John Pagano is not just a leader but a trailblazer. Since joining Red Sea Global (RSG) in January 2018, he has successfully ensured that The Red Sea destination became the first of Saudi Arabia’s original giga projects to open its doors to guests. The destination now boasts an operational airport, hotels that are taking bookings, and a robust infrastructure – all built on the pillars of sustainability and effective management. He has been instrumental in steering RSG’s mission toward responsible development and regenerative tourism, making sure that these principles are not just talked about, but are deeply ingrained in every strategic decision the company makes.
John’s comprehensive knowledge spans site acquisition, master planning, financing, construction, and asset management. His journey into sustainability began while studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto, where he worked on a project to convert a VW Beetle to run on hydrogen.
Since then, he began a distinguished career in luxury real estate development. Formerly the Managing Director of Development at Canary Wharf Group in London, he was pivotal in creating the Group’s successful delivery organization. With over 23 years at Canary Wharf, John oversaw various leadership positions and established the residential business, securing planning permission for 3.5 million square feet of developments.
As the President of Baha Mar Development Company Ltd. in the Bahamas, John spearheaded the transformative USD 3.5 billion luxury tourism resort, featuring four hotels, a convention center, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. His four and a half years in the Caribbean marked a significant contribution to the region’s luxury hospitality and residential landscape.
Before joining RSG, John founded Old Fort Capital Investments Ltd., offering strategic advice on large-scale real estate developments.
His impressive track record aligns seamlessly with RSG’s commitment to luxury, innovation, and sustainability, making him an ideal leaderfor the company’s executive team.
In the early daysofThe Red Sea destination’s development,John and his team discovered a picturesque island that would have been ideal for tourism development. However, research revealed its significance as a key nesting spot for hawksbill turtles. In a decisive move, John chose to leave the island completely untouched. Several other islands at the destinations are also key habitats and are designated as special conservation zones. Initiatives like these ensure that RSG’s goal to deliver a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040 is not just a vision but a roadmap under his leadership.
Johnalso recognizes the broader implications of RSG’s work on Saudi Arabia’s goals, particularly in developing the tourism industry as outlined in Vision 2030. In pursuit of a truly circular economy, John emphasizes innovation and collaboration with partners that incorporate cutting-edge technologiesto set new standards for sustainability in the industry.
A key technology is pre-fabrication, helps ensure the successful delivery of elements like Sheybarah Island’s iconic stainless-steel orbs. These required technically complex production processes, so the orbs were made in the UAE, and then shipped to The Red Sea. The remote destination means RSG cannot produce everything required on site, so off-site manufacturing saves time and minimizes the footprint on the ground, while maintaining quality. This method was also used for residential units and bathroom pods.
John’s impactful influence extended to the 1.2km Shura Bridge Crossing.Instead of a simple straight-line design, RSG put a distinctive focus on crafting the bridge with a graceful curve to avoid disrupting coral formations.
John awarded RSG’s most significant contract to ACWA Power’s consortium. This strategic partnership focuses on constructing seawater reverse osmosis plants, a waste management center, and an innovative sewage treatment plant, the latter of which led to the creation of the largest constructed wetlands in the Middle East. These wetlands not only serve as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment but also enhance habitats and contribute to landscape irrigation – a testament to John’s holistic approach to infrastructure development and ecological preservation.
He also championed RSG’s groundbreaking renewables strategy: to power Phase One of the destinations by sunlight day and night, thanks to 760,000 PV panels and the world’s largest off-grid battery storage facility at 1,300MWh. Today, RSG owns the Kingdom’s first fleet of carbon-neutral electric buses and the largest EV charging network in the country. The developer is also collaborating with ZeroAvia to develop hydrogen fuel cell-powered seaplanes.
Under John Pagano’s leadership, RSG has achieved remarkable milestones, including securing green financing, conducting unprecedented environmental baseline surveys, and creating successful plant and coral nurseries, showcasing a holistic approach to sustainable development.
These efforts have resulted in numerous awards and recognitions for RSG. From GRESB rankings to ISO 37000 for good governance and Green Key certification, RSG stands as a testament to sustainable and regenerative development.