Hyatt has a new MEA managing director + Saudi Industrial Export names new managing director

Hyatt Hotels has appointed Stephen Ansell (Linkedin) as its new managing director of the Middle East and Africa region, where he will oversee 38 hotels, and eight brands, according to a press release. Ansell has previously held leadership roles at Hyatt in Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, and Switzerland, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism sector.

A focus on local expansion: In his new position, Andell will focus on expanding Hyatt's footprint in Saudi Arabia with the Grand Hyatt The Red Sea and Miraval The Red Sea set to open by late 2025. The group also signed agreements with Knowledge Economic City for two new hotels in Madinah — Hyatt House Madinah and Hyatt Centric Madinah.

Saudi Industrial Export has tapped board member Ghassan Abulrahman Al Haidari (LinkedIn) as its new managing director, it said in a filing to Tadawul.