A week in the life of…

SUNDAY

I start the week with a run to clear my mind and mentally prepare for the week ahead. When I get to the office I catch up with the team and review any international business that’s come in over the weekend. I then complete a month-end report for one of our exclusive office landlord mandates in DMCC, Dubai. As part of our investor leasing business, we work on behalf of multiple landlords across the Middle East supporting them with their marketing and leasing campaigns. Next is a networking meeting at our Emaar Square office to discuss the market and keep up to date with current market activity and new business opportunities.

MONDAY

I drop my daughter off at nursery before hosting a viewing tour with an office tenant in the DIFC. The afternoon is spent meeting one of the UAE’s largest retail developers to discuss availability in their upcoming malls and which of our tenants they would be interested in securing within their schemes. CBRE represent many international brands looking to enter the region and receiving demand from landlords. The day ends with some tasty home cooking from my wife and a box set on the TV.

TUESDAY

After another morning run we have a client meeting with ICD Brookfield to discuss the pre-leasing of their DIFC scheme. The building will set a global benchmark in the DIFC and be a standout, world-class asset in the region. In the afternoon I work on a proposal for a prestigious retail client. CBRE is regularly invited to tender on retail consultancy projects whereby we support investors at an early stage to review and advise them on their retail assets. I finish my day with ‘takeout Tuesday’. I like to eat healthily, but I can’t resist a midweek takeout.

WEDNESDAY

I head to Abu Dhabi for client meetings, viewings and business development meetings. CBRE is appointed on a number of office schemes in Abu Dhabi, for both delivered projects and pre-leasing schemes. The last meeting of the day is with our signature retail mandate in Dubai – Meydan One Mall, which totals almost 1.5 million sqm of BUA and is set to become the largest superregional mall in the Middle East after completion in 2020. CBRE has been brought in to work alongside Meydan to provide global reach and contacts as well as attracting local concepts to the scheme.

THURSDAY

Last run of the week before another office viewing tour with a multinational occupier looking to consolidate their office portfolio. CBRE works with many landlords in the CBD, primarily Emaar Square, DIFC, Sheikh Zayed Road and TECOM. I head back to the office for ‘Pizza Thursday’ – free pizzas for everyone, never to be missed. The afternoon is spent with our research and consultancy team, pitching for a consultancy review of a potential mixeduse masterplan. CBRE has an extensive track record in this field and is often invited to work on a range of masterplans across the region.

FRIDAY

Friday is always a busy day as we try to catch up with friends and do something fun with our daughter Freja. We go to Green Planet as Freja loves animals – it’s a really nice way to get up close and personal with some unique animals and she can learn something at the same time. Then off to brunch to catch up with friends. We’re lucky to have some people we know from home here in Dubai, as well as the usual mish-mash social group from all over the world.

SATURDAY

Saturday is all about family and a chance to unwind. First, swimming lessons with Freja, followed by a trip to Ski Dubai which always goes down well. I trained as a ski instructor during my gap year so it’s always great to get back on the snow. We grab a bite to eat at Shake Shack before heading home for an afternoon lazing on the sofa watching the rugby. As a proud Welshman, it’s in my blood to be passionate about rugby. We cook and eat dinner together as a family and settle in for the night with a good movie.