Hilton named No.1 World’s Best Workplace

For the first time ever, Hilton has been named the  No.1 World’s Best Workplace by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work. This recognition  – the culmination of eight consecutive appearances on the “World’s Best” list – also marks the  first time a hospitality company has achieved the top honor in this best-in-class program.  

In another first, Hilton was certified as a Great Place to Work in the Maldives earlier this year,  celebrating a workplace culture where team members are encouraged to pursue their  passions, draw upon their unique experiences, and be their authentic selves at work as they  deliver exceptional stays for all guests.  

These awards are a testament to Hilton’s continuous efforts to build an inclusive, purpose driven workplace culture that provides growth opportunities and robust support for team  members to achieve their potential and thrive.  

Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa continues to foster an environment for local talent to  flourish, empowering Maldivian professionals who have developed within the group to  progress along their career paths.  

Key figures at the resort include Director of Operations Ahmed Anees, who is the first  Maldivian professional to be elevated to this role within Hilton’s portfolio of brands in the  country; Bars and Beverage Manager Ali Hamdan, and sommelier Gasim Ibrahim. 

Anees’ 18 years of experience encompass a variety of roles, such managing transport,  housekeeping and front office operations for both Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Waldorf  Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. His years of overseeing housekeeping also led him to co-found  the Maldives Housekeepers Association, the country’s largest and sole nationally recognized  association, where he advocates for training and development, and provides professional  support.  

Ali Hamdan joined Conrad Maldives as a bar attendant and was promoted to bartender within  three years. His growth as a mixologist was enhanced by plentiful opportunities to train in  various locations, from a Singaporean brewery to a Japanese sake house and the great  Champagne houses of France. He is the first Maldivian mixologist certified by the International  Bartenders Association.  

Like Hamdan, Gasim Ibrahim began his Conrad Maldives stint as an F&B attendant, and it  was there that he came under the tutelage of the head sommelier and began his education in  earnest. Over a decade later, he is now one of the rare Maldivian sommeliers working in the  industry and is currently completing his WSET Level 3 certification.  

While at Conrad Maldives, both Hamdan and Gasim competed with distinction at the Hilton  South East Asia Food & Beverage (SEA F&B) Masters, an annual series of rigorous  competitions designed to showcase the best F&B talent across Hilton properties in the region  on an international level. 

Another valuable benefit of working with Hilton is career mobility. This facilitates the seamless  exchange of skills and brings a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to the  organization, which is evident in the team make-up. 

Other team members such as Executive Housekeeper Hussain Visham, Front Office Manager Ali Shunaiz and Purchasing Manager Adam Ali, all of whom were previously from Waldorf  Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, brought their invaluable experience to Hilton Maldives Amingiri  Resort & Spa, and are fundamental to the smooth operations at the resort.  

Similarly, HR Manager Nani Rasheed, IT Manager Naji Mohamed, Restaurant Manager  Mohamed Niyaz, and Laundry Manager Abdulla Shareef all came from Conrad Maldives, and  other team members, like Duty Manager Sajid Bushry, joined from overseas Hilton properties  and contributed a wealth of multicultural perspectives. 

Resort leaders are actively involved in nurturing young professionals. Anees mentors fellow  Maldivian and Hilton SEA Management Trainee Hassan Visam throughout an 18-month  program designed to develop him for the Duty Manager role.  

Regular career workshops are a staple feature of resort activities, as are networking and  coaching sessions through the Women Team Members Resource Group. Team members are  also able to access specialist certifications, such as the childcare certification from Worldwide  Kids that was recently awarded to the Krakengiri Kids’ Club team.  

Community Collaborations 

Hilton continues to build purposeful relationships within the community, empowering team  members to pursue meaningful initiatives that lead to a lasting positive impact.  

IT Manager Naji Mohamed champions Hilton’s Travel with Purpose initiatives. These include a recent visit to Maafushi School in North Male Atoll where Team Members distributed educational children’s literature to the students and water dispensers for the school. 

The resort also partnered with Maldives National University to provide internship and career opportunities for the next generation of young hospitality leaders. The first intake culminated  in an intern’s successful integration as a regular member of the culinary team.