CEO

Marloes Knippenberg is the CEO of Kerten Hospitality, a global lifestyle group she has led since 2015. Under her leadership, the company has expanded to nearly 60 projects, across multiple brands and countries, with ESG embedded at the core of its strategy. A former Hilton executive, Marloes is known for pioneering purpose-driven, community-focused destinations that blend innovation and sustainability. She serves on several industry boards and champions the next generation of hospitality leaders. Recognised by Forbes Middle East and other industry platforms, she is regarded as one of the most powerful and forward-thinking figures in global hospitality today.

COO

With over 15 years of international experience, she oversees the company’s operations and plays a key role in executing its strategic vision, driving innovation, and enhancing guest experiences across all properties and projects. Prior to this role, Mina led Kerten Hospitality’s Group Special Projects, where she supported the overall company strategy and the rollout of new operational initiatives. Before joining Kerten, she was part of the Hospitality and Tourism team at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Zurich, working across multiple regions with both independent and global hotel brands. Earlier in her career, she contributed to the development and regional growth of Shaza Hotels, a Kempinski Hotels venture in the Middle East, where she last held the position of Director of Pre-Openings. Mina’s passion for curated, experience-driven hospitality continues to shape her leadership approach and impact across the organisation.

CxO

Antony is a seasoned hotelier with passion for creating memorable guest experiences since the beginning of his career. Ever since the birth of the hospitality group, he has been fully involved and led the development of all 100% owned brands of the Kerten Hospitality portfolio. He started his hospitality journey as part of the opening team of Park Hyatt Paris and Park Hyatt Istanbul. Prior to that, he was the editor of the Louis Vuitton City guide; community build has always been his commitment and responsibility. Building communities is one of the many focus points within the guest journey at Kerten Hospitality, which is essential to deliver successful mixed-use products and to connect people.

CFO

Aman is an astute finance leader having an established track record with various global hotel players for the last 15 years. Aman oversees the group’s finance vertical, including all operational and upcoming properties, playing a key role in delivering returns to the owners on their assets. Prior to this, he has played key roles in various hotel groups in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. His strength lies in the implementation of controls and effective finance strategies, leading to enhanced returns on the owners’ investments.

Group General Counsel

Tara is a seasoned lawyer both in real estate and the hotels & leisure industries. She has been consistently ranked by international legal directories Chambers Global and Legal 500 as a leading individual and was recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a ‘Global Elite Thought Leader in Hospitality – EMEA’ 2020. Previously as a Partner and Regional Head of Real Estate and Hotels & Leisure, with the MENA region’s largest law firm, Al Tamimi & Co, she created the firm’s hotels practice. As VP Legal for MAF Hospitality, she worked with professionals of international brands, and established the legal function.  She is an active member of the Advisory Committee of AHIC and a regular speaker at industry forums in the Middle East.

CDO

Ramine leads Kerten Hospitality’s global development, guiding the company’s growth in the most dynamic markets and strategically entering underserved locations or iconic destinations.
He joined Kerten Hospitality from Minor Hotels, where he headed EMEA Development during the group’s setup and hyper-growth phase, while previous Development roles at Starwood Hotels and Marriott International forged his appetite for deal-making. Ramine also held senior roles in advisory with JLL and in asset management for the Kharafi Group after starting his career in operations with Marriott.​
After 20 years across the fast-paced and highly competitive hospitality industry, Ramine brings his natural and no-nonsense approach to hotel development that has continually fostered respect and trust from hotel Owners and investors.

Managing Director

Hamid is a prominent figure in the tourism and hospitality sector, serving as President of the Regional Tourism Council of Marrakech and holding leadership roles within national and international industry organisations, he brings a strong strategic perspective shaped by years of executive experience and global collaboration. Hamid is deeply committed to advancing tourism development and fostering partnerships.. His leadership combines industry expertise with a clear focus on sustainable growth and meaningful experiences. 

Country Director KSA

Mishary is a prominent Riyadh-based real estate owner who has developed multiple hospitality projects in the past and who is an avid advocate for value-driven partnerships with organisations such as Monshaat, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority), and other innovative drivers of the Smart City infrastructure. He is not only steering the continuous growth of Kerten Hospitality’s projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but he has been proactively building communities around mixed-use projects. With his extensive experience and passion for the industry, he heads all the activities in KSA, one of the fastest emerging countries of the region.

