Sandals CEO Gebhard Rainer stepping down

Veteran hotelier Gebhard Rainer is stepping down as chief executive officer of Sandals Resorts International, six years after taking up the top post. 

Rainer, is expected to embark upon new professional and personal opportunities overseas, group executive chairman, Adam Stewart, told staff in an internal memorandum earlier today.

Stewart said Rainer's tenure officially ends June 30. 

“Reflecting on the over six years with us, Gebhard Rainer has transcended his role as a well-regarded leader to become a trusted mentor and a cherished friend. His wisdom, strategic mindset and integrity is a rarity among professionals of his standing,” stated Stewart, whose father the late Gordon 'Butch' Stewart appointed Rainer in 2018.

Lauding the CEO for his business acumen, Stewart said this helped to guide the organisation through some challenging business environments and unprecedented successes.

“From helping navigate the complexities of a global pandemic to fostering our vision of unparallelled growth, we are appreciative of his numerous contributions. Despite his distance, he will remain closely connected to us and will continue to lend expertise and wise counsel on some select long-term projects.”

In the interim Stewart will take on the responsibilities of CEO. 

“You can be supremely confident we will continue to innovate and deliver exceptional experiences for our team members, partners, customers, and valued guests,” he assured his staff.

Sandals, a leading hotel chain in the Caribbean, is also one of the largest private employers and foreign exchange earners in Jamaica.

- Janet Silvera, freelance writer

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