Top 150 Real Estate Icons of the UAE

R

2025

UAE - AED 60 | USA - USD 17 | KSA - SR

62 | Qatar - QAR 60 | Oman - OMR 6.5 |

Bahrain - BD 6.5 | Kuwait - KWD 5 | UK -

£12.5 | EU - €14.5

WHY CHOOSE THE ELITE CARS?

• A Subsidiary of Elite Group Holding

• Trusted name in the Region

• Decades of Experience in the

Automotive Industry

• Over 100 Multi-brands Under One Roof

• State-of-the-Art Showrooms

• Competitive Market Pricing

• Flexible Finance & Insurance Options

• Intricate Customization Services

• Fast, Smooth & Easy Transactions

• Outstanding Customer Service

• Trade-in Services for a Seamless Upgrade

VISIT US

723 Sheikh Zayed Road, P. O. Box 393316, Dubai, U.A.E.

4th Street, Al Quoz 3, P. O. Box 393316, Dubai, U.A.E

CONTACT US

800-5-ELITE (35483)

customer-care@theelitecars.com

FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIALS

@theelitecarsshowroom

R

THE ALL-ELECTRIC HYPER-SUV

WITH RACECAR DNA

*

STARTING PRICE FROM

AED 440,000

BELIEVE THE HYPE

The Eletre was engineered to devour distances and conquer hearts. The world’s fastest dual-motor

electric SUV offers a refined balance of agility, handling and comfort.

Tenacious instant torque, all-wheel traction, anti-roll and active air suspension - this SUV steers,

corners and rides like only a Lotus can.

DUBAI SHOWROOM

Indigo Central 8, Al Manara,

Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

04 321 1512

www.lotuscars.com

ABU DHABI SHOWROOM

Sheikha Salama Building,

Zayed The First St

Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi

02 550 5123

*T&Cs apply

SUBSCRIBE NOW

POWER ISSUES

Contact us at: +971 58 591 8580

www.thefinanceworld.com | subscribe@thefinanceworld.com

Editor’s Editor’s Note Note

EDITORIAL

Ambrish Agarwal, ambrish@thefinanceworld.com

Ayushi Sharma, ayushi@mcfillmedia.com

DESIGN

Hassan Khan, hassan@mcfillmedia.com

Nauman Khan, nauman@mcfillmedia.com

EDITORIAL

STUDIO AND PRODUCTION

Ambrish Agarwal, ambrish@thefinanceworld.com

Mommina Asif, mommina@mcfillmedia.com

Ayushi Sharma, ayushi@mcfillmedia.com

DESIGN

COMMERCIAL (EVENTS & ADVERTISING)

Hassan Khan, hassan@mcfillmedia.com

Sakshi Lalwani

Nauman Khan, nauman@mcfillmedia.com

+971 58 596 6036, sakshi@mcfillmedia.com

Abhinay Bhartiya

STUDIO AND PRODUCTION

+971 58 596 4066, abhinay@mcfillmedia.com

Mommina Asif, mommina@mcfillmedia.com

PARTNERSHIPS

COMMERCIAL (EVENTS & ADVERTISING)

Khwahish Waghnani, khwahish@mcfillmedia.com

Sakshi Lalwani

+971 58 596 6036, sakshi@mcfillmedia.com

DISTRIBUTION

Ashish Kumar, ashish@mcfillmedia.com

GENERAL

Abhinay Bhartiya

+971 58 596 4066, abhinay@mcfillmedia.com

PARTNERSHIPS

Khwahish Waghnani, khwahish@mcfillmedia.com

Advertisement, advertise@thefinanceworld.com

DISTRIBUTION

Press Release, feature@thefinanceworld.com

Ashish Kumar, ashish@mcfillmedia.com

News, news@thefinanceworld.com

Partnerships, partnerships@thefinanceworld.com

GENERAL

Public Relations, Advertisement, pr@thefinanceworld.com

advertise@thefinanceworld.com

Press Release, feature@thefinanceworld.com

News, news@thefinanceworld.com

Partnerships, partnerships@thefinanceworld.com

The Publisher has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the

content at the time of publication. Public Relations, However, The pr@thefinanceworld.com

Publisher accepts no

liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies within this publication.

The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The

Publisher. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice before acting

on any information provided, The Publisher as the has content taken all is reasonable for general steps reference to ensure and the may accuracy of the

not apply to individual content circumstances. at the time All of trademarks, publication. However, logos, and The intellectual Publisher accepts no

property rights featured liability in this for publication any errors, omissions, are acknowledged or inaccuracies and remain within this the publication.

property of their respective The views owners. and opinions No expressed part of this do not publication necessarily may reflect be those of The

Publisher. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice before acting

reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form without the prior written

on any information provided, as the content is for general reference and may

consent of The Publisher. not apply All rights to individual reserved. circumstances. All trademarks, logos, and intellectual

property rights featured in this publication are acknowledged and remain the

property of their respective owners. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form without the prior written

consent of The Publisher. All rights reserved.

One way to keep momentum going is

to constantly have greater goals.

Editor’s Note

The UAE’s real estate market is experiencing unprecedented

momentum, driven by consistent growth,

robust investor appetite, and progressive government

initiatives. As property values and returns soar to new heights,

international buyers are increasingly drawn to the market

for its security and profitability. The sector’s evolution,

powered by AI innovations, blockchain integration, and

eco-conscious developments, is reshaping urban living. To

honour this journey and the pioneers behind it, we present

Finance World Magazine’s most awaited Power Issue: Top

150 Real Estate Icons of the UAE 2025.

These are the visionaries who transformed deserts into

destinations, the legacy builders behind iconic landmarks,

and the strategic leaders who have elevated the UAE into a

global real estate powerhouse.

Our comprehensive ranking encompasses the entire

ecosystem: Government Visionaries orchestrating national

transformation, Development Titans shaping tomorrow’s

cities, Contractor Giants delivering the impossible, Brokerage

Powerhouses influencing market dynamics, Investment

Magnates driving growth, and PropTech Powerplayers transforming

industry standards. Each profile represents more

than market success, it embodies the power to envision,

execute, and elevate.

The methodology driving our rankings is both rigorous and

multifaceted, assessing project value, revenue performance,

market reputation, innovation leadership, corporate responsibility,

and strategic influence. What emerges is not merely a

compilation, but a definitive map of power and achievement

across the UAE’s dynamic real estate landscape.

At Finance World Magazine, our commitment to authoritative

market intelligence guides everything we publish. This

Power Issue continues that legacy, offering unprecedented

insight into the individuals and institutions shaping the future

of real estate. Here’s to celebrating ambition, innovation,

and the relentless drive to build a better tomorrow, one

groundbreaking project at a time.

Ambrish Agarwal, Editor in Chief

MCFILL MEDIA &

PUBLISHING GROUP

MCFILL MEDIA &

PUBLISHING GROUP

Published by and © McFill Media & Publishing Group FZE LLC

Ambrish Agarwal, Editor in Chief

Published by and © McFill Media & Publishing Group FZE LLC

2025.....

..AND BEYOND

ABU DHABI

ECONOMIC VISION 2030

“FROM OIL TO OPPORTUNITY”

64%

OF GDP TO COME FROM NON-OIL

SECTORS BY 2030

AED 84 BILLION

IN FDI IN 2022 (UAE-WIDE)

INDUSTRIAL SECTOR TARGETING

AED 172 BILLION

CONTRIBUTION BY 2030 (ABU

DHABI-SPECIFIC)

17.2 MILLION

INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS IN DUBAI + 24M

TOTAL VISITS IN ABU DHABI IN 2023

50%

OF ELECTRICITY FROM CLEAN

SOURCES BY 2050

UAE VISION

2031

“WE THE UAE 2031” – TRANSFORMING

TODAY FOR TOMORROW

AED 4 TRILLION

IN TOTAL FOREIGN TRADE BY 2031

AED 800 BILLION

IN NON-OIL EXPORTS TARGET

RANKED TOP 10

GLOBALLY IN ATTRACTING FDI

AIM: TOP 10

IN GLOBAL INDICES (QUALITY OF

LIFE, DIGITAL GOV, INNOVATION)

UAE GDP CROSSES

AED 1.88 TRILLION

IN 2023 (US$511B)

DUBAI 2040

URBAN MASTER PLAN

“DESIGNING A FUTURE-READY DUBAI”

POPULATION GROWTH FROM

3.3M TO 5.8M

BY 2040

60%

OF DUBAI TO BE NATURE RESERVES/

RURAL LAND

55%

OF POPULATION TO LIVE WITHIN

800M OF TRANSIT

AED 634 BILLION

IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

IN 2023

05

URBAN CENTERS DESIGNATED

LAND PLANNING

Contents Jun

2025

GOVERNMENT VISIONARIES

20

20

21

21

22

22

23

23

24

24

25

25

26

26

27

Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi

Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi

Abdulla Al Abdouli

Ahmed Ebrahim Obaid Ali Al-Ali

Ahmed Fadel Al Muhairbi

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi

Hamad Abdalla AlMahmoud

Majid Al Marri

Marwan Bin Ghalita

Matthew White

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa

Mohamed Almansoori

Munther Mohammed Bin Shakar

Omar Bu Shehab

Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa

DEVELOPER TITANS

30

31

32

33

34

35

35

36

36

37

38

39

40

40

41

42

43

44

45

45

46

47

48

48

Mohamed Alabbar

Talal Al Dhiyebi

Khalid Al Malik

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim

Mahdi Amjad

P.N.C. Menon

Mirwais Azizi

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi

Muhammad BinGhatti

Amer Khansaheb

Ahmed El Shamy

Amer Waleed El Zaabi

Ziad El Chaar

Hussain Sajwani

Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami

Imran Farooq

Israr Liaqat

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi

Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah

Nabil Al Kindi

Bill O’Regan

Masih Imtiaz

Sameh Muhtadi

Mounir Haidar

49

50

51

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

59

60

61

61

62

62

63

64

65

65

66

66

67

67

68

68

69

69

70

CONTRACTING GIANTS

72

73

74

75

75

76

77

78

78

79

79

Carlos-Antonio Wakim

Ankur Aggarwal

Faris Saeed

Issa Ataya

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi

Osman Celiker

Neeraj Mishra

Satish Sanpal

Veer Doshi

Egor Molchanov

Majid Jack Hsiung

Elie Naaman

Rizwan Sajan

Egor Maslennikov

Josef Kleindienst

Issam Galadari

Kabir Mulchandani

Navneet Mandhani

Faruh Kurbanov

Irfan Wahid

Michael Belton

Naaman Atallah

Anwar Atari

Suwaidan Al-Dhaheri

Abbas Sajwani

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor

Ali Al Gebely

George Saad

Hazza Zaal

Benoy Kurien

Samer Ambar

Barry Lewis

Murali Serpakkam

Tariq Hussain Abdulrahman Khansaheb

Kypros Tsentas

Senan Al Naboodah

Maher Merehbi

Moustafa Hassan

S.N. Subrahmanyan

Mohammed Saif Mohammed Bin Shafar

Mohamed Mahmoud

Suhail Zain-Eldeen

16 www.thefinanceworld.com Jun 2025

POWERED BY

80

80

81

81

82

83

83

84

84

85

85

86

86

87

90

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

99

100

100

101

101

102

102

103

103

104

104

105

105

106

106

107

108

Abdallah Yabroudi

K. Jacob John

Mohammed Sahoo AlSuwaidi

Andrew Fanton

B. Ravi Pillai

Anil G. Pillai

Richard Abboud

Ammar Muwahid

Saif Al Ashram

Shapoor Mistry

Chaouci Yassine

Yu Tao

Kareem Farah

Firas Mashal

BROKERAGE POWERHOUSES

Mohanad Alwadiya

Carl Allsopp

Louis Harding

James Lewis

Simon Baker

Firas Al Msaddi

Calum White

Adham Younis

Abdullah Al Ajaji

George Azar

John Lyons

Steven Morgan

Jackie Johns

Farooq Syed

Myles Bush

Hamed Ghelichkhani

Uri Font

Loai Al Fakir

Shah Malek

Saleem Karsaz

Sam McCone

Nikita Kuznetsov

Daniel Hadi

Shahbaz Khan

Iseeb Rehman

Mark Towers

Fawaz Sous

Andrew Covill

109

109

112

113

113

114

115

116

116

117

118

119

119

120

120

121

121

124

125

125

126

126

127

127

128

128

129

Ben Bandari

Safura Abasniya

INVESTMENT MAGNATES

Khalid Jasim Mohammed Bin Kalban

Fadi Dabbagh

Ahmed Al Suwaidi

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak

Samir Kazi

Low Ping

Abdulla Belhoul

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer

Vivek Anand Oberoi

Abdulla Ali Obaid Al Hamli

Wafik Ben Mansour

Jad Ellawn

Naser Al Nabulsi

Mohamed Al Sayed Al Hashimi

Khalifa Al Suwaidi

PROPTECH POWERPLAYERS

Haider Ali Khan

Michael Lahyani

Amira Sajwani

Rami Tabbara

Rashed Hareb Al Mheiri

Aahan Bhojani

Omar Abu Innab

Riz Ahmed

Vitalii Ryzhak

Jad Antoun

Jun 2025 www.thefinanceworld.com 17

GOVERNMENT VISIONARIES

SECTION SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

*This segment is not ranked, its arranged in alphabetic order.

ABDULAZIZ AHMED AL-SHAMSI

Director General

Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department

His Excellency Abdulaziz Ahmed

Al-Shamsi leads the Sharjah Real

Estate Registration Department

with a clear vision and unwavering

commitment to fostering transparency

and trust within Sharjah’s dynamic

property market. Under his leadership,

the department has solidified its role

as a cornerstone institution, managing

the formal registration of real estate

transactions with precision and integrity.

Tasked with ensuring all property dealings

comply with stringent legal standards, the

department spearheaded by Al-Shamsi

plays a pivotal role in streamlining the

real estate process across the emirate.

By maintaining a comprehensive and

meticulously updated record of property

ownership, it mitigates disputes, curbs

fraudulent activities, and accelerates

transaction times, benefitting buyers,

sellers, and investors alike.

Beyond its regulatory mandate,

the department embraces innovation

through its user-friendly online platform,

reflecting Al-Shamsi’s dedication

to efficient, accessible service delivery.

This modernization not only enhances

market confidence but also underpins

the fluidity and sustainability of Sharjah’s

real estate landscape.

Through His Excellency’s stewardship,

the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department

continues to be an invaluable

resource and trusted guardian of one of

the emirate’s most vital economic sectors.

ABDULAZIZ BIN HUMAID AL NUAIMI

Chairman

Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation of Ajman

Sheikh AbdulAziz bin Humaid Al

Nuaimi is a prominent leader from

the ruling family of Ajman, one of

the seven emirates of the United Arab

Emirates (UAE). Widely recognized for

his instrumental role in the economic,

cultural, and philanthropic advancement

of Ajman and the UAE, Sheikh

AbdulAziz plays a pivotal role in shaping

the region’s development. As a member

of the Al Nuaimi family, which has governed

Ajman since the 18th century, his

leadership reflects a deep commitment

to the emirate’s prosperity.

A successful entrepreneur and businessman,

Sheikh AbdulAziz has had a

transformative impact on Ajman’s economy,

especially through his leadership at

Ajman Holding Group, a conglomerate

overseeing a diversified portfolio of investments.

His visionary leadership has

attracted both local and international

investors, playing a crucial role in making

Ajman a thriving economic hub. In

addition to his role at Ajman Holding, he

is the Chairman of Ajman Land and Real

Estate Regulations and Ajman Tourism,

where he has been at the forefront of

expanding the emirate’s tourism and

real estate sectors.

Sheikh AbdulAziz holds a B.A. in

Public Relations from Emerson College

in Boston, Massachusetts. His academic

foundation has been pivotal in his efforts

to enhance Ajman’s investment climate,

modernize infrastructure, and improve

the quality of life for its residents.

Beyond business, his dedication to

both his family and his emirate reflects

the values of tradition, responsibility,

and stewardship that he upholds as a

key figure in the leadership of Ajman.


ABDULLA AL ABDOULI

Chief Executive Officer

Marjan

Abdulla Al Abdouli is a visionary

Emirati leader who has played

a pivotal role in shaping the

future of Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate

sector. Since taking on his current role

as CEO of Marjan in 2018, Abdulla has

successfully spearheaded the launch of

major projects, including RAK Central in

2024. This landmark development, which

will span 3 million square feet of office

space, over 4,000 residential units, and

three hotels, is set to transform Ras Al

Khaimah into a global investment and

tourism hub.

Under Abdulla’s leadership, Marjan

has attracted significant investments

from high-profile companies such as

Aldar, Emaar, DAMAC, Dubai Investments,

DarGlobal, and Wynn Resorts. His

strategic vision also brought to life the

flagship masterplan of Al Marjan Island,

which covers 2.7 square kilometres of

reclaimed land. This ambitious project

will feature 15,000 hotel keys, 12,000

residential units, and 450 holiday homes,

along with 23 kilometres of waterfront and

7.8 kilometres of beaches, contributing

to Ras Al Khaimah’s growing reputation

on the global real estate stage.

Abdulla is also a member of the boards

of RAK Ceramics and RAK Properties,

where his expertise in driving strategic

initiatives for growth has been integral to

the continued success of these entities.

His leadership goes beyond real estate,

with Abdulla managing the strategic

growth of the company by designing and

executing effective real estate development

strategies. His commitment to enhance

the region’s appeal continues to solidify

his position as one of the leading figures

in the UAE’s real estate sector.

AHMED EBRAHIM OBAID ALI AL-ALI

General Manager

Umm Al Quwain Municipality

Ahmed Ebrahim Obaid Ali Al-Ali

serves as the General Manager

of Umm Al Quwain Municipality,

a cornerstone government institution at

the heart of the emirate’s development

journey. Under his leadership, the municipality

plays a vital role in addressing

the daily needs of residents while also

driving long-term progress across urban

planning, municipal services, and environmental

stewardship.

Operating in close coordination with

subsidiary departments, local municipalities,

and development centers, Umm

Al Quwain Municipality is committed to

enhancing quality of life and ensuring

the emirate’s growth is both inclusive

and sustainable. Its efforts are aligned

with Umm Al Quwain’s vision to become

one of the world’s leading developed

region, anchored on pillars of human

development, economic diversification,

social well-being, and environmental

sustainability.

A key focus of the municipality lies

within the domain of Municipality Affairs

and Urban Planning, which seeks to

foster balanced urban growth through a

well-integrated structure that supports

the UAE’s national strategic planning

goals and the ambitious 2030 Economic

Vision. This involves the development

and implementation of policies that

guide urban planning, municipal affairs,

and agricultural sectors, ensuring that

progress meets the evolving needs of

society. Through these guiding principles,

Ahmed Ebrahim Obaid Ali Al-Ali and his

team continue to champion innovation,

embrace environmental responsibility,

and position Umm Al Quwain for a

prosperous and future-ready tomorrow.


AHMED FADEL AL MUHAIRBI

Acting Director General

Abu Dhabi City Municipality

Under the leadership of Ahmed

Fadel Al Muhairbi, Acting Director

General, the Abu Dhabi City

Municipality stands as a driving force

behind the Emirate’s comprehensive

development and urban renaissance.

With a strong commitment to innovation,

creativity, and excellence, the municipality

continues to align its efforts with Abu

Dhabi’s ambitious and future-focused

vision.

The Department of Municipalities and

Transport plays a central role in this

mission, translating leadership directives

into impactful initiatives that enhance

community life and meet evolving needs

with professionalism and integrity.

Backed by the trust of His Highness

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

President of the UAE, and His Highness

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed

Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

and Chairman of the Executive Council,

the municipality remains committed to

strengthening its institutional capabilities,

service delivery, and culture of excellence.

This commitment is rooted in the UAE’s

legacy of visionary leadership, which has

propelled the nation’s remarkable growth

across all sectors. Since the establishment

of the Abu Dhabi City Municipality

in 1962, and the appointment of its first

municipal board in 1969, the focus has

been on strategic planning, infrastructure

development, and public service.

In 2007, the Department of Municipal

Affairs was formed to oversee the municipalities,

and in 2016, it evolved into

the Department of Municipal Affairs and

Transport, combining municipal and

transport services under one cohesive

framework.

AHMED JASIM AL ZAABI

Chairman

Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi is a prominent

architect of Abu Dhabi’s dynamic

economic vision and a central

figure in the Emirate’s transformation

into a globally integrated economic

powerhouse. As a member of the Abu

Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of

the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic

Development (ADDED), he is leading

strategic efforts to advance the Emirate’s

diversified, knowledge-based “Falcon

Economy.” His leadership at ADDED

is defined by forward-looking policies

and impactful initiatives that promote

sustainable growth, innovation, and

global competitiveness across sectors.

With a distinguished career in finance

and investment, he has successfully overseen

multi-billion-dollar transactions and

played a critical role in the restructuring

and revitalization of major enterprises

across various industries. His vast experience

and results-driven approach

have consistently yielded transformative

outcomes, reinforcing his reputation as

one of the region’s most capable and

visionary economic leaders.

Throughout his career, His Excellency

has held board memberships and executive

positions across a broad spectrum of

industries, including energy, technology,

healthcare, real estate, and finance. A

holder of a master’s degree in economics

from the United Kingdom, Ahmed Jasim

Al Zaabi continues to be a driving force

behind Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a

global centre of economic innovation and

excellence. His strategic foresight, multidisciplinary

leadership, and unwavering

commitment to national development

place him at the forefront of the UAE’s

next era of economic ascendancy.


HAMAD ABDALLA ALMAHMOUD

Chairman

Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)

Hamad Abdalla AlMahmoud is a

distinguished Emirati leader and

influential figure in Sharjah’s economic

development. Currently serving as

the Chairman of the Sharjah Economic

Development Department (SEDD), Hamad

has been at the forefront of driving

the emirate’s economic growth through

strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing

Sharjah’s business environment.

In addition to his role at SEDD, Hamad

holds several key positions that

demonstrate his commitment to fostering

entrepreneurship and economic innovation.

He is a Member of the Board of

the National Entrepreneurship Council,

a Member of the Board of the Emirates

Association for Franchise Development,

and the Chairman of the Projects Funding

Committee at the Sharjah Foundation

to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs

(RUWAD). These roles have positioned

him as a key advocate for supporting the

growth of startups and small businesses

in the UAE.

Hamad’s leadership is guided by a strong

educational foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s

degree in Business Administration

from the University of Sharjah and is a

graduate of the prestigious Leadership

Program from the Mohammed bin Rashid

School of Government. His academic and

professional background has equipped

him with the skills necessary to lead

Sharjah’s economic initiatives and support

the development of a sustainable

and competitive business ecosystem in

the region. Under his guidance, SEDD

continues to play a crucial role in advancing

Sharjah’s economy, focusing on

strategic partnerships that contribute to

the region’s long-term success.

MAJID AL MARRI


Real Estate Registration and Services Sector at the Dubai Land Department (DLD)

Few figures have played as pivotal

a role in shaping the modern

face of Dubai’s real estate and

tourism sectors as Majid Al Marri. A

distinguished Emirati executive with

decades of experience across tourism,

real estate investment, development,

and international promotion, Al Marri

is currently the CEO of the Real Estate

Registration and Services sector at the

Dubai Land Department (DLD) - a role

in which he continues to champion

transparency, innovation, and investor

confidence in one of the world’s most

dynamic property markets.

From strategy and stakeholder relations

to hotel standards and international operations,

Al Marri’s career has spanned

an extraordinary breadth of leadership

roles. Today, he also heads the Department

of Real Estate Promotion within DLD’s

Real Estate Investment Management &

Promotion Center, bringing together

developers, investors, and stakeholders

under a unified vision. His mandate is

clear: to enhance Dubai’s global appeal

as a premier investment destination

while ensuring regulatory clarity and

seamless coordination across the real

estate ecosystem.

Al Marri’s credentials are as impressive

as his accomplishments. A graduate of the

London Business School with a Master’s

in Business Administration, he further

honed his leadership skills through executive

programs at the Dubai School of

Government in partnership with Harvard

University and the John F. Kennedy School

of Government. Under his stewardship,

Dubai’s real estate registration systems

have become a global benchmark, streamlined,

and tech-forward.


MARWAN BIN GHALITA

Director General

Dubai Municipality

Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita

stands as a distinguished figure

in Dubai’s governance and real

estate landscape, widely acknowledged

for his transformative leadership across

multiple sectors. With a career marked by

visionary administration and a commitment

to institutional excellence, he has

consistently shaped policy and strategy

at the highest levels of public service. His

current role as the Director General of

Dubai Municipality (DM) place him at

the core of the Emirate’s urban and real

estate advancement, where he has been

instrumental in reinforcing Dubai’s global

standing as a premier real estate hub.

His influence extends well beyond his

executive mandates. As a Member of the

Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai,

the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and

the Dubai Supreme Committee of Crisis

and Disaster Management, he contributes

to the strategic direction of the Emirate

across diverse domains. His previous

leadership roles, including CEO of the

Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA),

First Deputy Speaker of the Federal

National Council, and President of the

UAE Football Association, underscore

his versatility and capacity

Academically, he brings a strong

foundation to his public endeavors,

holding a Master’s degree in Business

Administration from the Arab Academy

for Science, Technology, and Maritime

Transport in Egypt and a Bachelor’s degree

in Surveying Engineering from Fresno

State University in California. Through

every position he holds, Marwan Ahmed

Bin Ghalita exemplifies the caliber of

leadership that defines Dubai’s progress

and ambition on the world stage.

MATTHEW WHITE


Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)

Matthew White is a trailblazing

technology leader and the current

CEO of the Virtual Assets

Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai,

where he is driving the transformation

of financial infrastructure through the

trusted adoption of digital assets and

Web3 technology. With more than two

decades of distinguished experience

in cybersecurity, digital trust, and tech

innovation, White has positioned himself

at the nexus of technology and regulation,

ensuring that emerging digital ecosystems

are both secure and inclusive.

Before taking the helm at VARA, White

served as a Senior Partner and Head of

Cybersecurity at PwC, where he led the

expansion of the firm’s cybersecurity

and digital trust practice to over 150

specialists. His role was also pivotal in

laying the foundational framework for

VARA itself, a testament to his unique

ability to merge regulatory foresight

with technological expertise.

White’s academic pedigree is equally

impressive. He is an alumnus of the

University of Bath and the Saïd Business

School at the University of Oxford, educational

experiences that shaped his

analytical rigor and strategic mindset.

White’s leadership journey is also complemented

by further executive education

at top global institutions. Beyond the

boardroom, White’s entrepreneurial spirit

shines through. He is the co-founder of

two startups: decent, a platform redefining

charitable giving through transparency and

innovation, and Clubbie, a niche social

network empowering amateur sports

communities. These ventures highlight

his passion for using technology as a

force for social good.


MOHAMED ALI AL SHORAFA

Chairman

Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa is a distinguished

national figure and a

leading force behind Abu Dhabi’s

rapid and strategic transformation. As

the Chairman of the Department of Municipalities

and Transport (DMT) since

2023, he oversees the urban planning

and transport sectors, steering three

municipalities and several affiliated entities,

including the Abu Dhabi Integrated

Centre (ITC). His leadership is guiding

the department’s comprehensive transformation,

in alignment with the UAE’s

visionary leadership directives.

In addition to his role at DMT, Al

Shorafa serves as the Vice Chairman of

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), one

of the world’s foremost international

financial centres. In this capacity, he

is pivotal in strengthening the financial

sector, driving growth, attracting global

businesses, and fostering a vibrant ecosystem

built on innovation and a robust

regulatory framework. His leadership and

efforts have been crucial in progressing

ADGM’s global standing.

An advocate for continuous learning

and leadership excellence, Al Shorafa

holds an MBA from the prestigious London

Business School and certifications

from renowned institutions such as MIT’s

Sloan School of Management, Citibank

Global Asset Management, and Harvard

Business School. His professional journey

also includes roles such as Chairman of

the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, Etihad

Aviation Group, and the Securities and

Commodities Authority (SCA), and board

member of Etihad Rail and Abu Dhabi

Transport Company. He has committed

to position Abu Dhabi as one of the best

places to live, work, and visit in the world.

MOHAMED ALMANSOORI

Director General, Sheikh Zayed Housing Program

Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

Eng. Mohamed Almansoori is the

esteemed Director General of the

Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme

(SZHP) in the UAE, bringing over 29 years

of distinguished experience within the

Federal Government. His expertise spans

major urbanization, human settlements,

infrastructure, and government housing

projects both in the UAE and across

the region.

A strategic visionary and objective-driven

leader, Almansoori is recognized globally

as a leading authority in government

housing. An alumnus of Old Dominion

University, Virginia, USA, he has been a

pioneer in the digital transformation of

government operations within the housing

and infrastructure sectors. Notably, he

successfully led the complete digitalization

of these operations, ensuring

uninterrupted service delivery during

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his leadership, the Sheikh

Zayed Housing Programme has delivered

major initiatives aimed at enhancing the

local housing experience by optimizing

governmental resources. This includes

launching innovative housing financial

solutions in partnership with the private

banking sector to secure sustainable

funding and significantly reducing the

government housing end-user journey.

These efforts contributed to a remarkable

customer satisfaction rate exceeding

92% in 2022. Regionally, Almansoori

represents the UAE in strategic forums

including the GCC, Arab League, and

UN-Habitat, and actively participates in

international bilateral collaborations. His

distinguished career has been recognized

with numerous awards and honors from

both public and private entities.


MUNTHER MOHAMMED BIN SHAKAR

Director General

Ras Al Khaimah Municipality

Munther Mohammed Bin Shakar has

served as the Director General of

the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality

Department for the past two decades,

overseeing transformative development

in municipal work and the integration

of cutting-edge technologies to deliver

superior services. Under his leadership,

the department has embraced modern

technological advancements, positioning

itself at the forefront of smart government

initiatives. The adoption of these

technologies has not only streamlined

processes but also enabled the department

to deliver services more efficiently,

aligning with the Emirate’s broader goals

of progress and innovation.

The department’s commitment to

technological integration has led to

substantial improvements in both the

quantity and quality of its services, making

significant strides towards modernizing

municipal operations. Munther’s vision

has been instrumental in driving this shift,

ensuring that Ras Al Khaimah remains at

the forefront of quality and excellence in

municipal governance. His leadership has

fostered an environment where technology

is seamlessly incorporated into daily

operations, enhancing service delivery

and ensuring that the department meets

the evolving needs of the community.

Through his unwavering commitment

to innovation and excellence, Munther

Mohammed Bin Shakar has played a

pivotal role in transforming Ras Al

Khaimah Municipality into a model of

modern governance, effectively bridging

the gap between technology and public

service for the benefit of the Emirate’s

residents and visitors.

OMAR BU SHEHAB

Director General

Dubai Land Department (DLD)

In a strategic move that underscores

Dubai’s continued focus on world-class

real estate governance and inclusive

urban development, Omar Bu Shehab has

been appointed as the Director General

of the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

Simultaneously, he takes on the role of

Chairman of the Board at the Mohammed

Bin Rashid Housing Establishment

(MBRHE), positions that place him at

the confluence of policy, innovation, and

community-centric progress.

