Ronald Barrott

Position: CEO, Aldar Properties

Biography: Since Ronald Barrott joined Aldar in 2006, he has been involved in launching new projects, forming joint ventures to deliver existing schemes such as Al-Raha Beach and creating divisions to support Aldar’s core property development business. Barrott is responsible for managing growth in Abu Dhabi and overseeing its international expansion plans. He is a building engineer by profession, with more than 37 years of experience in construction and development. He has spent eight years in the role of managing director and 14 as a chief executive officer (CEO) or chairman. Barrott has founded three property development firms under the name Stannifer, a UK developer - two in the UK and one in the Czech Republic - as well as a hotel group. He is on the advisory board of the British Council of Shopping Centres, and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Contact: (+9712) 696 4444

Mounir Haidar

Position: CEO, Sorouh Real Estate

Biography: Mounir Haidar is responsible for delivering the $27.2bn worth of projects that Sorouh has under development. He has more than 25 years’ international experience in engineering, real estate and business development. Prior to joining Sorouh in 2005, Haidar worked for Dubai-based developer Nakheel, where he was executive vice-president and head of the technical department, and US-based Parsons Corporation, where he was responsible for the aviation division’s operational and business development activities in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Haidar was also the chief technical officer and programme manager for the Greek government on Athens International Airport, and held senior roles on the expansion of O’Hare International Airport in Chicago during the 1980s and 1990s. He holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in engineering from Bradley University in Illinois.

Contact: (+9712) 6978800

Sulaiman al-Fahim

Position: CEO, Hydra Properties

Biography: Since founding Hydra in November 2006, Sulaiman al-Fahim has been responsible for developing projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Mexico. In Abu Dhabi, Hydra is working on several billion dollars worth of schemes on Reem island, Abu Dhabi island and the mainland. Al-Fahim has a doctorate in real estate investment and an MBA in finance and real estate from Kogod School of Business at the American University in Washington DC. Al-Fahim also has media interests. He is the founder and host of The Hydra Executives, a business-themed reality TV series where contestants compete for $1m and the chance to develop an Abu Dhabi-based real estate venture. He is also soon to publish his first book, Brand Builder, based on Hydra’s marketing campaigns. Al-Fahim is a keen supporter of sport in the UAE: Hydra was the sole sponsor of the UAE team at the Beijing Olympics.

Contact: (+9714) 229 4499

Claus Peter Rees

Position: Acting CEO, Al-Qudra Real Estate

Biography: As acting CEO of Al-Qudra Real Estate (AQRE), the real estate arm of Al-Qudra Holding, Claus Peter Rees is developing several local schemes, including Danet Abu Dhabi and Zayed Bay on Abu Dhabi island, and Ain al-Fayda in Al-Ain, as well as projects in Algeria, Yemen and Belarus. Rees is also responsible for overall management of the company, international expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and the integration of sister companies. Prior to joining AQRE, he was responsible for market research in the Asia-Pacific and Gulf regions at Sama Dubai, advising the firm on geopolitical issues, country risk, market entry strategies and project feasibility. He has also worked for the Federation of German Industries, advising large and medium-sized companies on bilateral investments. Rees graduated in politics and a post-graduate degree in international management and public administration.management, and has

Contact: (+9712) 414 8888

Joe Ong

Position: CEO, Tamouh Investments

Biography: Joe Ong oversees the development of several key projects in Abu Dhabi. Tamouh’s main project is Reem island, for which the company has been allocated the largest section of the island’s total land area - about 40 per cent of the 6.5-square-kilometre development. Since launching Marina Square, its first development on Reem island, in 2006, Tamouh has gone on to launch several others, including City of Lights. Ong has also developed projects in other parts of Abu Dhabi, such as Abu Dhabi University City, two tower blocks at Danet Abu Dhabi, Meena Plaza in the Port Zayed area, and Dolphin island. Most recently, Tamouh has begun developing a mixed-use community at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, in Al-Ain. A Malaysian national, Ong has successfully introduced several Malaysian contractors to Abu Dhabi’s Reem island projects.

Contact: (+9712) 644 2218

Manish Joshi

Position: General manager, Reem Developers

Biography: Manish Joshi has been the general manager of Reem Developers for three years. Like Sorouh and Tamouh, the firm is developing a large portion of Reem island with a major mixed-use, masterplanned project: Najmat Abu Dhabi. The masterplan includes a mix of office, residential and hotel towers. Since the launch of Najmat Abu Dhabi in 2006, Joshi has expanded the company’s project portfolio in Abu Dhabi and overseas. In Abu Dhabi, its portfolio now includes Rawdhat Abu Dhabi - another mixed-use development that will be built alongside Sheikh Zayed Sports Stadium on Abu Dhabi island. Internationally, Joshi is involved in Morocco and is planning to develop projects on the Indian subcontinent, starting with a major mixed-use scheme in Lahore, Pakistan. Reem Developers is also a shareholder in Al-Mabaar, an Abu Dhabi-based developer that will pursue real estate opportunities overseas.

Contact: (+9712) 644 4455