Cityscape Abu Dhabi Talks take place in the exhibition hall and are free to attend for all registered Cityscape Abu Dhabi visitors.
Attending these sessions will allow you to:
- Hear from experts on emerging trends in your area and get a first look at new developments
- Get first hand legal and financing advise, helping you understand UAE regulations to ensure a smooth buying process
- Engage in open discussions with likeminded colleagues to inspire your next investment choices
- Get inspiration on new designs, architecture and construction to ensure your business is leading the way in innovation
Mr. Mohammed Albow is the Managing Partner of Istishara Legal Consultancy, he has extensive real estate, construction, merger & acquisition, corporate and commercial experience particularly in respect of joint ventures and corporate governance. In addition to advising national and multinational corporations, Mohammed works closely with regional groups in relation to corporate strategy and transactions structuring and advices clients on all aspects of M&A, private equity and general corporate and commercial work. Mohammed holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Jordan and was qualified as a lawyer in 2003 from the Jordanian Bar Association. Previous experience includes General Counsel of Bloom Holding PJSC from 2010 to 2015; General Counsel of Alternative Capital Invest GMPH from 2007 to 2010; Senior Legal Counsel of Daman Investment PJSC from 2005 to 2007; and Head of Corporate & Commercial at KSHI Law Firm.
Nathalie spearheads Blink Studios’ vision as a leading Middle East-based studio that delivers content to international industry standards. She secures creative consistency, talent strength and financial profitability, which are the 3 core pillars of Blink Studios’ sustainable original content creation and commissioned production model. She pursues innovative business partnerships to ride out of the winds of change spring boarding Blink from its birthplace to global recognition.
James Lapushner has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Prior to Anacott Capital, Mr Lapushner was a Managing Director and the head of the German real estate private equity business at Morgan Stanley (MSREF) where he was responsible for the strategy and execution of Acquisitions, Finance and Asset Management. At Morgan Stanley, Mr Lapushner invested €2bn of equity, created the largest commercial real estate company in Germany with over €12bn of AuM, and created Argoneo, the largest asset management company in Germany with over 55 professionals.
Ms. Fay Wong originally from Hong Kong completed her undergraduate in Portsmouth University & post graduate study in London South Bank University to train as Architect in UK. During her early career in research & practice as an architect in London, she decided to join & help her uncle. She headed international projects in UAE branch & emerged as an entrepreneur by expanding the establishment with in-house R&D & design team to specialize in high standard architectural project presentation & 3D production such as realistic computer graphic, Interactive multimedia, VR & AR, state of art model-making workshop with 3D-Printing & 3D-Studio. She has been involved in major projects with the region’s renowned developers & consultants in their landmark projects.
Valentina Cereda is an Interior Architect and Feng Shui Consultant known for her empathy and passion in designing spaces that can improve people’s life and make them happier. With an eclectic and rich academic background in Architecture, Landscape and Industrial Design, combined with 14 years of work experience between Milan and Dubai, Valentina has always been fascinated to understand how the spaces we use on a daily basis, like our homes and our offices, can influence our life, behavior and wellness. Valentina met with a Feng Shui Master who not only introduced the science, but how to the identify the cosmic energies that affect our wellbeing. Through her new practice, Valentina applies Classical Feng Shui to balance these intangible yet significant energy forms, which align with her dedication to designing spaces that create a lasting positive impact on its residents.
Having business interests in Europe and North America Jason has extensive international property experience of development, Investment and sales across all real estate asset classes. His Instinctive can-do attitude to life and business is reflected in the LuxuryProperty.com ethos. As a dynamic brokerage firm and digital destination with the solutions-driven mindset of a startup and the sophistication of a luxury brand Jason is once again both influencing and disrupting the property industry. Jason provides the management lead for the company which includes the strategic collaboration with developers, owners and their architects, the creation of compelling brands and market positioning, advice on the creation of distinctive and unique marketing materials, and intelligent, honest, and experienced brokerage. Jason is a member of the Institute of Housing and Institute of Directors and sits on the Board of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International charity.