These dual appointments are more

than just titles; they reflect a deep trust

in Bu Shehab’s proven leadership and

vision. With oversight of both DLD, the

key regulator of Dubai’s thriving real

estate sector, and MBRHE, the agency

at the heart of large-scale residential

housing initiatives, Bu Shehab is uniquely

positioned to drive MEP-intensive

developments and sustainable growth

across the emirate.

His journey to these high offices has

been marked by a clear dedication to

service excellence. As Executive Director

of the Commercial Registration Division

at Dubai’s Department of Economy and

Tourism, Bu Shehab led with a strong

emphasis on operational efficiency and

customer-first practices, values that mirror

Dubai’s broader aspirations for seamless

and citizen-focused public service.

Notably, his earlier tenure as CEO of

MBRHE earned him widespread respect

and royal recognition. In a memorable

gesture of hands-on leadership, Bu Shehab

was seen personally assisting customers at

service counters to fast-track transactions,

a move that earned him commendation

from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed

bin Rashid Al Maktoum.


YOUSIF AHMED AL MUTAWA

Chief Real Estate Officer

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority - Shurooq

Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa exemplifies

a new generation of visionary Emirati

leaders committed to shaping a

more sustainable and culturally enriched

future for the UAE. As the Chief Real

Estate Officer of Sharjah Investment

and Development Authority - Shurooq,

Al Mutawa is at the helm of a transformative

urban development initiative that

is redefining the way communities live,

work, and thrive. Under his leadership,

Sharjah Sustainable City has emerged as

a pioneering benchmark in sustainable

urban living, balancing environmental

stewardship, economic viability, and

social cohesion in a way that is uniquely

tailored to the needs and aspirations of

Sharjah’s residents.

Al Mutawa began his professional journey

in 2006 with the Sharjah Investment

and Development Authority (Shurooq).

Over a span of fourteen years within the

group, he rose through the ranks by holding

key leadership roles across project

management, construction, operations,

property oversight, and investment

strategy. This diverse experience not

only solidified his strategic acumen but

also deepened his insight into Sharjah’s

developmental ethos, one that intertwines

culture, sustainability, and innovation.

His leadership at Sharjah Sustainable

City is an extension of this ethos, integrating

forward-thinking solutions with

a deep respect for local heritage and

environmental context.

A graduate in e-commerce from the

Higher Colleges of Technology – Sharjah,

Al Mutawa is also a certified Project

Management Professional and an active

member of the Project Management

Institute.


Suhaib Shashaa, Arab GT

We could tell you about the addictively intense response and soul-stirring exhaust note.

The masterfully honed dynamics and the innovative technology woven throughout.

The thrilling sense of connection between driver and car. But all you really need

to understand what makes the McLaren 750S the new benchmark supercar,

are the words of those who’ve driven it.

Experience the most powerful series production McLaren for yourself.

DRIVEN BY YOU

Fuel consumption combined: 12.2l/100km | CO 2

emissions combined: 276g/km

DEVELOPER TITANS

SECTION SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

Mohamed Alabbar, a global entrepreneur and real estate

visionary, has spent over three decades shaping

the future of urban development. As the Founder

and Managing Director of Emaar Properties, the company

behind some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, including

the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Alabbar has revolutionized

the concept of integrated lifestyle communities, combining

residential, retail, hospitality, and leisure spaces to transform

cities globally.

Since founding Emaar in 1997, Alabbar’s unparalleled

leadership has turned Dubai into one of the world’s most

admired and sought-after destinations. Downtown Dubai,

under his visionary guidance, has become a global icon of

urban development, with landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa,

the tallest building in the world, and the Dubai Mall, the most

visited shopping and entertainment destination worldwide.

Alabbar’s commitment to creating visionary communities

continues with Emaar’s developments, which span over 18

HIGHLIGHTS

Year of Establishment:

1997

Countries Operating In:

UAE, Saudi Arabia, India,

Turkey and more

Team Size:

5,000+

Awards & Accolades:

Developer of the Year 2024

1

MOHAMED

ALABBAR

Founder and Managing Director

Emaar Properties

countries and include residential units, luxury hotels, and

retail spaces, all designed to improve lifestyles and set new

standards in quality living.

Beyond his work at Emaar, Alabbar has made significant

contributions to other sectors through his leadership of Eagle

Hills, a private real estate investment and development

company focused on revitalizing high-growth markets. His

strategic foresight has led to successful ventures in regions

such as Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, building

world-class communities and urban hubs. Additionally,

Alabbar is a key figure in the region’s retail and e-commerce

sectors, having founded Noon.com, the leading e-commerce

platform in the Middle East, and served as the Chairman of

Americana Restaurants, a multibillion-dollar food business.

Alabbar’s remarkable business acumen extends across various

industries, from technology and logistics to venture

capital and FnB.

As a visionary leader and a transformative force in the

global real estate industry, Mohamed Alabbar exemplifies

the power of determination, innovation, and leadership. His

story is a powerful reminder of how one individual’s vision

can reshape the future of cities and leave an enduring legacy

for generations to come.


When it comes to leading transformative growth in one

of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world,

few individuals stand out like Talal Al Dhiyebi. As

the Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Properties, the

UAE’s leading real estate developer, investor, and manager,

Talal has guided the company through a period of remarkable

expansion, both regionally and internationally.

Under his stewardship, Aldar Properties has solidified its

position as a dominant force in the real estate sector, boasting

a diversified recurring income portfolio worth over USD 10

billion, an extensive development backlog exceeding USD 20

billion, and a strategic landbank spanning 69 million square

meters. But Talal’s vision extends beyond numbers; he is reshaping

the future of real estate with a focus on sustainability,

long-term value, and innovation.

Talal’s leadership journey spans various facets of real estate

development and asset management. From residential and

commercial developments to mixed-use and infrastructure

HIGHLIGHTS


2004


UAE and Egypt

Team Size:

10,001+

Q1 2025 Revenue:

AED 7.8 bn

projects, his vast experience covers a wide spectrum of largescale,

complex projects. Before becoming the CEO of Aldar,

Talal held senior management positions within the company,

overseeing some of the most significant developments in Abu

Dhabi and the broader UAE market.

His influence stretches well beyond Aldar Properties. Talal

serves on numerous boards, including as Chairman of Aldar

Estates, SODIC, and London Square, as well as Vice-Chairman of

Aldar Education. He is also involved with multiple high-profile

entities, such as Miral Asset Management, Sandooq Al Watan,

the UAE’s national social contribution fund, and the Abu Dhabi

Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Internationally, Talal

has been instrumental in expanding Aldar’s footprint. The

company has grown beyond Abu Dhabi to include ventures

in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt, and the UK.

A graduate of Electrical Engineering from the University

of Melbourne, Talal’s technical expertise complements his

sharp business acumen. His leadership at Aldar has been

pivotal in the company’s consistent growth, securing a USD

1.4 billion investment from Apollo Global Management in

2022, one of the largest foreign direct investments into Abu

Dhabi’s private sector. Under his direction, Aldar continues

to set the pace for the future of real estate.

2

TALAL AL

DHIYEBI

Group Chief Executive Officer

Aldar Properties


Khalid Al Malik is serving as Managing Director of Dubai

Holding and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding

Real Estate. In his dual roles, he orchestrates the

Group’s extensive property portfolio, which brings together

some of the Emirate’s most influential real estate developers—Nakheel,

Meraas, Meydan, and Dubai Properties—under

one strategic umbrella.

Dubai Holding Real Estate, a key pillar of Dubai Holding,

consolidates the operations of these major entities to drive

the city’s ambitious urban and economic transformation. In

2025, Nakheel reported that Lagoon Views in Mohammed Bin

Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One had reached 85.7%

completion, signaling strong progress in one of Dubai’s most

prestigious communities. That same year, Meydan awarded

a $144 million construction contract to Bhatia General Contracting

Co. for the development of Naya, another landmark

within the district. In March 2025, Meraas further expanded

the Group’s development momentum, awarding a contract

HIGHLIGHTS


2002

Team Size:

20,000+


UAE

3

KHALID AL

MALIK


Dubai Holding Real Estate

worth over $544.6 million to Arabian Construction Company

for the construction of Design Quarter at d3, a dynamic

creative hub within Dubai Design District.

With a career that bridges both public and private sectors,

Khalid has held several prominent positions, including CEO

of Tatweer, CEO of Dubai Industrial City, and Director of Operations

at the Dubai Development and Investment Authority.

These roles have helped him develop a strategic approach to

urban planning, infrastructure development, and sustainable

growth aligned with Dubai’s long-term vision.

Under his leadership, Dubai Holding Real Estate has accelerated

large-scale developments and entered multimillion-dollar

partnerships that are actively reshaping Dubai’s residential

and mixed-use landscapes. His governance extends across

multiple boards, including SmartCity Malta, SmartCity Kochi,

Warsan Waste Management Company, Tunisie Telecom, and

Dubai Hills Estate Group. He also serves as a council member

at the British University in Dubai, reflecting his commitment

to education and knowledge-based economic progress.

Academically, Khalid holds a bachelor’s degree in Management

Information Systems and Production and Operations

Management from the University of Arizona, and an MBA

from Zayed University.


As the Group Chief Executive Officer of WASL Group,

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim stands at the confluence

of finance, real estate, and sustainability, reshaping

not just skylines, but the very future of the city.

Under his stewardship, Wasl Group has become a central

pillar in executing Dubai’s bold economic vision. Over the past

year, Al Qassim has led the Group into a new era of innovation-driven

growth, focused on environmental responsibility,

real estate expansion, and tech-enabled transformation. A

cornerstone of this progress is Wasl’s unwavering commitment

to sustainability. In alignment with the UAE’s Net Zero

by 2050 strategy, the company has rolled out a suite of clean

energy initiatives, from solar photovoltaic systems across

77 properties to electric vehicle charging stations and deep

energy retrofits. These upgrades are more than cosmetic;

they are impactful. The solar installations alone will offset

more than 2,600 tons of carbon dioxide annually, while some

buildings will now meet over 80% of their energy needs

HIGHLIGHTS


2008


UAE

Team Size:

201-500

Awards & Accolades:

Developer of the Year 2025

through solar power.

The Group has also played a foundational role in Dubai’s

Food Tech Valley, a visionary project positioned at the nexus

of agriculture, technology, and sustainability. In collaboration

with partners like Spinneys and Badia Farms, the initiative

aims to grow 3,000 tonnes of fresh produce annually and

recycle over 50,000 tonnes of food waste. With the first crops

expected in 2025, this initiative is not just about food security,

it’s about rewriting the rules of urban sustainability.

On the real estate front, WASL Group has delivered a

string of high-impact developments tailored to the needs of a

growing metropolis. From the vibrant Wasl Village, designed

in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, to upscale

communities like Jumeirah Golf Estates: The Next Chapter

and South Garden, the Group continues to support the city’s

surging residential and commercial demand. Today, WASL’s

portfolio boasts 55,000 units across Dubai and a hospitality

network that spans more than 8,300 rooms in 35 properties.

Behind these achievements is a leadership ethos grounded

in strategic foresight. Al Qassim’s dual role in real estate and

banking positions him uniquely to harmonise financial innovation

with infrastructural development. His vision not only

shapes the city’s skyline but also its socioeconomic future.

4

HESHAM

ABDULLA AL

QASSIM


WASL Group


As the Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT,

Amjad has not merely developed real estate, he has

curated icons, each a testament to his belief in elevating

urban living through the fusion of art, design, and ultra-luxury.

Since founding OMNIYAT in 2005, Amjad has rewritten the

narrative of Dubai’s property market. Born from a desire to

push the artistic and architectural boundaries of what real

estate could be, OMNIYAT has delivered some of the most

recognizable and revered addresses in the region. From The

Opus by OMNIYAT, designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, to

One at Palm Jumeirah, The Lana Dorchester Collection, Dubai

and the highly anticipated Marasi Bay ecosystem, OMNIYAT

has established itself as a visionary developer synonymous

with ultra-luxury and one-of-one craftsmanship.

At the heart of OMNIYAT’s ethos is what Amjad calls “The

Art of Elevation” - an approach that merges bespoke design,

curated experiences, and architectural storytelling. This

philosophy is perhaps best embodied in The Opus, the first

HIGHLIGHTS


2005


UAE

Awards & Accolades:

Ultra Luxury Residential

Project of the Year 2025

5

MAHDI

AMJAD

Founder and Executive Chairman

OMNIYAT

and only inhabitable building in the UAE personally designed

by Zaha Hadid. Equally iconic is the One at Palm Jumeirah,

a project that redefined the standards of luxury on Dubai’s

celebrated man-made island. Anchoring this ecosystem are

developments like The Lana Hotel and Residences, Dorchester

Collection, inaugurated in Q1 2024. With interiors that evoke

timeless elegance and home to the region’s first Dior Spa, The

Lana is already setting new records - its penthouse sale in

May 2024 became the most expensive transaction ever in the

Burj Khalifa District. Today, OMNIYAT proudly stands at the

pinnacle of Dubai’s ultra-luxury real estate sector, leading both

in iconic design and property value. Its projects continue to

draw ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) from around

the globe, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a world capital for

business, design, and bespoke living. In a significant financial

milestone, the company issued its inaugural USD 500 million

green sukuk this year, marking its entry into international

debt capital markets. The move not only reflects OMNIYAT’s

financial strength but also underscores its commitment to

sustainable growth and long-term impact.

For Mahdi Amjad, OMNIYAT has always been more than a

real estate venture. It is a legacy of innovation of how design

and luxury can shape a city’s soul.


6

P.N.C. MENON

Founder

Sobha Group

Few business journeys are as transformative,

deeply personal, and

impactful as that of PNC Menon,

the visionary Founder of Sobha Group.

From modest beginnings in a small town

in India, Menon’s rise to building one

of the world’s most admired real estate

brands is a powerful testament.

His entrepreneurial story began in

Bangalore, with the launch of Sobha Developers.

Menon has set a new standard

by introducing quality-driven construction

and transparent business practices.

In 2003, Menon returned to the Middle

East with a more ambitious goal: to create

a world-class, backward integrated

real estate brand in Dubai. This vision

materialized as Sobha Realty, a global

luxury real estate developer, introduced

its hallmark philosophy, Art of The Detail,

to one of the world’s most competitive

markets.

Sobha Realty’s portfolio comprises 13

master developments across the UAE,

with ambitious plans to expand into new

markets both locally and globally. At the

heart of this vision is Sobha Hartland,

an approximately USD5 billion freehold

master development in MBR City. Spanning

8 million square feet with over 30%

dedicated to green and open spaces,

Sobha Hartland embodies Menon’s belief

that homes should not just shelter but

inspire. Rooted in community, wellness,

and timeless design, it has become one

of Dubai’s most coveted addresses.

Today, Sobha is not just a brand; it is

a legacy founded on integrity, shaped

by design, and driven by an unwavering

pursuit of excellence. At the heart of this

legacy is PNC Menon, a figure whose

success continues to inspire others.

7

MIRWAIS AZIZI

Founder and Chairman

Azizi Developments

At the forefront of UAE’s real estate

sector, Mirwais Azizi, Founder and

Chairman of Azizi Developments,

is driving a transformative vision - one

that transcends architecture and reshapes

communities. Under his leadership, Azizi

Developments has grown into the UAE’s

leading private developer, renowned not

just for its scale, but for its unwavering

commitment to quality, integrity, and

innovation.

With over 40,000 homes delivered to

end users and investors from more than

100 nationalities, Azizi Developments has

cultivated a reputation built on reliability

and transparency. The company’s diverse

portfolio includes residential, commercial,

and mixed-use developments located in

Dubai’s most strategic areas such as MBR

City, Palm Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Road,

Dubai South, Al Furjan, Dubai Land,

and Downtown Jebel Ali. 2024 marked

a landmark year for Azizi Developments.

The company delivered over 8.4 million

sq. ft. of built-up area, constructed 316

floors, poured more than 387,000 cubic

meters of concrete, and recorded over

43.6 million man-hours across its projects.

Its revenue for the year exceeded

AED 10 billion, fueled by strong sales

performance, market demand, and the

successful launch of several high-profile

developments.

Among its most ambitious ventures

is Azizi Venice, and Burj Azizi, soon to

be the world’s second tallest tower. The

launch of Monaco Mansions within the

same development marked a new chapter

in ultra-luxury mansion living. As Dubai

evolves, Azizi Developments is playing

an instrumental role in redefining what

it means to build legacies.


8

AHMED ALKHOSHAIBI


Arada

As the founding Group CEO of

Arada, Ahmed Alkhoshaibi has

led the master developer since

its establishment in 2017. Under his

leadership, Arada has developed into

a leading international real estate developer

boasting a portfolio valued at

over AED 70 billion and a reputation for

delivering world-class, community-centric

developments.

Arada has delivered over 10,000 units

and sold more than 17,000 units worth over

AED 28 billion. Alkhoshaibi’s leadership

combines vision with operational discipline,

helping build a brand that appeals

to today’s investors and homeowners.

A serial entrepreneur with a background

in business finance and an Executive

MBA, Alkhoshaibi’s experience spans

sectors and scales, including multiple

successful ventures and exits before the

formation of Arada, shaping its strategy

and operations.

Arada’s standout projects, including

the recently launched Akala, the world’s

first precision wellness destination and

a pioneering new global hospitality and

branded residences concept; Aljada,

Sharjah’s largest mixed-use development;

Masaar 1 & 2, the UAE’s first forested

residential developments; and the ultra-luxury

Armani Beach Residences

at Palm Jumeirah and W Residences at

Dubai Harbour, speak to Alkhoshaibi’s

commitment to design excellence and

innovation. Each development reflects

a consistent focus on design, livability,

and sustainability. He has also overseen

key financial milestones, including Arada’s

second sukuk issuance, listed on

both the London Stock Exchange and

Nasdaq Dubai.

9

MUHAMMAD BINGHATTI

Chairman

Binghatti Holding

Muhammad BinGhatti is the visionary

force behind Binghatti, one

of the UAE’s most progressive

and design-led real estate developers.

As Chairman, he has transformed the

family business founded in 2008 by his

father, Dr. Hussain BinGhatti Aljbori,

into a multi-sector powerhouse with a

real estate portfolio exceeding AED 50

billion in investment value and more than

40 landmark projects in Dubai.

An architect and designer by training,

Binghatti brings a rare blend of artistic

sensitivity and commercial strategy to

the property development space. Holding

a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in

Architecture, his background shapes the

company’s philosophy: real estate should

be a work of art, not just an asset. His

personal touch is visible in every detail,

from architectural forms inspired by

natural phenomena like the sunrise to

the integration of smart technologies

and bespoke design elements that turn

buildings into lifestyle statements.

Binghatti’s properties are instantly

recognizable across Dubai’s skyline,

reflecting Muhammad’s unique design

language and his belief that real estate

should echo the same brand power

seen in industries like automotive and

fashion. His ambition was not only to

build homes or towers but to establish

a signature identity akin to how one

immediately recognizes a Mercedes-Benz

car or a Chanel bag. This vision has led

to Binghatti being the first real estate

developer globally to collaborate with

elite luxury brands to deliver branded

residential properties, partnering with

icons such as Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz,

and Jacob and Co.


Eng. Amer Khansaheb is a visionary leader at the helm of

Union Properties PJSC (UP), one of the UAE’s largest

and most respected Real Estate development companies,

with a distinguished legacy in delivering premium landmark

projects across Dubai. With a legacy built over more than

three decades, Union Properties has delivered some of the

city’s most iconic destinations: MotorCity, Green Community,

Uptown Mirdiff, Index Tower, and the Ritz-Carlton DIFC.

Khansaheb’s leadership has ushered in a period of transformation

for Union Properties, resulting in record operational

profitability and renewed investor confidence. In 2024, the

company recorded annual revenues of AED 528.7 million,

a clear indicator of its strong operational performance and

successful market positioning. This financial resilience reflects

not just business acumen, but also a deep understanding of

evolving market demands and the importance of adaptive,

forward-thinking development.

Central to this new era is Takaya, the company’s flagship

HIGHLIGHTS


1987


UAE

Team Size:

8,506 (as of 2024)

Awards & Accolades:

Smart and Sustainable


mixed-use project launched in 2024 in Motor City. Valued at

AED 2 billion and spread across 436,175 square feet, Takaya

is a statement of intent. Takaya is designed with tomorrow

in mind, incorporating sustainable insulation materials, automated

utility systems, and EV charging stations, setting a

new benchmark for smart urban living in Dubai.

With two new developments on the horizon, collectively

valued at AED 4 billion, the company is advancing a broader

AED 6 billion strategic expansion plan. Beyond his role

at Union Properties, Khansaheb also serves as Director of

Khansaheb Investment, a family-owned business group that

has grown into a market leader under his guidance since 2012.

His leadership across both entities is underpinned by a strong

educational foundation, a Bachelor of Science in Civil and

Environmental Engineering from the American University

of Beirut, and a Master of Science in Project Management

from the British University of Dubai, in addition to being a

Chartered Financial Analyst.

Khansaheb’s multidisciplinary experience spans real estate

development, construction management, investment strategy,

and financial analysis. As the UAE advances toward Vision

2030, Union Properties, with Khansaheb at the helm, is poised

to play a vital role in building a diversified economy.

10

AMER

KHANSAHEB

CEO and Board Member

Union Properties


Since stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer at

Majid Al Futtaim - Properties in January 2023, Ahmed

El Shamy has brought a powerful blend of financial

acumen, operational insight, and visionary leadership to one

of the Middle East’s most influential real estate portfolios.

His appointment marked a strategic turning point for the

group, as it expanded its focus on sustainable development,

integrated living, and innovative, future-ready urban spaces.

With a rich career spanning global conglomerates and

high-stakes finance, El Shamy’s impact at Majid Al Futtaim

Properties has been immediate and profound. Before his

CEO role, he served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer,

where he was instrumental in evolving the finance function

and driving enterprise-wide efficiency. During his tenure, he

led major transformation programmes such as War on Waste

and the C1500 plan, navigated the financial complexities of

the COVID-19 pandemic, and helped the organization meet

business targets amidst volatile market conditions.

HIGHLIGHTS


1994

Team Size:

10,000+


Middle East, Africa and

Asia

11

AHMED EL

SHAMY


Majid Al Futtaim Properties

El Shamy’s leadership has catalyzed Majid Al Futtaim Properties’

accelerated growth. Under his guidance, the company

also launched Ghaf Woods, Dubai’s pioneering forest-living

community, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and

experiential real estate.

A seasoned finance and development strategist, El Shamy

previously served as Partner and Group CFO at Qalaa Holdings,

one of the Arab world’s largest private equity firms. He

also held key roles at Procter & Gamble, Citadel Capital,

Al Ahram Beverages, and Orascom Development Holding,

experiences that shaped his multidisciplinary approach to

leadership and innovation.

Today, El Shamy oversees a diverse portfolio that includes

29 shopping malls, seven hotels, five integrated communities,

and a growing pipeline of luxury and mixed-use developments

across the UAE and the GCC. His focus is not only on geographic

expansion but on redefining how real estate serves

people, merging lifestyle, sustainability, and digital innovation

to meet the evolving expectations of global consumers.

Ahmed El Shamy’s leadership style is grounded in precision,

progress, and purpose. Under his guidance, Majid Al Futtaim

- Properties continues to break new ground in shaping the

environment of the future across the wider region.


Amer Waleed El Zaabi is an accomplished CEO with

extensive expertise across business development,

operations, real estate, manufacturing, and the hospitality

sector. With strategic foresight and determination, he

has built a strong foundation for the success of his company,

Tiger Properties, a key player in the UAE’s thriving business

landscape.

As a leader, Amer is versatile and comfortable in any role,

from the executive boardroom to the manufacturing floor.

He is a skilled negotiator, known for his strong business

development and relationship-building abilities. His innate

talent for cultivating high-performance teams has catalyzed

growth and productivity within Tiger Properties.

Tiger Group, owned by his father Eng. Waleed Mohammed

El Zaabi, is one of the UAE’s largest conglomerates and a

cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation. From

humble beginnings in an arid desert, Tiger Group has become

a global business hub and tourist hotspot, with operations

HIGHLIGHTS


1976

Rental Flat Portfolio:

25,000+

Team Size:

8,000

Awards & Accolades:

High-Rise Residential


spanning construction, hospitality, and manufacturing. Under

Amer Waleed El Zaabi’s leadership, Tiger Properties has

flourished, continuing the legacy of excellence and innovation

established by the group.

Amer’s journey to the CEO role at Tiger Properties wasn’t

a simple one. Starting his career in the family business as a

project engineer, he quickly ascended the ranks, becoming

the operations manager within a year. Through his unwavering

dedication, commitment to quality management, and

exceptional leadership skills, he was appointed CEO of Tiger

Properties in 2016.

Since assuming the role of CEO, Amer has led the development

of several landmark projects, including the 122-storey

Tiger luxury residential tower in Business Bay, Auresta Tower

in Dubai, the newly launched project in JVC, and the ambitious

Tiger Sky Tower. Amer’s vision extends beyond constructing

iconic buildings; he is committed to transforming industry

standards and continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s

possible in real estate development.

His leadership, passion, and vision continue to drive Tiger

Properties towards achieving its growth objectives. Amer’s

commitment to excellence ensures that Tiger Properties will

remain a prominent force in the UAE’s real estate.

12

AMER WALEED

EL ZAABI


Tiger Properties


13

ZIAD EL CHAAR


DarGlobal

As Chief Executive Officer of Dar-

Global PLC, Ziad El Chaar has

been the driving force behind the

company’s transformation from a traditional

real estate developer into a global

lifestyle brand. Since joining the Group

in May 2017, he has led operations across

multiple countries, overseeing every facet

of the business from revenue growth and

profitability to regulatory compliance

and corporate governance. Under his

leadership, DarGlobal successfully listed

on the London Stock Exchange and built

a development portfolio valued at over

USD 6 billion, with landmark projects

spanning from the Costa del Sol and

Muscat to Downtown Dubai.

With more than two decades of experience

in real estate development and

investment, El Chaar brings a wealth

of expertise and strategic foresight to

the table.

Beyond his role at DarGlobal, El Chaar

also shapes the broader real estate and

investment landscape through his position

as Chairman of Wasalt, a pioneering

PropTech platform, and as Vice Chairman

of Quara Holding, the powerhouse behind

industry leaders such as Dar Al Arkan

and Khair Capital.

Armed with an MBA from the American

University of Beirut, El Chaar blends

academic rigor with entrepreneurial

flair. His leadership philosophy is rooted

in a simple yet powerful belief that real

estate should offer both an exceptional

living experience and strong financial

returns. He is simply redefining luxury

living as a smart, strategic asset in a

connected world.

14

HUSSAIN SAJWANI


DAMAC Group

With a legacy built on foresight,

innovation, and resilience, Hussain

Sajwani has transformed

the landscape of real estate not only in

the UAE but across the globe.

Recognized as one of the most influential

figures in the Middle East’s property sector,

Hussain Sajwani’s journey began in the

mid-90s when he identified the potential

for growth in Dubai’s hospitality market.

Through the early construction of hotels

to accommodate the growing influx of

business visitors, he set the foundation

for his entrepreneurial journey. In 2002,

Hussain took a decisive step by founding

DAMAC Properties, a company that would

go on to become one of the largest and

most successful property development

firms in the region, with a presence in

over 10 countries, including high-demand

cities like London, Toronto, Miami, and

the Maldives.

The Group’s investment arm has also

ventured into private equities, mergers

and acquisitions, with holdings in major

industries, demonstrating Sajwani’s

diverse and future-focused approach to

business. A prominent acquisition was

the purchase of Roberto Cavalli and de

GRISOGONO, two world-famous luxury

brands, which Sajwani is leveraging

to appeal to a younger, more dynamic

demographic.

The establishment of DAMAC Data

Centres exemplifies his anticipation

of market needs, focusing on the infrastructure

that supports the growing

digital economy. Through these ventures,

Sajwani continues to lead by example,

propelling the DAMAC Group into new,

high-potential sectors while maintaining

its leadership in real estate.


For over two decades, Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami has

been a driving force behind the UAE’s transformation in

both the real estate and financial sectors. As the Chief

Executive Officer of Deyaar Development PJSC, he has consistently

demonstrated a rare balance of strategic foresight,

deep industry expertise, and operational precision. These

qualities have firmly established him among the region’s most

respected business leaders.

Al Qatami began his career in financial services, holding

senior roles at some of the UAE’s most prominent institutions.

At Dubai Islamic Bank, he led the Wealth Management

division, and at Standard Chartered Bank, he gained handson

experience in portfolio management and client strategy.

These formative roles sharpened his financial acumen and

stakeholder management skills, laying the foundation for his

transition into real estate leadership.

Under his guidance, Deyaar Development PJSC has solidified

its position as one of the UAE’s leading real estate developers

HIGHLIGHTS


2002

Team Size:

2,200+


UAE

Awards & Accolades:

Mar Casa, Best Luxury High-

Rise Living Accolade 2024

and service providers. Listed on the Dubai Financial Market,

Deyaar has played a central role in shaping Dubai’s urban

identity through a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial,

and hospitality projects. The company’s commitment to

customer-centricity reflects Al Qatami’s leadership approach

and long-term vision.

Al Qatami holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and Mathematics

from the University of South Carolina. As Dubai and

the UAE continue to evolve as global centers for innovation,

and lifestyle, Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami plays a vital role in

ensuring that this progress is anchored in quality, resilience,

and lasting value.

The company’s diverse portfolio spans residential, commercial,

and hospitality developments, each project reflecting

Deyaar’s commitment to innovation, functionality, and community-centric

design. In addition to his role at Deyaar, Al

Qatami also serves as a Director at Omega Engineering FZC,

extending his influence into broader areas of construction

and engineering. His extensive cross-sector knowledge has

positioned him as a thought leader in urban development,

particularly in the context of Dubai’s fast-evolving cityscape.

As the UAE continues to rise, Al Qatami ensure that its

foundations, both literal and figurative, are built to last.

15

SAEED

MOHAMMED AL

QATAMI


Deyaar Development


Imran Farooq, Chief Executive Officer of Samana Developers,

exemplifies the spirit of long-term vision and strategic

entrepreneurship. His journey began in 1996, at just 22 years

of age, a remarkably early start that laid the foundation for

a career marked by diversification, resilience, and foresight.

Over the past 29 years, Farooq has successfully navigated

a wide array of industries, including IT solutions, real estate

underwriting, and HVAC systems. He has also made his mark

as an angel investor for other real estate ventures alongside

operating the third-largest business center in the UAE. These

experiences provided the depth and perspective that would

later define the direction of Samana Developers.

