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Marc Prager

CV Marc Prager 2022

Summary

Advisor to investors and family offices in the purchase, development and management of hospitality estates internationally.

Professional experiences

Owner and founder

The Pilot Fish

Since 2. june 2019

Private consulting practice working side by side with business leaders, providing support and expertise to help them succeed with their endeavors in the hospitality and real estate field.
• ABBAYE OELENBERG
Serving as project director on the conversion of a XIIth Century, 25,000m² Abbey in Alsace-France after the monks moved out in 2024.
• HAKAWAY
Advisor to the CEO of this hotel technology specialist firm with 4- and 5-star hotel developments in
France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy.•
TAPENAZ
Advisor to CEO of this gourmet food distributor in Dubai. Helped successfully pitch new venture on
the SHARK TANK Middle East Program in June 2024.
• BORDEAUX VILLAGE BLAYE th
Advisor to Owner and Founder of, a hospitality and wine complex.
• CHATEAU L’ESPERANCE
Buyer representative assignment for the acquisition of Chateau Esperance, 25 Hectares wine estate
in Bordeaux France. (Completed 2024).
• MALLORCA COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
Advisor to the chairman of this UAE based boutique real estate firm specializing in transactions
above 50 million USD.
• EPI PLAGE 1959
Owner representative assignment for the development of EPI Plage 1959, in Saint Tropez, France
(Completed 2020)

Development manager france

WYNDHAM HOTELS AND RESORTS , Berllin

From July 2024 to January 2025

I am in charge of developing all hotels brands under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts family that are present in the EMEA region.

Development manager - france

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA

From May 2024 to December 2024

Responsible for growing the hotel portfolio (franchised and managed hotels) across the 25 brands in France through new hotel signings and conversions.

Specialist

PwC Middle East - Limited duration job

From December 2022 to June 2024

This was and independent contractor position.
I undertook several back to back missions in Saudi Arabia. The most significant was a 8 month long assignment as a business development specialist for Golf Saudi. My task was to lead 8 business initiatives to develop the game of golf in KSA. Golf Saudi is directly under the leadership of HH Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of PIF.

Specialist

PwC Middle East

From October 2022 to December 2023

Assignments in Saudi Arabia for the Middle East Real Estate and Hospitality practice
- Delivery manager for 200 units autonomous residential community at NEOM.
- Subject Matter Expert for 8 business initiatives by Golf Saudi to grow the Golf Industry in Saudi Arabia.

Board member and director real estate

Batsela Real Estate

From April 2022 to May 2023

Strategy advisor

Hakaway

From August 2021 to May 2023

Board member - international business

Mallorca Properties

From May 2019 to May 2023

Head of business planning and efficiency

MERAAS

From April 2018 to May 2019

In charge of improving business performance at the corporate level and across business lines.
Implement strategic planning and initiatives to improve sustainability of business performance over the long term.
Headed Turnaround of Food and Beverage division taking the role of acting Director for 36 outlets and 1000 employees.

Head of business planning and efficiency

Meraas Holding

From April 2018 to May 2019

Head business development

MERAAS

From January 2013 to March 2018

Active role in the investment strategy and business opportunities sourcing of real estate related investments in the city of Dubai including residential communities, hotels, retail and entertainment complexes.
Responsible for assessing the viability of investment opportunities
Owner of business cases all the way to project and implementation of projects.

Head business development

Meraas Holding

From January 2013 to March 2018

Senior consultant

BNP Paribas Real Estate

From November 2011 to September 2012

BNP Paribas Real Estate, Dubai
Senior Consultant: Implemented business development strategy of the Real Estate division in the Gulf region. Led strategic advisory mandates in United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia. Mandates include:

• Participated in creating investment memorandum to raise first USD 400 million syndicated loan structure for Jeddah Economic City project including 1 kilometre tower
• Sourced plot and set up development and financing structure for Rolls Royce Regional Service and Training Centre in Abu Dhabi
• Sourced and negotiated commercial lease of Gucci regional head office in Dubai