Senior Director of Projects and Operations

Maria, an industry veteran with 15+ years under her belt, has worked closely with owners, clients, teams and different stakeholders throughout her years of experience allowing her to create ecosystems that work, not just on paper. Maria currently leads all of Kerten Hospitality’s lifestyle projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prior to this, Maria worked with small family businesses, as well as big hospitality chains and part of hotel groups in Lebanon, Qatar and the GCC. One of her greatest strengths, besides her dedication and attention to detail, is her ability to connect with people and bring communities together. All by genuinely working with others and curating young talents to create loyalty and engagement. As a firm believer in innovation from various sources and individuals, she understands that empowerment and trust are crucial for achieving success and growth. 

Senior Director of Pre-Opening

Richard Mackay is a senior hospitality executive and brand builder with over 20 years’ experience across the GCC, UK, Europe, Asia, and the US. He has led the Preopening  and greater expansion of globally recognised brands across multiple markets round the world. 

Head of People Services

With over 15 years of experience in the People Services and Operations, Tulay is a result-focused leader with a dedication to creating cultures that promote continuous business growth and cultivate guest loyalty by empowering and motivating employees to realize their full potential and their best to do the job. Having started her career at Hilton, Tulay brings many years of experience in talent management and community work, especially in, inclusivity of Gen Z and creating opportunities for people with disadvantages. She has received awards and recognition for her work. She has been invited and presented her work ”Integrating people with Down syndrome into the workforce” at the United Nations Headquarters in 2018. Tulay holds a Human Resources Management Degree. She lives in Istanbul and enjoys spending time with her two children.

Senior Director - Development & Growth

With over twenty years of international experience, including in-depth real estate exposure in Morocco and extensive African development, Mohamed Yacoubi held various executive positions within Moroccan-based investment funds and major Moroccan and multinational property developers, where he has successfully managed and delivered several mixed-use high-end real estate and hospitality projects, managing an excess of 2 B$ investments. Mohamed started his career in management consulting, IT implementation strategy and corporate finance, while he worked at Deloitte Consulting in the USA and in Canada and at Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Mohamed Yacoubi holds an engineering degree from Ecole Centrale de Lyon, an MSc in Industrial Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from HEC Montréal. Mohamed has also been a Choiseul Africa laureate from 2014 to 2016.

India Country Partner

Aditya brings nearly 30 years of experience in management and entrepreneurship, spanning brand building, content and product leadership across both start-ups and established organisations. He began his career in the media industry, working across magazines, newspapers and television, including as Head of Marketing and Strategy at Discovery Networks India. He later moved into the content side of the business, overseeing programming and production across all channels and leading the launch of the company’s travel and lifestyle network in South Asia. He has also worked as an external consultant with McKinsey & Co on an international e-learning project.
His entrepreneurial journey began with OKS Education Pvt Ltd, an e-learning start-up creating high-quality interactive educational content for schools. He went on to found Cold Love Ice Cream, a brand recognised for its quality and innovation. Having recently sold a majority stake to a strategic investor, Aditya now works closely with founders and businesses to support their growth. Aditya holds an Economics degree from the London School of Economics and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.

India Country Partner

Kanwaljit Singh is an entrepreneur and founder with nearly 30 years of cross-sector experience. After completing his MBA at IIM Ahmedabad, he spent seven years in investment banking, working on major fundraises, M&A transactions and public market deals.
In 2004, he co-founded Netambit Infosource & eServices, building it into one of India’s largest insurance distribution platforms by developing call centres, branch and partner networks, and a nationwide sales infrastructure. In 2017, he co-founded Netambit Valuefirst, now a leading sales outsourcing business within India’s digital ecosystem.
Over three decades, Kanwaljit has launched and scaled multiple businesses, raised funding from leading investors, and built large operational teams across diverse markets.

Development Director, India

A seasoned, passionate hospitality leader with over 25 years of diverse experience spanning hotel development, commercial strategy, franchise business, and brand growth across the Indian subcontinent.
Shivali brings deep expertise in lifestyle hospitality, asset-light growth models, and market entry strategy. Her career includes senior leadership roles across leading hospitality organizations, where she has successfully driven sales transformation, franchise expansion, and brand positioning initiatives. Known for her strong commercial acumen and structured deal approach, she has consistently contributed to scalable portfolio growth and enhanced market penetration.

Development Director Middle East
Ghassan has extensive experience across the hospitality and investment sectors, with a career spanning operations, strategy, and investments. His hospitality journey has taken him across hotels in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and the GCC, including hands-on roles in opening, managing, and scaling businesses. He has been closely involved in driving operational excellence, enhancing guest experiences, and optimizing business performance across diverse markets. In addition, Ghassan has experience in venture capital investing in innovative companies across the region. He brings deep industry knowledge and a strong passion for curating exceptional experiences for guests while creating valuable assets and long-term growth for business partners.