In 2017, recognizing a significant opportunity in the Dubai

property market, Farooq transitioned his focus fully to real

estate development. Since then, under his leadership, Samana

Developers has evolved into a dynamic force with a portfolio

valued at over AED 17 billion. With a 4.4% share of Dubai’s

competitive real estate market, the company has firmly

HIGHLIGHTS


2017


United Arab Emirates and

Maldives

Team Size:

800

Total Sales Volume till 2024:

AED 17 Billion

16

IMRAN

FAROOQ


Samana Developers

established itself as a key player, an achievement fueled by its

forward-looking strategy and sharp understanding of market

demands. In 2024, it ranked as the 7th largest developer in

off-plan sales, further underscoring its rising influence in

the sector.

What distinguishes Samana Developers is its ability to

anticipate emerging trends and meet evolving consumer

expectations. The brand’s unique value proposition includes

resort-style residences with private pools in apartments, an

offering that blends luxury with affordability. The developer

is also known for flexible payment plans with extended tenures,

making premium living more accessible to a broader

demographic. High rental yields, and timely project delivery

with uncompromising quality have earned the trust of both

end-users and investors alike.

In 2024 alone, Samana Developers has launched 12 new

projects, further cementing its role as a key player in Dubai’s

real estate growth story. The company provides a diverse range

of investment opportunities across residential, commercial,

and retail properties. It also offers exclusive branded residences

in collaboration with Elie Saab and is set to introduce

ultra-luxury developments in the World Islands. His career

reflects strategic growth and a steadfast pursuit of excellence.


Since its inception in 2002, Select Group has solidified

its reputation as a trailblazer in premium real estate,

delivering iconic residential, commercial, and mixed-use

developments across the United Arab Emirates, the United

Kingdom, and Europe.

At the helm of this dynamic organization is Israr Liaqat,

Group Chief Executive Officer, whose strategic vision and

leadership have propelled Select Group to the forefront of the

global real estate industry. Israr’s journey with Select Group

began in 2016 as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where

he orchestrated transformative financial strategies that fueled

the company’s expansion. By optimizing capital allocation

and fostering strategic partnerships, he strengthened Select

Group’s market position and laid the groundwork for its

ambitious pipeline of projects. Under his leadership, Select

Group is not only delivering iconic developments but also

embracing cutting-edge trends like smart technology and

eco-conscious design to redefine modern living.

HIGHLIGHTS


2002


UAE and UK

Team Size:

501-1,000

Awards & Accolades:

Six Senses The Palm, Waterfront

Development of the Year

2025

Israr’s illustrious career spans high-profile roles at some of

the world’s most influential organizations. As CFO of Saudi

Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the largest

sovereign wealth funds globally, he played a pivotal role in

managing multi-billion-dollar investments and advancing Saudi

Arabia’s Vision 2030. His tenure at Arabtec Construction saw

him steer financial operations for major construction projects

across the Middle East, while his role as Group Finance Director

at Aldar Properties PJSC contributed to transformative

developments in Abu Dhabi. Earlier, at the UK’s Mapeley Group,

Israr’s financial expertise was instrumental in preparing the

company for a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) and

subsequent equity offerings, showcasing his ability to deliver

results in competitive markets.

A Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) from the UK with

a Master’s in Business and Management from the University

of East London, Israr brings a unique blend of analytical rigor

and creative vision to his leadership. From Dubai’s vibrant

waterfronts to London’s historic streets, his vision is transforming

skylines and setting new benchmarks for what real

estate can achieve. As Select Group continues to grow, Israr

remains committed to creating spaces that inspire, endure,

and elevate the human experience.

17

ISRAR

LIAQAT


Select Group


Since 2015, Dr. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi has been the

driving force behind Miral’s transformation into one

of the region’s most influential creators of immersive

destinations and experiences. As Group Chief Executive

Officer, Al Zaabi has led the company with clarity of vision

and strategic purpose, guiding it through an extraordinary

journey that has redefined Yas Island and cemented Abu

Dhabi’s reputation as a global entertainment, leisure, and

tourism destination.

Under his leadership, Miral has grown into a key player

in the Emirate’s economic diversification, investing billions

into landmark projects and world-class attractions. Through

partnerships with global names such as Ferrari, Warner Bros.,

and SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., Miral has built a portfolio

that resonates far beyond the region, and recently with Disney,

turning Yas Island into a world-renowned destination

for entertainment, leisure, and business. In 2024 alone, Yas

Island welcomed over 38 million visitors.

HIGHLIGHTS


2011

Team Size:

200-500

18

MOHAMED

ABDALLA AL

ZAABI


Miral


UAE

Awards & Accolades:

Zindagi ko bolo YAS, Real

Estate Marketing Campaign

of the Year 2025

But Al Zaabi’s impact extends beyond numbers. His leadership

has been pivotal in expanding Miral’s destination strategy

to encompass Saadiyat Island, where the company has

successfully elevated global awareness and delivered a 10%

increase in visits in 2024. This expansion reflects his ability

to not only create but also scale compelling experiences that

connect people, cultures, and communities.

At Miral, Al Zaabi has brought this expertise to life, overseeing

a dynamic network of destinations that offer more

than just entertainment; they create unforgettable moments

and lasting memories for millions. He currently serves as

Chairman of Miral Destinations, the entity responsible for

promoting Yas Island and Saadiyat Island globally, and sits

on the Board of Directors of Miral Experiences.

Beyond the boardroom, Al Zaabi is a pioneer in the tech

space, becoming the first Emirati to earn the prestigious

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification. His

academic credentials are equally impressive, he obtained his

Doctorate in Business Administration from the University

of Warwick in the UK in February 2025, and is holding an

Executive MBA from INSEAD, an MSc in Strategic Project

Planning from Heriot-Watt University, and a bachelor’s degree

in Electrical Engineering from UAE University.


19

TALAL MOAFAQ AL GADDAH

Senior Executive Vice Chairman

MAG Lifestyle Development

With a rare ability to blend innovation,

sustainability, and

luxury, Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah

has emerged as a transformative force in

the UAE’s real estate landscape. As the

Senior Executive Vice Chairman of MAG

Lifestyle Development, he has propelled

the company to unprecedented heights,

overseeing a diverse and ambitious portfolio

that spans residential, commercial,

and mixed-use developments.

A trailblazer with a passion for innovation,

Talal has consistently introduced

groundbreaking concepts that have

reshaped the meaning of luxury living.

Among his most notable achievements

is the launch of the Keturah brand, an

extraordinary fusion of opulence, wellness,

and sustainability.

The journey began with Keturah Resort

at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai,

Creekside, one of the first developments

in the region to pursue the WELL

Health-Safety Rating certification. This

commitment to wellness was deepened

with the unveiling of Keturah Reserve,

a revolutionary development introducing

the Middle East’s first “Bio Living”

concept. Designed to immerse residents

in lush, landscaped nature, the project

aims to enhance physical, mental, and

emotional well-being, offering more than

just a home, but a transformative lifestyle.

These developments stand as living

proof of Talal’s belief that true luxury is

found not just in materials and aesthetics,

but in spaces that elevate human experience,

promote community connectivity,

and respect the environment.

20

NABIL AL KINDI


Dubai South Properties

Nabil Al Kindi assumed his current

role in 2019, bringing extensive

experience in real estate development

and leadership to Dubai South

Properties. As of March 2025, the company

has successfully delivered 4,600

residential units, with an additional 6,150

units under construction, amounting to

a total project value of USD 3 billion.

Under Al Kindi’s leadership, Dubai South

Properties achieved a major milestone

in 2024 with the handover of The Pulse

Beachfront and the awarding of USD 544.6

million in construction contracts. That

same year, the company also generated

over USD 544.6 million in sales.

Before joining Dubai South, Al Kindi

held key leadership roles at prestigious

organizations such as DIFC, Arabtec

Holding, TDIC, and Zabeel Investments.

He currently serves as the CEO of Duserve

Facilities Management and South Energy.

Al Kindi’s passion for real estate began

early in his career after earning a bachelor’s

degree in Architectural Engineering

in the United States. Upon returning to

the UAE, he joined Emaar Properties

as a Development Manager and swiftly

advanced to Director of Development,

eventually becoming part of Emaar

International.

Throughout his career, Nabil has been

involved in significant developments,

including projects such as Gate Avenue

at DIFC, The Louvre on Saadiyat Island,

St. Regis Abu Dhabi at TDIC, Burj Khalifa

Master Plan at Emaar, The Zabeel Saray

Hotel in Dubai, and various mixed-use

developments across Dubai, cementing

his impact on the UAE’s real estate

landscape.


Bill O’Regan assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer

at Modon Holding in January 2024, bringing extensive

experience and a visionary approach to urban development.

Under his leadership, Modon Holding has rapidly

become a leading force in the UAE’s real estate sector, driving

innovative, sustainable, and community-focused projects.

Modon Holding was established in March 2024, following

Q Holding’s acquisition of the ADNEC Group and Modon

Properties. Its operations span real estate, hospitality, asset

management, investments, events, and tourism, creating a

robust and diversified portfolio that strengthens its market

presence and drives economic growth.

With iconic developments like Reem Hills, Nawayef Park

Views, and Maysan, Modon is transforming Abu Dhabi’s urban

landscape, blending modern design with cultural resonance.

In 2024, the company generated USD 1.8 billion in revenues

and launched five ambitious real estate projects on Hudayriyat

Island and Reem Island, achieving USD 3.5 billion in sales. A

HIGHLIGHTS


2005

Team Size:

5,000-1,000


UAE

21

BILL

O’REGAN


Modon Holding

landmark achievement during O’Regan’s tenure was Modon’s

partnership with EMSTEEL Group, formalized through an MoU

signed in December 2024, making Modon the first developer

in the UAE to adopt low-carbon steel in construction, setting

a new standard for eco-conscious development. Modon

Holding’s vision extends beyond development, aiming to

create vibrant, inclusive communities that enhance quality

of life. The company leverages cutting-edge technology and

strategic partnerships to deliver world-class infrastructure,

positioning Abu Dhabi as a global destination for tourism

and investment.

This sustainable approach underscores O’Regan’s commitment

to environmental stewardship and innovation, aligning

with global trends toward greener urban solutions. Prior to

his current role, O’Regan served as CEO of Modon Properties,

where he spearheaded large-scale developments that elevated

Abu Dhabi’s skyline and community living standards. His strategic

vision emphasizes quality, sustainability, and long-term

value, ensuring Modon’s projects deliver lasting economic and

social impact. Under O’Regan’s leadership, Modon Holding

is poised to redefine urban living, positioning the company

as a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s growth and transformation

into a global hub for innovation, culture, and sustainability.


With a legacy rooted in three decades of international

construction excellence, Imtiaz has long been recognised

as a trusted name in infrastructure and real

estate. Since its foundation in 1993, the company has executed

landmark projects for esteemed clients, including the UAE

Government, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank in

Africa, ranging from power plants and airports to large-scale

residential and commercial developments.

In 2014, the company took a strategic leap, launching Imtiaz

Developments to tap into Dubai’s booming luxury real

estate market. This move signalled the beginning of a new

chapter, one defined by ambition, refinement, and architectural

innovation. Under the next-gen leadership of Masih Imtiaz,

the developer has quickly ascended to prominence in the

UAE, with a growing portfolio of over 30 projects in prime

locations across Dubai.

Imtiaz stands out in the region’s competitive real estate

landscape by offering fully furnished, hotel-grade apartments

HIGHLIGHTS


1993


Headquarters in UAE

Annual Revenue Figures:

AED 3 Billion (as of 2024)

in prime locations across Dubai. It boasts a rapidly growing

portfolio of over 30 premium projects, consistently raising the

bar in architectural innovation. With more than a decade of

entrepreneurial experience, CEO Masih Imtiaz has spearheaded

the group through high-impact launches and accelerating

growth. In just two years, Imtiaz Developments has scaled

sales revenue from AED 100 million to over AED 3 billion.

Most recently, he was awarded the prestigious Order

of Philanthropy by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al

Maktoum in recognition of the company’s AED 50 million

contribution to the Fathers’ Endowment Campaign. Imtiaz

continues to grow its footprint with back-to-back launches

across Dubai Islands, Dubailand and JVC, while maintaining

a strong emphasis on design-focused living, branded finishes,

and sustainability.

What truly sets Imtiaz apart is its in-house construction

model, an extension of its 30-year legacy—which enables

greater control over quality, timelines, and execution. This

vertically integrated approach ensures all project handovers

are marked ahead of schedule, giving customers the best

ROI in areas poised for appreciation, while reinforcing the

brand’s reputation for reliability, efficiency, and long-term

value creation in Dubai’s competitive real estate market.

22

MASIH

IMTIAZ


Imtiaz Developments


23

SAMEH MUHTADI


RAK Properties

With a career that spans global

markets and decades of leadership

in real estate, Sameh

Muhtadi is redefining the trajectory of

RAK Properties. Appointed CEO in August

2022, Al Muhtadi brings a bold vision and

proven expertise to one of the UAE’s

most ambitious developers, ushering in

a new era of transformation for Ras Al

Khaimah’s real estate landscape.

Known for his strategic acumen, operational

precision, and deep understanding

of regional and international markets,

Muhtadi’s leadership is focused on creating

vibrant, sustainable communities

that align with the emirate’s long-term

goals. His academic foundation includes

a Master’s degree in Engineering and

Industrial Management from George

Washington University, alongside a Civil

Engineering degree from Enfield College

in London. This technical grounding informs

his forward-thinking approach to

development, where design, durability,

and environmental stewardship intersect.

Under his direction, RAK Properties

has scaled up its ambitions with a wave of

high-impact projects. Highlights include

the successful launch of Julphar Residences

on Abu Dhabi’s Al Reem Island,

which saw all units sell out within just

two months, and the delivery of 207 villas

in the luxurious Marbella beachfront

community on Hayat Island. The company

also marked a significant milestone with

the opening of the 5-star InterContinental

Resort and Spa on Hayat Island, further

reinforcing its presence in the high-end

hospitality sector.

24

MOUNIR HAIDAR

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

LEAD Development

With a career spanning 40 years

across multiple continents,

Haidar has established himself

as a visionary leader in infrastructure

and property development, leaving an

indelible mark on skylines and communities

around the world.

Haidar’s journey in the UAE’s real

estate sector reads like a history of the

region’s most iconic developments. As

a key member in the planning and development

of Dubai’s Palm Island—one

of the world’s most ambitious artificial

island projects- he demonstrated early

on his ability to turn audacious visions

into reality. His impressive track record

includes serving as Chief Executive Officer

for Sorouh Real Estate, a public joint

stock company established in Abu Dhabi

that managed a portfolio exceeding USD

10 billion in real estate projects. This

experience equipped him with invaluable

insights into the complexities of largescale

development and the nuances of

the UAE market.

In 2010, Haidar’s entrepreneurial spirit

led him to co-found LEAD Development,

a comprehensive real estate development

company providing full-cycle services.

Under his guidance, LEAD Development

has planned and delivered master-planned

communities across the UAE - most notably

Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi’s premier

sustainable waterfront destination - with

a combined portfolio value of over USD

7 billion.

His American education, a Master’s

Degree in Structural Engineering and a

BSc in Civil Engineering from Bradley

University, Illinois, provided him with a

solid technical foundation that complements

his business acumen.


Carlos-Antonio Wakim has been a driving force behind

Bloom Holding’s exponential growth since he took the

helm in 2021. With over two decades of experience in

real estate development and leadership, Wakim’s vision and

strategic insights have propelled Bloom Holding to new heights,

cementing its reputation as one of the region’s foremost real

estate developers.

Under Wakim’s leadership, Bloom Holding has achieved

remarkable milestones, including the delivery of over 5,000

homes and the development of over 20,000 units currently in

the pipeline as of early 2025. This expansion is a testament

to his ability to shape the future of real estate, with Bloom

Holding taking significant strides across various sectors,

including residential, education, hospitality, and facilities

management.

A key milestone under Wakim’s direction was the company’s

2024 joint venture with Spain-based Mabel Real Estate

and LEAD Development to co-develop the prestigious Mabel

HIGHLIGHTS


2008

Team Size:

200-500


UAE

Awards & Accolades:

Leading Community Development

Company 2025

Marbella Residences in Spain. This 100,000-square-meter

luxury residential project marks Bloom Holding’s growing

global presence and commitment to high-end developments.

In March 2025, Bloom Holding launched Carmona, the eighth

phase of Bloom Living, a fully integrated community in Abu

Dhabi designed to feature over 4,500 homes alongside worldclass

amenities and services.

Bloom Living, one of the company’s flagship developments,

is a prime example of Wakim’s transformative leadership. The

community is not just a place to live, it’s an all-encompassing

lifestyle. Featuring interconnected parks, walkways, cycling

tracks, and a vibrant Town Centre, Bloom Living ensures residents

have access to exceptional leisure, dining, and retail

experiences. Additionally, with two international schools,

places of worship, and a range of recreational facilities, the

community exemplifies Bloom Holding’s commitment to

creating harmonious, sustainable living spaces for all.

Wakim’s influence extends beyond residential projects. His

role as Chairman of the Executive Committee for Bloom Education

and his leadership of Brighton College’s UAE schools

have been instrumental in shaping the company’s educational

investments. Wakim’s leadership at Bloom Holding continues

to enhance communities both locally and internationally.

25

CARLOS-

ANTONIO

WAKIM


Bloom Holding


A

man who’s not just building towers, but curating the

future of luxury living in the Middle East. As Chairman

and Founder of BNW Developments, Ankur Aggarwal

commands over AED 20 billion in assets under management,

transforming BNW from a consulting startup into one of the

region’s most formidable real estate forces in under three years.

A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Ankur’s journey

began in finance, where he honed an analytical edge that would

later define his unique approach to development, seeing land

not as plots, but as platforms for legacy. His transition to real

estate in 2021 was less of a pivot and more of a revelation.

By 2024, BNW Developments was born, with strategic moves

into Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, including land acquisitions

via BNW Buying and Selling LLC.

Partnering with actor-entrepreneur, Vivek Oberoi, with

whom he shares a brother-like bond, Ankur redefined luxury

real estate in the Middle East with standout projects like Taj

Wellington Mews, which sold 97 units within 24 hours. His

HIGHLIGHTS


2024


UAE and India

Team Size:

400+

Awards & Accolades:

CEO of the Year and Global

Icon of the UAE, among others

26

ANKUR

AGGARWAL


BNW Developments

achievements include landmark developments, Aqua Arc,

FashionTV Acacia, Orvessa, and Pelagia, each reflecting

BNW’s signature: design-rich, ROI-intelligent, and culturally

resonant. His collaboration with global and cultural giants

like FashionTV and IHCL reflects a brand ethos that blends

luxury with longevity. Ankur’s projects don’t just offer lifestyle,

they offer legacy. Each one is a case study in scale,

soul, and speed.

Beyond real estate, Ankur is a proponent of ESG-driven

growth. A regular keynote at ICAI, IBPC, and the India Today

Conclave, he champions sustainability, inclusivity, and

community-driven ecosystems. His work with the ESG Research

Foundation, along with sports and skill-development

initiatives, reinforces his belief in building progress with

purpose. With no project backlog and a team of 400+, BNW

under Ankur’s leadership isn’t just constructing skylines, it’s

crafting cultural permanence.

His philanthropic drive is as ambitious as his business

goals, supporting initiatives in sustainability, education, and

community upliftment. BNW continues to redefine luxury

across residential, commercial, and industrial developments,

it also leaves a deeper imprint, one of enduring value and

social responsibility.


27

FARIS SAEED


Diamond Developers

When Faris Saeed co-founded

Diamond Developers in 2003,

the concept of sustainable

real estate in the Middle East was still

uncharted territory. Today, Saeed stands

at the forefront of a green revolution

in urban development, one he helped

initiate more than two decades ago. His

journey from civil engineer to visionary

developer has left a profound imprint on

Dubai’s skyline and global perception as

a hub for innovative, future-ready cities.

Diamond Developers was born at a

turning point in Dubai’s real estate history.

In 2002, the emirate opened up its

property market to freehold ownership,

an unprecedented move that ignited a

wave of real estate development. Saeed,

originally from Jordan and already an

entrepreneur in Dubai since 1995 with a

maintenance and interior design company,

seized the opportunity. By 1999, he had

transitioned into full-scale development,

a shift that would lead to the creation of

some of Dubai’s most iconic projects.

While the firm’s early projects such

as the Marina Diamond buildings in

Dubai Marina and the Diamond Views

development in Jumeirah Village Circle,

helped establish its reputation, it was

The Sustainable City that truly defined

Diamond Developers’ legacy.

Operating under the SEE Solutions arm

of SEE Holding, Diamond Developers

continues to create scalable and practical

master plans under The Sustainable City

brand, a model rooted in the three pillars

of sustainability: social, environmental,

and economic.

28

ISSA ATAYA


Alef Group

At the helm of Alef Group since

its inception in 2014, Issa Ataya

has led the company to become

a dominant force in Sharjah’s booming

real estate sector. Under his leadership,

Alef Group captured over 25% market

share in 2024, with sales exceeding USD

653.5 million, a stellar 30% year-on-year

growth that firmly cements its position

as a market mover in the UAE’s northern

emirate.

From rapid sell-outs like the Al Mamsha

Hamsa building, which saw 50% of units

sold within hours of launch in February

2024, to large-scale masterplans like the

USD 954 million Hayyan development

and the USD 680.7 million Olfah project,

Ataya has not just scaled operations he

has redefined how Sharjah builds and

sells real estate.

As of March 2025, Alef’s portfolio

includes 2,322 completed units and over

6,372 under construction, a testament to

Ataya’s dynamic execution and ability

to manage complex, high-volume development

pipelines. An alumnus of the

University of Chicago Booth School of

Business, Issa brings a strategic mindset

sharpened by 15 years of experience

across retail, hospitality, and luxury real

estate. Before Alef, he was the driving

force behind Dynamic Hospitality, where

he launched three new FnB brands and

opened 45 branches across the region,

backed by 10 franchising agreements.

Ataya’s leadership is marked by bold

vision and a command of business development,

strategic planning, and customer

engagement. His operational excellence

rooted in forecasting, and stakeholder

management has created a company

culture that is both agile and ambitious.


Under the strategic vision of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin

Ahmed Al Qasimi, Sharjah’s real estate landscape is

undergoing a transformative shift. With academic roots

in business administration from Arkansas State University

and a master’s in Computer & Information Systems from the

University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan, Sheikh Sultan brings a

unique blend of technical insight and global business acumen

to his leadership at Tilal Properties.

Founded in 2014, Tilal Properties emerged during Sharjah’s

developmental boom as a bold venture to redefine the emirate’s

urban future. Established as a joint venture between Sharjah

Asset Management and Eskan Real Estate Development

LLC, the company was created with a singular purpose: to

develop world-class, master-planned communities that align

with international standards while remaining rooted in the

cultural and social fabric of the region.

Central to that legacy is Tilal City, a landmark AED 2.4

billion mixed-use development that is reshaping the emirate’s

HIGHLIGHTS


2014

Team Size:

50-200


UAE

29

SHEIKH SULTAN

BIN AHMED AL

QASIMI

Chairman

Tilal Properties

urban identity. Touted as the ‘New Sharjah,’ Tilal City is the

first master-planned community in the emirate and is set to

become home to around 65,000 residents. Strategically located

on Emirates Road (E611), the project is only 10 km from

Sharjah International Airport and within 2 km of the Dubai

border, offering exceptional connectivity to both emirates.

Spread across thoughtfully designed plots, the development

offers a mix of townhouses, villas (both detached and

semi-detached), and mixed-use buildings. In a significant shift

driven by Sharjah’s updated property legislation, Tilal City

now welcomes foreign investors with 100-year renewable

leaseholds, a move that opens up the market to global buyers

without requiring them to be physically present in the UAE.

Beyond residential offerings, the development also includes

Tilal Mall, set to become one of the largest fully serviced

business centres in Sharjah, covering over two million square

feet. Designed to attract regional and international businesses

alike, it reflects the company’s broader ambition to energize

Sharjah’s commercial and tourism sectors. Tilal City is more

than just a real estate project, it is an investment in Sharjah’s

future. Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed

Al Qasimi, the company is reshaping how people live, work,

and invest in the Emirate of Sharjah.


Osman Celiker, CEO of IRTH Group is transforming the

city’s real estate landscape with a future-focused approach.

Under Celiker’s leadership, IRTH has emerged

as a next-generation real estate force, setting new standards

in unique lifestyle destinations.

A testament to this ambition is the group’s pioneering

partnership with Rove Hotels- an award-winning lifestyle

hotel and residence brand. Together, IRTH Group and Rove

Hotels aim to provide accessible urban living solutions without

compromising on quality. This has brought to life the Rove

Home branded residences concept. The journey began in 2023

with the launch of Rove Home Downtown Dubai, a flagship

development that marked a significant milestone for both

brands. The momentum continued with the introduction of

Rove Home Marasi Drive in Business Bay in April 2024, and

the recently launched Rove Home Dubai Marina.

These projects reflect IRTH Group’s commitment to delivering

homes that match today’s fast-paced, modern lifestyles,

HIGHLIGHTS


2023


UAE

No. of Units Sold:

1800+

Awards & Accolades:

Lifestyle Developer of the

Year 2025

offering stylish interiors, wellness-centric amenities at exceptional

central locations. In just 18 months, IRTH in partnership

Rove Hotels, has launched over 1,800 residential units with

a development value close to USD 1 Billion, signaling not

just rapid growth, but sustained confidence in their unique

development strategy.

Celiker envisions homes as spaces that evolve with their

residents, addressing changing lifestyle needs through functionally

efficient designs and modern conveniences. Innovation

remains an important cornerstone of the IRTH ethos. The

synergy between IRTH Group and Rove Hotels is more than

a business alignment, it’s a shared vision offering outstanding

value in a market that is typically dominated by ultra-luxury

properties. IRTH Group and Rove Hotel has forged a successful

partnership in branded real estate. With its agile approach

and strong connection to Dubai’s evolving urban narrative,

IRTH continues to build on a solid foundation, dedicated to

crafting future-ready, urban and livable spaces that cater to a

new generation of dynamic homeowners and smart investors.

At the center of this transformative journey is Osman Celiker,

whose leadership is setting the tone for a new era in Dubai

real estate. His vision is not just shaping urban communities

but is changing the way real estate is experienced.

30

OSMAN

CELIKER


IRTH Group


As the driving force behind AMIS Development, Neeraj

brings a clear vision and sharp leadership to Dubai’s

luxury real estate market. Since the company’s inception

in October 2023, he has steered AMIS with a deep commitment

to quality, innovation, and long-term value, principles that

have quickly earned the brand a distinct place in the UAE’s

property landscape.

Under Neeraj’s leadership, AMIS has launched standout

developments like The Woodland Residences, a luxury villa

project in Meydan that sold out within a week of its launch.

His focus on combining iconic design, elite collaborations, and

exceptional customer experience has set a new standard in

the market. From branded interiors inspired by global names

like Automobili Lamborghini to cutting-edge smart home

technology and sustainable features, every detail reflects

Neeraj’s passion for offering more than just homes, he aims

to create lasting lifestyle experiences.

Neeraj’s approach is grounded but forward-thinking. He

HIGHLIGHTS


2023


UAE

Team Size:

25+

Unique Selling Point (USP):

Timeless Design Excellence

and Lifestyle-Centric Amenities

31

NEERAJ

MISHRA

Founder and CEO

AMIS Development

believes that true luxury lies not only in appearances but in

thoughtful planning, enduring quality, and the ability to enhance

everyday living. This belief is evident in the company’s

growing project portfolio, including Woodland Terraces and

Woodland Crest, each designed to meet the evolving needs

of modern buyers while remaining timeless in appeal.

His achievements go beyond project launches. In 2024,

Neeraj led AMIS to secure a strategic investment of up to

AED 5 billion from Singapore’s First APAC Fund VCC, an

endorsement of both his vision and AMIS’s long-term growth

potential. He also oversaw the opening of AMIS’s flagship sales

centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, providing clients and investors

a direct window into the brand’s philosophy and offerings.

Neeraj’s leadership style is both hands-on and collaborative.

He works closely with architects, designers, and contractors

to ensure that every development reflects the company’s

standards. At the same time, he places strong emphasis on

customer trust, sustainability, and building communities that

stand out for all the right reasons.

With a sharp eye for opportunity and an unwavering commitment

to excellence, Neeraj is not just building luxury

homes, he’s redefining sophisticated living. His projects

reflect a seamless blend of innovation, elegance, and purpose.


Satish Sanpal stands as one of the UAE’s most influential

and visionary entrepreneurs, steering ANAX Holding to

the forefront of the region’s real estate, hospitality, and

investment sectors. As Chairman of ANAX Holding, a 24-yearold

conglomerate, Sanpal has cultivated a diverse portfolio

that reflects not only his keen business acumen but also a

global vision rooted in innovation, sustainability, and impact.

Under his strategic leadership, ANAX Developments and

ANAX Hospitality have become synonymous with excellence.

ANAX Developments, in particular, is redefining urban living

by crafting sustainable, thoughtfully designed spaces that

prioritize social impact and elevate everyday experiences.

Through this venture, Sanpal merges modern architectural

vision with a conscious approach to community building,

creating environments where people thrive.

As a real estate businessman in the UAE, Sanpal has consistently

demonstrated an exceptional ability to anticipate

market shifts and capitalize on emerging opportunities. His

HIGHLIGHTS


2023

Team Size:

100-200


UAE and UK

foresight has positioned ANAX Holding as a powerhouse in

Dubai’s competitive business landscape. With an integrated

approach that unites real estate, hospitality, and strategic

investments, Sanpal has built a resilient and adaptive business

model, one that not only responds to market demands but

also sets new industry benchmarks.

What sets Satish Sanpal apart is his holistic approach to

entrepreneurship. Beyond corporate success, he champions

sustainable business practices, mentorship, and philanthropy.

His commitment to innovation is not merely for financial gain

but is driven by a deeper purpose: to contribute meaningfully

to economic growth and societal advancement. Sanpal’s leadership

style is rooted in long-term vision, strategic thinking,

and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

With every venture, Satish Sanpal continues to push boundaries,

shaping the future of multiple industries and leaving

an indelible mark on Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His

journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience,

innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. As ANAX Holding

grows, so does its impact, guided by a chairman whose vision

transcends traditional business goals and aims to inspire the

next generation of leaders. The legacy he is building today is

setting the foundation for a visionary tomorrow.

32

SATISH

SANPAL

Chairman

ANAX Development


Vincitore Real Estate Development has long been synonymous

with architectural excellence and luxury living

in Dubai’s elite property landscape. The company’s

enduring growth is guided by Veer Doshi, the forward-thinking

Managing Director and CEO who honors and evolves the

vision initiated by his father and founder, Vijay C. Doshi.

A graduate of UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering, Veer

combines a global educational background with a deep-rooted

passion for design and innovation. Under his leadership,

Vincitore embraces the timeless elegance of modern Italian

architecture, elevating the standards of luxury living in Dubai

by meticulously crafting each project as a masterpiece that

blends aesthetic grace with cutting-edge wellness concepts.

