If you happened upon Jasim Janah at a build or marine expo, you might not guess he’s behind some of the Maldives’ most ambitious ultra-luxury resort developments. Soft-spoken and just 27, he defies the archetype of those in his field. Yet behind the scenes, Jasim is reshaping the future of island resorts with calm command, while leading multimillion-dollar builds across several atolls.

As Chief Commercial Officer of Hotels & Resorts Investment Maldives (HARIM), Jasim oversees a constellation of resort projects, each distinct, but all driven by a shared vision: to elevate Maldivian luxury without compromising identity or environment. His portfolio spans the length of the Maldives, from multi-island developments and private-island resorts to airport builds. The recently launched Villivaru Island Resort, featured in Hotelier Maldives, and the debut of Nammos Hotels, a high-profile lifestyle brand, are among a dozen or so initiatives he directs through HARIM’s in-house Project Management Consultancy (PMC). Each site presents unique challenges requiring sequencing, stakeholder alignment, and the ability to hold both architectural and experiential visions within the Maldives’ complex geography. “It’s not just about building resorts,” he says. “It’s about building a portfolio that raises the bar, with discipline, not noise, while keeping our environment and identity intact.”

He manages teams of architects, engineers, and consultants – some with careers that began before he was born. Thrown into the deep end when he joined HARIM, Jasim learned not just to stay afloat but to keep pace, drawing from the expertise of those around him and leading through humility, curiosity, and quiet resolve. His role spans technical delivery, logistics, contract negotiations, and consultations with island and atoll councils. He also collaborates with global partners, leveraging their expertise and aligning his teams with international benchmarks.

Quiet discipline, paired with Gen Z energy, defines his leadership. Whether inspecting land reclamation alongside civil engineers, meeting with consultants in the boardroom, or engaging with local councils, Jasim remains relatable, often on “mates’ terms,” with a hint of dry humour behind the reserve.

Jasim’s understanding of the full arc, from ocean coordinates to concept design, is shaped by a rare foundation. He inherits not just a name, but a legacy: his father, Mr. Mohamed Ali Janah, Chairman of HARIM, is credited with ‘building the Maldives,’ having delivered over 56 resort projects, many as turnkey developments. Where legacy emphasised scale and delivery, Jasim’s vision adds another layer: environmental integrity, global benchmarking, and human-centred design. “It thrills me,” he shares, “to come across a baby turtle in a newly reclaimed lagoon or see nesting terns return to rewilded land.”

That intergenerational foundation is reinforced by global experience. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate in economics and international business, Jasim has worked with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, New Zealand’s Ministry of Housing, and a Shenzhen-based investment firm. He was awarded the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, completing training at the National University of Singapore and Stanford’s ASES program in Melbourne. That global exposure now fuels a local mission: building on the foundations laid by industry veterans and advancing their vision with a new generation’s insight and integrity.

As CEO of Polaris Navigators – HARIM’s marine division – Jasim is strengthening local capacity in marine logistics and high-end chartering. “Luxury isn’t just land-based,” he says. “Our ancestors pioneered in sailing and boatbuilding. It is in our blood. We need to lead at sea, too.”

He also serves as Country Director for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), where he launched the Maldives’ national hub to connect local entrepreneurs with Commonwealth trade opportunities. “Leadership isn’t always loud,” he reflects. “Sometimes it’s about consistency, building systems and people who outlast you.”

While some still dismiss Gen Z as detached or distracted, Jasim offers a quieter, and perhaps truer, reflection of his generation: globally minded, collaborative, and fiercely values-driven. In a sector long shaped by excess, he anchors luxury in locality, guided by an ethos of minimal impact and reverence for the natural spectacle already at hand.

In Jasim’s quiet confidence and principled leadership, we find a hopeful sign: the future is being entrusted to a generation that understands both legacy and responsibility.