As the CEO of Nammos Hotels & Resorts, Carolyn Turnbull is currently orchestrating one of the most significant evolutions in the hospitality sector, transitioning Nammos from its origins as an iconic Mykonos beach club into a global ultra-luxury lifestyle brand. It is a task that requires a rare blend of commercial rigour and what she describes as “human fluency,” a skill set honed over two decades at the highest echelons of hospitality.
Turnbull’s authority in this space is underpinned by a career spent defining the gold standard of travel. Her most formative years were spent alongside industry pioneer Adrian Zecha at Aman, where she helped shape the global brand strategy and operating philosophy that redefined luxury as something understated, intimate, and deeply rooted in a sense of place.
This foundation, which she describes as “a real gift and a real privilege,” now serves as the blueprint for Nammos’ ambitious global expansion. Central to Turnbull’s strategy is a rejection of the traditional, often isolating, definitions of luxury. In her view, the modern traveller seeks connection over solitude.
To deliver this, she has introduced something she’s termed an “emotional operating system” based on “rhythmic elevation” to ensure the vibrant social energy of Nammos translates into a 24/7 resort environment. “It’s the art of conducting the whole experience from the day’s energy, moving into a restorative state of mind,” Turnbull explains. This approach is being brought to life at Nammos Resort AMAALA, slated to open in 2026. Located along Saudi Arabia’s pristine northwestern coast, AMAALA is a cornerstone of the Red Sea Global project, a destination dedicated to transformative wellness, arts and regenerative tourism.
Social energy
At AMAALA, Turnbull is proving that high energy, celebratory lifestyle and environmental stewardship can happily coexist. The resort will operate with a zero-carbon footprint, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, while aiming for a 30 per cent net conservation benefit to local flora and fauna.
“Our guests will not just be observers of the Red Sea, but they’ll become truly integrated participants in its preservation,” she notes, underscoring how the Nammos commitments align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Turnbull’s trajectory offers a masterclass in purposeful leadership. Having transitioned from sales and marketing to leading $1 billion mixed-use developments and massive state tourism portfolios, her advice to the next generation of female leaders is to have courage: “Leaning into the unknown is always something where you need to be brave,” she says. “It’s not luck that brings those opportunities to you. It’s how you put your best foot forward every single day that ends up resulting in your next opportunity.” As a prominent female leader in a sector where women are still underrepresented at the General Manager level, Turnbull is vocal about the need for more women to “say yes” to the industry.
Emotional intelligence
She views hospitality as a truly rewarding career path with diverse elements spanning real estate, wellness, fashion and F&B. Despite the rapid disruption of the industry by technology, Turnbull remains an advocate for the soft touch that only people can provide. She identifies emotional intelligence as the ultimate superpower for future leaders and she operates under a mantra that defines the Nammos service philosophy: “Nothing is requested, everything is anticipated.”
In the Nammos ecosystem of “endless joy” that spans real estate, wellness and fashion, Turnbull’s leadership is defined by a commitment to the people who bring these facets of the brand to life.
“I’m very proud to lead with empathy and to lead with a true sense of care,” she says. In doing so, Carolyn Turnbull is protecting the soul of an iconic brand and setting a new, sophisticated standard for the global hospitality industry, defined by belonging, social energy and celebration.