With over 20 years of experience in Real Estate Development, Investment, Project Management and Construction Sectors spanning the markets of the UK, North America, Singapore and the Middle East, Jay French’s rare, A-Z knowledge of project delivery has been honed as an owner, investor, developer, project manager and consultant, working across a variety of asset classes throughout his career.

Having held senior positions with Wyndham Capital Partners, Aecom Capital, Matthews Southwest and Aecom, in 2014, Jay established the EMEA branch of Matthews Southwest Developments in Dubai. As Chief Executive Officer, Jay has been responsible for AED 4 billion of project appointments in the UAE, including high-impact projects including Museum of the Future, commissioned by the UAE Prime Minister’s Office in partnership with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; newly-completed Meeras property La Mer, the mixed-use and hospitality beachfront development spread across 9.5 million square feet of existing and reclaimed prime Dubai waterfront and Bee’ah Group’s new, Grade-AAA LEED Platinum HQ in Sharjah, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

A Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (UK), the Investment Committee for a DIFC regulated Real Estate Fund (UAE), the Dubai Future Foundation Fellowship (UAE) and the Canadian Government & International Trade Ministry Infrastructure Roundtable (UAE), Jay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Simon Fraser University, Canada, and a Master’s Degree in Property Development and Finance from London’s South Bank University.

A former professional athlete, Jay was previously a member of the Canadian Olympic team.