Dubai World Expands Cape Town Office
Dubai World‘s recent move into Africa has necessitated expansion of its staff complement in the Cape Town office. It’s investment arm Dubai World African Services (Pty) Ltd. has already experienced phenomenal growth in Africa with interests in South Africa, Rwanda, Comores, Senegal, Djibouti, Zanzibar, Mozambique and future African prospects looking exceptionally positive.
Dubai World is the holding company which manages and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai Government, working towards making Dubai the leading hub for trade and commerce. Dubai World has more than 50,000 employees in more than 100 cities around the world and its companies include DP World, P&O, Nakheel, Inchcape Shipping Services, Tejari and Tamweel.
Recently, a careful and selective recruitment drive took place to fill Senior Management positions in the African office in anticipation of the rapid expansion of Dubai Worlds interests in Africa.
The office itself will extend to new premises adjacent to the current regional office at the Waterfront. The recently renovated Windermere building at the historic V&A Waterfront site will house the Dubai World Africa Services (Pty) Ltd. Development Team.
Chairman of Dubai World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, recently visited the new offices in Cape Town.”Dubai Worlds expansion into Africa is the realization of a vision which aims to significantly impact on the growth and development of the African continent by partnering key stakeholders in identified African countries who share the dream of building a sustainable economy for Africa and creating thousands of jobs for Africans whilst adding significant value to our investment portfolio. Our offices in Cape Town are symbolic of our long term commitment to the region.”
James Wilson is Chief Executive of Dubai World Africa Services (Pty) Ltd., which makes and manages investments in real estate across Africa. James Wilson first joined Dubai World at the beginning of 2005 as CEO of Nakheel, the property development company.
CEO James Wilson.”The Dubai World Cape Town offices, situated in the heart of our South African Flagship property, The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, will serve as Development and Servicing offices to Dubai World Africa. Our rapid expansion into Africa has necessitated a fully-fledged office where the exciting projects into Africa will be launched. The V&A Waterfront, Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Nkomazi Game Reserve in Mpumulanga have proven to be hugely successful investments in South Africa. We wish to extend these successes to Djibouti where our ambitious plans include developing a beachfront, expanding the existing 5-star hotel accommodation, luxury villa’s, restaurants and a world class conference centre. Development plans are underway on a signature golf course in Rwanda as well as luxury accommodation from which the endangered Gorilla species may be viewed. The Nyungwe Eco Lodge and Akagera National Park will both have luxurious Spa and conference facilities and the park will include in the introduction of 1 500 more animals. Tented camps are planned for the Akagera as well. Dubai World Africa have concluded deals for development projects in The Comores, Zanzibar and Senegal as well as many future prospective African development agreements which will be announced shortly. I wish to take this opportunity to welcome the new appointments to Dubai World Africa. I am certain that their individual skill sets and collective contribution will assist in building Dubai World Africa into a formidable company on the continent.”
Michael Anderson was appointed as Chief Financial Officer for Dubai World Africa in November 2007. Prior to joining, he served as CFO for both OMIGSA and Old Mutual Plc. Michael brings with him over 15 years of experience in corporate finance and financial management.
Jody Baumgarten joins as Corporate Finance Manager. Jody has gained over 10 years experience in the Finance industry. Jody most recently held the position of Senior Manager, Transactions Division with PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Cape Town.
Lynn Catherine Davis fills the position of Financial Manager. A Chartered Accountant with valuable experience in group management an internal auditing. Lynn’s previous experience includes Operations Risk Manager and Audit Manager at Santam.
Richard Johannisen assumes the position of Asset Manager with previous experience in the finance industry and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Plexus Asset Management (Pty) Ltd.
Andrew Jordan moves across from Nakheel Hotel and Resorts, a Dubai World company, where he held the position of Director of Development. Prior to this Andrew held the position of Resident Manager for Cansult Architects and Engineers in Dubai. Andrew has been appointed as the Director Of Development.
Charl Marais has been appointed to the position of Development Manager, responsible for the Comores. Charl’s previous experience includes over 15 years in the property development industry as Senior Quantity Surveyor at Grinaker LTA Angola/S.A.
Ernst Roodt has been appointed to the position of Development Manager, responsible for the Rwanda project. Ernst’s previous experience was at Turner and Townsend Construction Consultants as Quantity Surveyor.
Gary Pienaar has been appointed to the position of Development Manager, Djibouti project. Gary previously held the position of Project Manager for Development and Technical Services with the Legacy Hotels Group.
Mark Noble has been appointed to the position of Development Manager, Nkomazi project. Mark’s previous experience includes Project Manager for Mace Int. ltd working on the Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Richard Eastwick joins Istithmar as Design Director. Richard previously held the post of Senior Architect/ Project Planner for HOK Architects and Planners in Dubai.
Luis Pinheiro has been appointed as Director of Hospitality Operations. Luis joins with over 25 years experience in the hotel industry working for the Orient group in South Africa and Europe, Pestana H&R in Portugal and most recently with Sun International in Cape Town as General Manager of the Table Bay Hotel.
Shadleigh Roscoe has been appointed as the Marketing and PR Manager. Shadleigh brings with him experience in the leisure, gaming and hospitality industries. He spent time at Sony Music S.A. as Strategic Marketing Manager before joining Sun International where he held various executive marketing positions.
Nick Webb has been appointed to the position of Director of Development. Nick joins from Sun International where he has had experience in multi property development and refurbishments for the groups hotels and resorts.
Willem Dreyer has been appointed to the position of Property Director. His previous position was Executive Manager property development at the V&A Waterfront.
