My Journey

About Me

From Schoolboy Cricketer to a Visionary Business Leader

Starting as a proud alumnus of Nalanda College Colombo, Sri Lanka, I now lead 15 hotels heading the North Region of Premium, Midscale and Economy Division of Accor Hotels in UAE. With a journey spanning over 25 years in hospitality across 8 countries, I bring extensive experience to my role as a professional career coach. Beyond work, cricket used to be my passion, and I’ve proudly represented both my school and country on the field. Here’s a glimpse of my hobbies and favourite moments during my incredible journey.

An aerial view of the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge

Favourite Moments

Capturing Life's Treasured Memories

Nishan Silva is posing infront of Harvard Business School

My Journey as a Hotelier

My journey as a hotelier has been a remarkable adventure, marked by diverse experiences and significant milestones. From my early days at Hilton Colombo in Sri Lanka, to my current role as a Regional General Manager overseeing 15 Accor Hotels, each step has been an enriching chapter.

At every stage, I’ve embraced new challenges with enthusiasm and dedication. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to receive numerous accolades and awards, from International Hotel Awards to Sustainable Operations recognitions, each achievement reaffirms the dedication to delivering world-class hospitality.

But beyond the accolades, what truly fuels my passion for this industry is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s creating memorable experiences for our guests, fostering a positive work culture for our team members, or contributing to the communities we serve, every day presents new opportunities to leave a meaningful impact.

Nishan Silva in a group photo with his Cricket team

Nishan Silva on cricket ground with his team mates

Nishan Silva with his school's cricket team

Royal Highness Prince Charles image during his visit to Sri Lanka

Here are some of the most cherished moments from the early days of my journey as a hotelier

Among the highlights is the privilege of encountering His Royal Highness Prince Charles, now the King of the United Kingdom, during his visit to Sri Lanka.

My Cricketing Memories

Cricket was my favourite sport back in the day and I was a member of my school’s cricket team and also played for the Sri Lanka schools cricket team that toured England and Bangladesh.

Hobbies

Keeping alive my passions outside of work

Golf Enthusiast

Outside of work, I am an enthusiastic golfer who enjoys exploring Dubai’s remarkable golf courses. This photo captures a treasured moment of meeting Tommy Fleetwood, the world-renowned professional golfer from England, who plays on the PGA Tour and European Tour.

Nishan Silva giving speech at Accor General Manager Conference 2023

A Coach

Beyond my professional endeavours, I am dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering growth. In pursuit of this goal, I have established a specialized program tailored for aspiring hotel managers. This initiative is designed to equip participants with the requisite skills and knowledge to seamlessly transition into leadership roles within the hospitality sector.

Nishan Silva showing one of his watch collection

Watch Collector

I am a collector of watches. Dubai is a great place to acquire good time pieces at a reasonable price.