Director of Technical Services & Projects

Rooted in a technical and varied engineering background, Harsha has excelled for over 20 years in the construction and development industry. Beginning his career in the exhilarating and challenging profession of commercial diving in Southern California, Harsha progressed to the petrochemical industries of Northern California. Technical, practical, and managerial experience opened a pathway into senior level construction and development, delivering major projects for clients such as Accor S.A., Hyatt (HHC), and Marriot International, in the U.A.E.Fostering strong relationships with notable corporate and private clients across the hospitality sector, commercial and luxury development projects, his network extends from the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, and beyond.

Group Marketing & Communications Director

Giacomo is a marketing and communication expert with over 30 years in the field, notably spending 25 years at OTB Group in Europe as the Global Marketing, Communication, and Events Manager. There, he led influential fashion brands through comprehensive 360-degree strategies. Transitioning into the art world, Giacomo served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Cardi Gallery in Milan and London, blending his marketing expertise with a passion for contemporary art. Currently, as the Group Marketing & Communications Director at Kerten Hospitality, he guides a diverse team, driving the company’s global growth and reinforcing his status as a visionary in the hospitality industry.

Senior Director of Brand & Marketing

Marina Peñate Le Bail is a digital marketing and brand strategist with over a decade of experience leading digital-led growth across luxury, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. As Senior Director of Brand & Marketing at Kerten Hospitality, she drives digital transformation and integrated marketing across the group's international portfolio, blending data, performance marketing, and storytelling to deliver measurable business impact.

Previously Founder of Limitless Digital, where she managed over $30M in media investments for global luxury brands, Marina is based in Dubai and specializes in performance marketing, digital strategy, and brand storytelling for global audiences.

Group Revenue Director

Karolina is a well experienced revenue professional, with a demonstrated footprint of 15 years in the hospitality sector. Her capability of connecting the dots and an in depth understanding of the multiple sides of hotel operations, have always been her focus points. She started her journey at one of the Hilton hotels in London in the Housekeeping department. Through her dedication for understanding the entire cycle of guest experience, she filled different roles in the Front Office and Reservations departments, eventually finding herself in what she calls “a favourite field” – Revenue Management. She successfully implemented the various revenue and reservations systems and platforms throughout the portfolio.

Group Creative Director 

Liliya brings a wealth of expertise in creative direction, design leadership, and brand strategy to her role as Creative Director at Kerten Hospitality. With a career spanning global campaigns and innovative projects, she is known for transforming ideas into visually compelling stories and cohesive brand experiences that captivate diverse audiences.
At Kerten Hospitality, Liliya leads the creative vision across a dynamic portfolio, ensuring every project reflects the company’s sustainability, innovation, and community-driven design ethos. Her empathetic leadership style and meticulous attention to detail foster collaboration and deliver impactful results that leave a lasting impression.
Beyond the office, Liliya’s passion for creativity extends into her personal life. Whether practicing yoga, experimenting with food photography, or shaping pottery, she finds inspiration in the balance between structure and imagination.

Brand Creative Director

Aya is a Palestinian designer and illustrator based in Amman, Jordan. With a career spanning visual storytelling, design leadership, and cross-disciplinary projects, she transforms ideas into compelling narratives and cohesive brand experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. She began her career in publishing, designing in-house for leading publishers including Penguin Random House and Chronicle Books, where she honed her expertise in visual storytelling and concept development. She is also the author and illustrator of several children’s books, including These Olive Trees (Viking Books, 2023), Dear Muslim Child (Balzer + Bray, 2024), and Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden (Interlink Publishing, 2025). Bringing this narrative-driven approach to her role as Brand Creative Director at Kerten Hospitality, Aya oversees development of brand identities and creative direction, translating story, culture, and context into cohesive visual systems and experiences. Her work is grounded in research and shaped by a sensitivity to place, with a focus on building brands that are both strategically strong and emotionally resonant.

Revenue Executive

Karolina Szymańska is a seasoned hospitality professional with a wealth of experience in revenue management and distribution strategies. She has honed her expertise through years of working in diverse roles within the hospitality industry, where she mastered dynamic pricing, forecasting, and optimising operational efficiency. At Kerten Hospitality, Karolina serves as a Revenue Executive, leveraging her deep industry knowledge and analytical skills to drive profitability and support strategic growth. Her dedication to innovation and precision has positioned her as a key player in maximizing revenue potential across the company’s global portfolio.

