Real Estate
Experts in Dubai

Mania Merrikhi - Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Mania Merrikhi is a prominent figure in the UAE, known for her entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in the Real Estate sector. She serves as a Cheif Operating Offier for Chestertons MENA . She has been recognized as one of the top “50 Inspiring Women Leaders in the Middle East” in 2024 by Arabian Business, a testament to her exceptional skills in brand management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.

Her leadership style is transformational, and she has a strong track record of driving innovative, result-oriented communication strategies. She leverages her expertise to ensure that all entities within the Chestertons MENA group are aligned with the company’s vision, driving sustainable growth and fostering innovation. Mania Merrikhi is also serving as the Chairwoman and Board Member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce Valuation Business Group in which her responsibilities are to set the market standards for the valuation industry in Dubai. Before joining Chestertons, Mania was the CEO of a leading real estate brand and Bayari Investments.

Mania also spent ten years as the Head of Communication at Jafza. During her tenure, she honed her skills in brand management and stakeholder engagement, both locally and internationally. She also served as the Head of Communications for Economic Zones World, another DP World company, where she led communication strategies for the Jebel Ali Free Zone, National Industries Park, and Dubai Auto Zone. Her efforts were pivotal in redefining communication projects for the Corporate Group, significantly enhancing the brand’s visibility and impact. During her term at Jafza, she also created for the first time Dubai Comms Connect, and a stakeholder group for Dubai Government and the Semi-Government sector to support in promoting Dubai Internationally.

Mania pursued her education within the UAE, culminating in a Master’s degree in International Business, and continued forward to achieve her PhD in Business Administration. She has extensive experience in Business, Sales and Marketing Strategies. With a career spanning over 20 years, Mania Merrikhi has established herself as a strategic leader and expert in her field. Her dedication to fostering growth, innovation, and strategic alignment has made her an invaluable asset to every organization she has been a part of.

Abdullah Tahlawi - Assistant General Manager/ Business Development Manager

With over 12 years of progressive experience in sales and banking, including roles as Business Development Director and Company Brand Representative.

He has successfully led initiatives to enhance brands across industries. I’ve showcased projects supporting Vision 2023 and managed transformative projects, including involvement in real estate development such as King Abdullah Airport in Jazan.

Currently, Abdullah is with an international project management and consulting company overseeing a mega project in Saudi Arabia. Leveraging his MBA and PMP certifications, Abdullah drives revenue generation and brand enhancement globally.

Committed to aligning with KSA Vision 2030, I advocate for strategic acquisitions and sustainable growth. With Chestertons rich 200-year history, Abdullah collaborates with expert management teams to achieve our goal.

Frank Gleeson - Head of Building Consultancy & Project Management

Andrew Elliott - Head of Commercial Real Estate

Andrew has been an active member of the commercial real estate market in Dubai for the past 22 years, working in all asset classes. As the Director of the Commercial Agency at Chestertons, he is responsible for the sale of offices, retail outlets, warehouses, land, and staff accommodation. Andrew’s background in professional golf serves him well in commercial real estate, bringing a competitive spirit to the table and getting deals across the line.

His team at Chestertons is one of the best in the city, due to his commitment to training and development. Andrew is keenly aware of the growth of the commercial real estate market in Dubai and is well-positioned to help investors and developers maximize their returns. With his experience, competitive spirit, and commitment to training, Andrew is the perfect person to help those looking to invest in commercial real estate in Dubai.

Benjamin Cullum - Head of Valuations

Ben brings over 14 years of invaluable experience to his role as the Director and Head of Valuations and Advisory for Chestertons, based in Dubai. His expertise is deeply rooted in the MENA region, where he oversees all valuations and strategic consultancy for a diverse range of clients, including developers, financiers, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and private clients.

Ben has over 20 years of broad property and real estate valuation experience in the UK, UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman markets. Before joining Chestertons, Ben spent 10 years as General Manager for Hamptons International in Oman. He managed a team of over 30 local Omani and expatriate staff, overseeing all business departments: valuation, development consultancy, property management, investment agency, sales and leasing.  His experience included valuations and development consultancy of substantial property portfolios, land banks, development land, and various operating assets, including retail malls, offices, industrial, hotels, hospitality properties, and master-planned residential communities.

Prior to joining Hamptons, Ben spent 8 years working with Cluttons, initially in the UK as an Associate Partner within the Residential Professional division in Prime Central London. He then relocated to the Middle East region, where he was Director and Head of Valuation for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with a secondary role overseeing the Strategic Consultancy department.

Ben is a highly qualified professional, holding a Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Geography from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a Master of Science (MSc) in Real Estate Management and Valuation. His academic prowess is complemented by his professional affiliations, as he has been a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) since 2005 and has served on various committees and boards for the RICS.