Alison Grinnell

Group COO & CEO, Marjan Hospitality

Alison Grinnell is Group Chief Operating Officer of Marjan and Chief Executive Officer of Marjan Hospitality, where she oversees the development, management and operational performance of the group’s hospitality portfolio.

In these roles, she is responsible for aligning development strategy with long-term operational performance across Marjan’s hotels, resorts and leisure assets, supporting the emirate’s tourism growth at destination scale.

Before joining Marjan, Grinnell served as Chief Executive Officer of RAK Hospitality Holding, following her tenure as Chief Financial Officer. As CEO, she played a central role in the partnership with Wynn Resorts and Marjan to deliver Wynn Al Marjan Island, the region’s first integrated resort, and led the transformation of the organisation into Ras Al Khaimah’s leading hospitality platform.

During her tenure, the firm’s portfolio expanded to include flagship resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert and Rixos Al Mairid, alongside major leisure attractions including Jais Flight and Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. The period also saw the delivery of large-scale hospitality staff accommodation to support the emirate’s growing tourism sector.

Earlier in her career, Grinnell spent nearly 15 years with PwC, where she led the Middle East Hotel Practice, advising global hotel operators, investors and developers on strategy, investment and performance across international markets. She was recognised by Forbes Middle East among the Top Travel & Tourism Leaders in 2024 and 2025.

Donald Bremner

CEO, Marjan Lifestyle

Donald Bremner is Chief Executive Officer of Marjan Lifestyle, where he leads the development of lifestyle-led destinations that integrate hospitality, leisure, retail and community assets across Ras Al Khaimah.

He boasts more than 20 years of C-suite experience across hospitality, tourism and destination development. Prior to his current role, Bremner served as Chief Operating Officer of RAK Hospitality Holding and is a Board Member of RAK Investment Authority.

Bremner played a key role in the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE’s first integrated resort and one of the region’s most groundbreaking hospitality projects. Earlier in his career, he founded Stirling Hospitality Advisors, building the firm into an internationally recognised advisory business before its acquisition by RAK Hospitality.

He is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and has completed executive education at The Wharton School, including the Global C-Suite Program and courses in behavioural economics and persuasive leadership. 

Blending board-level governance with a passion for innovation and lifestyle development, Bremner is playing a leading role positioning Ras Al Khaimah as one of the Middle East’s most dynamic destinations.

Graham Hallett

Chief Development Officer

Graham Hallett brings more than 35 years of international experience across real estate development, hospitality and construction to his role as Chief Development Officer at Marjan, including more than two decades in the UAE.

He is responsible for the planning, development and delivery of Marjan’s large-scale mixed-use destinations, overseeing projects from early concept through construction and handover. His remit spans hospitality, residential, retail and commercial assets across Ras Al Khaimah’s flagship developments.

Prior to joining Marjan, Hallett held senior development leadership roles across the Middle East, Director of Development at Al Marjan Island, Chief Development Officer at Capital Partners for The District on Saadiyat Island, and Managing Director at Abu Dhabi National Properties, where he reported directly to the board and oversaw a substantial real estate portfolio.

Earlier in his career, he led the development of major projects with organisations including Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Omniyat Properties and Heron International, delivering high-value hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments across the region. His experience spans development strategy, investment analysis, project delivery, asset management and risk management.

Tariq Bsharat

Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer

Tariq Bsharat is responsible for implementing Marjan’s strategic vision and driving commercial development across its master planned destinations in Ras Al Khaimah.

He brings more than 25 years of experience in real estate investment, development and corporate strategy across the UAE and the United States to his role at Marjan. He works closely with government entities, international developers, investors and brand partners to support long-term value creation.

Bsharat has played a central role in the structuring and execution of complex transactions across large-scale mixed-use destinations, including hospitality, residential, leisure, retail and commercial assets. Over the course of his career, he has led multi-billion-dollar land sales, joint ventures and development programmes, alongside oversight of business planning, financial performance and risk management at board level.

Before joining Marjan, he held senior strategy and development roles with leading regional developers, including Aldar Properties and MAG Group. He has also served as a board member for multiple real estate and investment entities in the UAE and the United States.

Bsharat holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Maryland and an MBA in Finance from New York University.

Stefan Hanekom

Chief Financial Officer

Stefan Hanekom brings more than two decades’ experience to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Marjan, where he is responsible for the organisation’s financial strategy, capital allocation and governance across a fast-growing portfolio of real estate, hospitality and lifestyle assets.

He works closely with Marjan’s executive leadership team to ensure strong financial discipline, support long-term value creation and guide sustainable growth across the business.

Prior to joining Marjan, Hanekom held senior finance leadership roles with major developers, including RAK Hospitality Holding, Jumeirah Group, IFA Hotel Investments and TDIC. His experience includes balance-sheet optimisation, financial reporting, risk management and the delivery of enterprise-wide transformation initiatives across multi-asset, multi-brand portfolios.

Earlier in his career, he spent several years with PwC, where he developed extensive experience in audit, governance and financial control across multiple sectors.

Hanekom holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria and is a Chartered Accountant. He completed his articles with PwC South Africa in 2003.