Amaala, the ultra-luxury integrated wellness project situated along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, has announced the departure of its chief executive Nicholas Naples as it enters the second phase of development. 

Confirming the news, the Amaala board said Naples has left the company as part of the evolution of the destination, as the project goes into its next phase of construction. The Red Sea Development Company CEO John Pagano will be taking over the new role.

Naples had been instrumental in driving the early phase of the project, establishing a team of 420 strong professionals and experts, all dedicated to bringing the destination’s blueprint to life. He will now be playing an advisory role in the company, said the statement from the company.

Welcoming Pagano into the fold, the Amaala board said he will be heading the group while also continuing as the CEO of The Red Sea Development Company.

An industry veteran, Pagano brings 38 years’ experience in delivering large-scale, multi-billion-dollar investments and he will enable the complementary visions of both projects to be realised.

Since its launch in 2018, Amaala has pressed forward with its ambitious agenda of creating a haven of luxury and wellbeing, underpinned by sustainability and philanthropy.

In three years, it has laid the groundwork for its three core communities, revealed the design of its dedicated airport, and kicked off the first phase of construction.

It has also built an advisory board that is composed of prominent experts from the fields of hospitality, wellness and sports, travel and tourism, arts and culture, construction, sustainability as well as luxury lifestyle and wellbeing.