Based out of Dubai, Martyris will play a dual role, managing both the Kuoni Group and VFS Global.
Bernard Martyris, who until now was heading human resources at VFS Global, has been elevated as the Group CHRO of the Kuoni Group.
VFS Global is part of the 109-year-old multinational travel service providers, the Kuoni Group. While the company is headquartered in Switzerland, Martyris will be based in Dubai from where he will concurrently continue to shoulder his current responsibilities at VFS Global.
Martyris will be responsible for the overall Group’s HR strategy, leadership development, as well as talent and performance management. Martyris joined VFS Global in 2004. However, he was managing corporate HR at the Kuoni Group on an interim basis since 2013 and until early 2015. It is only now that the official appointment has taken place.
This move is part of the amendments made to the management structure of the Kuoni Group in an endeavour to accelerate the implementation of the Group’s strategy. As part of this plan, the three divisions of the Kuoni Group will be made more autonomous and accountable for their respective businesses.
Martyris, an alumnus of XLRI, is backed by over 35 years of experience with more than two decades in the hospitality industry alone. He has held senior management positions at the Oberoi Group and at the Taj Group of Hotels. He has also served on the board of Tata Coffee as an independent director in 2003. He was invited to be a member of the Global HR Council of the Conference Board, USA, in 1998 and was Chairman of the HR Committee of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, between 2007 and 2009.
