Baglioni Maldives, the luxury resort in Dhaalu Atoll where Italian elegance meets Maldivian paradise, has announced five strategic additions to its leadership team. The resort has appointed Ibrahim Ayyoob as Director of Engineering, Abdulla Sajan as Executive Housekeeper, Haleemath Nizee as Director of Human Resources, Gemma Lilli as Front Office Manager and Ni Kadek Darmawati as Spa Manager.
These appointments reflect Baglioni Maldives’ commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and the cultivation of top-tier talent within the luxury hospitality sector.
Bringing nearly two decades of extensive experience to the role, Ibrahim Ayyoob joins Baglioni Maldives with a proven track record in resort infrastructure and sustainability leadership.
Most recently he lead the Engineering Department at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, where he has played a pivotal role in strengthening operational efficiency, driving sustainability initiatives, and delivering large‑scale renovation projects with minimal impact on guest operations. His appointment reflects a steady career progression built on technical excellence, leadership capability, and strategic thinking.
In his role as Director of Engineering, Ayyoob has successfully directed multiple major renovation projects from planning to on‑time completion, implemented comprehensive preventive maintenance programs, and introduced cost‑effective engineering practices that have resulted in significant departmental savings. He has also been instrumental in advancing sustainability initiatives, including the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and the development of a biogas plant, aligning with Accor’s environmental responsibility objectives.
Ayyoob’s professional journey includes progressive leadership roles at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo as Assistant Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer, Assistant Director of Engineering, and Director of Engineering, as well as earlier experience with Olhuveli Beach Resort and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, where he served in engineering coordination, administration, and powerhouse operations roles. His background covers civil, electrical, mechanical, and utility operations in complex island environments.
Recognized for his leadership and safety‑driven approach, Ayyoob has received multiple industry and organizational accolades, including a national award for Outstanding Leadership in Engineering for Safety Excellence, successful attainment of Green Globe Certification, HACCP certification, and consistent achievement of LQA scores above 94% over recent years. He is also highly regarded for fostering strong team engagement and mentoring engineering professionals to build high‑performance, safety‑focused teams.
A Maldivian national, Ayyoob holds multiple technical certifications in electrical and civil engineering disciplines and is currently completing postgraduate qualifications in tourism and hospitality management. He communicates fluently in Dhivehi and English and is known within the industry for his professionalism, discipline, and commitment to operational excellence.
Management expressed strong confidence that Ayyoob’s appointment will further enhance engineering reliability, sustainability standards, and long‑term asset performance across the resort.
With over a decade of experience in luxury resort brands, Abdulla Sajan has been appointed as the Executive Housekeeper. Sajan has built a solid reputation for operational efficiency, attention to detail, and hands‑on leadership. His career journey reflects steady growth through supervisory, assistant executive, and executive leadership roles, demonstrating his deep understanding of housekeeping operations and team management.
Prior to this appointment, Sajan held senior roles at VARU by Atmosphere, Fushifaru Maldives, Atmosphere Kanifushi, and Cocoon Maldives, where he managed complete housekeeping operations including villa and public area cleanliness, linen and inventory control, budgeting, manpower planning, and service quality assurance. He has been actively involved in preparing departments for quality audits while maintaining consistently high standards of presentation.
Known for leading by example, Sajan places strong emphasis on training, team engagement, and effective communication. His leadership approach ensures operational consistency while fostering a positive and motivated working environment.
His appointment reflects the resort’s continued commitment to cleanliness excellence, guest comfort, and the delivery of refined luxury experience
Baglioni Maldives has announced the appointment of Haleemath Nizee as its new Director of Human Resources, bringing with her strong leadership experience and a proven track record in driving HR excellence within the Maldives luxury hospitality sector.
A strategic and results‑oriented HR professional, Nizee brings extensive experience across all core human resources functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, labor law compliance, organizational development, and employee engagement. She is widely recognized for her ability to align HR strategies with business objectives while fostering positive and inclusive workplace cultures.
Prior to her current appointment, Nizee served as Human Resources Manager at Fushifaru Maldives, where she oversaw the full spectrum of HR operations and played a key role in strengthening recruitment strategies, enhancing employee satisfaction, and ensuring compliance with Maldivian labor laws. Her responsibilities included managing employee relations, conflict resolution, recruitment and retention initiatives, training coordination, and HR policy implementation.