Operations Director, Europe

Monika Moser is a global hospitality leader with over three decades of experience across luxury hotels, design studios, and large-scale transformation projects. Born in Caracas and shaped by a multicultural career, she has led pre-openings, restructurings, and service-culture initiatives for major international brands.
She later launched and led Wilson Associates’ European studios alongside designer Tristan Auer, overseeing hospitality projects worldwide.
Today, Monika works at the intersection of hospitality, design, and organisational change, helping companies elevate guest experience, align teams, and execute strategy. An MBA graduate of ESSEC with additional credentials from Cornell, she brings operational insight, creative vision, and human-centred leadership to every project.

Director of Projects

Sandra is an experienced hotelier with a background in opening and managing luxury boutique hotels and resorts in London and Turkey in over a career spanning for almost 20 years. Her key strengths are planning, project management, general management, operations and brand implementation. She joined Kerten Hospitality to support the current hospitality projects of the group globally. Her vision is to support the properties by building successful and dynamic teams, implementing a guest-focused and genuine hospitality service culture, with great attention to detail, offering warm, personalized, and heartfelt service.

Corporate Executive Chef

Jaume is a Michelin Star Chef and he is the man behind the creation and development of the company’s growing portfolio of current and future food and beverage concepts. The menus of several successfully opened outlets within the mixed-use projects across the global footprint have been curated under his guidance, carefully applying a blend of local and international flavours, yet always with a twist and his signature touch. Prior to joining the hospitality group, he gained extensive experience in the Middle East through various encounters within the industry. Also, he has been the Head Chef of numerous restaurants throughout various regions of Spain, practicing his culinary passion.

Corporate Projects and Operations Manager

Yahya joined Kerten Hospitality to support the project management team with the pre-opening of new projects and the operations on the ground for currently operational projects. In his last role, he was a Franchise Operations Manager for a French Food and beverage Franchise Company in France. He has a Bachelor’s degree in economics and a Master’s degree in Hospitality and F&B Management from CY University Paris. As an avid sports aficionado, Yahya was one of the finalists in the French National University Trail Championship and a finalist in the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge in Dubai, pioneered by Hotelschool The Hague.

Legal Counsel

Pamela is an experienced legal professional whose dual expertise is in corporate contract drafting and compliance related to data privacy in addition to other compliance related topics. Previously she was part of the Legal and Compliance department at Arabia Insurance Company, a multi-national insurance company that exists and operates across the Middle East. She has earlier worked at Allianz Lebanon where as part of the Legal and Compliance department she was part of the global Allianz SE group established in Germany. She has a Law Degree and a Masters in Law degree in International Comparative law. Currently, she is undergoing her second Maters in Law degree in International Business Law with the University of London.

Group Finance Manager

Rashma is well versed in numbers, a hobby, and a passion she has developed from a very young age. With 6+ years of experience as an Accountant with a leading retail group of Companies in UAE, she joined the Kerten Hospitality corporate team. Her previous role was with Welcome Group of Companies, in Dubai, where she worked at the Head Office, with a team managing 25 retail outlets in UAE. Her aspiration is to become a Chartered Accountant and she is planning to pursue her higher studies along with her job. Rashma is an MBA graduate with a focus on Finance & Human Resource Management from the Mahatma Gandhi University in India where she previously gained a bachelor’s in Commerce and Accounting.

Finance Manager KSA

Thimme is a highly skilled hospitality professional with over 12 years of experience, specialising in finance. His career has been shaped by his work in pioneering organisations, where he has demonstrated a strong commitment to achieving organisational goals. Known for his dedication, proactive approach, and positive attitude, Thimme has successfully blended his financial expertise with the hospitality industry. His experience also includes working on a pre-opening hotel project, showcasing his ability to manage and oversee complex tasks during the initial stages of a hotel’s operation. Thimme’s passion for his work and focus on efficiency and excellence have made him an asset in every organisation he’s worked.

Development Manager Italy

Mariasole Bottelli holds a degree in Economics and Management from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and has further enriched her academic path with specializations in Real Estate Finance at the London School of Economics and Political Science and in Customer Experience and Innovation at IE Business School.

She has developed a strong foundation in Capital Markets, working with leading industry players across Madrid and Milan, and has further broadened her expertise in Hospitality through her experience at Colliers. Her profile combines an international mindset with strong analytical skills and a well-rounded expertise in the real estate sector.

Financial Analyst

Antoinette is a finance professional shaped by her experience in the hospitality industry over 3+ years, where attention to detail and adaptability are key. She earned her B.Com degree with honors from St. Xaviers College in Kolkata, India. She has built her expertise in financial reporting, and analysis, along with hands-on experience across multiple accounting systems.