Vincitore signature lies in its unique ability to fuse European

design sophistication with world-class wellness amenities,

setting it apart as a pioneer of designer wellness living in the

region. The company’s brand ethos, represented by a logo

symbolizing class, strength, and market insight, reflects its

HIGHLIGHTS


2013

Team Size:

250+

Total Area Developed:

4.5 Million Sq.Ft.

33

VEER

DOSHI

Managing Director and CEO

Vincitore Real Estate Development

commitment to creating homes that deliver exceptional value

to investors and residents alike.

Headquartered in Dubai with clients spanning over 60

countries, Vincitore Real Estate Development boasts a

strategic footprint that balances prime locations, timeless

craftsmanship, and high capital appreciation.The latest

masterpiece, Vincitore Benessere, Dubai’s first iconic wellness

residential landmark, inaugurated in 2025, exemplifies

this vision. Vincitore Benessere has redefined the way the

Gulf region approaches residential living by prioritizing the

health and well-being of its residents, while also delivering

extraordinary financial returns with an impressive 90–150%

ROI. This milestone achievement earned Vincitore the prestigious

title of Dubai’s Best Real Estate Investment 2025 at

the Ultimate Realty Awards.

Veer Doshi’s commitment to fostering community-centric

developments ensures that each project is not only architecturally

striking but also socially enriching. As Dubai’s real

estate landscape grows more competitive, he remains at the

forefront of transformative living experiences. His leadership

inspires a resilience that promises to sustain the company’s

impressive trajectory well into the future. Veer continues to

shape spaces that reflect both purpose and progress.


As the Founder and CEO of QUBE Development, Egor

Molchanov brings a wealth of expertise and a global

perspective to the fast-evolving real estate landscape of

the UAE. Egor’s distinctive approach to real estate was shaped

by the distinctive projects he has led, including managing a

master-development spanning over 15 million square feet of

built-up area and launching a major hospitality project with

more than 650 keys. Pairing that with his Academic degree

from the New York University (majored in Economics), Egor

blends his analytical precision and creative foresight in his

leading role in QUBE Development.

QUBE Development was launched in 2023 and it is already

due to complete and hand over its first project, Cubix Residences,

later this year. Additionally, QUBE has launched

Arisha Terraces, a low-rise residential community in Dubai

Studio City, in October 2024 and is will soon launch three more

projects by June 2026 as well as announce a partnership with

a 5 star hotel operator. With decades of industry experience,

HIGHLIGHTS


2022

Team Size:

65+


UAE

QUBE Development is driven by a steadfast commitment to

exceptional quality and sustainable construction, ensuring

each development is thoughtfully designed with eco-friendly

initiatives and cutting-edge innovation. Focused on architectural

beauty and meticulous craftsmanship, QUBE creates spaces

that redefine modern living. With an emphasis on efficiency

and forward-thinking solutions, projects are planned to set

new benchmarks in design, sustainability, and excellence.

Beyond the buildings, QUBE Development is driven by a

deeper purpose, one rooted in social impact and economic

empowerment. As an active participant in the Dubai Land

Department’s Real Estate Brokers Program, QUBE dedicates

a substantial portion of its inventory to be marketed

by Emirati brokers. As well, the company donated AED 2

million to the Father’s Fund of the Mohammed Bin Rashid

Global Initiatives in 2025, reflecting its strong commitment

to community development.

From residential sanctuaries to commercial landmarks,

Egor Molchanov and QUBE Development are redefining the

contours of Dubai’s skyline. With a visionary approach, they

are setting new standards in urban development. Each project

reflects a commitment to not just building structures, but

creating vibrant, sustainable spaces that inspire and endure.

34

EGOR

MOLCHANOV

Founder and CEO

QUBE Development


As the General Manager of Source of Fate, a bold new

developer on the rise, Dr. Majid Jack Hsiung brings

more than just experience to the table, with 20 years of

success as both engineer and architect, he is driving Source

of Fate’s rise as a leader in sustainable, wellness-focused

luxury developments across the Emirates. A seasoned project

management expert, Dr. Hsiung has spear headed a diverse

portfolio across the global market, overseeing everything from

retail and office towers to leisure complexes and high-end

residential spaces. Known for his meticulous approach and

results-driven leadership, he’s built a reputation for delivering

projects on time and within budget, without compromising

on innovation or elegance.

Following the swift sell-out of Sunshine Bay within the first

quarter of its launch, Source of Fate Properties is now focusing

on a bold new venture: Miraggio, a visionary residential

development set to redefine coastal living on Al Marjan Island.

Designed as a seamless extension of the island’s natural

HIGHLIGHTS


2021


UAE

Team Size:

60

Awards & Accolades:

Rising Ultra Luxury Developer

of the Year 2025

35

MAJID JACK

HSIUNG

General Manager

Source of Fate

beauty, Miraggio gracefully cascades toward the shimmering

turquoise embrace of the Arabian Gulf. Its flowing architecture

and carefully crafted interiors mirror Dr. Hsiung’s artistic

vision and thoughtful expertise. Guided by his insight, Source

of Fate is shaping a legacy rooted in innovation, sustainability,

and harmony with nature. This inspiring new project

will offer 810 residences, complemented by state-of-the-art

wellness amenities created to nurture the well-being of its

growing community.

Where Sunshine Bay captured the vibrant dance of a sailboat

upon the waves, Miraggio reflects the serene strength of the

ocean, a sanctuary where architecture, nature, and wellness

merge in perfect balance.

This upcoming launch marks an exciting evolution for

Source of Fate Properties. With Sunshine Bay, the AED 700

million flagship development, already sold out and set for

handover in Q1 2027, momentum now builds toward Miraggio,

continuing the company’s mission to create elegant, sustainable,

and wellness-focused communities.

As the company broadens its footprint across the UAE,

Sunshine Bay and Miraggio will set the benchmark for visionary,

wellness-driven living, capturing the aspirations of

discerning residents and forward-thinking investors alike.


36

ELIE NAAMAN

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Ellington Properties

With over 20 years of experience

spanning the GCC, Iraq, Jordan,

and Lebanon, Elie Naaman’s journey

from his native Lebanon to becoming

a central figure in Dubai’s competitive

property market is a testament to his

strategic vision and relentless pursuit

of excellence.

Naaman’s foray into the real estate

world began in 2001, bringing with him

a solid foundation in Hotel Management

and Tourism from Notre Dame University

in Beirut. He complemented this with a

Proficiency in Real Estate Valuation and

Appraisal from EduDMG in 2013, giving

him a unique edge in understanding both

the lifestyle and economic aspects of real

estate development.

Before co-founding Ellington Properties

in 2014, Naaman held the pivotal role

of Head of Sales at DAMAC Properties,

where he was known for building a

high-performance, customer-centric

sales team grounded in ethical practices.

His tenure there laid the groundwork

for the people-first philosophy that has

since become a hallmark of Ellington

Properties. At Ellington, Naaman has

played a central role in transforming

the company into a respected name in

the UAE’s real estate sector. Under his

leadership, Ellington has launched and

sold out 14 projects in 2024 alone and

delivered Berkeley Place in Mohammed

Bin Rashid City in January 2025.

37

RIZWAN SAJAN


Danube Group

Rizwan Sajan, the Founder and Chairman

of Danube Group, stands as

one of the most influential business

leaders in the Middle East, with a legacy

built on resilience, innovation, and a

clear vision for progress. With over three

decades of entrepreneurial excellence,

Sajan has transformed a modest trading

venture into a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate,

redefining industry standards

across building materials, home décor,

and real estate development.

Founded in 1993, Danube Group has

grown under Sajan’s dynamic leadership

into one of the most trusted and diversified

business entities in the UAE. The

group’s remarkable journey from humble

beginnings to achieving a USD 2 billion

annual turnover in 2022 is a direct reflection

of Sajan’s unwavering commitment

to innovation, hands-on leadership, and

operational excellence. His strategic

foresight has continually propelled

Danube into new frontiers, ensuring the

brand remains synonymous with quality,

integrity, and timely execution.

Within the group, Danube Properties

has emerged as a dominant force in the

UAE real estate sector. With over 20,000

residential units launched to date, the

development arm has solidified its reputation

for delivering high-value properties

with remarkable speed and efficiency. In

the past 12 months alone, the successful

and early handover of Opalz, Gemz, and

Pearlz, delivered 4 to 6 months ahead of

schedule, is a clear testament to Sajan’s

commitment to exceeding expectations.

Collectively, these three projects comprise

more than 1,000 residential units, span

over 1 million square feet of built-up area,

and are valued at over AED 1 billion.


With over two decades of experience across investment

and development sectors, Egor Maslennikov

is not just an entrepreneur, he’s a visionary whose

expertise bridges economics, construction, and cutting-edge

urban living.

Holding both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Economics,

Egor brings academic depth to a career defined by real-world

success. His strategic acumen has powered the creation

and growth of over five companies across construction, real

estate, and development, each a testament to his versatility

and commitment to excellence. But it is Object 1, the real

estate development arm of the international TSZ Group, that

stands as his most ambitious and celebrated venture to date.

Founded in 2022, Object 1 has emerged as a trailblazer in

Dubai’s hyper-competitive real estate market. Under Egor’s

leadership, Object 1 has assembled a team of more than 350

professionals who share his relentless drive for excellence.

Every project the company touches is a fusion of aesthetic

HIGHLIGHTS


2022


UAE

Number of Units Sold:

1,197

Awards & Accolades:

Emerging Urban Developer of

the Year

38

EGOR

MASLENNIKOV

Founder and CEO

Object 1

sophistication, advanced materials, and eco-conscious design.

Their developments are more than places to live, they are

thoughtfully crafted ecosystems designed to elevate daily life.

Object 1’s portfolio ranges from the aqua-inspired calm

of RA1N Residence and the earthy, nature-infused design

of 1WOOD Residence, to the Italian elegance of V1TER

Residence, the company is not afraid to take creative risks.

Projects like Ozone1 Residence, with its wellness-centric

design and air purification systems, and EVERGR1N House,

a biophilic masterpiece in Jumeirah Garden City, signal a

bold commitment to sustainability without sacrificing luxury.

What sets Egor apart is his ability to balance big-picture

thinking with precision execution. He is as focused on macroeconomic

trends as he is on the granular details of floor

plans and façade textures. This dual focus enables Object 1

to consistently deliver investor-friendly, lifestyle-enhancing

developments across key neighborhoods like JVC, JVT, Al

Furjan, and Jumeirah Garden City.

Upcoming projects like V1VID Residence, V1STARA House,

and ESSENL1FE Residence only further cement Object 1’s

status as a developer with purpose and flair. Each one offers

a distinctive narrative, futurism, growth, wellness, brought

to life through signature architecture and curated amenities.


39

JOSEF KLEINDIENST


Kleindienst Group

Josef Kleindienst, an Austrian

entrepreneur with over 38 years

of experience, is the founder and

chairman of the Kleindienst Group,

a dynamic conglomerate that spans

real estate development, construction,

yacht building, hospitality, sustainable

energy, and more. Under his leadership,

the group has been at the forefront of

some of the UAE’s most innovative and

ambitious projects.

Kleindienst’s flagship project, The

Heart of Europe, is a groundbreaking

sustainable destination located on the

UAE’s World Islands. This visionary

development features the world’s first

Floating Seahorse Villas, underwater

living experiences, a climate-controlled

Raining Street, and the Coral Institute,

the largest privately-owned marine life

rehabilitation centre. The project, a

car-free and pollution-free paradise, aims

to redefine luxury living and tourism

with its unique blend of sustainability

and extraordinary experiences. It will

eventually host over 20 hotels and resorts,

thousands of residential units, and create

thousands of jobs.

In 2024, the Kleindienst Group expanded

its reach by starting the construction of

four shipyards in Ras Al Khaimah and

entered into a significant partnership

with IHG Hotels and Resorts to launch

an InterContinental Resort Portofino,

expected to open in 2026.

Beyond his development achievements,

Josef’s leadership has solidified

Kleindienst Group as the number one

European developer in the UAE. He also

plays a key role in fostering FDI into

the UAE as the leader of the Austrian

Business Centre.

40

ISSAM GALADARI

Founder, Director and CEO

Ithra Dubai

For over three decades, Issam

Galadari has been one of the key

architects of Dubai’s transformation

into a global real estate powerhouse. As

the Founder, Director, and CEO of Ithra

Dubai, and the Chief Executive Officer

of Dubai Healthcare City Authority, his

vision continues to shape the city’s skyline

and its investment potential. But Issam’s

impact goes far beyond the towers, his

leadership has helped define the very

identity of modern Dubai.

Known for his ability to bring iconic

projects to life, Issam’s fingerprints can

be found on the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis The

Royal, and the majestic One Za’abeel,

all developments that have come to

symbolize Dubai’s ambition, innovation,

and elegance. His strategic foresight and

precision execution have made him a

trusted name not just in the UAE, but

across international markets.

Today, at Ithra Dubai, he oversees

transformative developments like One

Za’abeel, a mixed-use masterpiece redefining

luxury and connectivity, and the

Deira Enrichment Project, a large-scale

urban renewal effort aimed at revitalising

one of Dubai’s most historic districts.

Beyond the boardroom, Issam remains

actively engaged in professional and

civic circles, with memberships in the

UAE Society of Engineers and the UK’s

Institute of Civil Engineering. His thoughtful

approach to leadership, balancing

cost control with strategic growth has

made him a trusted steward of complex

developments that demand both vision

and discipline.


41

KABIR MULCHANDANI

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

FIVE Holdings

Kabir Mulchandani is the visionary


of FIVE Holdings, a Dubai-based

real estate and hospitality firm renowned

for its luxury hotels and resorts across

the Middle East, Spain, and Switzerland.

Established in 2011, FIVE Holdings has

quickly become a global name synonymous

with high-octane lifestyle experiences

and luxury living.

Mulchandani’s entrepreneurial journey

began in his hometown of Mumbai,

India, where he worked for his family’s

consumer electronics business before

relocating to Dubai in the early 2000s.

FIVE Holdings is poised for its next

significant milestone, with plans to go

public on the Dubai Stock Exchange in

2025, marking a new chapter in its rapid

expansion.

The firm’s commitment to sustainability

is evident in its A-grade ESG rating from

ISS Corporate Solutions, the highest across

all sectors. This recognition underscores

FIVE Holdings’ dedication to creating a

Global Sustainable Entertainment Ecosystem,

blending immersive entertainment,

innovative food and beverage concepts,

and a conscious approach to luxury that

resonates with millennials and Gen-Z

customers who prioritize both style and

sustainability.

With a growing presence in luxury

hospitality, fashion, and entertainment,

Kabir Mulchandani’s FIVE Holdings is

not just a brand, it’s a movement that

continues to redefine what it means

to live and experience luxury in the

modern world.

42

NAVNEET MANDHANI

Founder

Karma Realty Developers

Navneet Mandhani is a distinguished

real estate leader whose strategic

vision and entrepreneurial acumen

are reshaping Dubai’s urban landscape.

With over two decades of hands-on experience,

he stands at the forefront of

the region’s real estate evolution—combining

global insight, design precision,

and transformative thinking to elevate

the way cities are built and experienced.

As the driving force behind Karma

Realty Group, Mandhani leads a portfolio

of over 5 million sq. ft., with landmark

developments including Olivia Residences,

Trinity by Karma, and the flagship Milos

by Karma. Educated in the United States

and seasoned in international markets, he

has built Karma into a globally respected

brand with a presence across Dubai,

the UK, Cyprus, Romania and Australia.

His leadership blends architectural

refinement with sharp strategic execution,

earning investor confidence and setting

new standards in premium living. Now

steering Karma’s expansion into the hospitality

sector, he is also forging strategic

alliances that enhance the Group’s reach

and operational depth.

With a dynamic pipeline of projects in

Dubai Islands, DIP, and Sports City, Karma

Realty is primed to redefine excellence in

the built environment. Mandhani’s instinct

for value creation and relentless pursuit

of innovation continue to position him

as a defining force in global real estate.


Faruh Kurbanov is not just a developer, he is a financial

strategist, investor, and philanthropist focused on

creating long-term, sustainable value. With over two

decades of experience in the construction industry, he has

co-founded DIA Holding and FBK Construction, delivering

more than half a million square meters of residential, commercial,

and social infrastructure. His guiding principle, “Live

and benefit others,” shapes both his business approach and

his commitment to community development.

In 2024, Kurbanov co-founded DIA Properties in Dubai,

bringing his integrated development philosophy to one of

the world’s most dynamic real estate markets. DIA Properties

was established with a clear mission: to deliver real estate

projects that combine strong investment potential with

meaningful social impact. Unlike traditional developers, DIA

focuses on creating holistic ecosystems — not just buildings.

Its developments are designed to generate long-term asset

value, enhance residents’ quality of life, and contribute to

HIGHLIGHTS


2024

Team Size:

2,000+


UAE

the broader community.

The company’s first project, LuzOra, located on Dubai Islands,

reflects this philosophy in action. LuzOra is designed

as an elegant fusion of lifestyle, technology, and investment

thinking. Featuring EV charging stations, smart home systems,

golf carts, and thoughtfully curated recreational areas, LuzOra

caters to both sophisticated residents and savvy investors.

One of its most distinctive features is the flexibility of its

two-bedroom units, which can be divided into two fully

independent apartments, enabling dual short-term rental

streams. This modular concept has the potential to deliver

annual yields of up to 14%, significantly outperforming Dubai’s

average returns.

Kurbanov’s emphasis on innovation extends into every phase

of DIA’s operations. From incorporating automation and AI

into the construction process to designing investor-oriented

living spaces, every decision reflects a clear focus on ROI,

scalability, and future-proofing. Beyond profitability, Kurbanov

remains deeply committed to philanthropy. Through initiatives

like the Mereke Charitable Foundation and the launch of free

educational hubs such as SANA Bilim and SANA Edu, his

social impact mirrors the same long-term vision that drives

his business ventures.

43

FARUH

KURBANOV


DIA Properties


With a career spanning over 15 years, Irfan Wahid

has redefined what it means to build not just properties,

but futures, rooted in quality, affordability,

and innovation.

From humble beginnings with a modest team of builders,

Irfan Wahid has steered GFS into becoming one of Pakistan’s

most recognized and respected real estate developers. Under

his leadership, GFS has built a legacy of delivering high-quality,

sustainable housing solutions across the country, helping

countless families realise their dream of homeownership.

What sets Irfan apart is not just his business acumen, but

a visionary approach grounded in social purpose. “Everyone

deserves a home,” he says, a belief that has been the

cornerstone of GFS’s mission. The company’s commitment

to low-cost housing with high-standard utilities reflects this

ethos, creating living spaces that are accessible, comfortable,

and designed with care.

Educated in some of the world’s top institutions, including

HIGHLIGHTS


2005


UAE, UK, USA, Canada,

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Team Size:

3,000+

Awards & Accolades:

Emerging Developer of the

Year 2025

44

IRFAN

WAHID

Chairman

GFS Development

an MBA from the University of Washington and real estate

certifications from the London School of Economics, Irfan

brings global expertise to Pakistan’s local markets. His

experience across London, New York, and Pakistan gives

him a rare international perspective, which he uses to raise

standards and set new benchmarks in the industry.

Beyond his executive role, Irfan is an influential voice in

Pakistan’s real estate ecosystem. As Vice Chairman of the

Memon Supreme Council and a trusted member of the Association

of Builders and Developers (ABAD), he champions

industry reforms and innovation, pushing for a more inclusive,

transparent, and forward-thinking real estate sector.

At the heart of GFS is a deep-rooted commitment to trust,

teamwork, and transformation. The company’s portfolio

spans residential and commercial projects, farmhouses, plots,

apartments, and retail spaces, each one a testament to design

excellence, solid craftsmanship, and investment value. With

over two decades of development experience, GFS has not

only built structures, but it has also built a reputation.

Under Irfan’s leadership, GFS has expanded its footprint

across major cities in Pakistan, from community-driven

townships to state-of-the-art commercial hubs, GFS continues

to shape the future of real estate with purpose and vision.


45

MICHAEL BELTON


MERED

With over 30 years of international

experience in high-value real

estate development, Michael

Belton, CEO of MERED, brings a legacy

of leadership, vision, and proven performance

to the global property stage.

From iconic civic landmarks to luxury

residences and large-scale commercial

developments, his portfolio spans more

than $5 billion in managed real estate

assets across the U.S., Europe, and the

Middle East.

Michael’s career has been defined by

transformative roles in both startups

and multinational enterprises, consistently

building high-performing teams

and delivering complex, high-stakes

projects. Prior to joining MERED, he

played a pivotal role in shaping the

future of Saudi Arabia as the leader of

the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre, a

landmark component of the Kingdom’s

Vision 2030 initiative.

Today, at the helm of MERED, Michael

is channelling his decades of experience

into expanding the company’s presence

in the UAE and GCC markets. His leadership

focuses on elevating the brand’s

global profile through innovative projects

and strategic partnerships. Known for

his ability to mentor talent, lead with

clarity, and deliver results in complex

market environments, he is spearheading

MERED’s evolution into a market leader.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in

Political Science and Government from

the University of Massachusetts Amherst,

a foundation that has supported his

understanding of global dynamics and

policy-influenced real estate development.

46

NAAMAN ATALLAH

President, Real Estate

Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

With over three decades of transformative

leadership in real

estate, Naaman Atallah brings

a rare blend of regional expertise, global

perspective, and forward-looking strategy

to his role as President of Al-Futtaim

Real Estate. Tasked with steering the

company’s growth and optimising a

multi-billion-dollar portfolio, Atallah is

driving Al-Futtaim Real Estate’s mission

to redefine integrated community living

across the Middle East and North Africa.

Before joining Al-Futtaim, Atallah

served in top leadership roles at some of

the region’s most influential developers,

including Group CEO at Nakheel, CEO

at Piramal Realty, Dubai Properties, and

senior positions at Emaar, Qatari Diar,

and Solidere. His leadership consistently

reflects an ability to transform vision into

reality, delivering large-scale developments,

enhancing operational performance, and

amplifying customer value.

An engineer by training, Atallah holds

a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University

of Texas at Austin, an MBA from

Pepperdine University, and completed

the Advanced Management Programme

at INSEAD in France. His strategic acumen

has also extended to governance,

with roles on investment committees

and boards across Europe, the GCC,

and North Africa, including Qatari Diar

Istanbul, Ajdan in Saudi Arabia, Emaar

Lebanon, and the Misk Foundation’s real

estate division in Saudi Arabia.


47

ANWAR ATARI


Al Ghurair Properties

As the CEO for Commercial and

Residential at Al Ghurair Properties,

Anwar Atari plays a crucial

role in shaping the Group’s real estate

strategy, enhancing its existing portfolio,

and driving the automation of new

business and diversification initiatives.

His leadership ensures that Al Ghurair

Properties continues to evolve and

maintain its position as a leading force

in the UAE’s real estate sector.

With a wealth of over 30 years of

experience, Anwar has demonstrated

a remarkable ability to help companies

achieve their full potential across various

industries and regions. His career spans

renowned global organizations such as

Vycom Electronics, Johnson and Johnson

Pharmaceutical, Total Oil and Gas, and

British American Tobacco, where he honed

his leadership and strategic expertise.

In recent years, Anwar has focused

his expertise on the UAE real estate

market, holding key leadership positions

in prominent local companies. Additionally,

his career has seen him serve

as a Board Member for two companies

in Jordan and Morocco. Anwar has also

played an integral role in several Audit

and Corporate Governance Committees,

further solidifying his reputation as a

trusted leader in corporate oversight.

Anwar holds an Executive MBA from

the London Business School, further

enhancing his strategic acumen and leadership

capabilities. Under his guidance,

Al Ghurair Properties continues to focus

on innovation, operational efficiency,

and long-term sustainability, ensuring

the Group remains a key player in the

UAE’s competitive real estate landscape.

48

SUWAIDAN AL-DHAHERI


IMKAN Properties

As the Chief Executive Officer of

IMKAN Properties, Suwaidan

brings more than two decades

of expertise to one of the UAE’s most

forward-thinking real estate developers,

blending precision engineering with

soulful placemaking.

Since taking the helm at IMKAN in

2020, Suwaidan has overseen the company’s

global expansion and strategic

execution, with a portfolio that now

spans 26 landmark projects across two

continents. From Morocco to Egypt and

beyond, IMKAN’s developments embody

a unique ethos: to create spaces that

enrich lives, not just occupy land. It’s a

vision deeply aligned with Suwaidan’s

own belief in building with purpose.

A trained engineer with a career spanning

over 24 years, Suwaidan brings a

multifaceted leadership approach rooted

in operational excellence and a sharp

focus on long-term value. Before joining

IMKAN, he served as the CEO of Musanada

Abu Dhabi General Services Company,

where he managed a vast AED 125 billion

portfolio across various sectors. Under

his stewardship, Musanada successfully

delivered 104 projects and oversaw more

than 2,000 assets, an achievement that

reflects both scale and strategic finesse.

Known for setting high standards and

delivering consistent results, Suwaidan

Al-Dhaheri continues to shape IMKAN

into a global player with a local soul. His

steady hand at the wheel ensures that

IMKAN isn’t just building properties, it’s

building legacies.


49

ABBAS SAJWANI

Founder and CEO

AHS Properties

At just 18 years old, Abbas Sajwani

took the first confident steps of what

would become a transformative

journey in the world of business and real

estate. Today, he is the founder and CEO

of AHS Group, a diversified UAE-based

conglomerate operating across three

verticals: Ventures, Investments, and

Properties, with 2,000+ employees and

total assets exceeding USD 800 million. As

one of the youngest and most influential

entrepreneurs in the Gulf region, Abbas

is redefining the contours of modern

luxury and enterprise.

In November 2021, Abbas launched AHS

Properties, a flagship entity under the AHS

Group umbrella. Focused exclusively on

the ultra-luxury segment, the company

quickly distinguished itself by offering

bespoke, architecturally exceptional

villas and residences in Dubai’s most elite

neighbourhoods. From Palm Jumeirah to

Emirates Hills and the Dubai Water Canal,

AHS Properties has crafted a portfolio

with a gross development value of over

USD 1.65 billion as of the end of 2023.

Under Abbas’s leadership, AHS Properties

moved swiftly from luxury villa

redevelopments to pioneering off-plan

luxury projects that are raising the bar

in high-end real estate. These include

boutique towers with exclusive sky villas,

penthouses, and full-floor residences, each

project reflecting a deep commitment to

excellence, privacy, and lifestyle design.

In an era where authenticity, design,

and lifestyle are paramount, Abbas

Sajwani is setting a new benchmark for

what the future of ultra-luxury real estate

should look like - crafted, curated, and

truly exceptional.

50

KHALAF AHMAD AL HABTOOR


Al Habtoor Real Estate

Few individuals embody the spirit of

the UAE’s economic miracle quite

like Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor. A

self-made businessman, visionary, philanthropist,

and national icon, Al Habtoor

is the Chairman and Founder of the Al

Habtoor Group, one of the most influential

and diversified conglomerates in the

Middle East. His legacy, shaped over more

than five decades, mirrors the meteoric

rise of the United Arab Emirates from a

collection of desert towns to a globally

admired economic powerhouse.

From humble beginnings as an employee

in a local construction firm, Al Habtoor’s

entrepreneurial journey began in 1970, when

he established Al Habtoor Engineering,

just a year before the historic formation

of the UAE Federation. Inspired by the

nation’s newfound unity, he embarked

on a mission to build infrastructure that

would elevate the country’s global standing.

What started as a small engineering

company grew into the Al Habtoor Group,

a multi-sectoral giant with interests in

hospitality, automotive, car leasing,

real estate, education, and publishing,

employing thousands of people across

the UAE and internationally.

Under Al Habtoor’s leadership, the

group has become a cornerstone of

the UAE’s transformation. Through Al

Habtoor Real Estate, the Group has set

the gold standard for commercial and

residential development.


51

ALI AL GEBELY


One Development

Ali Al Gebely is a seasoned entrepreneur

and visionary business leader

whose legacy is deeply rooted in

over two decades of shaping industries

across energy, real estate, and technology.

As the Founder and Chairman of Al

Gebely Holding and ONE Development,

he has been instrumental in advancing

his family’s 40-year legacy while forging

new paths in innovation-driven sectors.

Al Gebely’s leadership has been pivotal

at Al Fanar Gas Group, Abu Dhabi’s

largest LPG distributor, where he led

the company to secure ADNOC’s first

city gas infrastructure EPC contract, a

key milestone under the Abu Dhabi 2030

vision. Under his stewardship, Al Fanar

has delivered over 1,500 landmark projects

across Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and

Al Reem Island, cementing its reputation

as a key infrastructure player.

In parallel, his role as Managing

Director of EHC, one of the region’s

most established holding companies

in the energy sector, showcases his

strategic oversight of a multi-sector

conglomerate with interests spanning

technology, healthcare, finance, tourism,

and alternative investments. Through

Al Gebely Holding, he is now focused

on scaling transformative ventures that

blend innovation, sustainability, and

long-term impact.

Holding a degree in economics from

Middlesex University, London, and dual

bachelor’s degrees in international business

administration and mechanical engineering,

Al Gebely brings a rare blend of

analytical thinking and technical acumen.

52

GEORGE SAAD


Al Zorah Development Company

George Saad took on his current

role in 2022 as part of Al Zorah

Development Company, a joint

venture between the Government of

Ajman and Solidere International. Under

his leadership, the company has achieved

remarkable growth, with a 38% year-onyear

increase in transactions in 2024. As

of March 2025, Al Zorah has successfully

delivered 190 villas, 400 residential

units, and 98 hotel keys. Furthermore,

the company has an ambitious pipeline,

including 600 villas, additional units, and

174 hotel keys set for future delivery.

One of the company’s notable accomplishments

was the early completion and

handover of the Seaside Hills Villas in

January 2025, which was delivered two

months ahead of schedule. Prior to this,

Saad served as the commercial director

at Marjan, where he played a pivotal role

in shaping the company’s commercial

strategy and performance. His leadership

continues to drive Al Zorah’s success in

the competitive real estate sector.

His leadership continues to drive

Al Zorah’s success in the competitive

real estate sector. With a clear vision

and a focus on timely delivery, Saad is

positioning Al Zorah as a benchmark for

excellence and innovation in Ajman’s

evolving landscape. As the company

expands its footprint, it remains committed

to creating sustainable, high-quality

developments that contribute to the

emirate’s long-term growth.


53

HAZZA ZAAL


Al Barari Real Estate Group

As the CEO of Al Barari, Dubai’s

most verdant and iconic lifestyle

community, and the founder of

the next-generation real estate venture

Elemental, Hazza Zaal has made it his

mission to redefine how people live,

connect, and thrive.

Al Barari, derived from the Arabic

word for “wilderness”, is far more than a

real estate development. It is a visionary

ecosystem born out of Zaal’s deep belief

in the power of nature to transform

human well-being. Since its inception

in 2005 by his father, Zaal Mohamed

Zaal, Al Barari has become a rare green

sanctuary within Dubai’s urban sprawl.