Nick has previously managed multiple property portfolios with a focus on block (Jointly Owned) sites. He currently manages our Jointly Owned Property portfolio of Owners Associations which comprises of residential, commercial and retail units. Through Nick’s experience in contract management, quality assessment and service and maintenance co-ordination, he has developed exceptional interpersonal skills and the valuable ability to identify key elements, implement effective action plans and achieve results. As a Manager and Consultant, Nick builds relationships with Developers, individual property Owners, Management Boards and service providers and ensures that a comprehensive service is delivered encompassing all property management, administrative and financial management requirements.
Phillip heads the real estate department at Fox Williams LLP lawyers based in the City of London. He specialises in advising individual and corporate clients on the investment, acquisition and development of real estate, with a particular focus on advising overseas clients investing in the London market. In addition, Phillip has considerable experience in regeneration schemes for which he advises a number of government agencies and local authorities. He also acts for hospitality and leisure clients in relation to acquisitions, disposals and ongoing management arrangements. Phillip has over 20 years’ experience acting for both buyers and sellers in connection with residential property transactions, with a particular focus on prime central London properties. His experience includes dealing with freehold and leasehold of both existing stock and new build off-plan purchases. He has advised on residential property transactions ranging in value from £350,000 to £52 million. Phillip is also assisted by and supervises a team of associates who are all qualified solicitors with experience in residential conveyancing work.
An experienced architect, a creative designer and a fearless dreamer. He won his first design award at the age of 19 by creating a concept of "experience capsules" Pedestrian Bridge! That was the corner stone of his belief that creativity and innovation cannot be limited by static norms. To fulfill his vision of developing design concepts, he worked and researched in the field of Co-design and Relations with children believing that such young & limitless minds are the raw form of creativity and the innovative designers of the future. Ahmed is an International Associate of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), holds a Master Degree in Architecture and he is the CEO/Founder of Sharabassy Built Environment Studio (Cairo / Dubai). Equipped by 400+ designs presented to 12 countries and 1000+ school students trained in Cairo & Dubai, Ahmed will be talking about "Co-design and community as design partners” including digitalized participation.
Juan is a Senior Digital Design Manager (M.Arch) with 14+ years of professional experience (5 years in Middle East), design specialist in BIM processes and parametric modeling (Revit, Dynamo, Navisworks, Rhino and 3DS Max). Always up to date with other digital design technologies like VR, AR, MR, AI, ML, 3D printing, drones, point cloud, generative design, automation, digital twins, etc.. He has complete knowledge about integration of sustainability, specifications, FM and QS into BIM process and technologies. He also has extensive knowledge and experience working with UK (BS-1192, PAS-1192) and US (LOD Forum) BIM standards. He is experienced in designing projects for private and public sector clients, airports, industrial buildings, offices, retail/commercial, educational, hospitality/housing, sports facilities, government facilities
Sébastien Marteau is the founder and CEO of ICONICTION. Launched in 2014, ICONICTION is a Dubai based leading company in affluent traveller and shopper mobile marketing and mobile advertising. Sebastien has extensive experience in the mobile and digital industry in both large multinationals and across the globe (especially in Europe, Middle-East and Asia-Pacific).
He is a strong leader, always committed to is the prime focus of his attention and his energy. A true locomotive in any organization, his drive and his vision give him a unique capacity to manage and inspire people to deliver their best while following a strong business ethic. He is intensely focused on the human side of the business engage with people whatever their culture. Animated by a real ability of forward thinking and seeing, he likes to connect the dots while facing very complex and challenging situation. Sébastien holds a Master Degree in International Business and Marketing from the European Business School.
James Lapushner has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Prior to Anacott Capital, Mr Lapushner was a Managing Director and the head of the German real estate private equity business at Morgan Stanley (MSREF) where he was responsible for the strategy and execution of Acquisitions, Finance and Asset Management. At Morgan Stanley, Mr Lapushner invested €2bn of equity, created the largest commercial real estate company in Germany with over €12bn of AuM, and created Argoneo, the largest asset management company in Germany with over 55 professionals.
