JA Resorts & Hotels announces key leadership appointments

JA Resorts & Hotels, a UAE-based hospitality brand, has appointed three leaders. The new leaders will be responsible for JA Palm Tree Court, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Lake View Hotel, ensuring the brand continues to cater to modern travellers’ needs and enhance the guest experience. 

 

Russell Dillon – Cluster Director of Sales  

 

Dillon is an accomplished commercial leader with over 20 years of international hospitality experience spanning the UAE, Asia, and Europe. He has held senior sales and marketing roles with leading hospitality organisations, building a deep understanding of both local and global markets. His track record includes driving revenue growth, expanding market reach, and strengthening brand positioning.  

 

Stepping into his new role as Cluster Director of Sales, Russell will focus on amplifying the signature JA experience and driving sustainable growth across the three Jebel Ali Beach properties. With a collaborative approach and results-driven mindset, he aims to elevate brand visibility while fostering a supportive team environment where JA’s warm, authentic spirit shines through every guest interaction. 

 

Stuart King - Director of Food & Beverage 

 

As Director of Food & Beverage, King will further enhance the diverse dining experiences across the three Jebel Ali Beach destinations. King began his hospitality journey at just 14, spending the last 25 years shaping a multi-outlet family-run business in Scotland. He worked his way up from patio attendant to Group General Manager, overseeing multiple properties, driving growth, improving guest satisfaction, and managing key supplier and stakeholder relationships to ensure quality and value. 

 

Marking an exciting new chapter for both King and JA, he has relocated to the UAE to share his expertise with the brand. With a natural talent for connecting with guests and creating restaurants that offer more than just great food, his approach perfectly mirrors JA’s spirit of genuine, welcoming hospitality. 

 

Lara Abou Harb - Cluster Director of Revenue 

 

Also overseeing the three Jebel Ali Beach properties, Abou Harb joins the team as Cluster Director of Revenue. With over 12 years of experience in the luxury hospitality sector, she will play a key role in steering the brand’s sustainable growth and implementing revenue optimisation strategies across its diverse portfolio. Working alongside the sales, marketing, and operations teams, she aims to maximise profitability while supporting and motivating those around her.  

 

Throughout her career, Abou Harb has worked with several internationally recognised hospitality brands in the Middle East, giving her a unique understanding of the region’s market. Most recently, she served as the Director of Revenue Optimisation for Shangri-La in Muscat, where she oversaw the total revenue of three resorts, including 18 F&B outlets, event spaces, and rooms. Before this, she gained local experience through her tenure at Millennium Place Mirdif, playing a crucial role in the pre-opening phase.  

 

Rene Egle, Cluster General Manager for JA Palm Tree Court, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Lake View Hotel, shared: “Dillon,  King, and Abou Harb’s experience, leadership approach, and real passion for connecting with guests will undoubtedly make them a seamless addition to the teams at Jebel Ali Beach. As we continue to adapt to the latest travel and hospitality trends, choosing the right people for our team helps us stay true to our roots of creating unforgettable, guest-focused stays.” -TradeArabia News Service