned a Joint Honours Degree.