Fred Douglas

Fred is a seasoned veteran and strategic thinker with over 35 years’ experience in property. He has excelled in the major property disciplines of Development, Leasing, Asset Management, Property Management within Shopping Centres, and Commercial and Industrial property. He holds a CSMA and CPM accreditation. Fred’s property experience is complemented by 5 years as a retailer, responsible for a number of local and International Retail Brands.

In early 2004, Fred was recruited to join one of the Middle East’s Leading Property Developers to initiate and implement the Retail Plan, Leasing Strategy, Tenancy Mix and Recruitment of the Leasing Team for the largest mall in the Middle East and at the time, the World, Dubai Mall. In this capacity Fred searched out major anchor Department Stores from around the World which resulted in Galleries La Fayette opening for the first time in the Middle East. He also negotiated the deal for Waitrose, the first in the Region and at the time, the largest supermarket in the Middle East.

Fred joined ALDAR Properties PJSC in mid 2007 to establish and develop their Retail Leasing Division and was responsible for Retail Leasing across all Aldar’s Retail Projects. As Head of Retail Leasing, he again successfully negotiated the lease for another “first to market”, House of Fraser which is the largest Department Store in Abu Dhabi in their World Trade Centre Mall development. In November 2014, Yas Mall opens and as such Fred has headed the Leasing Team for the 2 largest malls in the Region, Dubai Mall (350,000m2) and Yas Mall (235,000m2). Yas Mall has more “first to market” leases including 11 retail brands entering the Middle East for the first time, 11 opening their first stores in Abu Dhabiand who are opening their largest stores in the Region. Fred negotiated the lease for IKEA, representing the single largest retail Lease in the Region.

Fred was a member of an International Jury to select the Department Store of the Year Award in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and was Chairman in 2012 & 2014.

In 2013 Fred was appointed to an Advisory Board for a large Government Body in Abu Dhabi and he is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.