
Meet the Team
With diverse backgrounds spanning finance, private equity, and hotel operations, Azure Hotels is one of the most capable investors and asset managers in Europe.
Barry Sadr-Hashemi has 28 years of experience as a leader and innovator in the hospitality industry. As Executive Vice President of Rezidor, Mr. Sadr-Hashemi negotiated the master franchise agreement with Carlson for the Radisson brand, thereby creating the Radisson SAS brand, and was responsible for steering Rezidor through a vast and ambitious expansion plan from 29 hotels in 11 countries in 1994 to over 200 hotels in nearly 40 countries when he stepped down to join the Azure Property Group in 2004.
John Nielsen oversees hotel operations for the firm. His in-depth understanding of successful hospitality administration is based on extensive, hands-on experience working in hotels in Switzerland, Denmark and Germany. Prior to joining Azure Hotels, John worked at CB Richard Ellis in Copenhagen where he was responsible for securing and managing key accounts with Fortune 500 companies. John holds an MBA from Copenhagen Business School and a BA in Business Administration. He also holds a Chartered Real Estate Advisor and Valuer degree and has studied Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management at Cornell University.
Prior to joining the group in 2008, Niels served as Head of Hotel Investments and Asset Management at Union Investment Real Estate, where he was responsible for the global hotel strategy, acquisition and management of the fund’s hotel portfolio, valued at circa €1.5 billion. Niels has transacted in excess of €1.6 billion of real estate. He also worked in Private Equity and Mergers and Acquisitions at Credit Suisse in London, and in the REIT equity research division of Smith Barney in New York. Niels holds an MBA from Yale School of Management and a BA in Economics from Brown University and also studied Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management at Cornell University.
Alex joined Azure Hotels in 2014 and is a chartered accountant with a BSc (Hons) in Business and Finance. He was previously at PwC focusing on transaction services, corporate finance and audit advisory. He has advised on many commercial property transactions throughout Europe, in particular in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. He has led both buy-side and sell-side transactions, including managing due diligence, contract negotiations and raising of finance. Alex has also studied Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management at Cornell University.
Having worked in various revenue positions for 25 years and acquired extensive knowledge of multi brand operations including Marriott, Radisson Mercure and IHG. Davina’s previous role was Director of Revenue for Radisson Blu for three hotels in the UK and more recently Regional Revenue Manager Jupiter Hotels responsible for 8 Accor and 2 IHG hotels, HG hotel in Scotland and the North West England.
Is a hospitality professional with 25 years international experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. Prior to joining Azure Hotels in autumn 2019, Jens held positions in Sales and Marketing, Food and Beverage Management and for the past decade several General Management positions, most recently at the Midland Hotel in Manchester. Jens holds a BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management from University of Surrey.