Amaala announces new advisory board

Saudi Arabia’s ultra-luxury development, Amaala, announced its advisory board, adding that the members will meet 2 to 4 times in a year.

“The broad range of expertise and diversity of our advisory board will be imperative as we move forward as a business,” Nicholas Naples, Chief Executive Officer of AMAALA, said in a statement today.

“An invaluable asset, the board’s collective insight will help us meet our ambitions to create a proposition that provides visitors with transformative journeys inspired by arts and wellness of the Red Sea,” he added.

Amaala’s hospitality segment will include global hospitality leaders namely:-

-Antoine Corinthios, President, AGC Consulting LLC: The former president of Europe, Middle East and Asia for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Corinthios has nearly 40 years of experience in the luxury sector across a broad range of international markets.

-Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas: Jacobs held key leadership roles at both Starwood Capital Group and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He was involved in the development of many brands including Baccarat Hotels and 1 Hotels.

-Edward Mady, Regional Director and General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection: Mady brings over 4 decades of experience, including 20 years with The Ritz-Carlton Company where he served as Vice President and Area General Manager.

-Claude Maniscalco, General Manager, Saint-Tropez Tourist Office: Maniscalco is an experienced CEO in charge of the promotion of one of the major touristic brand destinations, Saint-Tropez, with a history of working in the leisure, travel and tourism industry.

-Georg R. Rafael, Director and Owner of Rafael Group S.A.M.: Rafael is the former Executive Vice President of Regent International Hotels, graduating to Joint Managing Director and a major shareholder of the company. He is also the founder of Rafael Hotels Limited, a collection of five-star luxury boutique hotels.

-Horst Schultze, Chairman Emeritus, Capella Hotels: With a career spanning over 6 decades, Schultze has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of worldwide operations at the Ritz-Carlton Company.

The board also comprises the following global leaders whose achievements in real estate development and financing will connect Amaala with potential investors and partners:-

-Evan Kwee, Vice President, Pontiac Land and Owner, Capella Hotel Group: Kwee has led the business development arm of Pontiac Land since inception and was instrumental in conceptualizing each new property developed in their portfolio. He is Vice Chairman of Capella Hotel Group and oversees development for Capella and Patina Hotels and Resorts.

-Barry S. Sternlicht, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Starwood Capital Group: Sternlicht also serves as Chairman of Starwood Property Trust, the largest commercial mortgage REIT in the United States, as well as member of the Board of Directors of Invitation Homes - the largest publicly traded investors, owners and operators of single-family homes in the US.

With sustainability at the core of AMAALA, decisions related to environmental building and operating practices, as well as protective marine and land programs and studies, will be advised by Emma Johnston, Dean of Science, Professor of Marine, Ecology & Ecotoxicology, at UNSW Sydney. She is an authority in marine ecology and a former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW and former President of Science & Technology Australia. Johnston has led major projects for industry, government, the Australian Research Council, and the Australian Antarctic Science Program.

The advisory board will include the following names for its arts and cultural offerings:-

-Solenne Blanc, Deputy CEO of Beaux Arts & Cie, Senior Advisor for EY on Media and Cultural Industries: With 22 years of experience in strategy, innovation and digital transformation in media and cultural industries, Blanc is responsible for driving growth of Beaux Arts & Cie and managing new business units like Beaux Arts Institute and Beaux Arts Consulting.

-Thomas Krens, Director Emeritus, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Chairman & CEO, Global Cultural Asset Management LLC: As Director and Chief Artistic Officer of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation for more than 2 decades, Krens was responsible for the creation, development, and operation of the Guggenheim Global Network.

Amaala will include curated wellness and rejuvenation programs, as well as elite level sporting programing shaped by the following names:

-Simon Brooks-Ward, Chairman and Chief Executive, The HPower Group: Brooks-Ward has 30 years of experience within the event industry in equestrian sport and state commemorations and celebrations for Royal Family and Governments.

-Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, Celebrity and Polo Player: One of the most recognized and talented polo players in the world, he is one of the very few high goalers who actively draw spectator and media attention to the sport.

-Susan Harmsworth, Founder of ESPA International: The founder of spa and skincare brand ESPA International, Harmsworth has more than 50 years of experience in the spa and wellness

industry and has founded and managed multiple successful wellness businesses, as well as pioneering the modern spa model.

-Ingo Schweder, Founder and CEO, GOCO Hospitality: With more than 30 years of experience in the spa and hospitality industries, Schweder leads the multi-disciplinary teams at GOCO Hospitality and Horwath HTL Health and Wellness to strategize, conceptualize, design and manage the latest wellness developments for the world’s top hospitality and real estate brands.

According to data compiled by Argaam, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched Amaala in September 2018. The mega project will feature hotels, private villas, retail, an academy of arts, marinas and a yacht club. The retail establishments will include galleries, ateliers, artisan workshops along with a wide range of international and local signature dining venues.