Known for simplifying complex financial data into clear insights, she conducts both daily operations and strategic decisions with ease. She brings a collaborative and dependable approach, working closely with teams and stepping up in high-pressure situations.

With a focus on consistency and continuous improvement, Antoinette contributes to efficient processes and strong financial performance.

Senior Graphic Designer

Shahnaz possesses a solid academic background from the Lebanese University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communications. She further refined her skills through a specialised 2D animation programme, contributing to an award-winning animated short film that showcased her proficiency in storytelling and visual expression, earning her third place in the 28th European Film Festival 2023. Shahnaz’s diverse portfolio includes work in branding, illustrations, packaging, and animation. Committed to continuous learning and growth, she actively advances her career in graphic design with Kerten Hospitality.

Business Development Executive

With a background in Finance and Hotel Management from the Glion Institute of Higher Education, where she earned her BBA with honors, Alicia Ezcurra is an integral part of the Business Development team at Kerten Hospitality. Her journey began with hands-on experience through various internships before joining Kerten Hospitality, initially focusing on the European market. She later expanded her expertise by working with the Middle Eastern division and has now returned to driving growth and expansion across Europe. With strong analytical skills, an ambitious mindset, and a results-driven approach, Alicia brings a dynamic perspective to the hospitality industry. Passionate about innovation and strategic development, she thrives on tackling new challenges and uncovering creative opportunities for growth.

Development Executive India

Akhil brings over six years of versatile experience spanning the manufacturing, hospitality, education, social service sectors, and family office environments. With a strong foundation in administrative support and project coordination, he has effectively managed complex hospitality initiatives and overseen daily operational functions to ensure seamless project execution. Akhil plays a key role in facilitating smooth workflows, optimising facilities management, and supporting strategic administrative functions. His multifaceted experience equips him with a holistic understanding of organisational dynamics and project lifecycle management. Akhil holds a Doctorate in Law and is currently completing his Global MBA from the University of Western Australia—further strengthening his leadership and business acumen on a global scale.

Business Development Executive

Sara is dedicated to striking the right balance between driving business success and creating unforgettable guest experiences. With a recent foundation in hospitality real estate from Savills Italy, she has developed a strategic mindset and a solid understanding of the industry’s investment landscape. This experience builds on a background at Hilton, where she worked closely with diverse stakeholders and focused on fostering sustainable growth. Sara holds a Master’s degree in Hotel Development from ESCP Business School and Cornell University, combining academic excellence with practical industry insight. Fueled by a genuine passion for hospitality and shaped by an international perspective, she is committed to contributing to the development of distinctive properties that captivate guests and perform successfully in competitive markets.

Assistant Manager People Services

Laman Akhundzada is a dedicated professional in the People Services department at Kerten Hospitality. A recent graduate of Les Roches, where she specialised in Marketing and Sustainability, Laman brings a unique blend of hospitality experience and academic expertise to her role. With a strong background in event management, she has demonstrated her ability to execute exceptional results under pressure. Laman is passionate about fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment, leveraging her skills in digital tools and people-centric strategies to enhance organisational culture and drive team success.

Senior Specialist People Services and Administration Middle East

Amina is a hospitality HR professional with hands-on experience in Saudi labor regulations and government platforms, bringing a strong understanding of compliance and HR operations within the Saudi regulatory environment. She holds a Master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and began her career in student affairs, where she supported new students through their transition into academic life. She later transitioned into HR within the hospitality sector, bringing a people-centric approach shaped by her early experience. At Red Sea Global, she supported hospitality projects during their pre-opening phases, focusing on onboarding and workforce readiness. Currently with Kerten Hospitality, Amina works within the People Services function, supporting the employee lifecycle across recruitment, onboarding, and HR operations in dynamic hospitality environment.

E-Commerce Manager

With close to a decade of e-commerce experience across internationally recognized hotel brands, including Hyatt, Hilton, and Kempinski, Prafull brings a sharp, performance-driven perspective to Kerten Hospitality's growing digital function. He is passionate about connecting the right audiences to the right brands and ensuring that interest translates into revenue. At Kerten Hospitality, he leads e-commerce strategy across the group's portfolio, with a particular focus on strengthening direct channel performance, reducing OTA dependency, and building data infrastructure that scales with the business.

Senior Executive Assistant

Nina is providing high-level operational and strategic support across the organisation. Known for her professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail, she plays a key role in coordinating executive priorities, managing communications, and ensuring day-to-day efficiency at leadership level. With a strong organisational mindset and an international outlook, Nina helps drive seamless collaboration across teams and stakeholders while supporting the company’s broader vision and growth.