An appointment to lead Middle East operations
Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA welcomes Olivier Badard as Chief Executive Officer. Based in Dubai, he took up his duties on 14 September 2026 and now leads the group’s operations and strategy in the Middle East.
The group highlights more than three decades of international leadership, marked by building and running large organisations spanning several countries. Olivier Badard has notably served as President of Thales for the Middle East and Western Asia, then as CEO of RATP Dev for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa.
A career spanning space, defence and public transport
Olivier Badard began his career in 1992 at Alcatel, between France and the United States, until 2000. He continued at Thales Alenia Space, as Vice President North America of the Space division in Washington from 2000 to 2006, then as Senior Vice President in Cannes until 2008.
In December 2008, he became President of Thales for the Middle East and Western Asia, based in Dubai, a role he held until August 2012. From 2015 to 2021, he headed RATP Dev for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, again from Dubai. He also holds an MBA in international management from the University of San Francisco, obtained between 1989 and 1991.
A dual role within the Lakhraim ecosystem
Olivier Badard combines his appointment at Millennium with the post of Chief Development Officer of Lakhraim Group, which he has also held since September 2026. He retains his mandate as Managing Director of Majugani Development in Dubai, which he has held since 2012, following an assignment as Senior Advisor to Armada Holding in Riyadh that ran until August 2026.
Analysis – This dual role brings Olivier Badard closer to Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President of Millennium & Copthorne MENAT, the regional platform established in February 2026. The closeness between Millennium’s operational governance and the Lakhraim ecosystem is worth watching as the group’s regional pipeline comes into focus.
A group structuring its regional presence
This appointment comes as Millennium clarifies the organisation of its Middle East operations. The group currently operates 41 hotels in 20 cities and localities across the region, with a development pipeline of 29 projects representing 11,736 keys and residential units across six markets.
It follows the appointment of Vella Ramasawmy, who became Senior VP Operations UK & EU in April 2026, and who for his part oversees the group’s operations in the United Kingdom and Europe.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Olivier Badard appointed CEO of Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA
Based in Dubai, joined September 14, 2026, leading Middle East operations and strategy
Previously President of Thales Middle East & Western Asia (2008-2012) and CEO of RATP Dev Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa (2015-2021)
Concurrently named Chief Development Officer of Lakhraim Group, tying him to MENAT President Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi’s ecosystem
Appointment follows Millennium & Copthorne MENAT’s 29-project regional pipeline (11,736 units) and Vella Ramasawmy’s April 2026 UK & EU role
MBA in International Management, University of San Francisco
