Qatar-based United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar, has appointed Ibrahim Al Othman as the new chief executive of the company.

Approved by the board of directors, Al Othman’s appointment follows the announcement last March by the chairman that the move would be made within “two to three months’ time,” said a statement from the Qatari firm.

Al Othman holds a B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Southern California and an MBA in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut.

He has over 25 years of experience in the oil industry, working for national, international and oil service companies. Throughout his executive career path at Gulf Drilling International (GDI), he has chaired various strategy-inclined committees and has also represented Qatar Petroleum (QP) as director on the boards of numerous joint venture companies.

UDC chairman and managing director Turki Al Khater said: "Al Othman is a perfect fit to lead the company. He is a CEO who will capably lead us forward by ensuring the company remains results oriented and focused on delivering for our shareholders, clients, residents and employees."

"For six years, he had led Gulf Drilling International as their CEO, and during this time he has proved to be an outstanding leader who has made a direct impact on the company’s bottom line," he added.

On his appointment, Al Othman said: "UDC, with its reputation as one of the leading Qatari shareholding companies and its diversified portfolio of excellent businesses and developments, particularly The Pearl-Qatar, is well-positioned locally and globally, and I look forward to many years of productive team work there."

UDC, which has joined Qatar Stock Exchange in 2003, has since seen some of the most impressive rates of growth in the market. Its long-term strategy towards investment has helped forge its reputation as one of the leading shareholding companies in Qatar.

Since its founding in 2000, UDC has developed into a first-class urban developer and joint venture partner, and has successfully established several companies and ventures.

The subsidiaries and partnerships under UDC’s umbrella include United Fashion Company, Hospitality Development Company, Ronautica Middle East, Qatar Cool, Madinainova, United Facilities Management Company, United Technology Solutions, and various others.  UDC is also owner and master developer of The Pearl-Qatar, the Middle East’s most innovative mixed-use urban development.-TradeArabia News Service