Nizee’s professional background also includes her tenure as Human Resources Manager at Ifuru Island Maldives, further enriching her pre‑opening and operational resort HR expertise. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Manager at Felivaru Fisheries Complex, where she led employee relations functions, disciplinary and grievance processes, performance management systems, and compliance initiatives within a large workforce environment.
She holds a Master of Business Administration and is known for her strong organizational skills, collaborative leadership style, and people‑centric approach. Nizee is respected for her professionalism, integrity, and dedication to developing sustainable human capital strategies within the hospitality industry.
Gemma joined Baglioni Maldives as Assistant Front Office Manager, where she quickly proved herself as a strong and dependable leader with a deep understanding of front‑of‑house operations and guest experience management. Her promotion reflects her consistent performance, operational excellence, and dedication to upholding the brand’s luxury service standards.
Gemma brings with her a wealth of experience gained from globally recognized luxury hospitality brands. Prior to joining Baglioni Maldives, she held key operational and leadership roles with JOALI Maldives, as well as Four Seasons Resorts in Seychelles, including Desroches Island, where she progressed through positions such as Front Desk Agent, Front Desk Supervisor, Resort Assistant Manager, and roles within Sales and Marketing. She also built a strong foundation in guest relations and premium service delivery with Constance Ephelia Resort Seychelles, where she served in senior guest relations and wedding coordination roles.
With extensive exposure to ultra‑luxury resort environments, Gemma has developed strong expertise in front office operations, guest relations, team leadership, quality assurance, and personalized service delivery. Her international background and multilingual capabilities further support Baglioni Maldives’ commitment to delivering refined, culturally attuned guest experiences.
In her new role as Front Office Manager, Gemma will continue to lead the front office team, drive service excellence, and play a key role in enhancing the overall guest journey at Baglioni Maldives.
Baglioni Maldives congratulates Gemma on her well‑deserved promotion and looks forward to her continued contribution to the resort’s success.
Ni Kadek Darmawati has been appointed as its new Spa & Wellbeing Manager, bringing with her extensive international experience in luxury spa operations, wellness management, and revenue‑driven guest experiences.
A highly accomplished wellness professional, Darmawati brings over nine years of experience in spa and wellbeing operations across the Maldives and Indonesia. Her career journey reflects strong progression through therapist, supervisory, managerial, and leadership roles within globally recognized hospitality brands.
Prior to her current appointment, Darmawati held the position of Spa Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Maldives, where she successfully led spa and wellness operations with a strong focus on guest experience journeys, revenue generation, cost control, and service excellence. She played a key role in driving spa performance through creative promotions, inventory optimization, team development, and maintaining high service standards, including preparation for LQA internal audits.
Darmawati’s professional background also includes leadership roles at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort as Assistant Spa Manager and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, where she progressed from Spa Supervisor to Senior Spa Supervisor. Her earlier career experience spans renowned spa brands across the Maldives and Bali, strengthening her hands‑on expertise in treatment delivery, guest engagement, and upselling.
Well‑versed in spa financial management, Darmawati has strong experience in P&L management, budgeting, revenue forecasting, inventory control, and manpower planning. She is also recognized for her leadership capabilities, successfully managing multicultural teams, driving staff development, and fostering a service‑driven culture aligned with luxury hospitality standards.
In her role as Spa & Wellbeing Manager, Darmawati will oversee the complete spa and wellbeing operation, focusing on innovative guest experiences, sustainable wellness concepts, consistent service quality, and revenue growth.
A national of Indonesia, Darmawati speaks English and Bahasa Indonesia, and is certified in multiple wellness disciplines, including spa therapies, leadership development, and holistic healing practices.
Management expressed confidence that Darmawati’s passion for wellness, operational discipline, and guest‑centric approach will significantly enhance the resort’s wellness positioning and overall guest experience.
The simultaneous appointment of these four leaders marks a significant milestone for Baglioni Maldives. By bringing together the new team, the resort is well-positioned to elevate its service standards and continue its legacy as one of the Maldives’ premier luxury destinations.
Baglioni Maldives strengthens its leadership team with key appointments and promotions, reinforcing its commitment to service excellence and guest experience.
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