JA Resorts & Hotels has appointed of a number of senior figures which includes two senior executives from Crerar Hotels, one of which is former CEO Chris Wayne-Willis.
The Dubai-based group, which is led by Ralph Porciani, ex GM at Turnberry hotel, sees Wayne-Wills relocate to Dubai to take up a new position as Cluster General Manager of JA Ocean View Hotel and JA The Manor Hotel. His move follows five years at the helm of Crerar as the group underwent strategic repositioning, including a change of ownership.
Crerar Hotels was acquired in March 2023 by Blantyre Capital in partnership with Fairtree Hotel Investments, with a focus on long-term investment and brand growth. Wayne-Wills continued to lead the company post-acquisition but stepped down in the summer of 2025.
In a LinkedIn post confirming his new appointment, Wayne-Wills said, “This move has been a long-term aspiration for our family, and we’re excited to embrace this new chapter.
“Joining a global hotel company with an exceptional legacy of Dubai-based hospitality, renowned for service excellence and innovative guest experiences, provides the ideal platform to grow both personally and professionally, while contributing to a brand that sets the benchmark for luxury and distinction in the industry.”
He is joined at JA Resorts & Hotels by Laura Dunphy, who becomes Cluster People Director for the group’s Scottish portfolio, overseeing Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort near Glasgow and The Bruntsfield in Edinburgh. Dunphy joined Crerar in March 2024 as Director of Learning and Development and was previously Head of L&D at Cameron House. Her move to JA follows 18 months at Crerar, during which she played a key role in the group’s people strategy during its transition phase.
Roberto Garrone and Smriti K Murray also join the team. Garrone as General Manager, JA Manafaru and Murray as Director of Learning & Development at JA Resorts & Hotels.
JA’s entry into the UK market began in 2023 with the acquisition of its first two British hotels. Mar Hall reopened under the JA banner in May 2025 following a £25 million refurbishment. The Bruntsfield, in Edinburgh, continues to operate as a townhouse-style boutique hotel with its original team in place.
These appointments fall under the leadership of Ralph Porciani, CEO of JA Resorts & Hotels, who took on the role in late 2024. A familiar figure in Scottish hospitality, Porciani spent nearly two decades as General Manager at Trump Turnberry and is originally from Dumbarton.
Ralph Porciani said, “We are delighted to welcome Smriti, Laura, Christopher, and Roberto to the JA family. Their expertise — from empowering teams to guiding our properties and shaping memorable guest journeys — strengthens the leadership that will carry us into the next stage of our transformation. Hospitality is a craft, and together we will continue to refine it while delivering experiences that set JA apart.”
JA Resorts & Hotels currently operates ten properties across the UAE, Maldives, Seychelles, and the UK. The group is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, one of the world’s largest networks of independent hotel brands.
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