Name: Ahmed El Shamy
Designation: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Majid Al Futtaim Properties
Category: Developer Titans
Since stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties in January 2023, Ahmed El Shamy has brought a powerful blend of financial acumen, operational insight, and visionary leadership to one of the Middle East’s most influential real estate portfolios. His appointment marked a strategic turning point for the group, as it expanded its focus on sustainable development, integrated living, and innovative, future-ready urban spaces.
With a rich career spanning global conglomerates and high-stakes finance, El Shamy’s impact at Majid Al Futtaim Properties has been immediate and profound. Before his CEO role, he served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, where he was instrumental in evolving the finance function and driving enterprise-wide efficiency. During his tenure, he led major transformation programmes such as War on Waste and the C1500 plan, navigated the financial complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, and helped the organization meet business targets amidst volatile market conditions.
El Shamy’s leadership has catalyzed Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ accelerated growth. Under his guidance, the company also launched Ghaf Woods, Dubai’s pioneering forest-living community, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and experiential real estate.
A seasoned finance and development strategist, El Shamy previously served as Partner and Group CFO at Qalaa Holdings, one of the Arab world’s largest private equity firms. He also held key roles at Procter & Gamble, Citadel Capital, Al Ahram Beverages, and Orascom Development Holding, experiences that shaped his multidisciplinary approach to leadership and innovation.
Today, El Shamy oversees a diverse portfolio that includes 29 shopping malls, seven hotels, five integrated communities, and a growing pipeline of luxury and mixed-use developments across the UAE and the GCC. His focus is not only on geographic expansion but on redefining how real estate serves people, merging lifestyle, sustainability, and digital innovation to meet the evolving expectations of global consumers. Ahmed El Shamy’s leadership style is grounded in precision, progress, and purpose. Under his guidance, Majid Al Futtaim Properties continues to break new ground in shaping the environment of the future across the wider region.
