How a dishwasher rose to become CEO

HAITHAM MATTAR TALKS ABOUT TOXIC BOSSES AND MORE IN THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE HUSTLE

- BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN Chief Reporter MANJUSHA RADHAKRISHNAN Entertainment, Lifestyle and Sport Editor

Haitham Mattar's story isn't just about a rise to the top. The managing director of Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Mattar's journey did not begin in the boardroom, but at the lowest rung of the hospitality ladder, where he earned his keep as a dishwasher.

Yet, even amidst the clatter of plates and the steam of a kitchen, Haitham held a fierce ambition. He understood that a job, no matter how humble, was a stepping stone, not a destination. Today, he oversees a portfolio of 220 hotels (with 180 more in the pipeline) employing 24,000+ employees.

The group is positioned to double its regional presence in the next five years.

Surmounting challenges