17 years, several roles and countless experiences later, Mark Atayde has built an impressive career journey with HBL. Starting as a Games Operator at Modhesh World in 2010, Mark has continued to embrace new challenges, take on new opportunities along the way and grow his experience before taking on his current role as UAE Stock Manager.
Mark’s early years in HBL saw him work across multiple locations and events, including Al Rigga Night Market, Magic Planet, Al Ain Zoo and more. These experiences gave him a strong understanding of HBL’s operations and helped him develop the skills necessary for the next stage of his career. As he gained more experience over the years, his responsibilities expanded beyond game operations. From 2015 to 2018, Mark took on the role of Stock Manager at JBR, quickly followed by another Stock Manager position at La Mer Beach from 2018 to 2019. In these roles, his focus shifted from operating skill games to being more involved in stock planning, warehouse operations, and logistics.
Today, as UAE Stock Manager, Mark Atayde’s role covers much more than managing stock. He coordinates with different departments to ensure stock availability while overseeing warehouse operations, procurement, shipping and logistics. He also plays an important role in supporting new site openings and ensuring projects run smoothly from start to finish. Currently, his responsibilities have also extended beyond the UAE. His team also provides support to HBL’s regional operations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
With so many roles under his belt, Mark enjoys the variety that comes with his role. “No two days are the same. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn. I also enjoy working with a great team and seeing projects come together successfully,” he says. Mark also appreciates working on the different aspects of the business. From inventory to site operations, each stage has taught him the importance of communication, problem-solving, and staying organised.
However, working across multiple markets also comes with challenges. For Mark, it was tight deadlines, shipping delays and changing project requirements. To overcome these challenges, Mark planned ahead, maintained close communication with suppliers and prepared backup plans wherever possible. Over the years, these experiences have taught him to stay calm under pressure, adapt when things don’t go to plan and, most importantly, focus on finding a solution.
Despite facing all those challenges, one of Mark’s biggest achievements has been his progression within HBL. Being trusted with increasing responsibilities is something Mark is proud of, especially when he gets to see the results of months of preparation come together for an opening day. His dedication and passion for his work have also made an impression on those he works with. Jean-Paul, the Operations & Projects Manager for UAE & Qatar, describes Mark as someone who values integrity, accountability and doing what is best for the business. “Mark’s work ethic is second to none. Whatever the task, he approaches it with complete dedication and professionalism. He is someone you can rely on without question. He consistently goes above and beyond, not because he has to, but because he takes real pride in what he does. Every team benefits from having someone like Mark.”
When asked about his future in HBL, Mark hopes to continue developing his leadership skills and taking on bigger responsibilities. He is passionate about improving warehouse and logistics operations and finding even more efficient ways to work and support the company’s growth through new projects.
Reflecting on his own career, Mark’s advice to anyone considering a career in the industry is simple: be willing to learn, work hard and stay patient. Every role can teach you something valuable and taking on new challenges can open doors to opportunities you never knew existed.
Mark Atayde’s journey from Games Operator to UAE Stock Manager is a reminder that career growth takes time, commitment and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. After 17 years with HBL, Mark continues to look ahead, ready to keep learning and see where the next chapter of his journey takes him!
