Jumeirah appoints acting CEO to lead expansion plans

• Thomas Meier named Jumeirah CEO
• Fourth full-time CEO since 2016
• Plan to double portfolio by 2030

Jumeirah Hotels Group, the owner of Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel, has appointed Thomas Meier as CEO to lead the luxury hotel chain in its global expansion push. 

Swiss national Meier has been acting CEO for the past 10 months following the departure of Katerina Giannouka in late February last year. 

Meier, who has been chief operating officer since 2021, is the fourth full-time CEO since Gerald Lawless retried in 2016. He had led the operation for 19 years. 

Jumeirah

Jumeirah Group, part of Dubai Holding, is planning to double its portfolio by 2030, focusing on international expansion, the company said in its statement. It operates a portfolio of 30 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. 

Meier said he wants to “establish Jumeirah as one of the foremost influential hospitality brands worldwide”.

“As we gear up for the opening of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab and continue to expand into new markets, I am honoured to lead Jumeirah’s next chapter,” he said.

During his period as interim CEO, Meier oversaw Jumeirah’s entry into Africa with the launch of Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa. 

Jumeirah will open two new properties this year, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai and Jumeirah The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. It’s also renovating Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva in Switzerland, which it plans to open this year after taking it over in 2023. 

Meier has previously worked with Minor Hotels and Fairmont Resorts & Hotels International before leading operations for Raffles globally.