Nicholas Naples, CEO of luxury development project AMAALA, in Saudi Arabia, has announced the appointment of Neil Jacobs, Ingo Schweder and Susan Harmsworth to the project’s advisory board.

The board will guide the creation of the 31.4sq km (12.1sq mi) project’s masterplan, with a phased approach, in order to support economic diversification while promoting cultural and ecological preservation for the development.

AMAALA is working with professionals in wellness, hospitality, sustainability, sport, real estate development, finance and arts and culture.

The hospitality segment of the project will be guided by global professionals including Jacobs; CEO of Six Senses, Horst Schulze; chairman emeritus of Capella Hotels and Antoine Corinthios; president of AGC Consulting – the former president of Europe, Middle East and Asia for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Sustainability decisions relating to environmental building and operating practices, as well as protective marine and land programmes and studies, will be advised by Emma Johnston; dean of science and professor of marine, ecology and ecotoxicology at UNSW Sydney – who has previously led major projects for industry, government and the Australian Research Council.

Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA International and Ingo Schweder, founder and CEO of GOCO Hospitality, have been brought on board to shape wellness programmes which will aim to create a world class offering for body, mind and soul, while Simon Brooks-Ward; chair and chief executive of The HPower Group, will curate sports activities.

The board will collaborate two to four times a year to bring experience, best practice, and new ideas to the brand's three core pillars: wellness and sport; arts and culture; and sea, sun and, lifestyle.

Nicholas Naples, CEO of AMAALA, said: "From the ground up, we’re creating an integrative approach to health, well-being and experiential luxury. With the scale and ambition of AMAALA, the broad range of expertise and diversity of our Advisory Board will be imperative as we move forward as a business.

“An invaluable asset, their collective insight is helping us meet our ambitions to create a proposition that provides visitors with transformative personal journeys inspired by arts, wellness, and the purity of the Red Sea."

AMAALA is scheduled to open in 2030.

The full list of AMAALA Advisory Members includes:

• Antoine Corinthios, president, AGC Consulting LLC


• Barry S. Sternlicht, chair and CEO, Starwood Capital Group


• Claude Maniscalcom, GM Saint-Tropez Tourist Office


• Edward Mady, regional director and GM, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection


• Emma Johnston dean of science, professor of marine, ecology and ecotoxicology, UNSW Sydney


• Evan Kwee, VP, Pontiac Land and Owner, Capella Hotel Group


• George R. Rafael, director and owner, Rafael Group S.A.M.


• Horst Schulze, chairman Emeritus, Capella Hotels


• Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, celebrity and polo player


• Ingo Schweder, founder and CEO, GOCO Hospitality


• Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Hotels Resorts and Spas


• Simon Books-Ward, chair and chief executive, The HPower Group


• Solenne Blanc, deputy CEO of Beaux Arts & Cie, Senior Advisor for EY on Media and Cultural Industries


• Susan Harmsworth, founder, ESPA International


• Thomas Krens, director emeritus, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and chair and CEO, Global Cultural Asset Management LLC