Brij Patel named among Hozpitality's Best 30 Most Popular Finance Leaders in the Middle East for 2023
Brij Patel, a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience, currently serves as the Group Director of Finance at FIVE Hotels and Resorts. His expertise in finance, accounting, and leadership has been instrumental in driving financial success and fostering excellence within the organization.
Brij Patel, the Group Director of Finance at FIVE Hotels and Resorts, has been recognized as one of Hozpitality's Best 30 Most Popular Finance Leaders in the Middle East for 2023. With his expertise in finance, accounting, and leadership, Brij has played a pivotal role in driving financial success and excellence within the organization.
Possessing a diverse skill set, Brij is highly proficient in handling finance and accounting activities, ensuring compliance with IFRS standards. He demonstrates exceptional abilities in planning and managing internal, statutory, and external audits, consistently meeting deadlines while adhering to cost budgets.
As the Group Director of Finance, Brij takes charge of various financial aspects, including financial reporting, costing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash flow management, inventory control, budgeting, and planning. His collaborative approach extends to optimizing working capital by working closely with departments across the organization.
Brij's contributions to the company extend beyond financial management. He provides regular business performance updates, encompassing comprehensive reviews of balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow analysis, cost reviews, and variance explanations, all of which are crucial in strategic decision-making. Moreover, Brij has successfully fostered a positive and productive work environment, promoting teamwork among his team of sixty employees.
The scope of Brij's responsibilities also encompasses contract finalizations, particularly those related to engineering, F&B, housekeeping, and IT. With his strong negotiation skills, he effectively manages purchases exceeding AED 200 million annually, collaborating closely with the Purchase Department Head.
Overseeing all audit and internal control operations, Brij ensures compliance with established standards while effectively managing risks. Additionally, he plays an instrumental role in negotiating insurance policies with companies and brokers, covering various aspects such as medical insurance, property all-risk insurance, group life insurance, third-party liability, workers compensation policy, and loss of money policy.
Brij has also been instrumental in the pre-opening phases of several properties, including Palm & Jumeirah Village in Dubai and Zurich Properties. Moreover, he has successfully facilitated the registration of the company with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and skillfully handled VAT return finalization.
Brij Patel's educational background includes being an ACA (Auditing, Advanced Accounting) from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree with a specialization in Advanced Accounting from Gujarat University.
With his exceptional problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and expertise in financial management and accounting, Brij Patel has proven to be an outstanding leader in the field of finance. His inclusion among Hozpitality's Best 30 Most Popular Finance Leaders in the Middle East for 2023 is a testament to his dedication, excellence, and perseverance within the hospitality industry. Brij's contributions have significantly contributed to the continued success and growth of FIVE Hotels and Resorts, establishing him as a respected figure in the finance community.
Meela Seenarain
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE