John has extensive experience managing large teams across various geographical markets. He has in-depth knowledge of the luxury hospitality industry and the healthcare sector.

With over 30 years of hospitality management experience, including six years as Area Vice President of Marriott International, overseeing properties in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He was also the Group CEO of Columbia Asia Healthcare, where he managed fund-raising, investment, and development projects for over 30 private hospitals. John then joined the Shangri-La Group, as Executive Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, India, and Indian Ocean Region. Currently, he is heading the hotels and resorts division at the Royal Commission of AlUla in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after managing the hospitality sector at NEOM as Executive Director.

CAREER

THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF ALULA

July 2021 – present

Executive Director – Head of Hotels and Resorts Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In charge of the overall planning, development, and execution of one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent giga projects. Acting as asset owner, developer and working with hotel operators. Reporting directly to the CEO and H.E the Governor, providing senior counsel on hospitality management and strategy for the region. This includes project, operational and asset supervision, operator selection, HMA negotiations, concept definition, performance and financial planning and execution.

NEOM

March 2020 – February 2021

Executive Director – Head of Hotels and Resorts Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Responsible for the direction, strategy, and guidance for all Hotels & Resorts within NEOM. This includes identifying key partners and hospitality operators and the establishment of guidelines for investment as well as the selection of potential investors.

SHANGRI-LA GROUP

August 2018 – March 2020

Executive Vice President Middle East, India & Indian Ocean

Overall responsibility for the management & oversight of the MEIIO Region for the Shangri-La Group. This region comprises 11 hotels & resorts across eight countries.

Vice President Hong Kong S.A.R. China

Overall responsibility for the strategic planning of expansion of the Shangri-La Group with a key focus on development and property asset management.

COLUMBIA ASIA HEALTHCARE

November 2013 – April 2017

Group Chief Executive Officer Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Indonesia & Kenya

Management & oversight of this Regional Group of 30 private hospitals in Southeast Asia, India & East Africa.

Achievements:

Design, opening & ramp up of 5 new hospitals & the ongoing renovation & expansion of existing 25 facilities. Oversaw successful fund raise project which brought about a partnership & capital investment of US$101 million from the Mitsui Corporation. Aligned the Group around one common Vision & Mission.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

January 1990 – October 2013

Market Vice President Middle East & Africa

February 2012 - October 2013

Specific responsibility for Marriott International Qatar and North / Central Africa. Planning & oversight of the Marriott International Business Council.

Achievements:

Opening & ramp up of Marriott Executive Apartments, Courtyard by Marriott & Renaissance branded hotels in Doha, Qatar. Appointed as the Renaissance Brand General Manager Expert for North Africa properties. Business Council Chairman.

Area Vice President Southeast Asia

December 2007 – January 2012

Overall responsibility for the operations & performance of 30 Marriott & Ritz Carlton properties in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore & The Philippines.

Achievements:

12 new hotel openings in 2008 & 2009 combined with the design & set up of the new Marriott Area Office in Bangkok. Under my leadership the Southeast Asia Area achieved high balanced scorecard results for guest satisfaction, market share and profitability.

OTHER POSITIONS HELD

2007 GENERAL MANAGER – PRE-OPENING

Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park Hotel, China

2004 – 2007 GENERAL MANAGER

JW Marriott Shanghai & Marriott Executive Apartments, China.

2002 – 2004 COUNTRY GENERAL MANAGER

Marriott Hotels - Jordan

2000 – 2001 GENERAL MANAGER – PRE-OPENING

Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, Jordan

1998 – 2000 GENERAL MANAGER

Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort, Red Sea, Egypt

1990 – 1998 GENERAL MANAGER / DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER:

Marriott International, London, U.K.

Renaissance Hotels & Resorts , Grenada, West Indies

1986 – 1990 DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE:

Renaissance Hotels & Resorts , Caribbean, Turkey, London

1981 – 1986 VARIOUS MANAGEMENT POSITIONS:

Southern Sun Hotels, Southern Africa

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts Degree from Manchester University.

3 ‘A’ Levels & 8 ‘O’ Levels.

Languages: English, French & Turkish.

Member of the Global Hoteliers Club having worked on four continents.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Robust luxury hospitality background, with major international brands.

• Experience in Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

• Strong believer in developing people and nurturing talent

• Adaptable with strong commercial acumen and excellent relationship management skills.

• Firm, yet fair leader with an entrepreneurial frame of mind.

• Solid media training as well as crisis management and mitigation

• Diplomatic, charismatic with a go-getter attitude