Merrick is the second female general manager in the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio of eight properties, and currently one of few female general manager in the Maldives.

She joins the JA Manafaru team to maintain the islands longstanding popularity with international guests and to communicate the unique soul of the island with her innate understanding of Maldivian culture and heritage.

Merrick’s career spans 30 years across a variety of boutique hotels in the Indian Ocean and Europe.

This will be Merrick’s fifth leadership role in the Maldives, as she has a personal connection to the area with a home on Addu island with her Maldivian husband, Alim.

Prior to joining JA Resorts & Hotels, Karen has spent the last three years running the Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia, with her previous tenures being The Taaras Resort & Spa in Malaysia, Kemang Icon by Alila in Indonesia, Soneva Fushi Resort & Residences, Diva/White Sands Resort & Spa and The Rania Experience, all based in the Maldives and Ackergill Tower, Scotland.