Offering a collection of architectural

masterpieces from The Residences to

Seventh Heaven, alongside world-class

amenities like The Farm restaurant,

Heart and Soul Spa, and Body Language

health club, the community has set new

benchmarks in sustainable luxury. Hazza

Zaal has continued to evolve the Al Barari

legacy, ensuring that every element from

urban planning to interior design fosters

wellness, harmony, and community. His

projects are not merely investments in land

but in lifestyle, purpose, and longevity.

Through Al Barari and Elemental, Hazza

Zaal is leading a quiet revolution in real

estate, proving that luxury doesn’t have

to be loud, and that the homes of tomorrow

must heal as much as they house.

In every project he touches, nature is

not an afterthought. It is the foundation.

54

BENOY KURIEN


Al Hamra

Benoy Kurien assumed his current

role as Group Chief Executive

Officer at Al Hamra in 2018, after

having previously served as General

Manager from 2011. His leadership has

been a driving force behind the impressive

growth of Al Hamra, a prominent

lifestyle development and investment

company in the UAE, with a portfolio

valued at USD 1 billion.

Benoy’s journey with Al Hamra began

in 1998, where he quickly rose through

the ranks, demonstrating his expertise in

strategic planning, portfolio expansion,

and the execution of diverse projects

across retail, residential, hospitality,

leisure, and entertainment sectors. His

leadership has been instrumental in shaping

the company’s trajectory, overseeing

its operations and assets with a keen

focus on ensuring continued success

and expansion.

Under his stewardship, Al Hamra has

achieved significant milestones, including

the inauguration of the Sofitel Al Hamra

Beach Resort in May 2024 in partnership

with Accor. The resort, which features

292 luxury suites, was first revealed

in 2021. Additionally, Benoy played a

pivotal role in launching the Waldorf

Astoria Residences Ras Al Khaimah

in 2024, marking the debut of Waldorf

Astoria Residences in a managed resort

in the UAE. The development includes

43 ultra-luxury residences, penthouses,

and sky palaces.

Benoy, originally from Bangalore, India,

holds a BA in Commerce, Economics,

Taxation, and Accounting from St. Joseph’s

College of Commerce in Bangalore.


55

SAMER AMBAR

CEO and Co-Founder

REEF Luxury Developments

With two decades of experience in

banking and real estate, Samer

Ambar brings a rare blend of

financial insight and visionary thinking

to the real estate sector in UAE.

Under his guidance, REEF has become

known for its luxurious, innovative

technology which has reshaped the real

estate sector. REEF Luxury Developments’

standout features are its patented

Sunken Balconies and Winter Gardens

with outdoor cooling, a first-of-its-kind

concept that allows residents to enjoy

outdoor living all year round in Dubai.

Ambar places strong emphasis on

smart building technologies and digital

integration. REEF Luxury Developments

appeals to first-time buyers and seasoned

investors seeking substantial returns,

thanks to the value provided by its

innovative concepts. REEF’s portfolio

includes projects such as REEF 1000,

REEF 999, and the upcoming REEF 998.

With a substantial secured land bank,

the company is preparing the launch 30+

projects worth AED 14 Billion in the

near future. Its annual revenue for the

current year is projected between AED

3.5 to 5 billion, backed by 100 per cent

year-on-year growth.

With every project, Ambar moves closer

to his goal of making REEF one of the

most influential names in the region’s

luxury development space.


CONTRACTING GIANTS

SECTION SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

Since taking over as CEO of ALEC in 2024, Barry Lewis

has actively redefined it. A stalwart of ALEC for more

than two decades, Barry’s journey is deeply intertwined

with the company’s transformation into one of the most formidable

forces in the construction industry, particularly across

the Middle East. His leadership has been the cornerstone of

ALEC’s ascent, guiding it through landmark developments

that have not only shaped skylines but also set new industry

benchmarks.

Barry’s project portfolio is nothing short of iconic. From

the complex engineering feats of Dubai Airport’s Concourses

A and D to the refined luxury of the Bulgari Hotel and Resort,

from the vertical marvel that is One Za’abeel to the immersive

experience of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, each project under

his watch reflects ALEC’s blend of architectural brilliance,

logistical sophistication, and sustainable innovation. These

achievements underscore a consistent theme: a commitment

to building beyond the ordinary.

HIGHLIGHTS


1999

Team Size:

10,000+


UAE and Saudi Arabia

1

BARRY

LEWIS


ALEC Engineering and Contracting L.L.C

Now at the helm as CEO, Barry is charting ALEC’s future

with clarity and ambition. Central to his strategy is geographic

and service diversification. ALEC’s bold expansion into Saudi

Arabia—spearheaded by flagship projects like the Qiddiya

Speed Park, a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is

not only growing the company’s regional footprint but is also

cementing its place as a key player in one of the world’s most

dynamic construction markets. This forward-looking move

signals Barry’s readiness to seize new opportunities and steer

ALEC into emerging frontiers.

Innovation, meanwhile, remains at the heart of Barry’s

leadership ethos. With a sharp focus on modular construction

and data centre infrastructure, ALEC is leading the industry

in adopting methods that reduce waste, streamline timelines,

and boost efficiency. These advancements are already visible

in recent projects, where ALEC continues to push technological

boundaries, reinforcing its reputation as a pioneer in

modern construction solutions.

Barry’s vision extends into the energy, oil & gas, and marine

sectors as well. Through ALEC’s wholly owned subsidiary,

TARGET, the company is making strategic inroads into these

industries, broadening its capabilities and enhancing its value

proposition in critical infrastructure development.


Murali Serpakkam, the visionary and dynamic leader

of Al-Futtaim Contracting Group (AFCG), has been

instrumental in transforming the company into a future-ready,

innovation-driven powerhouse within the MEP and

engineering sector. With decades of deep expertise spanning

project management, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

(MEP) services, as well as commercial strategy, Serpakkam

brings a razor-sharp focus on operational excellence, sustainable

growth, and technological evolution.

Under his leadership, AFCG, an integral part of the Al-Futtaim

Real Estate Contracting division has emerged as a prominent

and trusted name across key markets including the UAE,

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. The company has earned

acclaim for delivering cutting-edge MEP and turnkey fit-out

solutions tailored to complex infrastructure, commercial,

residential, hospitality, retail, and automotive sectors. Their

robust portfolio boasts landmark projects such as the MEP

works for Etihad Rail’s Al Faya Depot, one of the region’s

HIGHLIGHTS


1974

Team Size:

5,000-10,000


UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt

and Qatar

largest and most strategic rail infrastructure projects, and

the high-profile expansion of Yas Water World in Abu Dhabi.

AFCG’s expertise also extends to the prestigious Al Hamra

Entertainment Complex in Riyadh, alongside luxury hospitality

projects like The Cove and The Reef resorts within the

visionary Red Sea Development Project, as well as the Jabal

Omer development in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Serpakkam’s forward-thinking vision has also driven AF-

CG’s commitment to sustainability and digital innovation.

Recognizing the vital importance of energy efficiency and

environmental stewardship, he has championed the company’s

Energy & Sustainability division, integrating sustainable

practices and smart construction technologies into ongoing

and upcoming projects.

Complementing AFCG’s contracting prowess, Al-Futtaim

Engineering provides an extensive portfolio of products and

services vital to the construction industry. These include

advanced air conditioning systems, scaffolding and access

solutions, elevators and escalators, control and life safety

systems, facilities management, building products, as well as

technology infrastructure and digital transformation offerings.

With a proven track record, Al-Futtaim Contracting Group

stands poised for continued growth and success.

2

MURALI

SERPAKKAM

Managing Director

Al Futtaim Contracting


As Group Chairman of Khansaheb Group, Tariq Hussain

Abdulrahman Khansaheb plays a central role in leading

one of the UAE’s most established and respected

construction companies. With a civil engineering degree from

the University of Colorado and early professional experience

at R.M. Douglas (later Interserve) in the UK, Tariq returned

to the UAE in 1985 to join the family business, bringing both

international perspective and a strong sense of responsibility

for the company’s future.

Over the years, he has overseen the successful delivery of

numerous major projects, reinforcing Khansaheb’s reputation

for excellence and reliability. Established in 1935, the company

has contributed significantly to the development of the

UAE’s built environment, playing a key role in the country’s

transformation from its early foundations to its current urban

landscape. Under Tariq’s guidance, Khansaheb has steadily

expanded in both scale and scope, evolving to meet the demands

of a growing and dynamic market.

HIGHLIGHTS


1935

Team Size:

5,000+


UAE

3

TARIQ HUSSAIN

ABDULRAHMAN

KHANSAHEB

Group Chairman

Khansaheb Group

While construction and engineering remain at its core,

Khansaheb has strategically diversified into facilities and property

management, sustainable innovation in HVAC solutions,

F&B, aviation training, lifestyle centres, and healthcare. Its

multicultural team of nearly 5,000 employees is committed

to driving efficiency and delivering long-term value to clients,

customers, and communities. Today, Khansaheb continues to

grow, building on decades of expertise and a legacy of trust,

while staying ahead of industry developments and creating

meaningful impact across the sectors it serves.

Khansaheb remains focused on staying ahead of industry

developments while creating meaningful impact across the

many sectors in which it operates. As a fourth-generation

family business, Khansaheb Group leads a diverse portfolio

spanning projects across desert, city and sea. With a clear sense

of direction, the company continues to invest in its people,

strengthen its presence, and embrace new opportunities to

deliver positive change.

Tariq’s vision aligns closely with the company’s mission: to

build a future rooted in quality, trust, and innovation. Through

a deep commitment to long-term growth, he is guiding Khansaheb

into the future while preserving the legacy of a company

that has helped shape the UAE for more than 85 years.


4

KYPROS TSENTAS

Group President

Wade Adams Contracting

Kypros Tsentas leads Wade Adams,

one of the Gulf region’s most

respected and long-established

infrastructure contractors, with a legacy

that began more than four decades ago in

Africa. From its humble beginnings with a

small fleet of equipment and a dedicated

team, the company has grown steadily

into a regional powerhouse, employing

over 15,000 professionals and operating

a fleet of more than 4,000 units of heavy

machinery.

Under Tsentas’ visionary leadership,

Wade Adams has successfully delivered

a wide range of high-value, technically

complex infrastructure projects for

both public and private sector clients

throughout the Gulf. These projects span

critical sectors including transportation,

utilities, and large-scale urban developments.

The company is highly regarded

for its consistent commitment to quality,

its ability to meet aggressive deadlines,

and its strategic integration of innovation,

advanced technology, and sustainability

in every project it undertakes.

Tsentas attributes the company’s

long-term success to a foundation built

on trust, transparency, and the strength

of a highly skilled, motivated team. By

fostering enduring partnerships with

clients, consultants, and government

entities, Wade Adams has earned a reputation

for dependable performance and

forward-thinking execution.

From roads, highways, and bridges

to entire urban districts, Wade Adams

continues to play a key role in shaping

the modern infrastructure of the Gulf

region, setting benchmarks in excellence

and reliability.

5

SENAN AL NABOODAH

Managing Director

Al Naboodah Construction Group

As Managing Director of Al Naboodah

Construction Group (ANCG),

Senan Al Naboodah leads one of

the UAE’s most respected construction

firms, with a legacy rooted in the country’s

transformation. A third-generation

member of the Al Naboodah family, he

oversees a company that has been central

to some of the region’s most ambitious

and impactful infrastructure projects.

Under Senan’s direction, ANCG continues

to deliver complex civil engineering,

building, and MEP works across the GCC

and beyond. The company has contributed

to the development of the UAE’s modern

landscape through landmark projects

such as Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay,

Yas Island, Dubai Water Canal, and major

expansions at Dubai’s airports. ANCG

also played a key role in the Expo 2020

site development, further reinforcing its

role in shaping the nation’s infrastructure.

Health and safety are core to Senan’s

vision for the construction sector. This

focus has earned ANCG widespread

recognition, including accolades from

Dubai Expo 2020 and Dubai Municipality

for outstanding HSE performance.

Senan’s leadership is defined by a

forward-thinking approach that balances

technical excellence with a human-first

mindset. With a strong emphasis on safety,

sustainability, and continuous improvement,

he is guiding ANCG through the evolving

demands of the construction sector while

honouring the company’s long-standing

legacy of quality and reliability.


As CEO of Arabian Construction Company (ACC), Maher

Merehbi leads one of the Middle East and North Africa’s

most accomplished construction firms. The firm is

renowned for delivering complex, high-calibre projects that

define cityscapes and push technical boundaries.

Under his leadership, ACC has completed some of the

region’s most recognisable structures. A prime example is

the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, one of the

largest mosques in the world. Built with over 90,000 tonnes

of pure white Macedonian and Greek marble, the mosque

features 82 domes, columns inlaid with semi-precious stones

like amethyst, abalone, and mother-of-pearl, and a nine-tonne

chandelier set with Swarovski crystals and finished in 24-carat

gold. It is a project that exemplifies ACC’s capacity to combine

architectural beauty with engineering precision.

Since its founding in 1967 by the Merehbi and Mikati families

in Lebanon, ACC has remained a privately held, family-led

business. With Maher at the helm, the company has grown

HIGHLIGHTS


1965

Team Size:

10,000+


Middle East and India

6

MAHER

MEREHBI


Arabian Construction Company (ACC)

into a multinational enterprise headquartered in Abu Dhabi,

with operations spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon,

Egypt, England, India, the Ivory Coast, and Cameroon. ACC

today employs over 20,000 people across 11 offices and has

an annual turnover exceeding $1 billion.

Beyond the Grand Mosque, the company’s portfolio includes

a long list of prestigious developments such as Etihad

Towers, the Emirates Palace Hotel, the Abu Dhabi World

Trade Centre, Emirates Airline’s headquarters, and the UN

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia building

in Beirut. From luxury skyscrapers to high-spec government

buildings, ACC consistently delivers on ambitious visions

with precision and efficiency.

For Maher, effective leadership is grounded in ethics, results,

and adaptability. His strategic direction has not only

elevated ACC’s regional stature but also ensured its continued

relevance in a competitive global market. Through a commitment

to quality, he is shaping a future where ACC continues

to be trusted with the region’s most defining projects. Looking

ahead, Maher is focused on integrating sustainable practices

and cutting-edge technologies to meet evolving industry demands.

His vision is to expand ACC’s footprint has become

synonymous with the company’s name.


With nearly four decades of experience in construction

management, Moustafa Hassan has built a career

defined by scale, precision, and profitability. Over the

past 37 years, he has led projects exceeding AED 3 billion in

value across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, managing

a diverse range of developments that include high-rise

towers, five-star hotels, hospitals, royal palaces, commercial

complexes, and universities.

His approach to project delivery is rooted in a results-driven

mindset, balancing engineering excellence with sound

financial oversight. Moustafa’s focus has consistently been

on delivering projects that meet both timeline and financial

targets. Through disciplined resource management, risk

mitigation, and cost-effective execution strategies, he has

ensured that every project under his supervision meets stakeholder

expectations and often exceeds them. His leadership

of large, multidisciplinary teams has played a central role in

consistently achieving these outcomes.

HIGHLIGHTS


1976

Team Size:

4,000+


UAE and Saudi Arabia

Beyond managing high-value projects, Moustafa is widely

known for his ability to turn around troubled developments

and underperforming construction firms. His talent for quickly

identifying operational and structural issues, and implementing

strategic corrections has enabled him to rescue distressed

projects and restore both profitability and reputation.

Moustafa holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

from Suez Canal University and a Postgraduate Diploma in

Business Administration and Management from the University

of Leicester. This blend of technical expertise and managerial

training has enabled him to operate effectively across the full

project lifecycle, from design and planning to execution and

financial performance.

Complementing Moustafa’s leadership, Al Sahel Contracting

Company has been a prominent main contractor in the building

construction sector since 1976, recently celebrating its

45-year anniversary. Over nearly five decades of continuous

growth and improvement, ASCC has successfully delivered

an extensive portfolio of iconic projects including high-rise

buildings, and mixed-use developments and more. Together,

Moustafa Hassan and ASCC continue to drive success across

every project they lead, reinforcing their standing as key

contributors to the region’s construction industry.

7

MOUSTAFA

HASSAN

Managing Director

Al Sahel Contracting Company (ASCC)


8

S.N. SUBRAHMANYAN

Chairman & Managing Director

Larsen & Toubro

With a career spanning four decades

at Larsen & Toubro, S.N.

Subrahmanyan, has become a

cornerstone of India’s industrial and infrastructure

growth story. Currently serving

as the Chairman and Managing Director

of L&T, Subrahmanyan’s leadership has

not only elevated the company’s stature

domestically but also propelled its global

footprint across critical sectors such as

infrastructure, technology, and finance.

Joining L&T in 1984 as a Project

Planning Engineer, Subrahmanyan

rose through the ranks with a blend of

strategic foresight, technical expertise,

and operational excellence. His ascent

to the Board in 2011 marked a significant

phase of expansion for the company,

particularly in infrastructure. Under his

guidance, L&T’s infrastructure business

has become the largest in India and a

formidable presence on the global stage.

From transformative mixed-use projects

in Oman to large-scale renewable energy

and utility developments in Saudi Arabia,

Subrahmanyan has overseen some

of the most complex and high-impact

engineering feats in the region.

Hailing from Chennai, Subrahmanyan

brings both engineering and management

prowess to the table, holding a civil

engineering degree from the National

Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra,

and a postgraduate degree in business

management from Symbiosis Institute of

Business Management, Pune. His leadership

journey has been shaped by industry

mentors and sharpened by executive

training at the London Business School.

9

MOHAMMED SAIF MOHAMMED

BIN SHAFAR

Chairman

Al Shafar General Contracting (ASGC)

As Chairman of Al Shafar General

Contracting (ASGC), Mohammed

Saif Mohammed Bin Shafar has

played a central role in shaping the UAE’s

construction landscape. A seasoned leader

who began his professional journey in

the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces,

he brings over three decades of military

and business discipline to the private

sector. After retiring from active duty in

2001, he fully focused on expanding his

entrepreneurial ventures, establishing

Bin Shafar Holding, a diversified group

with more than 20 companies operating

across construction and real estate.

Since its inception in 1989, ASGC has

grown under his close guidance to become

a leading special-grade contractor in the

region. The company has delivered over

250 major projects and now operates

across multiple countries, including Egypt,

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, Oman,

and Libya. Bin Shafar’s commitment to

quality and professionalism has placed

ASGC among the UAE’s top construction

companies, with recent landmark

developments including Emirates Crown

Tower, Oceanscape, and Al Wifaq Tower.

With a dual bachelor’s degree in Business

and Military Administration, Mohammed

Bin Shafar combines strategic foresight

with operational excellence. His leadership

reflects a deep-rooted commitment

to national progress, corporate integrity,

and creating a solid foundation for the

future.


10

MOHAMED MAHMOUD


Trojan Construction Group

Eng. Mohamed Mahmoud brings

over 20 years of construction

industry experience, including

more than 15 years at Trojan, where he

has played a key role in driving business

diversification, executing large-scale

EPC developments, and expanding the

company’s operations across the UAE,

Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

His leadership has been central to securing

major contracts and strengthening

Trojan’s relationships with government

bodies, investors, and stakeholders.

Known for his financial insight and

strategic approach to risk management,

Eng. Mahmoud has also championed

digital transformation across the group,

positioning Trojan at the forefront of

innovation in the construction sector.

Now at the helm of the company’s

strategic direction and operations, he is

focused on enhancing synergies across

business units, expanding regional

and global presence, and cultivating a

high-performance culture. Under his

guidance, Trojan continues to build on

its legacy as a top-ranked construction

group in the UAE and a regional leader

in sustainability and delivery excellence.

His vision includes deeper integration of

ESG principles, investment in next-generation

construction technologies, and

nurturing future talent through upskilling

and leadership development programs,

ensuring Trojan remains agile, resilient,

and ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving

industry landscape.

11

SUHAIL ZAIN-ELDEEN


Al Shafar Group

With a career that spans decades

and industries as diverse as

aviation, automotive, education,

pharmaceuticals, telecommunications,

and real estate, Suhail Zain-Eldeen has

proven time and again that true leadership

is about adaptability, vision, and

relentless execution.

As a Group Chief Executive Officer at

Al Shafar Group, one of the UAE’s most

influential conglomerates, Suhail brings

to the table an unmatched track record of

steering companies through rapid growth,

turnarounds, and market diversification.

His approach is rooted in a deep understanding

of business dynamics across

sectors from interior design to marine

engineering, from IT and electronics to

refreshments and elevators.

At the core of his success lies a results-driven

leadership philosophy that

prioritizes performance and people.

Suhail has led and inspired teams of over

6,000 employees, overseeing P&L responsibilities

for divisions generating more

than $600 million in revenue. Whether

building new ventures from the ground

up or revitalizing underperforming units,

he has consistently delivered on revenue

and profit goals, earning the trust of

stakeholders and industry peers alike.

Under his stewardship, Al Shafar Group

continues to reinforce its legacy as a cornerstone

of the UAE economy. With more

than 35 companies under its umbrella,

the group’s reach spans construction, real

estate, insurance, distribution, and more,

embodying the spirit of the Emirates’

multifaceted development.


12

ABDALLAH YABROUDI

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Dubai Contracting Company (DCC)

From shaping skylines to shaping

futures, Abdallah Yabroudi’s

journey is one of vision, grit, and

impact. As CEO and Managing Director

of Dubai Contracting Company (DCC),

Yabroudi has led the firm through decades

of landmark development, with

a portfolio that includes icons like the

Capricorn Tower, World Trade Centre

Residence, and the Abu Dhabi Commercial

Bank headquarters. With operations

across Dubai, Lebanon, and Chile, and

a workforce of over 6,500, he continues

to drive architectural excellence on a

global scale.

But Yabroudi’s legacy goes far beyond

concrete and steel. A Syracuse University

alumnus and trustee, his transformative

2008 gift to the College of Engineering

and Computer Science established one

of its largest endowed professorships,

advancing civil infrastructure studies

with a global lens. Through pioneering

internship programs at DCC and sustained

advocacy, he has become a bridge between

academia and industry, especially

for Middle Eastern engineering talent.

Rising from site engineer to CEO, and

now also Chairman of District Investment

& Development and General Manager of

Development and Contracting Company

in Chile and Lebanon, Yabroudi exemplifies

what it means to lead with purpose.

His continued support for education and

healthcare, including initiatives at the

Cleveland Clinic UAE, makes him not

just a titan of construction but a builder

of opportunity.

13

K. JACOB JOHN

Chief Executive Officer, Construction & Manufacturing

AI Ghurair Construction

Jacob John serves as the Chief Executive

Officer of a diverse cluster

of companies under the Al Ghurair

Group, spanning industries such as construction,

manufacturing, engineering,

power, switchgear, metal industries,

façades, and aluminium contracting.

In this strategic leadership role, he

is responsible for the comprehensive

oversight and operational execution of

these businesses in alignment with Al

Ghurair’s long-term vision for innovation,

sustainability, and excellence.

With over 38 years of extensive industry

experience, John joined Al Ghurair in early

2017 with a clear mandate: to develop

and transform several businesses from

their foundational stages. His mission is

deeply rooted in the Group’s core ethos,

building reliable and innovative engineering

solutions for the infrastructure sector,


while upholding the highest standards of

quality, health, safety, and environmental

responsibility. Jacob remains steadfast in

preserving the legacy and values of the

Al Ghurair founding family while positioning

its companies for future growth.

Prior to joining Al Ghurair, he spent

more than 26 years at ETA, one of the

region’s largest construction conglomerates,

where he played a pivotal role in

the Mechanical and Engineering (M&E)

Division. Rising through the ranks, he

served as General Manager and later as

Chief Operating Officer, overseeing M&E

operations across the MENA region. His

extensive leadership background also

includes serving as a Board Member of

HI-STAR Water Solutions, a joint venture

between Al Ghurair and Hitachi, focused

on water and wastewater management

services.

14

MOHAMMED SAHOO ALSUWAIDI


Al Jaber Group

Mohammed Sahoo AlSuwaidi is

a distinguished visionary and

strategic investment advisor

whose career spans over four decades

in the energy, infrastructure, and utilities

sectors. Renowned for his deep expertise

and transformative leadership, AlSuwaidi

has made enduring contributions to

project management, oil and gas field

development, asset operations project

financing, and corporate governance

with a focus on long-term sustainability.

Throughout his extensive career, he

has held numerous high-impact leadership

roles that have shaped the energy

landscape of the UAE. He served as the

Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi

Gas Industries Limited (GASCO) and

as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of

Nawah Energy Company, a subsidiary of

the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation

(ENEC), where he also chaired the Executive

Committee.

A graduate in Chemical Engineering

from the University of Southern

California, he has remained actively

engaged with national policy and business

development. He also serves as a

board member of multiple Abu Dhabi

government organisations, and as the

Founder and Chairman of Equilibrium

Engineering Consultancy, based in Abu

Dhabi, AlSuwaidi leverages his profound

industry knowledge to guide organisations

through complex operational, structural,

and financial transformations, enabling

them to achieve optimal performance

and sustainable growth.

15

ANDREW FANTON

General Manager

Dutco Construction

With more than three decades

of international experience,

Andrew Fanton has led major

civil and marine infrastructure projects

across South Africa, Botswana, the UAE,

Egypt, Qatar, Australia, and Southeast

Asia. As a seasoned construction leader,

his portfolio spans technically complex

commercial, residential, and heavy civil

works, consistently delivering on both

innovation and execution.

Today, he is at the forefront of operations

at Dutco Construction and DBB

Contracting, two key entities under the

Dutco Group of Construction Companies.

The 1970s Dutco has become one of the

UAE’s most respected civil and marine

contractors, known for its pivotal role

in the country’s infrastructure development.

Fanton oversees a vast array of

large-scale projects that include power

stations, ports, tunnels, highways, and

landmark hospitality and retail developments.

Under his guidance, Dutco has

been instrumental in shaping projects

such as Expo 2020, Bluewaters Island, the

Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue expansion,

and the Marsa Al Seef waterfront.

His approach emphasizes operational

flexibility, quality assurance, and a longterm

vision that balances client needs

with sustainable business growth. With

a deep commitment to engineering excellence,

Andrew Fanton continues to

push boundaries in a sector that plays

a foundational role in the region’s economic

progress.


From the heartland of Kerala’s farmlands to commanding

a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate that spans continents,

Ravi Pillai’s journey is nothing short of legendary. Born

into a humble farming family, Pillai’s early entrepreneurial

pursuits were tested when his small construction firm in India

shuttered, propelling him to seek new beginnings in the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What began as a leap of faith in

the 1970s soon transformed into the RP Group, a name now

synonymous with resilience, scale, and diversified excellence.

Between 1985 and 1990, the RP Group witnessed exponential

growth, securing pivotal contracts with petrochemical

giants in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the industrial hub of

Al Jubail. By the time the 1990s rolled in, Pillai had firmly

established the group’s presence across the Gulf, evolving into

a preferred partner for regional heavyweights in the oil, gas,

petrochemical, and steel sectors. The RP Group emerged not

just as a contractor but as a trusted builder of nations, crafting

infrastructure and industrial marvels across the Middle East.

HIGHLIGHTS


1970

Team Size:

10,000+


Middle East

16

B. RAVI

PILLAI

Chairman and Managing Director

R.P. Group of Companies

Today, the RP Group is a hallmark of diversification, with

business interests that extend far beyond construction. From

infrastructure and real estate to retail, healthcare, education,

IT, and hospitality, the group’s influence stretches across nine

countries and 20 cities, with a clear vision to evolve into a

global leader. Rooted in principles of operational excellence,

reliability, and community commitment, the group continues

to be a strategic ally for some of the world’s largest corporations,

shaping the hydrocarbon economy of the Middle East.

In hospitality, RP Group’s footprint is both luxurious and

expansive. With over seven hotels across Kerala and the GCC,

Pillai’s passion for hospitality has become a cornerstone of

the group’s identity. From acquiring new properties in Pune

to developing a 200-villa luxury resort in the Maldives, RP’s

hospitality ambitions are bold and borderless.

The Raviz Group, an ancillary of RP Group, further anchors

the company’s standing in the hospitality sector, with a growing

portfolio of iconic resorts and hotels in India and the UAE.

These ventures are an extension of Pillai’s commitment to

creating holistic, experience-driven spaces that merge luxury

with cultural richness. Over four decades since he first arrived

in the Gulf with a dream and a drive, Ravi Pillai stands as a

testament to the power of reinvention and resilience.


17

ANIL G. PILLAI


Airolink

Anil G. Pillai, Founder and Chairman

and CEO of Airolink, is a

self-made entrepreneur whose

journey from a modest start in Ireland

to leading a multinational construction

group is a story of resilience, foresight,

and values. With a postgraduate degree

in Business Management and an honorary

doctorate in Construction from the

University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,

Anil has built a global legacy through

his strategic leadership and unwavering

commitment to quality and innovation.

Under his guidance, Airolink evolved

from a regional business in Ireland to a

formidable construction group with a

presence across Ireland, the UAE, and

India. Over the last 27 years, he has steered

the company to become a trusted name in

construction by blending efficiency with

excellence, particularly in high-growth

markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Anil’s impact extends far beyond

boardrooms and building sites. He is

a passionate advocate of corporate

social responsibility, having launched

and supported numerous philanthropic

initiatives across Asia and Africa. From

elderly care and vocational training to

housing, education, and medical aid, his

commitment to humanitarian causes has

been recognized globally, including being

conferred the prestigious CIPDH Expert

– SC1 rank by the United Nations Human

Rights Defence Committee in Paris.

With ambitions to expand into the oil

and gas sectors and a five-year roadmap

focused on environmental stewardship

and growth, he continues to inspire

the industry, proving that success and

social responsibility can, and must, go

hand in hand.

18

RICHARD ABBOUD


Group AMANA

Since joining Group AMANA in 2000,

Richard Abboud has been at the

forefront of the company’s evolution,

holding pivotal roles from Project

Manager to Chief Strategy & Transformation

Officer, and now serving as CEO.

With a civil engineering degree from the

Lebanese University and a master’s in

construction financial management from

Heriot-Watt University, Richard blends

deep technical expertise with a strategic

vision for sustainable growth.

As CEO, Richard leads AMANA’s ambitious

trajectory, guiding its operations

across the GCC, overseeing a portfolio

that spans industrial, commercial, and

specialized sectors, including logistics,

healthcare, data centres, and energy. Under

his leadership, AMANA has embraced

innovation through modular construction

technologies like DuBox and DuPod,

pushing the boundaries of faster, greener,

and safer building methods.

With over 1,500 buildings delivered

and a team of 8,000+ professionals, Richard

continues to champion operational

excellence, digital transformation, and

long-term value creation, cementing

AMANA’s status as a regional powerhouse

in modern construction. His leadership is

also focused on driving ESG integration,

strengthening regional partnerships, and

scaling AMANA’s impact across emerging

markets and high-growth sectors. He

remains committed to nurturing talent,

fostering a culture of innovation, and

positioning AMANA as a future-ready

enterprise that sets new benchmarks in

sustainability and smart construction.


