executive team

Sajad Bassam

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Marsden Group

Sajad Bassam is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Marsden Group, New Zealand’s largest locally owned independent hotel-management platform.

Having built Marsden from the ground up, Sajad has led its evolution into a nationwide hospitality group spanning more than 40 properties and approximately 2,500 rooms under management and investment oversight. The Group’s portfolio includes independent hotels and resorts alongside internationally recognised brands including Wyndham, Ramada and Wyndham Garden, together with Capstone Hotel Management properties.

As CEO, Sajad leads the Group’s strategy, acquisitions, hotel investment, development partnerships, management agreements and owner relationships. His focus is on disciplined growth, stronger operating performance and building a scalable New Zealand-owned hospitality platform that delivers long-term value for owners, investors and partners.

Before co-founding Marsden Group, Sajad built experience across IT, residential property management, apartment hotels and hospitality franchising. His background includes owning and operating award-winning Esquires Coffee Houses and representing Auckland on the Esquires Franchisee Council . This breadth of experience informs his approach to business growth, operating systems and commercial performance.

Sajad has also served on the Governance Committee Board of Crown Institute of Studies, contributing his business and hospitality industry experience to the education sector.