Coco Collection appoints John G. Laing as COO and Yvonne Mak as SVP of Sales & Marketing
Coco Collection, the Maldivian-owned hospitality group behind Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, has announced the appointment of two senior leaders as the organisation enters a new phase of growth. Known for its personalised service, authentic island experiences and strong sense of place, Coco Collection continues to strengthen its leadership framework in line with its long-term vision.
John G. Laing joined the group as Chief Operating Officer in October 2025, while Yvonne Mak assumed the role of Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing in December 2025. The appointments reflect Coco Collection’s continued focus on sustainable growth, service excellence and closer integration between commercial and operational functions.
As Chief Operating Officer, John Laing holds overall responsibility for the financial and operational performance of Coco Collection’s existing resorts, as well as the planned opening of the group’s next luxury property, Coco Fehi Rah, scheduled for 2026. Based in Malé, he works closely with on-island teams to maintain consistent service standards, drive operational efficiency and ensure that the guest experience remains aligned with the brand’s core values.
John brings more than 20 years of international hospitality leadership experience. Prior to joining Coco Collection, he served as General Manager of The Legian Seminyak in Bali, overseeing one of Indonesia’s established luxury hotel and villa destinations. Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years with Urban Resort Concepts and The Anthology Group, holding senior executive roles including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Customer Officer, with responsibility for luxury hotel portfolios across China, Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Originally from Scotland, his professional experience also spans the United Kingdom, the United States, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Recognised for his hands-on leadership approach, John is known for balancing operational discipline with guest-focused thinking and for working closely with ownership and stakeholders. At Coco Collection, his focus is on strengthening daily operations, supporting on-island teams and ensuring that commercial objectives are delivered through resilient and sustainable operational practices.
Joining him on the leadership team is Yvonne Mak, who brings more than 35 years of international experience in luxury hospitality sales, marketing and brand leadership. As Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Yvonne oversees the group’s commercial strategy, including brand positioning, revenue performance, distribution and global partnerships.
Yvonne’s career includes senior leadership roles with internationally recognised hospitality brands such as Urban Resort Concepts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Radisson Hotel Group. She has played a central role in the successful opening and repositioning of several award-winning luxury hotels and is widely recognised for building high-performing commercial teams and strong stakeholder relationships.
At Coco Collection, Yvonne works closely with operational teams to strengthen alignment between guest experience and commercial strategy. Her approach centres on understanding evolving guest expectations, enhancing brand storytelling and ensuring that sustainability, authenticity and service excellence remain integral to all sales and marketing initiatives.
Together, these appointments reinforce Coco Collection’s leadership team as the group moves forward with renewed focus and confidence. John Laing and Yvonne Mak bring complementary expertise that supports a shared objective: delivering meaningful guest experiences while ensuring long-term commercial strength and environmental responsibility.