19

AMMAR MUWAHID


United Engineering Construction (UNEC)

As Chief Executive Officer of United

Engineering Construction (UNEC),

Eng. Ammar Muwahid leads one of

the region’s most accomplished general

contracting companies with a legacy that

stretches back to 1976. With more than

30 years of service at UNEC, he brings

deep-rooted expertise, hands-on experience,

and a forward-thinking vision to his

role, overseeing all operations across the

UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

A civil engineer by training, Ammar

began his journey with UNEC in 1993

as a site engineer. His rise through the

ranks reflects a deep commitment to the

company and the construction sector at

large. Today, his leadership is central to

UNEC’s continued success in delivering

transformative projects and building

communities that meet the evolving

needs of the Middle East.

At the heart of Ammar’s philosophy is

a belief in teamwork, hard work, and the

responsibility that comes with shaping the

built environment. He sees construction

not just as an industry, but as a force for

societal advancement.

His vision for UNEC revolves around

innovation, sustainability, and delivering

on the promise of excellence. Under his

guidance, the company partners with

major real estate developers and government

entities, playing a key role in the

development of new urban landscapes

across the region. From residential and

commercial complexes to large-scale

infrastructure, UNEC continues to demonstrate

its ability to execute high-profile

projects with technical precision and

architectural ambition.

20

SAIF AL ASHRAM

Founder

Al Ashram Contracting

With a legacy spanning over

50 years, Saif Al Ashram has

guided Al Ashram Contracting

from modest beginnings to a prominent

force in the UAE’s dynamic construction

landscape. As the driving force behind

one of the country’s most respected

contracting firms, he has witnessed

and led the company’s transformation

from traditional building practices to

cutting-edge, future-focused solutions.

Under Saif Al Ashram’s stewardship,

Al Ashram Contracting has consistently

aligned with the UAE’s strategic growth,

contributing to the nation’s infrastructure

development at every stage. In a sector

now valued at over USD 772 billion in

ongoing and upcoming projects, the

company stands out for its ability to

translate visionary ambitions into tangible

realities.


Al Ashram’s leadership is defined by

integrity, innovation, and a commitment

to client-first values. Rather than chasing

short-term profits, the company under his

guidance has built trust by prioritizing

client success, delivering sustainable,

efficient, and high-quality solutions.

Today, as Al Ashram Contracting expands

its footprint across the Emirates, Saif Al

Ashram continues to uphold a mission

of growth, opportunity, and excellence,

cementing his place as a true pioneer in

the evolution of the UAE’s construction

industry.

21

SHAPOOR MISTRY

Chairman

Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast

Shapoor Mistry plays a pivotal role

in shaping the long-term strategic

direction of the Shapoorji Pallonji

Group, a legacy-driven conglomerate with

a 155-year heritage. As a key architect of

the Group’s vision for both domestic and

international expansion, he oversees the

formulation and execution of business

strategies aimed at fostering sustainable

growth across India and developed as

well as emerging global markets.

Over the course of more than three

decades with the Group, Mistry has been

instrumental in the dynamic expansion

of its core businesses, Engineering and

Construction, Infrastructure, and Real

Estate. Under his leadership, the Shapoorji

Pallonji Group has not only strengthened its

traditional operations but also diversified

into new and transformative sectors such

as Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Water,

and Financial Services. These strategic

moves have helped position the Group

as a future-focused enterprise equipped

to address global challenges.

Mistry’s approach to leadership is

rooted in empowerment and foresight. He

mentors a capable leadership team that

is encouraged to adopt smart, innovative

solutions and remain steadfast in delivering

on the Group’s foundational values

of reliability and trust. His stewardship

ensures that the Shapoorji Pallonji Group

remains resilient, agile, and aligned with

a long-term vision for value creation.

22

CHAOUCI YASSINE


Target Engineering Construction Company

Chaouci Yassine is the Chief Executive

Officer of Target Engineering

Construction Company, a premier

EPC contractor with a strong presence

across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

With over 37 years of comprehensive

experience in the construction industry,

he brings a wealth of technical expertise,

operational insight, and visionary

leadership to one of the region’s most

respected engineering firms.

Yassine began his career with SAE International,

part of the EIFFAGE Group,

where he progressed from a Site Engineer

to Project Manager over a distinguished

17-year tenure. His early career shaped

a foundation of technical precision and

project execution excellence, attributes

that have continued to define his leadership

approach.

He joined Target Engineering in 2002 as

Civil & Buildings Division Manager, rising

to the role of Chief Operations Officer

in 2011 and ultimately being appointed

Chief Executive Officer in February 2014.

Under his stewardship, Target Engineering

has strengthened its reputation as a

single-source EPC provider, renowned

for its multi-disciplinary capabilities

and its ability to deliver complex, largescale

projects across both onshore and

offshore sectors.

Under Yassine’s leadership, Target

Engineering continues to set benchmarks

in EPC excellence, driving innovation,

operational efficiency, and sustainable

growth across some of the region’s most

vital sectors.


23

YU TAO

President and CEO

China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East

Yu Tao serves as the President and

Chief Executive Officer of China

State Construction Engineering

Corporation (Middle East), where he

has been at the helm since 2004. Under

his visionary leadership, CSCEC Middle

East has grown into one of the region’s

most prominent construction companies,

employing over 10,000 professionals and

playing a significant role in shaping the

Gulf’s modern infrastructure.

With full responsibility for the company’s

operations across the UAE and the

wider Gulf region, Tao has strategically

reinforced CSCEC’s footprint in the United

Arab Emirates while actively driving

expansion into key markets such as Saudi

Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Eastern

Europe. This forward-looking approach

led to the company’s joint venture win

in June 2022 for a major drill and blast

tunneling contract in Saudi Arabia’s

NEOM project, one of the world’s most

ambitious urban developments.

CSCEC Middle East, under Tao’s

stewardship, is currently involved in

delivering landmark projects including

the new headquarters of the Central

Bank of Kuwait and the iconic Al-Hikma

Tower in the UAE, further cementing its

reputation for engineering excellence

and large-scale execution.

His technical expertise, combined with

a strategic global outlook, continues to

guide CSCEC Middle East toward longterm

growth, regional leadership, and

engineering innovation across diverse

markets.

24

KAREEM FARAH

Director

Engineering Contracting Company (ECC)

Kareem Farah serves as the Director

of Engineering Contracting

Company (ECC), one of the most

established and diversified contracting

firms in the region. Since assuming this

role in 2011, Farah has been instrumental

in driving ECC’s strategic growth,

operational performance, and continued

innovation within the highly competitive

construction sector of the GCC. He also

sits on the Board of Directors of ECC

Group, playing a key role in shaping the

overarching vision and performance of

the Group’s multiple divisions.

Under his leadership, ECC has emerged

as a trailblazer in the construction industry,

recognised for its commitment to

research, development, and technological

advancement. Among his key initiatives

has been the early adoption of Building

Information Modeling (BIM), a digital


transformation tool that enhances architecture,

engineering, and construction

workflows. Furthermore, Farah has led

the integration of Lean principles across

operations, significantly improving efficiency

and streamlining project delivery.

ECC’s achievements under his tenure

have earned it numerous accolades from

major regional entities, including Dubai

Municipality and ADNOC. The company’s

strong reputation for quality, reliability,

and execution speed has helped it secure

and deliver some of the region’s most

innovative and technically challenging

projects.

He holds both a Master of Science and

a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

from the University of Edinburgh in the

United Kingdom.

25

FIRAS MASHAL

Managing Director

Al Firas General Contracting

Firas Mashal serves as the Managing

Director of Al Firas Contracting, a

well-established and trusted construction

company based in Abu Dhabi.

Since its founding in 1988, Al Firas has

built a strong reputation for delivering

high-quality, sustainable developments

across a broad spectrum of sectors,

including high-rise commercial and residential

buildings, educational institutions,

factories, labour accommodations, and

private villas.

With a diverse academic background

that combines a Bachelor’s degree in Civil

Engineering from McMaster University

and another in Marketing and Management

from the American University of Sharjah,

Mashal brings a unique dual perspective

of technical precision and strategic

business insight to the construction

sector. This multidisciplinary foundation

has enabled him to lead Al Firas with a

keen understanding of both operational

excellence and market responsiveness.

Under his stewardship, Al Firas continues

to execute complex projects with a strong

commitment to timely delivery, rigorous

safety standards, and environmental

responsibility. The company’s emphasis

on quality workmanship and innovation

has positioned it as a “neat builder” - a

term that reflects its clean, reliable, and

methodical approach to construction in

a rapidly evolving industry.

Firas Mashal remains committed to

driving Al Firas Contracting forward,

ensuring it not only meets but exceeds

client expectations while contributing

meaningfully to the built environment

of the UAE.


BROKERAGE POWERHOUSES

SECTION SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

1

MOHANAD ALWADIYA


Harbour Real Estate

With over 25 years of industry

experience and an unmatched

presence across media, academia,

and advisory circles, Dr. Mohanad Alwadiya

stands as one of the most influential figures

in the region’s real estate landscape. As

the CEO of Harbor Real Estate, he oversees

mixed-use institutional portfolios

exceeding AED 19 billion, offering clients

strategic direction powered by market

intelligence and operational excellence.

Since 2008, he has served as a senior

instructor and advisor at the Dubai Land

Department, where he has certified

and mentored tens of thousands of real

estate professionals. His efforts have

helped shape the ethical and technical

foundations of Dubai’s property sector,

raising standards and cultivating the next

generation of real estate talent.

Under his leadership, Harbor Real

Estate has grown into a fully integrated

service provider known for delivering

data-backed, results-driven strategies.

The firm’s commitment to global best

practices and ISO 9001:2008 certified

processes has positioned it as a trusted

advisor for both institutional and

individual investors seeking value and

performance in a competitive market.

Beyond the boardroom, Dr. Alwadiya

has become a household name. He is the

host and producer of several top-rated

real estate shows on platforms such as

Dubai TV and MBC1, and the author of

bestselling books including Landlording

– From Renting to Financial Freedom,

which sells over 90,000 copies annually

across the MENA region.

2

CARL ALLSOPP

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Allsopp & Allsopp

Carl Allsopp’s journey in Dubai’s

real estate market is one of vision,

commitment, and innovation. As

Co-Founder and CEO of Allsopp & Allsopp

Group, he has established a trusted partner

for thousands navigating one of the

world’s most dynamic property markets.

Founded in 2008, Allsopp & Allsopp

emerged with a clear mission: to simplify

the property experience through end-toend

lifecycle solutions. From buying and

selling to renting, investing, and property

management, the group delivers a comprehensive

suite of services designed to

empower clients at every stage of their

real estate journey. At the heart of this

mission is a promise: to help people move

forward with confidence.

With a strong team of over 700 professionals

and an elite internal training

academy, Allsopp & Allsopp places a

premium on local expertise and professionalism.

Their agents aren’t just

salespeople, they’re neighbourhood

specialists, deeply immersed in the communities

they represent and equipped

to offer unmatched insights on Dubai’s

most sought-after areas.

In an industry often challenged by complexity,

Carl has ensured that simplicity,

transparency, and trust remain core pillars

of the Allsopp & Allsopp brand. Under his

leadership, the company has embraced

digital innovation, notably through its

proprietary data.hub platform.


Louis Harding is a distinguished real estate leader with

over two decades of experience in the UK and Dubai

property markets. With a successful career spanning

major roles at Foxtons and Strutt and Parker in London,

Louis has built a reputation for driving residential sales,

spearheading strategic growth, and leading high-performance

teams across London’s prime real estate sector. His deep

expertise in residential real estate and business development

has been instrumental in shaping some of the most prominent

property deals in the UK.

Since moving to Dubai, Louis has applied his wealth of

knowledge to further elevate Betterhomes, where he now

serves as CEO. Under his leadership, the company has focused

on driving innovation, enhancing client experiences, and

positioning itself as the most trusted and forward-thinking

real estate brand in the region. His vision continues to shape

Betterhomes as a leading force in Dubai’s competitive real

estate market.

HIGHLIGHTS


1986

Team Size:

200-500


UAE

Founded in 1986, Betterhomes has grown to become one

of the UAE’s most established and respected real estate companies.

Headquartered in Dubai, Betterhomes has played a

pivotal role in shaping the modern property market across

the Emirates. The company’s professional integrity, extensive

market knowledge, and broad portfolio of services have made

it a go-to partner for a wide range of clients, from individual

homebuyers to large institutions.

Betterhomes offers services in residential and commercial

sales, leasing, property management, and valuation, with a

presence across key regions in the UAE, including Dubai and

Abu Dhabi. The company’s tech-enabled platforms, multilingual

agents, and end-to-end real estate solutions ensure that

it remains the preferred choice for buyers, sellers, landlords,

and tenants seeking expert guidance in the UAE market.

Betterhomes is part of the Betterhomes Group, for over

three decades, the company has remained at the forefront of

the UAE’s dynamic property landscape, consistently bridging

tradition with innovation to deliver exceptional results for

its clients.

As CEO, Louis Harding is committed to continuing the

company’s legacy of excellence while steering it toward

future growth in an ever-evolving real estate environment.

3

LOUIS

HARDING


Betterhomes


With nearly two decades of global real estate experience

and a track record of pioneering success in the

Middle East, James Lewis serves as the Managing

Director and Partner of Knight Frank MEA, leading the firm’s

operations across the Middle East and Africa. From Riyadh

and Jeddah to Doha, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, James

has been instrumental in shaping Knight Frank’s presence

across the region.

Since relocating to the Gulf in 2008, James has played a

foundational role in establishing and expanding Knight Frank’s

Capital Markets and Advisory footprint in the region. His

expertise spans occupational and capital market advisory,

with a client base that includes multinational corporations,

investment institutions, family offices, and private clients

seeking deep, data-driven real estate insights.

Under James’s leadership, Knight Frank MEA has grown

into a multidisciplinary advisory powerhouse, delivering

services that span valuation, development consultancy,

HIGHLIGHTS


1896

Team Size:

10,000+


Middle East and North

America

4

JAMES

LEWIS

Managing Director, Middle East & Africa

Knight Frank MENA

occupier solutions, commercial agency, residential sales, and

more. Known for combining global standards with deep local

intelligence, the firm continues to be the partner of choice

for real estate decision-makers across emerging and mature

markets. James’s leadership philosophy centres around empowering

people. He is as focused on team development as

he is on client outcomes, fostering a workplace culture where

ambition, collaboration, and excellence thrive.

A graduate of the University of Reading with a BSc in Land

Management, James also holds an MBA from Bayes Business

School and is a proud member of the Royal Institution of

Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Through a mix of strategic foresight, market fluency, and

unwavering professionalism, James Lewis continues to elevate

Knight Frank’s vision in one of the world’s most dynamic real

estate regions, driving growth, innovation, and impact through

client-centric solutions, and technological advancement,

while fostering strategic partnerships, embracing emerging

trends, championing inclusive economic growth across

diverse markets, consistently delivering exceptional value

to stakeholders through adaptive strategies and visionary

leadership, and inspiring a culture of excellence, integrity,

and resilience throughout the organization.


A

seasoned professional who has weathered the city’s

property market through booms, busts, and bold

reinventions, Simon’s journey is one of grit, growth,

and grounded leadership.

Originally hailing from the UK, Simon launched his professional

career in sales at a young age, cutting his teeth

across several high-pressure industries. But it was in 2005,

amid Dubai’s fast-unfolding economic transformation, that

he saw his true calling emerge: property. Relocating to the

emirate with a vision and an appetite for challenge, he quickly

immersed himself in the burgeoning real estate scene.

What followed was a remarkable ascent. Driven by both

passion and pragmatism, Simon carved a niche for himself

not by chasing trends, but by offering clients sound, experience-backed

advice. In 2013, Simon co-founded haus and haus

alongside fellow Brits James Perry and Luke Remington, later

joined by Charlie Bannan as Managing Director. The vision?

To redefine real estate service in Dubai through a model built

HIGHLIGHTS


2013

Team Size:

200-500


UAE and UK

on trust, accountability, and meaningful relationships. What

began as a boutique operation has since evolved into one of

the city’s most respected real estate powerhouses, boasting

over 300 experts across Sales, Leasing, Property Management,

Commercial, Investments, and Holiday Rentals.

As Managing Director, Simon continues to be the strategic

force behind the firm’s sustained growth and innovative

direction. His core focus lies in off-plan projects and new

business development areas where his foresight and experience

add exceptional value. Under his leadership, Haus and

Haus has not only clinched numerous industry accolades but

also earned a reputation as a guiding voice on the emirate’s

most pressing real estate issues.

Beyond the boardroom, Simon remains steadfast in his commitment

to nurturing talent. “We wanted to build a company

where brokers are empowered to reach their full potential,”

he explains. “That means creating an environment where longterm

client relationships are valued over short-term wins.”

In an industry where change is constant, Simon Baker is

a reminder that success is not just about moving fast, it’s

about moving smart. And with over 18 years of insight in

Dubai’s property sector, his influence on the city’s real estate

landscape is unmistakably enduring.

5

SIMON

BAKER

Co-Founder and Managing Director

haus and haus


As the Founder and CEO of fäm Properties and Executive

Chairman of the fäm Group, Firas Al Msaddi has turned

a once-fractured market challenge into a thriving,

tech-powered empire. His journey from humble beginnings

in Homs, Syria, to building one of the UAE’s most respected

and technologically advanced real estate companies is a story

of resilience, vision, and purpose-driven leadership.

Launched in 2009 at the height of a global financial crisis,

fäm Properties was born of bold conviction. At just 25, Al

Msaddi bet on Dubai’s long-term potential, doubling down

when others were retreating. He built the company on a platform

of integrity, transparency, and technological innovation,

believing that these elements were not just differentiators but

the future of real estate. Today, fäm Properties employs over

900 professionals across 23 branches, managing an investment

portfolio exceeding USD 1.2 billion, and offering a full spectrum

of services from holiday homes to proptech solutions.

Al Msaddi’s entrepreneurial DNA runs deep. From trading

HIGHLIGHTS


2009

Team Size:

500-1,000


UAE

6

FIRAS AL

MSADDI


fäm Properties

shoes and firecrackers in his youth to a stint as a mall security

guard and top Armani salesman, every chapter sharpened his

commercial acumen. It was a leap into real estate, starting

with commission-based rentals that revealed his true calling.

Within a month, he had closed multiple deals, and by 2009,

he acquired and revitalized a struggling agency, laying the

groundwork for the fäm Group: a multidimensional ecosystem

that now spans interiors, development management,

engineered snagging, media, project oversight, property

management, and technology.

One of Al Msaddi’s signature achievements is the launch

of DXBinteract.com, a government-backed real estate data

platform in collaboration with the Dubai Land Department.

This initiative has been pivotal in enhancing market transparency,

offering investors and professionals real-time access

to property trends, pricing, and interactive insights. As CEO

of Oratec, the tech company behind the platform, Al Msaddi

continues to push the boundaries of innovation in property

intelligence. In a fast-paced, ever-evolving market, Firas Al

Msaddi is not just responding to trends, he’s setting them.

With data-driven insight, technological edge, and an unshakable

belief in values-first leadership, he continues to shape a

real estate landscape that’s smarter, fairer, and future-ready.


Calum White is the CEO and Founder of White & Co.

Real Estate, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing real

estate firms. Since launching in 2021 with just eight

team members, Calum has built a powerhouse of over 400+

professionals by 2025, driven by a vision to do things differently

in an industry that often follows the same playbook.

With an eye for what traditional brokerages lacked, he set out

to create a company rooted in responsiveness, innovation,

and people-first principles.

White & Co. Real Estate is a full-service property agency

specializing in buying, selling, and renting both residential and

commercial properties. The firm also offers expert services

across Property Management, Mortgages, Off-Plan Investments,

and Holiday Homes. With comprehensive market analysis,

in-depth property valuations, and strategic advisory, the

company empowers clients to make well-informed decisions

every step of the way from consultation to closing.

Calum’s leadership has driven White & Co. to remarkable

HIGHLIGHTS


2021

Team Size:

400+

Awards & Accolades:

Rising Real Estate Entrepreneur

to Watch 2025

milestones: the second-highest lead generator in Dubai,

third-highest market share, and the fastest-growing real

estate company in the city. These accolades not only reflect

performance but speak to a culture of excellence, agility,

and service.

New strategic hires such as a Group Strategy Director and

expanded leadership across sales and leasing, are sharpening

operational execution and enhancing agent support. White

& Co. is also deepening its people-first philosophy through

its expanded Training & Development programs, designed

to respond to real-time challenges and empower brokers at

every level.

Calum’s belief in speed and quality shines through in the

firm’s marketing engine, which delivers professional property

listings and photography at unmatched speed. This operational

efficiency ensures clients gain maximum exposure in minimal

time, translating into faster sales and leases. What began as

one man’s vision to reshape real estate has become one of

Dubai’s most awarded and trusted brokerages.

Under Calum White’s dynamic leadership, White & Co isn’t

just growing, it’s setting the standard for what modern real

estate can be - blending innovation, integrity, and impact in

every move.

7

CALUM

WHITE

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

White & Co. Real Estate


At the helm of D&B Properties, one of Dubai’s top real

estate brokerages, stands Engineer Adham Younis, a

visionary leader whose strategic foresight and operational

excellence have redefined the standards of real estate

brokerage in the UAE. Since taking over as Group CEO in

2020, Younis has led the firm through a period of unprecedented

growth, cementing its position as Dubai’s number one

real estate agency and forging strong affiliations with major

developers such as Emaar and Nakheel.

Backed by over a decade of cross-functional leadership,

Adham brings to the table a unique blend of engineering

precision, operational rigor, and market intelligence. His

career spans key roles including Senior Operations Auditor

and Senior Quality Assurance and Control Engineer, experiences

that have shaped his systematic and solutions-driven

approach to business. This diverse expertise enables him

to bridge the gap between technical efficiency and strategic

business outcomes.

HIGHLIGHTS


2015

Team Size:

200-500


UAE

8

ADHAM

YOUNIS


D&B Properties

Under his leadership, D&B Properties has not only grown

in scale and market presence but has also undergone a

comprehensive rebranding initiative that elevated its market

perception and client engagement. His leadership philosophy

is rooted in balancing modern, technology-led solutions with

traditional values of trust, transparency, and service excellence,

a duality that has made D&B a trusted name for both

investors and homeowners in Dubai.

Adham’s deep understanding of Dubai’s real estate dynamics,

combined with his Middle Eastern heritage and long-standing

residence in the UAE, has given him a nuanced perspective

on the market’s evolution. He has successfully leveraged this

insight to drive D&B’s expansion, streamline internal operations,

and launch client-centric innovations that resonate

with the region’s diverse demographic.

His commitment to excellence is not limited to numbers;

it’s reflected in the culture he cultivates. Known for his ability

to inspire teams and embrace change, Younis fosters a forward-thinking

mindset across the organization, ensuring that

D&B Properties stays ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

With a firm grasp on technology trends and a grounded

understanding of market realities, Adham Younis is leading

D&B Properties into a future defined by smart growth.


Abdullah Al Ajaji’s journey from a corporate strategist

to a real estate pioneer is a testament to transformative

leadership and bold vision. As the Founder and

CEO of Driven Properties, he has spearheaded one of the

most compelling growth stories in the region’s real estate

sector. What began in 2012 as a modest enterprise with just

nine employees has evolved under his stewardship into a

powerhouse with over 650 professionals, a testament to his

exceptional foresight and leadership acumen.

From the outset, Abdullah set out not just to build a real

estate firm, but to architect an ecosystem. Today, Driven

Properties stands at the heart of a robust network of 13 sister

companies operating under the Driven Group umbrella, each

contributing strategically to the group’s expansive footprint

across real estate investment, development, and services. His

capacity to identify market gaps and build businesses around

them has positioned Driven as a benchmark for innovation

and growth in the industry.

HIGHLIGHTS


2012

Team Size:

500-1,000


Globally

Under his leadership, the company has shattered records,

earned prestigious accolades, and set new standards for

service excellence. Driven Properties has not only expanded

in scale but also elevated in stature, consistently raising the

bar for what’s possible in real estate.

Abdullah’s visionary outlook is underpinned by a diverse

and rich professional background. A Saudi national, he began

his career at Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer,

where he contributed to Corporate Planning and later, Corporate

Finance and Asset Management. His path then led to

SAMBA Bank, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading financial institutions,

where he served in the Asset Management division

and the Office of the Chief Economist. There, he co-authored

insightful reports on the Saudi economy and capital markets,

deepening his understanding of financial systems and macroeconomic

dynamics.

Academically, Abdullah holds a dual degree in Computer

Engineering and Economics from Pennsylvania State University,

along with an MBA from London Business School,

a combination that has empowered his analytical approach

and innovative thinking.

Today, as he continues to lead Driven Properties into new

frontiers by redefining real estate.

9

ABDULLAH AL

AJAJI


Driven Properties


From the world of high finance to the upper echelons of

luxury real estate, George Azar has forged a reputation

as one of the most dynamic forces in the global property

market. As Chairman and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty

(Dubai, UK & Saudi Arabia), Azar has not only transformed

real estate franchises but has also elevated the prestige of

the Sotheby’s name in three countries.

George’s story is one of precision, ambition, and reinvention.

His professional journey began in finance, where he served

as a Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and

Smith in the Middle East, expanding clientele and identifying

unique investment avenues. In 1995, he moved to the Swiss

Bank Corporation, and by 1998, he was appointed General

Manager at Banque SCS Alliance Groupe in Beirut, where

he refined marketing and business development strategies

for the Middle East.

By 2001, George was leading from the heart of Dubai’s financial

scene. Appointed Director of the Dubai Representative

HIGHLIGHTS


2013

Team Size:

350


UK, UAE and Saudi Arabia

10

GEORGE

AZAR

Chairman and CEO - Sotheby’s International

Realty (Dubai, UK & Saudi Arabia)

Sotheby’s International Realty - Dubai, UK

& Saudi Arabia

Office of Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), he quickly rose to

Managing Director in 2004. His pioneering spirit led him

to establish UBP Qatar LLC as CEO in 2006, cementing his

influence across the Gulf’s financial sector.

But George Azar’s most iconic move came in 2013 when he

pivoted from banking to luxury real estate taking the helm as

Chairman and CEO of Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty.

His belief in opportunity and optimism laid the foundation for

unprecedented growth. In 2015, he expanded into Saudi Arabia,

acquiring the regional Sotheby’s franchise, and in 2023, he

made a bold acquisition of UK Sotheby’s International Realty,

igniting a full-scale transformation of the London market.

George’s background in finance has played a vital role in

his real estate success. With an MBA in International Business

Administration and Finance and a Bachelor’s Degree

in Economics from the American College of Switzerland, he

brings analytical rigour and strategic foresight to every move.

George Azar is a builder of legacies, not only developing

portfolios and premium properties but nurturing cultures of

innovation, trust, and excellence. His hands-on leadership

has helped position Dubai and the wider Middle East as vital

players on the global real estate stage and he continues to

lead with purpose and passion.


11

JOHN LYONS

Managing Director

Espace Real Estate

Over two decades of real estate

experience, a deep understanding

of the Dubai property market, and

a commitment to delivering results define

the leadership of John Lyons. As Managing

Director of Espace Real Estate, he leads a

team of nearly 200 professionals, working

closely with senior management to shape

the company’s strategic direction while

ensuring consistent business growth.

Originally from Scotland, John began

his career in commercial property management

and investment brokering. His

move to Dubai in 2012 marked a turning

point, not only for his own career but

also for the growth trajectory of Espace.

His keen market insights and leadership

skills quickly led to his promotion as Head

of Sales and Leasing, where he played

a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s

residential business. In 2019, he was

appointed Managing Director, bringing

with him a sharp focus on innovation,

operational excellence, and long-term

strategy.

Espace Real Estate, founded in 2009,

has built its reputation on trust, professionalism,

and deep market expertise.

Specialising in sales and leasing, the

company is known for its customer-first

philosophy and a team of multilingual,

experienced area specialists. Under

John’s leadership, the firm has enhanced

its ability to connect thousands of buyers

with sellers, and landlords with tenants,

always with an emphasis on simplicity,

structure, and service.

12

STEVEN MORGAN

Chief Executive Officer -Middle East

Savills

Steven Morgan’s career has been

defined by building businesses,

scaling operations, and delivering

meaningful value to clients. As CEO of

Savills Middle East, his focus is on growing

the company’s presence in the region

through a commercially strategic lens,

ensuring clients benefit from tailored,

results-driven real estate solutions.

His journey began in the UK, where he

developed his expertise in the property

sector before moving to Bahrain. It was

in Dubai, however, where Steven truly

reshaped the landscape, establishing the

residential valuation division and rapidly

building it into a market-leading operation.

This achievement led to his appointment

as Head of UAE in 2009, during which

he oversaw strong performance across

business lines. By 2013, Steven was

promoted to CEO for the Middle East, a

role in which he led the company through

five years of steady expansion.

With a deep understanding of the

region’s nuances and opportunities,

Steven’s ambition is to position Savills

as the service provider of choice across

all GCC markets. His approach focuses

on delivering joined-up, solution-based

real estate services bringing together a

wide range of expertise across sectors

and geographies to meet evolving client

needs.

Today, Savills Middle East offers a full

spectrum of services including strategic

consultancy, market research, residential

and commercial agency, capital markets,

international residential, marketing,

property and facilities management,

tenant representation, and building and

project consultancy.


13

JACKIE JOHNS

Managing Partner

Christie’s International Real Estate

Jackie Johns brings over 18 years of

expertise in the real estate industry

with a specific focus on the United

Arab Emirates. She is highly respected

in Dubai’s residential real estate market

and is the joint owner of Christie’s International

Real Estate Dubai, alongside

her partner, Dinesh Chhatwani. With a

career spanning more than 30 years in

the property industry, Jackie has built a

strong reputation in both the U.K. and

the U.A.E., successfully leading and

managing teams to achieve remarkable

success on an international scale.

Throughout her career, Jackie has

represented some of Dubai’s most prestigious

luxury properties. Known for

her integrity, honesty, and unwavering

commitment, she ensures that every

aspect of the buying and selling process

is tailored to meet the unique needs of

her clients. Her warm and welcoming

attitude has earned her the trust of many,

and she remains acutely aware of her

clients’ requirements.

As Managing Partner of a dynamic,

multifaceted real estate brokerage,

Jackie has refined her expertise across

various departmental services. She plays

an active role in the daily operations of

the business while also crafting innovative

strategies, marketing concepts, and

cultivating strong business relationships.

Her dedication to staying ahead of market

trends and offering a globally recognized

service has allowed her to maintain a

high level of professionalism. By working

closely with her team in a transparent,

collaborative manner, she ensures that

clients return year after year, a testament

to her exceptional service and expertise.

