Based in the UAE / Available globally / Remote support with optional site visits
Experience Ecosystem
Services
Marina Design & Development Yacht Club & Upland Commercial & Destination Benchmarking Studies Sustainability & Smart Marina Pre-Opening & Mobilisation Customer Experience Operations & Management Standards & Accreditation Yacht Charter Operations
Leadership
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Marina & Luxury Waterfront Hospitality

Oliver Rees

Multi-site marina management and pre-opening leadership

A commercially astute marina and waterfront hospitality operator with 15 years of experience spanning luxury marina operations, international business development, and multi-asset management across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

Proven track record of identifying and evaluating global waterfront acquisition opportunities, designing scalable international operating standards, and leading pre-opening and operational teams to consistently exceed commercial and service targets — from Bvlgari's debut marina to Formula 1, the America's Cup, and the Red Sea Film Festival.

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Portrait — Oliver Rees
British Marine — Marina Manager 5 Gold Anchor Pre-opening specialist
15
Years in marina operations
3
Marinas delivered at 5 Gold Anchor
AED 25m
Annual F&B revenue held at Bvlgari
4
Formula 1 Grand Prix events delivered
Career at a glance 2013 — Present

Five marinas, three of them taken from construction site to live operation

From the world's largest marinas in Dubai to Saudi Arabia's first luxury yacht club, and now the operational arm of Porto Montenegro's expansion into the UAE.

Sep 2024 — Present
M Marinas by Porto Montenegro · Dubai, UAE

General Manager

Appointed to establish and lead the operational arm of Porto Montenegro's international marina expansion into the UAE, overseeing a portfolio of three sites.

  • /Identified and evaluated global waterfront destinations and acquisition targets, running feasibility assessments against stakeholder investment objectives
  • /Designed a suite of international operating standards — scalable frameworks for service delivery, compliance, and guest experience
  • /Multi-asset management across three UAE marinas simultaneously
  • /Recruited and developed senior leadership teams around accountability and measurable results
Jan 2022 — Sep 2024
Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina · Jeddah, KSA

General Manager

Joined during construction to lead the transition from build to full operation of one of the region's most high-profile yacht clubs — marina, sailing academy, and clubhouse.

  • /Delivered the end-to-end pre-opening of a landmark waterfront destination across all departments
  • /Owner's representative for the Chairman's superyacht — discreet, high-touch UHNWI management
  • /Directed operational delivery of four Formula 1 Grand Prix events, the America's Cup AC40 preliminary regatta, and the Red Sea Film Festival
  • /Built and led high-performing teams from the ground up in a developing hospitality market
Aug 2017 — Jan 2022
Bvlgari Yacht Club Dubai · Dubai, UAE

Director of Yacht Club & Marina

Part of the pre-opening team that conceived and launched Bvlgari's first-ever marina, yacht club, and hospitality outlets — a 50-berth boutique operation for vessels up to 50m, with private superyacht anchorage and three F&B venues.

  • /Designed the entire marina, yacht club, and F&B operation from inception to Bvlgari brand standard
  • /Full P&L across three outlets — a 100-cover fine dining restaurant, a 150-cover pool club, and an 80-cover cigar lounge — generating AED 25 million in annual F&B revenue
  • /Led and developed a team of 100 F&B professionals
  • /Achieved and maintained 5 Gold Anchor accreditation
Jan 2016 — Aug 2017
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club · Dubai, UAE

Marina Manager

Managed all marina operations at Dubai's first ISO-certified marina — a 127-berth facility with boat charter operation, chandlery, workshop, and repair yard.

  • /Held ISO certification standards across a multi-service maritime facility while driving commercial performance
  • /Managed a diverse client base and supplier network across berthing, maintenance, and charter
Jun 2013 — Jan 2016
Dubai Marina Yacht Club · Dubai, UAE

Marina Manager

Led operations at one of the world's largest marinas — a 567-berth, 5 Gold Anchor facility recognised as Best Marina in the Middle East in 2013 and 2014.

  • /Managed the full operational scope at scale — berthing, client services, and team performance
  • /Contributed directly to back-to-back Middle East Best Marina awards
Core skills
  • /Multi-site marina management
  • /Global waterfront acquisitions
  • /International operating standards
  • /Pre-opening & launch strategy
  • /UHNWI client management
  • /Team leadership & development
  • /Strategic planning & budgeting
  • /Events & hospitality operations
Key accomplishments
  • /Pre-opening and operation of two major yacht clubs and marinas, construction to live operations
  • /Four Formula 1 Grand Prix races and the America's Cup AC40 regatta at Jeddah Yacht Club
  • /Best Marina in the Middle East, 2013 & 2014 — Dubai Marina Yacht Club
  • /Three marinas delivered and operated at 5 Gold Anchor accreditation
  • /Highest staff satisfaction group-wide — Emaar/Marriott portfolio
Education

BA (Hons) Maritime & Management — 2:1
Southampton Solent University

Qualifications
  • British Marine — Marina Manager
  • RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
  • RYA Power Boat Instructor
  • RYA Senior Windsurfing Instructor
  • RYA First Aid at Work
Work with Oliver 48-hour response

Bring Oliver Rees into your pre-opening or multi-site operation

Marina and yacht club leadership for owners, developers, and operators taking an asset from construction to live operation — or lifting a portfolio to one standard.

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