Dubai Properties Group, one of the largest real estate businesses in the region and a member of Dubai Holding, has appointed Arif Mubarak as its group chief operating officer.

Mubarak had previously served as the group chief real estate officer overseeing the group’s development arm and is a veteran of Dubai Holding with over 11 years of experience across a broad range of business and strategic disciplines.

“I am confident Arif Mubarak will play a pivotal role in the growth of our business. His appointment comes at a time when DPG has delivered 7 new communities and is poised for exciting growth with a series of residential, retail and leisure developments to be completed in 2011,” said Khalid Al Malik, group chief executive officer, Dubai Properties Group.

Prior to assuming his responsibilities as COO of DPG, Mubarak served as chief executive officer of Bawadi. He was also tasked by the Government of Dubai with the formation of the Dubai Development and Investment Authority’s (DDIA) first overseas office that was launched in Hong Kong in early 2006.

Mubarak has completed  the Harvard Leadership Development Program in UAS and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development in Dubai. In addition, he attended executive programs from Columbia, Wharton and Insead Universities.

Mubarak holds a post-graduate degree in Project Management from Regis University, Australia, and a Higher Diploma in Communications Technology from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai.

A member of Young Arab Leaders (YAL), Mubarak sits on the board of directors of a number of Dubai-based businesses and joint ventures, including Arady, Emaar-Bawadi, Arabian Shopping Mall, and Lammtara that is credited with the launch of the hit-animation series Freej.-TradeArabia News Service