14

FAROOQ SYED


Springfield Properties

Farooq Syed is the driving force behind

Springfield Properties, one of

Dubai’s leading real estate advisory

firms. With over a decade of expertise in

the UAE’s property market, Farooq has

transformed the brokerage landscape

through innovation, data-driven strategy,

and an unwavering commitment to

transparency and client service. Under his

leadership, Springfield has grown into a

market powerhouse, boasting a team of

over 150 professionals and selling over

AED 2 billion in real estate annually.

A visionary leader and digital trailblazer,

Farooq also commands the largest real

estate YouTube channel in Dubai, cementing

his influence not only in transactions

but also in shaping buyer perspectives

globally. Representing some of the city’s

most exclusive properties and working

closely with top-tier developers like

Emaar, Damac, and Sobha, Springfield

has earned multiple industry accolades,

including the Emaar Alliance Agency

and Dubai Holdings Top Agency awards.

Since its founding in 2008, Springfield

Properties has built a robust portfolio

of residential, commercial, and off-plan

developments, serving both regional and

international investors. Farooq’s relentless

pursuit of excellence continues to

position Springfield as a trusted name in

Dubai’s ever-evolving real estate market.

Farooq’s relentless pursuit of excellence

continues to position Springfield as a

trusted name in Dubai’s ever-evolving

real estate market.


15

MYLES BUSH

Co-Founder

Phoenix Homes

A

British entrepreneur and philanthropist,

Myles Bush is the co-founder

and chairman of Phoenix Homes,

the revolutionary agency that shook up

Dubai’s property market with an 80%

commission model for brokers, founded

in 2020. This bold move redefined

industry norms and empowered agents

like never before.

Starting as an ambitious young agent

in Dubai, Myles grew to become the CEO

of Powerhouse Properties between 2008

and 2020, where he quickly realized the

limitations of traditional agency models.

By 28, he had become a self-made

multi-millionaire, driven by a vision to

create something bigger. That vision took

shape with Phoenix Homes, now one of

the city’s fastest-growing agencies and

a magnet for top-tier talent.

Under Bush’s leadership, his companies

have achieved landmark deals, and has

set records for the most expensive villa

sale, the largest land transaction, and the

biggest residential lease in Dubai, as well

as being responsible for and overseeing

over $10 billion worth of real estate

transactions, cementing his position as

a Dubai real estate icon.

Beyond business, Bush is deeply committed

to giving back. He has raised over

seven figures for charity through his real

estate ventures and personal challenges,

including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro,

Island Peak in Nepal, and Mount Elbrus

in Russia (the highest peak in Europe) to

support cancer research and children’s

education. With ambitious expansion plans,

Phoenix Homes is poised to shape the

future of Dubai’s real estate landscape.

16

HAMED GHELICHKHANI


Homeland Realty Real Estate

As the Founder and CEO of Homeland

Real Estate, Hamed Ghelichkhani

has established himself as a trusted

leader and educator in the market, with

a reputation built on integrity, insight,

and innovation.

Originally from Tehran, Iran, Hamed

arrived in Dubai in 2003 with a dual foundation

in Civil Engineering and Business

Administration, a combination that would

later shape his pragmatic yet strategic

approach to property investment. Over

the next 17 years, he rose through the

ranks of the industry, holding pivotal

leadership roles at top brokerages including

Dehkadeh Real Estate, Caspian

Properties, and Fidu Properties. Along

the way, he garnered a reputation not only

for sales excellence but also for building

high-performing teams and delivering

consistent investor value.

In 2021, Hamed launched Homeland

Realty, a company born from experience,

driven by purpose, and destined to stand

apart. Since its inception, Homeland has

become one of Dubai’s most exciting real

estate success stories. But Hamed’s influence

extends beyond deals and developments.

He is one of Dubai’s most-followed real

estate mentors, offering highly acclaimed

training sessions on YouTube. These

educational resources have become an

essential tool for thousands of real estate

professionals, helping them build trust

with clients, and raise standards across

the industry.

At just 43, Hamed Ghelichkhani is a

mentor to a generation of brokers, and a

driving force behind one of Dubai’s most

promising real estate brands.


17

URI FONT

Founder and CEO

Luxhabitat

Uri Font, the Founder and CEO

of Luxhabitat, is a visionary in

Dubai’s luxury real estate market.

After earning his MBA from IE Business

School, Oriol began his career in management

consulting. He moved to Dubai

in 2006 and worked as a Consultant for

Delta Partners before founding Luxhabitat

in 2009, during the global economic

recession. His insight into the evolving

real estate landscape led him to create a

platform focused on exclusive properties

valued above AED 5 million.

In 2013, Oriol expanded Luxhabitat’s

offerings by launching its interior

design component, further solidifying

the company’s position as a leader in

luxury real estate. Beyond his work in

real estate, Uri has a strong passion for

luxury design, architecture, FC Barcelona,

and everything digital. Headquartered in

Dubai, Luxhabitat has become a curated

marketplace that connects buyers and

sellers of high-end residential properties,

leasing opportunities, and holiday homes.

The platform’s invite-only nature ensures

that only the finest properties and agents

are featured, offering a premium selection

of the most beautiful homes on the

market. With a design-first approach and

a commitment to quality, Luxhabitat has

set a new standard for luxury real estate

in Dubai, meeting the expectations of

modern buyers and sellers alike.

18

LOAI AL FAKIR


Provident Real Estate

Loai Al Fakir, the Chief Executive

Officer of Provident Estate, is a

prominent figure in Dubai’s real

estate industry. With over 16 years of

experience, Loai has established himself

as a dynamic and successful entrepreneur.

He founded Provident Estate in 2008, and

under his leadership, the company has

grown to become one of the leading real

estate brokerages in Dubai, recognized

for its exceptional services and innovative

approach.

Before his real estate career, Loai

operated his family business in Cyprus

before relocating to Dubai in 2006. He

began his journey in the industry with

PRV2, the sales division of Abyaar Property

Developers, where he discovered his

passion for real estate. Inspired by his

academic experiences, Loai’s business

mindset and leadership style emphasized

hard work and discipline, which formed

the foundation for Provident Estate’s

success.

The company offers clients a one-stop

shop for property searches, as well as

in-depth information on communities,

areas, projects, and real estate laws.

Under Loai’s guidance, Provident Estate

has continually adapted to market shifts

and stayed ahead of industry trends. He

has played a significant role in many

project developments, helping developers

create the best products for the market

while utilizing cutting-edge marketing

strategies. Loai’s entrepreneurial spirit

and vision for the future ensure that

Provident Estate remains at the forefront

of the Middle East real estate market,

with aspirations of becoming a globally

recognized agency.


19

SHAH MALEK

Off-Plan Director

Phoenix Homes

Originally from the UK, Shah Malek

witnessed the city’s incredible

transformation over the years.

What began as a plan to retire after selling

his businesses in the UK, very quickly

turned into a passionate journey in real

estate, where Shah went from being an

investor to becoming one of the region’s

leading off-plan brokers.

Before entering the real estate world,

Shah owned and ran multiple award

winning hospitality businesses in the

UK. It was there that he learned the importance

of excellent customer service

and building lasting relationships, skills

that later became the foundation of his

success in property. His natural drive and

entrepreneurial spirit led him to make

a name for himself in the competitive

Dubai real estate market, especially in

the off-plan segment, which was still

developing at the time.

Shah’s commitment to excellence

brought him to Phoenix Homes, where

he took on the role of Off-Plan Sales

Director. Under his leadership, the team

achieved remarkable success, including

being the top sellers in key projects.

His deep understanding of the market

and hands-on experience allow him to

guide his team effectively, turning challenges

into opportunities.

Looking to the future, Shah is especially

excited about emerging villa communities

from the like of Tilal Al Ghaf to Arabian

Ranches 3 and everything in between.

Shah also has high hopes for investments

in Abu Dhabi and wider parts of the UAE,

which he sees as prime spots for future

investment. With his clear vision, Shah

Malek continues to be a driving force in

shaping Dubai’s real estate landscape.

20

SALEEM KARSAZ

Co-Founder, Chairman and Group CEO

Aeon and Trisl Real Estate

With two decades of experience,

Saleem Karsaz has built a reputation

for providing exceptional

service to both local and international

clients, making Aeon & Trisl Real Estate

Group one of the region’s leading brokerage

firms.

Founded in 2008, Aeon & Trisl has

grown under his leadership into a global

brand, headquartered in Dubai with

strategic branch offices in London and

Karachi. The company has forged strong

relationships with major property developers

across Europe, the Middle East,

and Pakistan, offering clients a flexible

and distinctive experience rooted in trust

and transparency.

Aeon & Trisl’s full-service model covers

legal documentation, property evaluation,

portfolio management, and conveyance,

delivering comprehensive real estate

solutions under one roof.

Today, Aeon & Trisl is the No.1 broker

for Emaar and maintains strong

partnerships with industry giants such

as Damac, Nakheel, Majid Al Futtaim,

Sobha, Dubai Properties, Meraas, and

Aldar. Beyond real estate, Saleem Karsaz’s

entrepreneurial influence spans several

sectors. He serves as a Board Member of

Nayyer Group, an industrial powerhouse

based in Ras Al Khaimah, with a manufacturing

capacity of 50 million square

meters annually, supplying carpets and

geotextiles to markets across the GCC,

Africa, India, and Pakistan.

Karsaz is also the Principal Investor

in Padelverse, Pakistan’s first and largest

air-conditioned indoor padel club,

blending sports innovation with premium

amenities.


21

SAM MCCONE

Managing Partner

McCone Properties

Sam McCone, the Managing Partner of

McCone Properties, is an Australian

entrepreneur who has made Dubai

his home since 1992. After completing

his bachelor’s degree in International

Relations, Sam found his true calling in

the real estate industry. In 2013, he took

the leap and founded McCone Properties,

aiming to create a real estate firm with

a difference.

Sam’s approach to real estate is grounded

in building long-term relationships, both

with clients and agents. As Managing Director,

he remains deeply involved with

clients, offering a relaxed yet informed

approach, ensuring they have all the

necessary information before making

any decisions. His emphasis is on trust,

transparency, and giving clients feasible

options that suit their needs.

Under Sam’s leadership, McCone

Properties has grown rapidly, expanding

from just 10 staff members to over 200

since 2020, and achieving over 5,000

transactions in Dubai. The company

has also earned recognition from major

players like Emaar, Propertyfinder, and

Bayut. What sets McCone Properties

apart is the simple philosophy that drives

them: treat people the way you would

want to be treated.

He is always open to connecting with

investors looking for a straightforward

and reliable approach to Dubai’s real

estate market, as well as agents who wish

to take their careers to the next level.

22

NIKITA KUZNETSOV


Metropolitan Premium Properties

Nikita Kuznetsov’s impact on the

UAE real estate market is both

dynamic and measurable. Under

Nikita’s direction, Metropolitan Premium

Properties has evolved into a market leader,

known for its consistent performance,

client-first ethos, and strong developer

partnerships. His clear vision and handson

approach have created a business

culture driven by growth, integrity, and

continuous improvement, values that

define the Metropolitan Group as a whole.

Established in 2008, the group has built

a strong foundation on trust and results,

becoming one of the UAE’s top real estate

firms. Today, Metropolitan operates

four full-service agencies in Dubai, Abu

Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Vienna, with

Metropolitan Premium Properties leading

the charge as the group’s flagship brand.

The company holds accredited broker

status with all licensed developers across

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, and has

been consistently recognized with top

sales awards from industry giants such

as EMAAR, Dubai Properties, MERAAS,

DAMAC, and ALDAR. This consistent

recognition reflects the firm’s credibility,

reach, and the strength of its professional

team, qualities that are a direct result

of Kuznetsov’s unwavering leadership.

Metropolitan Premium Properties

continues to thrive in an evolving market,

offering expert real estate advisory across

residential and commercial segments.

With Nikita Kuznetsov, the firm stands

not only as a top-performing agency but

also as a trusted partner in one of the

world’s most competitive real estate

environments.


23

DANIEL HADI

Chief Executive Officer - Middle East

Engel and Völkers Dubai

Daniel Hadi is part of the prestigious

Engel and Völkers team, a global

leader in premium real estate

services. With over 45 years of experience,

Engel and Völkers has established

itself as a key player in residential and

commercial real estate, serving clients

in more than 35 countries across five

continents. The brand’s core values,

competence, exclusivity, and passion,

are at the heart of every service provided.

Engel and Völkers originally began

in Hamburg, specializing in exclusive

properties in the Elbe suburbs. Over the

years, it expanded into a global service

provider, offering a broad portfolio of

services, from real estate brokerage to

hospitality and consulting. The company’s

offerings vary to meet the specific

demands of local markets, demonstrating

its adaptability and commitment to

excellence.

Additionally, Engel and Völkers is

deeply committed to social responsibility.

In 2008, they founded the Engel

and Völkers Charity, with a focus on

improving education for children in

Western Africa. The charity’s first project

was a school in Agbetiko, Togo, which

currently educates 160 children. Future

projects include a health center and a

secondary school focused on farming

and livestock breeding.

Through its business and charitable

initiatives, Engel and Völkers continues to

embody a culture of networking, elegance,

and a passion for making a difference.

24

SHAHBAZ KHAN

Associate Director

Binayah Properties

Shahbaz Khan brings over 21 years

of extensive experience in the

real estate sector, working across

Dubai, UAE, and Pakistan. Specializing

in high-end properties, including penthouses,

mansions, independent villas,

townhouses, and both ready and off-plan

apartments, Shahbaz has built a proven

track record with multiple major deals

successfully closed.

Currently serving as Associate Director

at Binayah Properties LLC, Shahbaz’s

career has been shaped by his time with

this award-winning company, where he

started his journey in Dubai. His role has

not only involved closing significant deals

but also training and mentoring agents,

helping them excel in the competitive real

estate market. With a focus on providing

excellent service and facilitating transactions,

Shahbaz has earned a reputation

for reliability and trustworthiness in

the industry.

Binayah Properties, founded in 2007, is

a prominent name in Dubai’s real estate

sector. The company was established by

seasoned industry professionals with

over 30 years of combined experience.

It offers a range of services, including

property management, asset management,

real estate brokerage, and expert

consultancy for buying, selling, renting,

and investing. The company also diversifies

into property development, adding

significant value to the market through

its involvement in both residential and

commercial projects.


25

ISEEB REHMAN

Global CEO

Sherwoods International Property

With over three decades of experience

in global real estate,

Iseeb Rehman stands at the helm

of Sherwoods International Property, a

company he founded in the UK in 1988.

Now operating across London, Europe,

the Americas, and the UAE, Sherwoods

is synonymous with trust, quality, and

results. Iseeb’s deep expertise spans

valuation, leasing, and structuring

high-value acquisitions and funding for

private clients, institutional investors,

governments, and developers.

Beyond real estate, Iseeb is a visionary

in the aviation sector. In 2016, he became

Chairman of the Board at Neojets, a

business aviation platform that bridges

the gap between aircraft operators and

end users while supporting brokers with

cutting-edge tech. His unique dual-industry

insight reflects his passion for quality,

precision, and client-first service.

At Sherwoods, Iseeb has built more

than a real estate firm, he has cultivated

a legacy. With a professional ethos rooted

in long-term relationships, meticulous

service, and tailored opportunities, his

leadership continues to drive the firm’s

reputation as a trusted global partner in

real estate and investment.

His influence extends far beyond

transactions, shaping industry standards

and mentoring the next generation of

real estate professionals. As the market

evolves, Iseeb remains at the forefront,

championing innovation and sustainable

growth across all his ventures.

26

MARK TOWERS

Founder and CEO

Edwards and Towers

Mark Towers is the Palm Jumeirah

Valuer and Managing Director of

EandT, a company he founded in

2004. With a career spanning over three

decades, Mark is a Chartered Surveyor

who has been practising in real estate

since 1992. He is deeply involved in the

day-to-day operations of the sales and

leasing brokerage departments, and he

remains an active professional valuer.

EandT, with its office in Dubai Marina,

boasts a team of experienced

brokers ready to assist both buyers and

sellers with their property needs. Mark

personally manages a select portfolio

of exclusive listings, offering sellers

the opportunity to list their properties

exclusively, ensuring a higher sale price

and reducing unnecessary time and effort

for all parties involved. Mark is always

available for property valuations or

general discussions regarding the real

estate market, providing expert guidance

to help clients make informed decisions.

His hands-on approach and wealth of

experience make him a trusted leader

in the industry.

He continues to set high standards for

personalised service and client satisfaction

in the Dubai property market. With a

reputation built on integrity and results,

Mark remains one of the most respected

figures in UAE real estate.


Fawaz Sous is a Dubai-born and raised real estate executive

with over two decades of experience in the

industry. His expertise spans every facet of real estate

development, having been integral to the creation of four

master residential communities, commercial properties, and

some of Dubai’s most coveted luxury-branded residences, all

of which have played a significant role in shaping the city’s

landscape.

Having held senior leadership positions, including CEO,

Senior Vice President, Head of Sales and Revenue, Fawaz

has built a reputation for engineering adaptable methods

that thrive across diverse markets. His strategic vision and

ethos have led to exponential revenue growth, optimized sales

performance, and the development of elite luxury brokers for

leading real estate giants like DAMAC and EMAAR Properties.

Fawaz’s career trajectory was shaped by his work alongside

visionary pioneers like Mohamed Alabbar, which fueled his

desire to position Dubai as a leader in the international luxury

HIGHLIGHTS


2021

Team Size:

50-200


UAE

property sector. After this, he founded OCTA Properties, a

dynamic company tailored for luxury property investors,

developers, and brokers, providing access to meticulously

vetted, high-end real estate opportunities globally.

Under Fawaz’s leadership, OCTA Properties has successfully

partnered with major players such as KSA’s largest property

developer, Dar Al Arkan, and various UAE-based companies,

as well as private corporations in France and Russia. The

company has managed large-scale elite developments from

conception to launch, delivering record-breaking transactions

and iconic properties that continue to contribute to Dubai’s

evolving skyline. As a prominent figure in Dubai’s branded

residences sector, Fawaz has led exclusive collaborations

with luxury brands worldwide. Notable collaborations include

becoming the sole representative for FAUCON across

fourteen countries and spearheading multiple launches of

Elie Saab Residences. Recent signature projects include the

DaVinci Tower by Pagani, Urban Oasis by Missoni, and Elie

Saab Residences at Hyde Park, London.

OCTA Properties stands out for its unique business model,

offering unparalleled consultancy services that elevate developer-led

projects and meet the needs of high-net-worth

investors.

27

FAWAZ

SOUS


Octa Properties


With over 35 years of global real estate experience,17

of them rooted in the UAE, Andrew Covill has

emerged as a pivotal force behind the success of

Henry Wiltshire International. As a seasoned expert with a

sharp eye for opportunity and a deep understanding of market

dynamics, Andrew has helped shape the firm into one of the

most respected boutique agencies in Abu Dhabi’s competitive

real estate landscape.

Beginning his career in London’s property development

sector, Andrew developed a strong foundation in one of the

world’s most dynamic real estate markets. This background

positioned him perfectly to guide cross-border investments,

especially for clients interested in both London and Abu

Dhabi. Today, he remains a trusted advisor on premium

developments in both regions, offering unmatched insights

and a truly global perspective.

At Henry Wiltshire International, Andrew’s role goes far

beyond operational leadership. He is instrumental in driving

HIGHLIGHTS


2014

Team Size:

11-50


England, Ireland, Singapore,

Hong Kong, UAE

28

ANDREW

COVILL

Director - Abu Dhabi

Henry Wiltshire International

the firm’s strategy, growth, and brand evolution, all while

nurturing a culture of professionalism and client-centricity. By

building and leading teams of committed property specialists,

he has propelled the business forward while maintaining its

core values of discretion, integrity, and performance.

Andrew works closely with a diverse client base ranging

from corporate investors and institutional clients to high-networth

individuals, offering bespoke solutions tailored to their

distinct needs. His particular passion lies in curating premium

property experiences, whether it’s advising on waterfront

estates or exclusive golf course residences in coveted areas

like Saadiyat Island.

His deep understanding of the Abu Dhabi property market,

paired with an international sensibility, has made him

a sought-after authority in the luxury segment. Under his

guidance, Henry Wiltshire International has built a robust

referral network and earned a reputation for excellence,

winning multiple industry accolades along the way. Andrew

Covill’s vision is both ambitious and grounded: to deliver a

boutique real estate experience shaped by global expertise

and local insight. As he continues to lead Henry Wiltshire

International with clarity and purpose, his influence remains

central to the firm’s legacy of trust, and performance.


29

BEN BANDARI

Founder and CEO

Ben and Core Real Estate

Ben Bandari, Founder of Ben and

Core Real Estate, brings over two

decades of experience to the real

estate industry, having started his career

in 2002. Throughout his career, he has

achieved impressive sales of over 20 billion

Dirhams, with a standout achievement

being the sales and marketing leadership

of the Palazzo Versace condominiums

and D1 Tower, where he secured over

3 billion Dirhams in sales within a year.

In February 2020, Ben took a bold

step and launched Ben and Core Real

Estate, defying the challenges posed by

the global pandemic. With an MBA and

a strong marketing background, Ben’s

expertise lies in understanding the vital

role of marketing in driving sales. His

approach, characterized by honesty,

integrity, and a wealth of experience, has

made him the trusted real estate advisor

for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, celebrities,

politicians, and heads of state.

Ben and Core Real Estate was founded

with a clear vision to stand out in the

crowded Dubai market. Recognizing that

the traditional brokerage model was no

longer sufficient, Ben set out to create a

distinctive real estate firm that leverages

technology and content creation to drive

business growth. The firm operates as a

content-driven business, with an in-house

production department that generates

authentic content to foster enduring

connections. This strategic approach,

combined with the company’s strong

presence on various platforms and

social media, ensures significant brand

impressions that benefit all stakeholders

globally.

30

SAFURA ABASNIYA

General Manager

Aston Pearl Real Estate Broker

A

Certified Real Estate Broker

Manager (CRB) with over 15 years

of hands-on experience, Safura

Abasniya has carved a distinguished

career rooted in integrity, performance,

and visionary leadership.

Under her guidance, Aston Pearl, established

in 2007, has become synonymous

with professionalism, market insight, and

client trust. Today, the company boasts

a dynamic team of over 40 seasoned

brokers who cover the full breadth of

Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s residential and

commercial hubs.

Safura’s leadership style is defined by

her deep knowledge of real estate, investment,

and management. Her commitment

to building a trustworthy and loyal client

base has not only propelled Aston Pearl’s

growth but has also set a benchmark

for others in the industry. Beyond her

corporate achievements, Safura plays an

active role in shaping the real estate discourse

across the region. She is regularly

featured in industry publications, where

she advocates for female entrepreneurship

and empowers real estate brokers

to achieve their highest potential. Aston

Pearl’s success story is also a reflection

of its comprehensive service offerings,

tailored to both individual buyers and

high-net-worth investors. The company

provides a full spectrum of real estate

solutions, including residential sales,

resales and rentals, commercial sales

and leasing, as well as property and land

investment opportunities.

With a newly relocated, state-of-the-art

office designed for greater accessibility

and enhanced client service, Aston Pearl

continues to thrive in the fast-paced

UAE market.


INVESTMENT MAGNATES

SECTION SPONSOR

MAIN SPONSOR

Khalid Jasim Mohammed Bin Kalban is the Vice Chairman

and CEO of Dubai Investments PJSC, a pioneering

UAE-based investment company established in 1995.

Since joining the company in 1998, Khalid has played a pivotal

role in transforming Dubai Investments into a diversified

conglomerate with a robust presence across key sectors,

including real estate, industrial, finance, healthcare, and

education. Under his leadership, the company has become

a vital contributor to Dubai’s economic diversification and

growth, listed on the Dubai Financial Market with a strong

shareholder base and significant capital.

Dubai Investments thrives on a forward-looking strategy

that embraces transformation and innovation, moving away

from traditional business models to capitalize on emerging

global opportunities. The Group focuses on strategic diversification,

value unlocking through organized divestment,

and facilitating sustainable growth aligned with a vision of

stability and consistent profitability. As a strong enabler of

HIGHLIGHTS


1995

Team Size:

1,000-5,000


UAE

1

KHALID JASIM

MOHAMMED

BIN KALBAN

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dubai Investments PJSC

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Dubai Investments actively

explores untapped markets, expanding its global footprint

and stimulating economic progress.

Beyond his executive role at Dubai Investments, Khalid

holds several influential positions, including Chairman of

Al Taif Investments and Director of AIM Group Holding

Limited. He is a founding board member of Arcapita Inc.

and has served as Representative Director of Bank of Beirut

S.A.L., Director of Thuraya Telecommunications Company,

and Independent Director of National General Insurance Co.

(P.J.S.C.). His past leadership roles include Chairmanship

of Union Properties Public Joint Stock Company and board

memberships with First Energy Bank B.S.C.(c) and Sahara

International Petrochemical Company.

Khalid holds an Associate Degree in Arts & Business Management

from Arapahoe Community College and a Bachelor

of Science in Management from Metropolitan State University

of Denver. His extensive experience and strategic insight

continue to drive Dubai Investments’ success, positioning

the company as a key player in the UAE’s dynamic economy.

He remains committed to fostering sustainable growth

and innovation across the group’s diverse portfolio. Khalid’s

leadership embraces change while preserving core values.


2

FADI DABBAGH

President of the Board

AIX Investment Group

With over 30 years of global business

leadership, Fadi Dabbagh is

renowned for turning struggling

operations into profitable enterprises

across diverse industries. As President

of the Board at AIX Investment Group, a

leading international financial institution

headquartered in Dubai, he spearheads

investment advisory services focused on

preserving and growing investor capital

through innovative products spanning

forex, commodities, and digital assets.

Previously, Fadi served as a Director

at Damac Properties, a publicly listed

luxury real estate developer active across

the Middle East and the UK. His portfolio

experience covers luxury residential,

commercial, and leisure properties in

the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan,

Lebanon, and the UK.

Fadi is also the founder and former CEO

of Mistile International Ltd, the Middle

East’s premier online luxury shopping

platform, recognized as Pan-Arab Website

of the Year in 2014. His leadership

extended to the global trade sector as

Regional Managing Director of Bartercard

International Plc, the world’s largest trade

exchange listed on the London Stock

Exchange, with a turnover exceeding

USD 1.6 billion.

Fadi holds an Executive Certificate in

Blockchain Technologies and Business

Innovation from MIT Sloan School of

Management and dual business degrees

in International Business, Finance, and

Economics from Schiller International

University, Paris.

3

AHMED AL SUWAIDI

Managing Director

DHAM REIT Management

With over 17 years of transformative

impact in Dubai’s real

estate sector, Ahmed Al Suwaidi

stands as a leading force in redefining

residential living in one of the world’s

fastest-growing cities. As the Managing

Director at Dubai Residential under

the umbrella of Dubai Holding Asset

Management, Ahmed oversees one of

the emirate’s largest residential leasing

portfolios, comprising 40,000 homes that

serve more than 150,000 residents. Dubai

Residential REIT, managed by DHAM

REIT Management, is a key component

of this portfolio. Headquartered in Dubai,

DHAM REIT Management is wholly-owned

by the Dubai Holding group – a leading

global investment conglomerate driving

the city’s growth through a diversified

portfolio encompassing real estate, hospitality,

entertainment, and other strategic

sectors. Licensed by the Securities and

Commodities Authority (SCA) and subject

to its regulatory oversight, DHAM REIT

Management ensures robust governance

and compliance in its operations.

Before taking the helm at Dubai Residential,

Ahmed managed a vast portfolio

of over 25,000 units across 1,500 properties,

honing his expertise in leasing,

engineering, property valuation, and

landlord relations. Today, he continues

to shape Dubai’s housing landscape,

ensuring that its residential offerings,

including those under the Dubai Residential

REIT managed by DHAM REIT

Management, remain among the most

attractive, sustainable, and well-managed

in the region.


Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak is one of the Middle East’s

most influential business figures and global statesmen,

renowned for his leadership across sovereign investment,

strategic policymaking, and international diplomacy.

As the Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala, he

has transformed the Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor

into a $302 billion global powerhouse with operations in

over 50 countries.

Since Mubadala’s inception in 2002, Khaldoon has overseen

its evolution through organic growth, strategic acquisitions,

and high-impact mergers, consistently delivering sustainable

financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi. His leadership

has positioned Mubadala as a trailblazer in innovation

and long-term global investments.

In addition to his executive role at Mubadala, Khaldoon

chairs the boards of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates

Global Aluminium, and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation,

and serves as Vice Chairman of MGX. He also sits on

HIGHLIGHTS


2017

Team Size:

501-1,000


Globally

4

KHALDOON

KHALIFA AL

MUBARAK

Managing Director and Group CEO

Mubadala Investment Company

the boards of ADNOC and G42, playing a vital role in shaping

the UAE’s energy and AI strategies.

Khaldoon holds key public sector responsibilities, including

Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, advising UAE

President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and

Presidential Special Envoy to China. He is a long-standing

member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Supreme

Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, and in 2024, was

appointed to the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology

Council and the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative.

He has co-founded multiple strategic platforms such as

the US-UAE Business Council, the UAE-France Strategic Dialogue,

and co-chairs the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum.

As Chairman of Manchester City Football Club since 2008,

Khaldoon has overseen its rise to become the world’s most

successful football brand, and as Chairman of City Football

Group, he has led the global expansion of a 13-club network

valued at over $6 billion.

Khaldoon is also a trustee of New York University and played

a central role in the founding of NYU Abu Dhabi. He holds a

degree in Economics and Finance from Tufts University in

Boston, USA. His visionary leadership continues to shape

global business, education, and sports with enduring impact.


With over two decades of real estate leadership across

the globe, Samir Kazi has emerged as one of the most

trusted names in corporate real estate investment,

development, and asset management. His career, defined by

a steadfast commitment to maximizing portfolio value while

managing complex risk landscapes, spans some of the most

dynamic markets in the world, including the UAE, Saudi

Arabia, the UK, EU, and the US.

A strategic thinker with a strong operational backbone,

Samir has held senior leadership positions with industry

giants such as AW Rostamani Real Estate, where he directed

strategy and business development for domestic and

international portfolios, and SEDCO Holding, where he led

corporate real estate investments. Earlier in his career, his

expertise was honed at Dubai World, a pivotal player in the

region’s property boom.

Samir is not just a dealmaker, he’s a builder of institutional

real estate platforms. With significant experience managing

HIGHLIGHTS


2005

Nationality:

Middle East, North Africa

and Türkiye

Awards & Accolades:

UAE’s leading Real Estate

Investment Expert 2019

both listed and private REITs within DIFC and ADGM regulatory

environments, his career has consistently been marked

by value creation, boardroom credibility, and cross-border

execution. Whether it’s structuring capital through equity,

mezzanine, or senior notes, or managing risks inherent in

large-scale developments and multi-tenanted assets, Samir

operates with precision and foresight.

Educated at some of the world’s top institutions with an MBA

from Warwick Business School and executive programmes

from Harvard and Wharton, Samir combines global financial

acumen with a grounded understanding of real estate’s local

nuances. His track record spans deal sizes both large (including

transactions backed by Dubai Sovereign Wealth Funds) and

targeted (for family offices and boutique REITs).