Engineer Abdulla AlJasmi, an esteemed real estate developer who serves as the General Manager of Markeeto Properties - a leading owner and developer of real estate properties in Bosnia & Herzegovina for clients based in Gulf region. Mr. Abdulla brings over a decade of experience and relationships developing many renowned residential projects for investors and holidaymakers His real estate activities involve an aggregate value of several million dollars. Mr. Abdulla joined this business in the year 2007. His first task was to explore the region through cultivating travel and tourism in Bosnia. Since then Eng. Abdulla has led the firm into explosive growth in new areas of travel, tourism and property development, including leading the development of Al Aryaf Project. As oftoday Bosnia is known as one of the top real estate growth markets for the gulf clients.
After studying Mechanical Engineering from Nicosia, Cyprus and then utilizing his 10 years of protracted experience, Mr. Ghasemi has been actively involved in the field as an advisor, real estate consultant, sales director, board member and a board advisor. After completing his education, Mr. Ghasemi was engaged in manufacturing and family business for a few years until he started working in real estate which involved managing investments worth 100 million AED. Working at the Al Masah International Real Estate Brokerage (LLC) as consultant or advisor for real estate developer companies such as Tiger Real Estate and Al Masah Real Estate Development (LLC), he played a key role in introducing the concept of unit transfers and the process of settlements within the developers. Holding an entrepreneurial streak within himself, he established Emirates World Investments (EMWIN) and Freehold Sales Centre at the age of 27, and established and became the Chairman of Freehold Mediation and Information Real Estate Consultancy (FMI) at 32. He has successfully created a team of professionals involved in real estate settlements, totalling the market value of FMI to 6 billion AED.
Amr El Etreby has extensive experience in leading large and complex projects in the UAE and North America. In addition to being a qualified professional in engineering and project management, Amr possesses the required business skills to engage stakeholders, understand their implicit and explicit demands, identify conflicting stakeholder interests and develop effective frameworks for steering project stakeholders to a successful project outcome. As an experienced leader, Amr fully understands the link between an organization's vision & strategy and its deployed projects.
Amr has a well-rounded experience as a Project Management professional, a qualified structural design engineer, a project controls manager, a contract administration expert, and a strategic business consultant. Amr's experience is an asset to his clients on projects he manages.
Amr has worked on a diverse portfolio of projects including Madinat Jumeirah Refurbishment, the development of Park Hyatt Resort, Yas Marina Circuit Expansion, and Marasy Development. Amr has also worked on several other high-profile projects such as the Dubai Metro and Palm Jumeirah Logo Island Palaces for the ruling family.
Mohammad Marria established Just Wills DMCC 13 years ago after having works with Just Wills PLC in the UK since it's inception there. He has a number of diplomas in business studies, computer studies and slamic banking along with training accounts. He has a professional will writing qualification from the UK from Just Wills PLX and the Institute of Professional Will Writers (IPW). Mohammad has a wide range of experience in financial services and real estate industry which adds to his wealth of knowledge regarding succession issues. Mohammad has been a key personality in the media in the UAE educating people here to the necessity of drafting a will to protect their assets.
Kerem Cengiz is the Managing Director – MENA at LWK & Partners. With a strong design-led background and technical and commercial aptitude, he has had over 20 years of international experience across all aspects of real estate development.
Kerem aims to create developments that contribute in combining high urban design quality with assured commercial success through innovation, strong leadership and effective management. He has addressed and participated in multiple international conferences, such as MIPIM, Cityscapes and The Big5 Dubai. He has also presented at several universities, and has led the formation of national architectural guideline and regulatory publications.
Kerem’s outstanding work and leadership has helped him secure many significant and high-profile projects in the UAE, GCC Region and internationally against other globally recognised international practices. This has earned him and his team the “Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award for Innovation” in 2017, as well as “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade” in 2009.
A highly experienced hospitality professional, Guy Wilkinson is Director at Viability Management Consultants, a dedicated hotel and real estate advisory firm in Dubai. His specialties are development, pre-opening, asset management, market research and feasibility studies for hotels and other buildings. From 2015 to 2018, Guy was COO of PCFC Hotels in Dubai, where he oversaw the successful relaunch of the famous ocean liner QE2 as a permanent hotel. For many years, Guy had a dual career writing for the hotel trade press in the UAE and beyond. He is also a regular conference speaker.