John Pagano Appointed Managing Director of AlUla Development Company

AlUla Development Company (UDC) has appointed John Pagano as Managing Director, entrusting him with the next phase of growth for the Kingdom’s iconic destination AlUla Development Company (UDC), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has appointed John Pagano as its new Managing Director, marking a pivotal step in the Kingdom’s ambition to develop AlUla as a world-class destination. Pagano brings decades of experience in large-scale destination development and regenerative tourism, having served as Group CEO of Red Sea Global, the visionary company behind luxury projects such as The Red Sea and AMAALA. In addition, he holds leadership positions at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), further demonstrating his expertise in delivering landmark developments across the Kingdom. In his new role, Pagano will guide UDC in realising its mission to develop exceptional assets that celebrate AlUla’s unique natural and cultural heritage, while continuing to attract international investment and tourism. His appointment follows Board approval and a structured leadership transition, ensuring continuity of vision and strategic focus. He succeeds Fabien Toscano, who led UDC through its formative phase, securing several strategic partnerships and laying the groundwork for a strong pipeline of hospitality and residential projects. UDC expressed its gratitude to Toscano for his contributions, which positioned AlUla for the next stage of growth. John has already undertaken his first official visit to UDC, accompanied by a delegation of senior colleagues from Red Sea Global and UDC. During the visit, he participated in site tours, development briefings, and on-site evaluations, gaining a first-hand understanding of AlUla’s extraordinary natural landscapes and the scale of opportunity for sustainable development.