Meet the Executive Team of Meraas

Khalid Al Malik is the Managing Director of Dubai Holding and the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate. In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, he oversees the company’s real estate portfolio, which includes urban planning, infrastructure strategy and development, and the management of one of the Emirate’s largest land banks. He also manages the company’s overseas real estate assets in locations like Malta and Kochi, as well as maintaining strategic relations with local and international investors and government entities.

Previously, Khalid held various prominent roles within the Dubai government and private sector, including Director of Operations at the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, CEO of Dubai Industrial City, and CEO of Tatweer. He currently serves on the boards of SmartCity Malta, SmartCity Kochi, Dubai Waste Management Company, Tunisie Telecom, and Dubai Hills Estate Group, and is a council member of the British University in Dubai.

Khalid holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in the United States, with a double major in management information systems and production and operations management. He also holds a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Zayed University, UAE.

Hussain Ali is a results-driven, innovative senior leader and CEO with nearly 20 years of experience delivering exceptional results and impressive company growth with expertise in Asset Management, Real Estate and Cutting Edge Construction industries. He has led complex, global teams to deliver on challenging objectives and innovative world-leading projects.  As the CEO of Ejadah Asset Management Group, he has strengthened the company’s vision of providing world-class community solutions and real estate services to its customers across the UAE. His strategic vision and stakeholder-focused approach have been instrumental in transforming the organization, aligning internal structures and translating vision into tangible results and business growth.

Under his leadership, Ejadah is dedicated to providing seamless, continual environments and Total Community Solutions that add significant value to the communities served. Hussain Ali's leadership ensures that Ejadah continuously evolves its business model to excel in the Real Estate Services industry across the UAE, driving ongoing success with sustainable technologies and innovation.

Zuber Dehgamia is a dynamic Chartered Accountant, currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer at Dubai Holding Real Estate. Having qualified with PwC in the UK and then moving to Dubai he has extensive experience in managing client accounts with revenues ranging from $3 million to $850 million, Zuber brings invaluable expertise to the real estate and hospitality industries.

Zuber's responsibilities as CFO include overseeing all financial aspects of Dubai Holding Real Estate, including financial strategy, operations, and the performance of the finance function and wider organization. As an experienced professional in international financial reporting standards, laws, and regulations, Zuber has held a variety of finance leadership positions. He currently serves on international boards and committees across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Prior to his current position, Zuber worked as the Head of Finance at Dubai Properties and in key senior finance positions at Jumeirah Group.

Zuber holds a Bachelor of Arts (Econ) (Honours) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Manchester and is a qualified Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Zuber played a key role in two major integrations. First, he facilitated the merger of Dubai Properties and Meraas. Second, he is actively helping to bring Nakheel and Meydan together under Dubai Holding Real Estate.

Mariam Juma is the Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, having over 23 years of experience in operations, change management, information technology to human resources. As the COO of DHRE, Mariam manages all operational departments, including HR, IT, Administration & Procurement, corporate communications, and strategic planning.

Prior to the current role, Mariam was the Chief Human Resources Officer with Dubai Properties Group. Earlier, she was the Head of Human Resources and Organizational Development with the Emirates International Telecommunications, managing all aspects of human resources – from compensation, contracts, diversity, and long-term strategy. Prior to that, Mariam handled employee relations, strategy, compensation, and benefits at Emaar Properties, worked in procurement and logistics with Emirates Airlines and database development with the Dubai Women’s College.

Mariam completed her Master of Jurisprudence Degree from the Michigan State University and a MSc in Human Resources Management and Services from the British University in Dubai. She also has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business IT from the Dubai Women’s College.

Manoj Nair serves as the Head of Governance, Risk, & Compliance (GRC) at Dubai Holding Real Estate. With over 33 years of diverse industry experience, Manoj plays a pivotal role in developing robust strategies and guidelines, driving operational excellence through policy and process implementation, and establishing a comprehensive governance framework across all real estate functions.

His diverse experience in multinational work environments comprises manufacturing, oil & gas, industrial parks, special economic zones, construction of large-scale civil and economic infrastructure, and mixed-used urban real estate developments. Before joining Dubai Holding Real Estate, Manoj was the Chief Executive Officer of SmartCity Kochi in Kerala, India, where he managed the development of the mixed-use IT township on behalf of Dubai Holding and the Government of Kerala. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions focused on governance and business excellence at Dubai Properties Group, Khalifa Industrial Zone, and Maqayees at Dubai Industrial City.

Manoj earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pune and a postgraduate diploma in business management from the Institute of Management Development and Research in Pune. While his current role emphasizes businessgovernance, Manoj's career reflects a passion for real estate development, evident in his favourite project, City Walk.

Mohammed Al Habbai, the Chief Real Estate Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, is a seasoned developer of leisure, entertainment, and residential projects with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects and managing ongoing operations.

Prior to his current role, Mohammed was the Vice President for Development, Leisure, and Entertainment at Tatweer Dubai and the CEO of Dubailand, where he oversaw key developments in Dubailand including Bawadi, Tiger Woods, and the Dubai Wheel. He also managed the restructuring of Tatweer’s leisure and entertainment business. Before that, Mohammed was the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Dubailand. Mohammed also had valuable experience helping drive the growth of Emirates Airlines across different geographies, setting up new routes and new operations across the globe.

Mohammed has completed his bachelor’s in business administration from the Salem University of West Virginia and an IATA Senior Diploma in Airline Management.

Anuradha Harish is the Chief Commercial Officer for Dubai Holding Real Estate, responsible for defining and implementing all commercial strategies across the residential built-to-sell and land portfolios for Dubai Properties and Meraas. In her role, she oversees marketing, sales, customer care and commercial operations, actively steering customer experience initiatives and formulating brand positioning strategies.

