Claire Malcolm
writer • editor • communications strategist

With almost two decades of experience in the communications field, Claire’s career path has taken her from Europe to Asia and the Middle East, with positions in the hospitality and tourism sector, advertising world, and media industry.

Originally destined for a front-of-house career in hotel management, she swapped Knightsbridge and duty manager shifts for an account executive position with a through-the-line ad agency in London’s Docklands. Claire’s itchy feet then took her to Thailand and a marketing and communications role with one of the country’s best-known independent resorts.

Not content with that learning curve, she left the Far East for the Middle East in the late 90s, and spent several years in Abu Dhabi dipping between the hotel business (Forte Le Méridien, Rotana Hotels) and a second stint in the advertising world, gaining experience in hotel rebranding, corporate identity and brand architecture development for a number of different industry sector clients.

In 2001, she was headhunted by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for the launch of the company’s first international property. Following a highly successful opening year for the Dubai property, Claire was tasked with handling Fairmont’s communication strategy for the broader Arab region prior to the formalisation of a regional office.

After four years moonlighting as a freelance writer and copywriter for various regional and international publications and clients, she became editor of Concierge Dubai magazine. She subsequently launched Concierge Abu Dhabi, as well as a Russian language version, before going on to launch the B2B investment and development title Cityscape magazine, and a portfolio of brand spin-offs.

Claire also worked on meetME magazine, trade show dailies for GIBTM and Arabian Travel Market, as well as writing destination guides and supplements for the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, South Korea, India and Morocco.

Her other love is radio, and she previously co-hosted and produced a weekend breakfast show for talk radio station Dubai Eye 103.8.

When she’s not working, Claire is travelling. On the odd occasion that there isn’t a airplane ticket in the picture, she can be found either at the movies, with her nose buried in a good book, or in a saucepan.