Behind the numbers lies a leadership style grounded in

trust, accountability, and performance. Known for exceeding

targets and building lasting partnerships, Samir Kazi is as

skilled in the boardroom as he is in the field, making him a

vital figure in shaping the next era of real estate investment

and development across the Middle East and beyond. His

vision is matched by an ability to translate strategy into

results. Samir remains a driving force in redefining what

modern, sustainable development looks like.

5

SAMIR

KAZI

Head of Real Estate

ENBD REIT


6

LOW PING


YAS Holding

Since taking the helm at Yas Holding

in mid-2022, Low Ping has brought

over three decades of transformative

leadership experience to one of the

UAE’s most dynamic and diversified investment

groups. Yas Holding is a leading

multi-industry investment and holding

company, dedicated to identifying and

investing in promising opportunities

across a wide range of sectors. Based

in the UAE, the group operates a robust

and future-focused portfolio spanning

aviation, healthcare, technology, and

real estate. With a strategic presence

across the Middle East and Africa, Yas

Holding is known for driving innovation,

operational excellence, and sustainable

growth that delivers long-term value to

stakeholders and communities alike.

Low Ping’s career is marked by a

series of high-impact roles, including

serving as Group CEO of Eagle Hills

Properties LLC and Emaar Properties

PJSC, and previously as Audit Partner

at KPMG Singapore. Her diverse sector

expertise spans banking, real estate,

energy, utilities, power, trading, retail,

and manufacturing, making her a versatile

leader adept at navigating complex and

competitive markets.

Under her leadership, Yas Holding

continues to strengthen its reputation as a

growth-driven, innovation-led enterprise.

Her comprehensive approach includes

overseeing finance, treasury, taxation,

legal, risk management, and spearheading

international expansion. A Chartered

Accountant and member of the Certified

Public Accountants Singapore, Low Ping

holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from

the National University of Singapore.

7

ABDULLA BELHOUL


TECOM Group

Abdulla Belhoul leads TECOM Group

as its Chief Executive Officer,

bringing a wealth of leadership

experience across Dubai’s business districts,

retail destinations, and residential

communities. TECOM Group, a Dubai

Financial Market-listed company, has

been developing and operating strategic,

sector-focused business destinations

across Dubai since 1999.

Before assuming his current role,

Abdulla served as Chief Commercial

Officer at DHAM, overseeing a substantial

portfolio of 10 business districts, 20

premier retail centres, and 15 residential

communities. He also led initiatives aimed

at advancing smart services, hallmarks

of his forward-looking approach to integrated

urban development.

Abdulla’s ascent in Dubai’s corporate

sphere includes his tenure as CEO of

Dubai Industrial City in 2013 and later

as Chief Commercial Officer of TECOM

Group in 2018. In 2020, his responsibilities

expanded to include DHAM’s retail and

residential portfolios, positioning him as

a central figure in shaping the emirate’s

urban and economic transformation.

His career began in engineering

management, with foundational roles at

Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai

Department of Civil Aviation Engineering

from 2002 to 2007. Between 2007 and

2013, Abdulla held leadership roles within

Dubai Holding, contributing to landmark

projects that have helped define Dubai’s

globally recognized urban landscape.

Abdulla holds both an MBA and a

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management

from the Higher Colleges of

Technology, UAE.


Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer is the Chief Executive Officer

of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority

(Shurooq), a pivotal entity driving the emirate’s transformation

into a leading global destination for investment,

tourism, and culture. Appointed by Emiri Decree No. (7) of

2023, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed

Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah,

he leads Shurooq’s ambitious portfolio with a strategic vision

rooted in sustainable development and international

collaboration.

A graduate of Dubai Men’s College with a Bachelor’s degree

in Business Information Technology, Al Qaseer began his

professional journey in 2002 at Etisalat, where he held roles

in sales support and corporate account management. His

transition into public sector leadership began in 2006 when

he joined the Al Qasba Development Authority as Business

Development Manager, later becoming Director of Business

Development. In this capacity, he played a transformative

HIGHLIGHTS


2009

Team Size:

200-500


UAE

role in evolving Al Qasba into one of Sharjah’s most vibrant

leisure and tourism destinations.

In 2009, Qaseer became a founding member of Shurooq,

taking on the role of Director of Property Management,

overseeing operations, leasing, and strategic development of

key assets. His impactful contributions led to his promotion

to Chief Operating Officer in 2011, where he was entrusted

with the execution of Shurooq’s expansive project pipeline.

His leadership was marked by the successful delivery of

a diverse range of initiatives across heritage, hospitality,

retail, and tourism sectors, all aimed at enhancing Sharjah’s

global profile.

In 2022, he was appointed Acting CEO of Shurooq and in

2023, assumed the role officially as CEO. He has since continued

to guide the authority’s efforts in attracting both national

and international investments, managing a dynamic portfolio

of multi-sectoral projects across the emirate. In July 2023, he

was further entrusted with a strategic governance role as a

member of the Board of Directors at the Sharjah Research,

Technology and Innovation Park – Free Zone Authority.

Throughout his career, Ahmed Al Qaseer has exemplified

visionary leadership, operational excellence, and a steadfast

commitment to Sharjah’s holistic development.

8

AHMED OBAID

AL QASEER


Sharjah Investment and Development Authority

(Shurooq)


Vivek Anand Oberoi’s entrepreneurial story is one

of evolution, vision, and purpose, spanning diverse

sectors such as ultra-luxury real estate, sustainable

jewellery, edtech, agri-tech, fin-tech, roadside tech, alco-bev,

and brand impact.

Though the world first recognized him as a critically acclaimed

actor, Vivek Oberoi’s ambitions always stretched

further. His entrepreneurial journey began before his acting

career, when he was 11 years old, selling perfumes and

trinkets door-to-door on a bicycle during summer breaks.

This early lesson in hustle and human psychology laid the

groundwork for a career that would bridge entertainment,

enterprise, and ethics.

Over time, Oberoi’s focus evolved toward ventures that

deliver competitive value. This mindset found its natural

home in UAE, a city he saw as a fertile ground where the effort-to-output

ratio is much higher. He saw an opportunity to

build an economic bridge between India and the UAE, building

HIGHLIGHTS


2024


UAE and India

Team Size:

400+

Awards & Accolades:

Mother Teresa International

Award, among others

9

VIVEK ANAND

OBEROI

Entrepreneur, Actor & Philanthropist

Managing Director and Co-Founder

BNW Developments

on the 100-year-old cultural bond between the countries.

Attracted by its global connectivity, booming luxury sector,

progressive policies, and quality of life, he saw Dubai as a

launchpad for valuable enterprise.

This vision crystallized through BNW Developments, where

he serves as the Managing Director and Co-Founder. BNW

has redefined what luxury means in UAE’s competitive real

estate landscape, managing AED 22 Billion in assets under

development.

Over the past two years, he has received several prestigious

recognitions. He was acknowledged at the UAE Ultimate

Realty Awards 2024 for his contributions to the real estate

sector. His dedication to humanitarian efforts has earned him

accolades such as the Mother Teresa International Award,

the Good Fellows Award, the SWFI 2023 Honor, the Prajyot

Award 2024, and the Dada Vasu Shroff Award for Philanthropy

2024. Further cementing his legacy, he was also conferred

an Honorary Doctorate in Business & Social Impact. Looking

forward, Oberoi desires to deepen his focus on high-impact

and high-growth sectors such as edtech, fin-tech and agritech,

along with his current portfolio at BNW. His north star

remains clear: to enhance profit with purpose, scale with

soul, and never stop learning.


10

ABDULLA ALI OBAID AL HAMLI

Chairman

Emirates REIT

Abdulla Ali Obaid Al Hamli has been

the Managing Director of Dubai

Islamic Bank (DIB) since July

2013, following a tenure as CEO from

2008 and Executive Vice President of

Business Services. With over 25 years of

experience, including nine years overseeing

Operations and IT at DIB, Abdulla’s

leadership has been pivotal in steering

the bank’s growth and innovation. Prior

to DIB, he held senior roles at key Dubai

organizations, notably serving as Director

of Information Systems at Dubai Ports

Authority and Jebel Ali Free Zone for

more than 15 years.

In addition to his role at DIB, Abdulla

has been Chairman of Deyaar Properties

since 2009 and Chairman and Director at

Tamweel PJSC since 2010, contributing

significantly to Dubai’s real estate and

finance sectors. He also serves as a

Director of DIB and Deyaar, and has been

involved with technology and finance

boards, including Injazat Technology

Funds and Gulf Finance House.

Educated with a B.Sc. in Economics

and Mathematics from Al Ain University,

Abdulla has also completed various

international professional development

programs, underscoring his commitment

to continual growth.

Under his strategic guidance, Emirates

REIT was established in 2010 as the Middle

East’s first Real Estate Investment Trust,

backed by prominent investors like Dubai

Islamic Bank, Tecom, and Dubai Properties.

Listed on Nasdaq Dubai in 2014,

Emirates REIT successfully raised USD

400 million through a Sukuk in 2017 and

currently manages assets worth approximately

USD 842.7 million, marking it as

a leader in Gulf real estate investment.

11

WAFIK BEN MANSOUR


SHUAA Capital

Wafik Ben Mansour is the Group

Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)

at SHUAA Capital PSC, having

joined the company in May 2023. Before

SHUAA, Wafik was a Managing Director

at Credit Suisse, overseeing Investment

Banking and Capital Markets across the

Middle East and North Africa region.

With extensive experience advising

on high-profile M&A and equity capital

market transactions, Wafik has played

key roles in deals such as Omantel’s

USD 2.2 billion acquisition of a stake

in Zain Group, ADQ’s USD 740 million

acquisition of Amoun Pharmaceutical,

Noon’s USD 335 million acquisition

of Namshi, Careem’s USD 500 million

private placement, and Aramco’s USD

29.4 billion IPO.

Wafik holds a Master’s Degree in Finance

from ESCP Europe, Paris. Under his

leadership, SHUAA Capital continues to

strengthen its core segments: asset management,

which includes public markets,

private markets, real estate, and debt

business lines, and investment banking,

providing both boutique and traditional

services, securities services, and a sales

and trading platform focused on fixed

income, currencies, and commodities.

Wafik’s deep understanding of regional

markets, combined with his global perspective,

enables him to identify emerging

opportunities and anticipate market

shifts. At SHUAA, he is spearheading

transformative initiatives that leverage

technology, enhance investor confidence,

and expand the firm’s footprint across

frontier and emerging markets. His vision

is reshaping the future of investment in

the region.


12

JAD ELLAWN

Managing Partner and Regional Head, Middle East

Brookfield Asset Management

Jad Ellawn is a Managing Partner at

Brookfield and serves as the Regional

Head of the Middle East, where he

oversees the firm’s strategic initiatives

and investment activities across the region.

With over a decade of experience

investing in private equity in the Middle

East, he plays a key role in sourcing and

presenting high-conviction opportunities

to Brookfield’s investment committee

under the Middle East Partners strategy.

Before joining Brookfield in 2018,

Ellawn held senior positions in the

private equity division of a prominent

international investment bank. His earlier

career included various roles at a major

investment bank in both New York and

London, giving him a strong foundation

in global financial markets.

He holds an MBA from INSEAD in

Fontainebleau, France, and a Bachelor

of Science from Georgetown University.

Brookfield is a leading global investment

firm with over $1 trillion in assets

under management, investing on behalf

of institutions and individuals worldwide

to create long-term, sustainable wealth.

Originating as owner-operators of

high-quality businesses, Brookfield brings

a unique operational lens to investing.

This hands-on expertise enables the

firm to drive meaningful growth across

its portfolio companies. In nearly every

transaction, Brookfield commits its own

capital alongside that of its partners, ensuring

strong alignment of interests and

a long-term approach to value creation.

13

NASER AL NABULSI

Vice-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Al Mal Capital REIT

Naser Al Nabulsi is the Vice-Chairman

and CEO of Al Mal Capital,

bringing decades of distinguished

experience in investment and financial

leadership. His career began at Merrill

Lynch International, where from 1989 to

2000 he excelled as a top international

performer, becoming First Vice President

at just 27 and managing key relationships

with institutions and high-net-worth

families across the region.

Between 2000 and early 2003, Naser

played a pivotal role within the Private

Office of HRH Sheikh Mohammed bin

Rashid Al Maktoum, leading the development

of the office’s investment and

asset management capabilities as Senior

Investment Officer and Head of Private

Equity and Asset Management.

In 2003, he was appointed the inaugural

CEO of the Dubai International Financial

Centre (DIFC). Under his visionary leadership,

Naser transformed DIFC from a

concept into a globally respected financial

hub by establishing its legal framework,

regulatory environment, and physical

infrastructure, laying the foundation for

its ongoing growth as a key regional and

international financial centre.

He is widely regarded as a thought

leader in the MENA financial landscape,

often called upon for his insights on

economic policy and capital markets. His

unwavering commitment to governance,

transparency, and investor trust has

positioned Al Mal Capital as a dynamic

force in the industry. Beyond his executive

roles, Naser actively supports initiatives

that foster financial literacy and youth

empowerment in the UAE and beyond.


14

MOHAMED AL SAYED AL HASHIMI


Eshraq Investments

Mohamed Al Sayed Al Hashimi is

the CEO of Eshraq Investments

PJSC, a company founded in 2006

and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities

Exchange (ADX) in 2011. Under his

leadership, Eshraq is transitioning from

its traditional focus on real estate and

financial investments to a private equity

model, balanced by cash-generating assets

including minority equity stakes, real estate,

and fixed income opportunities. The

group remains dedicated to maximizing

shareholder value with a long-term vision

for sustainable growth.

With over 20 years of experience,

Mohamed joined Eshraq following his

tenure as Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

of ADNOC LNG. He also served as CFO

and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of

ADNOC Distribution, where he played a

key role in the company’s IPO and investor

relations. His strong expertise lies in

financial strategy, business operations,

and investment management.

Mohamed holds a bachelor’s degree

from Ohio State University and a postgraduate

degree in business administration

and finance from Harvard University.

His background spans oil & gas, capital

markets, and financial strategy, with a

proven record of delivering world-class

projects across the ADNOC Group.

Mohamed’s leadership at Eshraq

marks a pivotal evolution in the firm’s

investment philosophy, aligning with

global standards of governance, diversification,

and innovation. He brings a

disciplined, data-driven approach to

portfolio management while nurturing

strategic partnerships. His ability to

bridge public sector insights with private

capital efficiency sets him apart.

15

KHALIFA AL SUWAIDI

Managing Partner

Lunate

With over 23 years of experience

across sovereign wealth, private

equity, and strategic asset

management, Khalifa Al Suwaidi plays a

pivotal role in shaping not only Lunate’s

portfolio but the broader investment

landscape of the region.

As Managing Partner, Khalifa leads

Lunate’s fund investments, global partnerships,

and long-term strategy. His

influence stretches across the firm’s

Investment Committee, Supervisory Committee,

and Board of Directors, ensuring

a rigorous, high-level alignment of vision

and execution. Under his stewardship,

Lunate is fast becoming a benchmark

for disciplined yet agile investment

management.

His impact, however, extends beyond

his executive role at Lunate. Khalifa also

serves as Chairman of Agthia Group,

and Vice Chairman of both Abu Dhabi

Ports (AD Ports) and TAQA, bringing

governance, investment insight, and

sectoral expertise to the boards of major

national champions.

Academically grounded with a Bachelor’s

degree in Business Administration

from California State University and an

Executive MBA with Distinction from

Zayed University, Khalifa’s leadership

style combines global perspective with

regional responsibility. His career reflects

a commitment to building institutional

resilience, fostering innovation, and

driving economic diversification across

the UAE.

Whether managing billions in sovereign

capital or steering strategy for publicly

listed giants, Khalifa Al Suwaidi is a

driving force in the UAE’s evolution into

a global investment powerhouse.


PROPTECH POWERPLAYERS

MAIN SPONSOR

As CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA, and Board Member

of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Haider

Ali Khan is actively shaping the future of the region’s

digital economy.

An electrical engineering graduate from the University of

Texas at Austin, Haider’s early career in the United States

included over a decade of experience with global names such

as Goldman Sachs, Silicon Labs, and National Instruments.

Since taking the helm at Dubizzle Group MENA, Haider has

led the transformation of Bayut and dubizzle into two of

the most trusted and widely used platforms in the UAE’s

real estate and classifieds space. But the vision extends far

beyond listings and leads.

Under his leadership, the group has become a fully integrated

PropTech powerhouse, committed to data-driven innovation

and smarter digital experiences. A key development in his

journey was the acquisition of Property Monitor in 2025. This

strategic move strengthened the group’s data capabilities,

HIGHLIGHTS


2008


UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman,

Jordan, Egypt

Key Achievements:

Acquisition of Property

Monitor – 2025

Awards & Accolades:

Best Property Portal Award

2022

1

HAIDER ALI

KHAN


Dubizzle Group MENA

enabling it to offer deeper market insights and support informed

decision-making across the real estate sector. With a

marketing-first and tech-strong philosophy, Dubizzle Group

MENA backs every product launch with full-scale, 360-degree

campaigns, spanning digital platforms, outdoor media,

influencer partnerships, and immersive brand experiences.

It is a model that has elevated the visibility of homegrown

innovation across the UAE.

Haider’s leadership also reflects a deep commitment to

industry-wide progress. Dubizzle Group MENA works closely

with regulators like the Dubai Land Department to bring

greater transparency, accountability, and modernisation to

the property sector. The result is a brand that is not only

seen online, but felt in the infrastructure of everyday life

from Sheikh Zayed Road to living rooms and offices across

the country. Looking ahead, the roadmap includes even more

ambitious milestones. From AI-led property matching to

blockchain-enabled transactions, Dubizzle Group MENA is

laying the groundwork for a secure, intelligent, and automated

real estate future.

His work is not just about leading a company, it’s about

building a smarter, more connected real estate landscape

for the region.


2

MICHAEL LAHYANI

Founder and CEO

Property Finder Group

Michael Lahyani is the visionary

founder and CEO of Property

Finder Group, a company that has

become synonymous with innovation in

the MENA region’s real estate technology

space. Armed with keen entrepreneurial

instincts, Lahyani moved to Dubai in the

early 2000s, just as the city was undergoing

its rapid transformation into a global

business and lifestyle hub.

In 2005, he launched Al Bab World, a

real estate classifieds magazine, after

identifying a gap in how property listings

were being communicated in the UAE.

What began as a print publication quickly

evolved to reflect the digital potential of

the real estate sector. By 2007, Property

Finder was born, a fully digital solution

designed to modernise the way people

searched for homes and interacted with

the property market.

Today, Property Finder has grown into

the leading property portal in the region,

dedicated to shaping an inclusive future

for real estate while spearheading the

region’s growing tech ecosystem. Led

by Michael’s ambitious vision, Property

Finder connects millions of property

seekers with thousands of real estate

professionals every day. The platform

offers a seamless and enriching experience,

empowering buyers, renters and investors

to make informed decisions while acting

as a trusted partner for developers and

brokers. As a lighthouse tech company,

Property Finder creates an environment

where people can thrive and contribute

meaningfully to the transformation of

real estate in MENA.

3

AMIRA SAJWANI

Founder and CEO

PRYPCO

Amira Sajwani is rapidly redefining

the landscape of real estate in the

UAE. As Managing Director at DA-

MAC Properties, one of the Middle East’s

largest private real estate developers, and

the founder of PRYPCO, Amira is at the

forefront of innovation, transformation,

and accessibility in the property sector.

The daughter of real estate mogul

Hussain Sajwani, Amira has carved her

own distinct path with a bold and progressive

leadership style. At DAMAC, she

has revolutionized the Sales and Development

departments, introducing agent

portals, activating channel partnerships,

and launching trendsetting products that

have pushed DAMAC to consistently stay

ahead of market demand. Her approach

goes beyond conventional strategies. She

brings a fresh vision to an industry long

defined by legacy models.

Determined to simplify and democratize

the real estate journey, Amira

launched PRYPCO, a groundbreaking

platform that offers a unified ecosystem

for property buying, selling, managing,

and investing. With products like PRYP-

CO Mortgage, PRYPCO Golden Visa, and

PRYPCO Blocks, which allows fractional

property investment starting at just AED

2,000, Amira is making real estate more

accessible, transparent, and tech-driven

than ever before.

Beyond business, Amira’s influence

is spreading across the entrepreneurial

and media spheres.


4

RAMI TABBARA

Co-Founder and Co-CEO

Stake

With over 15 years of experience in

Dubai’s dynamic property sector,

Rami Tabbara has established

himself as one of the most accomplished

figures in the real estate landscape. From

humble beginnings to driving more than

AED 28 billion in property sales across

multiple international markets, Tabbara’s

career has been marked by scale,

innovation, and impact.

He began his journey in 2006 as one of

the first employees at The First Group,

where he played a pivotal role in expanding

the firm from a small five-person outfit to

a global team of over 800. His trajectory

continued at DAMAC Properties, where he

served as Senior Vice President, overseeing

all direct sales operations and reporting

directly to the Chairman. In these roles,

Tabbara managed sales operations not

only in the UAE but also across the UK,

Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Nigeria,

and Russia, proving his ability to navigate

and lead in diverse markets.

A graduate of the American University

of Beirut with a degree in Business

Administration, Rami brings a sharp

commercial acumen coupled with deep

industry insight. Recognizing a gap in how

real estate was being bought and sold, he

teamed up with investment banker Manar

Mahmassani and seasoned CTO Ricardo

Brizido to co-found Stake, a pioneering

digital real estate investment platform.

With Stake, Tabbara is on a mission

to democratize real estate investing,

making it accessible, transparent, and

profitable for everyone, regardless of

budget or geography.

5

RASHED HAREB AL MHEIRI

Co-Founder and CEO

Rentify

Rashed Hareb Al Mheiri is the

Co-Founder and CEO of Rentify,

the region’s first and largest rental

rewards platform. With a mission to

make renting more rewarding, flexible,

and seamless, Rentify is bridging the gap

between tenants and landlords through

smart technology, financial innovation,

and a customer-first approach.

At Rentify, Al Mheiri is redefining the

UAE’s rental landscape by introducing

Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) options,

monthly and quarterly payment flexibility,

and a unique rewards system that allows

tenants to earn Rentify Points, redeemable

across rent payments, shopping, dining,

travel, and more. With real-time payment

tracking and credit-building features,

Rentify offers a 360° rental experience

for the modern tenant.

Landlords benefit, too. Rentify’s ecosystem

includes automated payments, insightful

dashboards, and tenant retention tools,

helping property owners and operators

rent faster and improve cash flow. With

AED 1.5 billion in Property Value Signed

(PVS) across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and

Sharjah, Rentify is solidifying its place

as a category leader in proptech.

In parallel with his proptech success,

Al Mheiri is also the Founder and Managing

Director of Orderosa, a cloud

kitchen venture focused on optimizing

food delivery and virtual dining in Dubai.

His entrepreneurial journey includes a

partnership with Ice Cream Lab, where

he helped scale the brand to over 100

units across 10 countries.


6

AAHAN BHOJANI

Founder and CEO

SilkHaus

Aahan Bhojani is on a mission

to redefine short-term rentals

in the Middle East and beyond.

As the founder and CEO of Silkhaus,

a fast-growing Dubai-based proptech

startup, Aahan is transforming the way

real estate assets are monetized and

managed - one high-quality, digitized

stay at a time.

His inspiration for Silkhaus came from

personal experience. As a management

consultant, Aahan spent months on the

road, often stuck in impersonal hotel

rooms while longing for a space that

felt like home. It was during these stints,

endless nights in 250-square-foot accommodations,

that he envisioned a better

alternative. That vision became Silkhaus.

Launched in 2021, Silkhaus set out to

professionalize and digitize alternative

accommodations, offering travelers both

comfort and consistency, while helping

real estate owners seamlessly convert

apartments into income-generating,

hotel-grade units. What began with a

handful of units in Dubai has quickly

expanded into a platform operating in

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, now the

largest alternative accommodation player

in the GCC.

Silkhaus is more than just a tech-powered

rental platform. It’s a full-stack ecosystem

that bridges the gap between real estate

ownership and the booming short-term

rental economy. Backed by venture capital

and super angel investors, and most

recently securing a multi-million dollar

pre-series A investment from San Francisco’s

Partners for Growth, the startup

has earned the trust of major developers,

funds, and REITs in the region.

7

OMAR ABU INNAB

Co-Founder and CEO

Keyper

Omar Abu Innab is the Co-Founder

and CEO of Keyper, a game-changing

proptech platform reshaping the

rental experience in Dubai. A seasoned

finance professional with a prestigious

background in investment banking and

venture capital, Omar previously served

as Managing Director and Head of ME-

NA Investment Banking at Guggenheim

Partners, and as Executive Director

at Goldman Sachs. He is also a Board

Member at the Government Investments

Management Company (GIMC) and a

Co-Founder and Partner at WeBuild

Ventures. He holds both an MBA and a

BASc in Accounting and Finance from

Canisius University.

Born out of Omar’s personal experiences

as both a landlord and tenant, Keyper was

built to resolve a fundamental friction

in Dubai’s rental market: the mismatch

between landlords’ desire for lump-sum

payments and tenants’ preference for

monthly flexibility. By leveraging data-driven

decision-making and advanced tenant

screening, Keyper guarantees landlords

their preferred payment terms, whether

one, two, or four per year, while offering

tenants the financial freedom of monthly

installments.

More than just a digital platform, Keyper

represents a new standard in trust,

transparency, and efficiency in real estate.

Under Omar’s leadership, the company is

committed to redefining the rental journey

as a win-win for all stakeholders, offering

tools that empower tenants to manage

their cash flow and enabling landlords

to optimise their returns. Keyper is not

just innovating rentals, it’s reimagining

the future of real estate in the UAE.


8

RIZ AHMED


SmartCrowd

Riz Ahmed’s journey with Smart-

Crowd is anything but conventional.

What began as a client relationship

soon evolved into angel investment, and

eventually, a pivotal leadership role.

Now serving as CEO, Riz brings a rare

blend of financial expertise, operational

excellence, and social impact to the helm

of the region’s leading digital real estate

investment platform.

Prior to joining SmartCrowd, Riz held

executive leadership roles at GEMS Education,

the world’s largest private school

group, as COO and CFO. His early career

at PwC London, where he specialised

in assurance, corporate finance, and

restructuring, laid the groundwork for

a global track record of over $5 billion

in transactions. From leading one of the

Middle East’s largest private investments

to driving strategic acquisitions across

Europe and the MENA region, Riz has

consistently delivered high-impact results,

particularly in education and EdTech.

But Riz’s ambitions go far beyond the

boardroom. As the founder of EqualEd,

an education-focused charity, he has

created a global platform that connects

volunteer teachers with underserved

schools and offers free training for educators

worldwide. It’s a testament to

his belief that access and opportunity

should be universal. Academically, Riz is

equally accomplished. A qualified chartered

accountant, he holds a first-class

Economics degree from UCL, a Certificate

of Management Excellence from Harvard

Business School, and an Executive MBA

from the University of Oxford.

9

VITALII RYZHAK

Co-Founder and CEO

Reelly AI

Vitalii Ryzhak is the CEO and

co-founder of Reelly.ai, a groundbreaking

B2B proptech platform

that is revolutionizing how real estate

developers and agents collaborate across

the UAE and beyond. Founded in 2020,

Reelly was born out of Ryzhak’s deep

understanding of the inefficiencies and

fragmentation plaguing the real estate

value chain. What began as a bold idea

has evolved into one of the Middle East’s

top five tech startups, now bringing

together over 324 developers and more

than 40,000 real estate agents from Dubai

and international markets.

At its core, Reelly offers a seamless,

intelligent ecosystem designed to bridge

the gap between developers and agents.

The platform delivers detailed insights

on over 1,620 property projects, empowering

agents with advanced AI tools

that automate and elevate their client

interactions. Agents can now generate

branded, personalized presentations for

buyers in minutes, saving countless hours

of manual work while significantly boosting

productivity and conversion rates.

Reelly also provides developers with

a comprehensive solution to streamline

communication, reduce marketing costs,

and tap into real-time analytics that

optimize agent performance. Its centralized

database simplifies the property

listing process, while AI-powered sales

intelligence allows developers to refine

strategy, accelerate transactions, and

make smarter decisions. This powerful

suite of tools enables both sides of the

market to operate more efficiently and

collaboratively.


10

JAD ANTOUN

Co-Founder and CEO

Huspy

Jad Antoun is the visionary co-founder

and CEO of Huspy, a fast-growing

UAE-based proptech startup that is

transforming the home-buying experience

across the MENA region and beyond.

With a mission to streamline the real

estate journey, Huspy offers a powerful

all-in-one platform where users can both

find and finance their home, simplifying

one of life’s most significant decisions.

One of the youngest startup CEOs in

the region, Jad brings a bold vision: to

build a global technology brand from

the Middle East. Under his leadership,

Huspy has quickly become a dominant

force in the UAE’s mortgage industry

and expanded internationally into Spain,

acquiring three mortgage businesses in

the process. The company now boasts a

team of over 300 professionals, including

talent from top global tech firms such as

Uber, Loft, QuintoAndar, and SumUp.

Huspy’s technology sits at the heart of

the real estate ecosystem, empowering

brokers, agents, banks, and developers

with tools that deliver faster, more

transparent transactions. Its mortgage

platform is already the largest in the

UAE, offering customers access to the

most competitive home financing rates

in the market.

Beyond the company, Jad is an active

angel investor, deeply committed to

nurturing the startup ecosystem in the

region. He is also a member of LebNet, a

US-based nonprofit connecting Lebanese

tech professionals, and Endeavor, the global

network of high-impact entrepreneurs.


THE

FUTURE

IS EVEN

BRIGHTER

IT ALL STARTS

VISION

with a

YOU’VE SECURED THE HOME OF YOUR

DREAMS, NOW SECURE EVERYTHING

THAT MAKES IT PRICELESS.

At MySafe, we offer state-of-the-art safe deposit boxes housed in vaults built to the

highest global standards, providing discreet, 24/7 access for individuals who value

privacy, protection, and peace of mind.

CHOOSE FROM 3 DIFFERENT SIZES

MEDIUM

70mm

Deep

LARGE

120mm

Deep

X-LARGE

170mm

Deep

WORLD’S FIRST

Up-to

AED 3.65 Million

Insurance value

Call +971 52 132 9753 or visit www.mysafe.ae

OUR PARTNERS

Scan QR Code to download Mysafe App

GROW YOUR

BUSINESS

We make Short / Long Term

Investments in Growing Businesses

info@wasayainvestments.com

www.wasayainvestments.com

Discount Your Invoices

and Receivables Now

APPLY ONLINE!

info@ifundfactoring.com

www.iFundFactoring.com

iFund

Top 150 Real Estate Icons of the UAE | Finance World Power Issue Edition 2025

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Top 150 Real Estate Icons of the UAE | Finance World Power Issue Edition 2025

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?