Page 12 - RLI February 2019

IN THE HEART

OF ABU DHABI

MEET GARy BURROWs, COO, AL FARWAnIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMEnTS

Congratulations on the new position of COO Gary, how much are you looking forward to
working on the unique Reem Mall project and what drew you to the position?
Thank you. They say the sand of the UAE forever stays on your shoulders and I always felt an urge
to return to the region. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to join Al Farwaniya Property
Developments and work on such a world class project, I jumped at the chance. Reem Mall is not
just a compelling business proposition; it’s a game changer for Abu Dhabi. The team here is
awesome with such depth of talent, I feel privileged to be part of it.

What will your new role entail as the Reem Mall scheme moves towards its completion?
The COO is a team co-ordination role and a guardian of quality and efficiency. First and foremost
you have to be a facilitator and move things out of the way, to let excellent people achieve results.
You don’t have to manage great people, you just give them clarity and support. I look forward to
working with the team at Al Farwaniya, to win the hearts and minds of partners, stakeholders
and future customers, as we move towards completion. I am incredibly energised to support
Gary Burrows
our CEO and help lead the company to its next phase of innovation and operational excellence.
COO, Al Farwaniya
Property Developments What do you feel your experience with major international companies across 35 different
countries will bring to the role and project, and how will you look to utilise your experience?
I have lived in eight capital cities such as London, Dubai, Moscow, Budapest and Zagreb, I bring more
than 29 years of international property management experience. Working with different people and
cultures, has brought me a balanced and rounded perspective. For example I have enjoyed and am
inspired by the collaborative and creative environment I experienced at IKEA in Moscow. The key to
success is to evolve, adapt and innovate to stay relevant. I enjoy the creative process and Reem Mall is
a smart mall that embraces next generation thinking, wrapped within a retail singularity that delivers
a digital and physical customer experience like none seen thus far.