Senior consultant

BNP PARIBAS REAL ESTATE

From November 2011 to September 2012

Asset manager / member of executive committee

EUROFIN HOSPITALITY

From January 2010 to December 2011

Eurofin Hospitality is a division of the Eurofin Group, a Swiss private equity house. EH handles the development and asset management of properties owned by funds administered by the group. Also undertook assignments for clients in the property and tourism sectors including market entry strategies, concept development and business plans. Responsibilities split 30% on operations strategy and business development and 70% on leading mandates. Mandates successfully completed include:
• As asset manager of the Conrad Hilton in Miami, achieved in 2010, best performance since opening.
• Developed market entry strategy for a family office whishing to invest 100 million USD over the next 3 years in Russia and Switzerland.
• Business plan for the development of a 200 million Euro residential project in Porto, Portugal.
• Strategy for the redevelopment of an underperforming resort on the west coast of Portugal.

Asset manager / member of executive committee

EUROFIN HOSPITALITY

From January 2010 to December 2011

Director advisory

Investment Boutique

From July 2007 to January 2010

Assessing investment opportunities for the Real Estate funds managed by IB and advising third party clients on properties and projects they planned to aquire or develop. Managed a team of 8 associates

Director advisory

INVESTMENT BOUTIQUE LLC

From July 2007 to January 2010

Senior consultant / associate director

PKF hospitality group

From April 2005 to July 2007

Based in Dubai, PKF is a global leading hospitality consultancy firm.
Advised investors, private and public institutions. Worked with most leading local international hotel chains with assignments throughout the Middle East. My responsibilities included supervising consultants and researchers, client relations, proposal writing, and leading assignments such as:
• Successful negotiations of a dozen Hotel Management Contracts with leading chains including Accor, Millennium & Copthorne, the Intercontinental Hotel Group, Rotana and Golden Tulip
• Lead assignment to create the entire strategy for a new Shariah compliant hotel chain
• Completed concept plan for a super-yacht floating 5 star hotel as well as the “Nations Tower Abu Dhabi”, a mixed use project with St Regis Hotel
• Completed over 30 feasibility studies for new property projects in 7 different countries

Senior consultant / associate director

PKF hospitality group

From April 2005 to July 2007

Partner - project manager

LONDON HOSPITALITY CONSULTING LTD

From December 2002 to March 2005

Part of a team of 5 professionals and worked on various hotel operational consultancy assignment including:
• In 5 months, set up a CRM Centre in Greece for the Being Best Global Alliance, an association of over 300 health and wellness clubs in Europe to handle services and the loyalty program
• Doubled valuation of a 4 Star Conference Hotel in 6 months in Marne la Vallee – France
• Owners representative for the Solitude Group, Hotels in Lourdes – France

Partner - project manager

LONDON HOSPITALITY CONSULTING LTD

From December 2002 to March 2005

Manager guest services

Disneyland Resort Paris

From October 1999 to February 2003

Part of the Executive managment team in charge of 7 hotels totalling 7,000 hotel rooms. Managed 500 employee in my line of business with 50 employees reporting directly to me.

• Responsible for achieving 6 million euro in yearly sales through concierge desks
• Developed new centralised restaurant reservation service for 23 outlets on hotels and parks
• Achieved objective of over 80% in customer satisfaction across Rooms and Related services

Manager guest services

Disneyland Resort Paris

From October 1999 to February 2003

Owner- general manager

Villa Sud Est - Boutique Hotel - Cape Town

From June 1996 to September 1999

Additional training

Executive MBA

IE Business School - Management

2010 à 2011

Degree

1995 – EHL Campus Lausanne – Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures en Hôtellerie et Restauration

Languages

Anglais - Native language

Français - Native language

Grec moderne - Notion

Allemand - Intermediate

Skills

Networking
Investment Strategies
Deal Flow
Real Estate Transactions
Deal Sourcing
International Business
Fundraising
Executive Management
Project Management
Problem Solving
Deal Maker
Value creation
Property Development & Portfolio Management
Business Planning
Entrepreneurship
Corporate Development
Investment Properties
Hotel Asset Management
Hospitality
Asset Managment

Hobbies

  • cycling
  • rugby
  • surfing Gastronomy