Anuradha is a seasoned strategy and business excellence professional with over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Over the course of her career, she has spearheaded multiple business transformation initiatives and has demonstrated capabilities in bringing projects from feasibility to successful delivery. Her extensive experience spans the entire real estate value chain from planning and development to asset management and commercial operations. She is an advocate for digitization and has played a key role in driving multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining business operations.

Prior to joining Dubai Holding Real Estate, Anuradha worked with Union Properties, TECOM and Dubai Asset Management where she was exposed to residential, commercial and retail developments, acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the industry and the Dubai real estate market.  

Anuradha holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Bangalore Institute of Technology and Strategic management and leadership credentials from University of Illinois.

Osama Abouelenain is a talented architect and engineer who has overseen the development of some of the most innovative and exciting developments in the Middle East and beyond. Before joining DHRE as the Chief Development Officer, Osama was the Head of Projects at Majed Al Futtaim – Communities, where he oversaw the development of their cutting-edge Tilal Al Ghaf community of 6,500 residential units and multiple services and recreational sites.

Earlier, Osama managed the development of the Marasi Al Bahrain property for Eagle Hills. Prior to that, Osama was the Senior Director of Development at Emaar Properties in Dubai, where he led the development of properties In Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Hills Estate.

Osama began his career in Egypt, where he worked on development projects in the country and elsewhere in the Middle East. Osama completed his B.Sc in Architecture and Pre-Master Studies in Design at Cairo University. He is a member of the Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers.

Osama Sabboubeh is the Chief Project Delivery Officer at Dubai Holding Real Estate. An achievement-driven professional with a proven track record of over 30 years of experience in project development and construction management. In his role, he oversees masterplan projects and handles all phases, from initial planning to design, execution, and completion.

Prior to his current position, Osama played a pivotal role in other major developments in Dubai, delivering iconic, diverse projects and master-planned communities. Before joining Dubai Holding Real Estate, Osama was the Chief Projects Officer for Eagle Hills Properties, where he ran multiple development projects in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He also was responsible for delivering multi-billion and Iconic projects for Emaar Properties.

Osama began his engineering and construction career in the United States, where he managed Building and Infrastructure projects. He has a BSc in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in construction management from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Ian Simmonds is the Chief Contract and Procurement Officer at Dubai Holding Real Estate. An experienced contracts and procurement professional with a proven track record of planning and delivering prestigious construction projects across the Middle East & Europe to very high standards.

Before taking up the role at Dubai Holding Real Estate, Ian was the Head of Cost, Commercial and Procurement at the Red Sea Development Company, one of the key giga projects in Saudi Arabia aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy. Prior to this, Ian was the Director at AECOM in the UAE and responsible for estimating and procuring some of the biggest infrastructure and construction projects in the Middle East. In the UK, Ian trained as a Quantity Surveyor with one of the country’s biggest construction companies, Sir Robert MacAlpine, before rising through the ranks to the position of Mechanical, Engineering and Plumbing London & Southeast regional head.

Ian has been involved in the La Mer development since its inception, so this has always been a personal favourite project. During his tenure with AECOM, Ian led the cost management team, helping set and maintain the budget and subsequently procuring the marine and main works contracts. Now, he continues to oversee the development of the islands by Meraas.

Ian completed his BSc (Hons) in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying at UK’s Loughborough University. He is also a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Claudia Stephens is the Head of Legal and Lead Construction Lawyer for Dubai Holding Real Estate and comes with 17 years of experience in the legal sector. She currently leads the legal team, providing strategic advice and support across all areas of the business including real estate and construction. Previously, she led the construction and procurement portfolio at Meraas, advising on major construction projects, including Built-to-Sell (BTS) and infrastructure projects.

Her experience also includes working at DLA Piper Middle East in Dubai, where Claudia specialized in major regional development and energy projects. She advised international developers on mixed-use developments and provided guidance to lenders and bidders on key energy and renewable energy projects across all project agreements. Additionally, at Eversheds Sutherland in the UK, Claudia advised sponsors, developers, and funders on high-value projects, including onshore wind farms and biomass plants, and acted for developers and funders on notable construction, infrastructure, and redevelopment projects across the UK.

Claudia holds a Law Degree (LLB Hons) from the University of the West of England, Bristol, and a Legal Practice Course from Cardiff Law School. She was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2011 and became a Certified Professional Director in 2022.

Aakash Aggarwal serves as the Executive Director of Business Management at Dubai Holding Real Estate, reporting directly to the Managing Director of Dubai Holding and the CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate. In this capacity, Aakash is responsible for leading special projects and bespoke transactions for Dubai Holding Real Estate and managing relationships and communications with key stakeholders.

Prior to his current role, Aakash had numerous roles at Dubai Properties and the Dubai Holding Real Estate Department. In these roles, Aakash supported numerous real estate functions, including land bank, urban planning, infrastructure, land sales and investor relations. Aakash was the lead in preparing feasibilities for new land sale projects and the pricing for Dubai Holding’s land sale inventory across various projects and locations. Aakash was also responsible for conducting valuation assessments on the overall land bank and leasing portfolio and supported the monitoring, reporting and evaluating selected real estate investments. Aakash was also a key stakeholder in numerous commercial settlements and bulk land sale transactions.

Before arriving in Dubai, Aakash worked in valuation services, investment banking and venture capital in San Francisco and New York and volunteered extensively at a non-profit organisation in India.

Aakash holds a Master of Business Administration from the Walter A. Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley.