Nairobi — Former Serena Hotels Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mahmud Jan Mohamed has been appointed non-executive Chairman of the Kenya Utalii College (KUC).

In a Gazette Notice, President William Ruto said Mohamed will serve a three-year term starting February 6, 2025.

Mohamed joins Utalii College after leaving TPS Serena Hotels in 2023, ending a 25-year career during which he oversaw the expansion of the Serena brand across East and Southern Africa.

Kenya Utalii College, established in 1975, is a leading hospitality and tourism training institution. Over the last 47 years, it has trained more than 60,000 graduates who now work in local and international hospitality and tourism markets.

The college was initially set up under the Hotels and Restaurants Act (Cap. 494), which has since been replaced by the Tourism Act, 2011.

As chair, Mohamed will be expected to provide strategic leadership and support efforts to grow Utalii College into a world-class hospitality training institution.