Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, has positioned the company as a leading force in Dubai’s dynamic real estate industry. A seasoned industry veteran, Francis boasts an impressive track record of over two decades in shaping the real estate landscape across India and the UAE. He has driven the company’s growth and success since being appointed the Managing Director of Sobha Realty’s Middle East operations in 2016. As a civil engineer, Francis brings technical expertise and strategic vision to his role.
As a dynamic individual with a goal-oriented mindset, Francis has steered the company to success, especially spearheading Sobha Realty’s innovative concept, ‘Backward Integration’, in the sector, which has redefined industry standards. This model has further optimised the company’s supply chain and resource utilisation. He promotes digitalisation, advocates for lean manufacturing and business processes, and the adoption of various state-of-the-art technologies, including ConTech, PropTech, robotics, AI, and data analytics, to optimise operations and enhance project delivery. His focus on cutting-edge technologies has positioned Sobha Realty at the forefront of industry innovation.
With a deep-rooted understanding of the industry, Francis is renowned for his forward-thinking approach and capability to drive strategic expansion. Under his leadership, Sobha Realty has successfully diversified its portfolio and expanded its operations globally. His expertise spans diverse facets of the business, from managing and overseeing the execution and delivery of large-scale projects to spearheading global expansion and diversification.
Francis’s commitment to excellence and delivering exceptional results weaves an indispensable thread in the rich tapestry of Sobha Realty’s success. 2023 Sobha Realty achieved record-breaking sales, logging all-time high sales of AED 15.5 billion. The company also recorded a 51 per cent growth in sales across its diverse portfolio of residential and commercial developments in Dubai, reaching its sales target of AED 15 billion. It aims to achieve sales of AED 18 billion in 2024.
A hands-on leader, Francis is committed to ensuring and delivering exceptional quality and timely project completion. His focus on critical thinking, collaboration, and talent development has cultivated a high-performance culture within the organisation. His intellectual curiosity and passion for knowledge are reflected in his leadership style, inspiring teams to achieve ambitious goals.
Under Francis’s guidance, Sobha Realty achieved impressive customer satisfaction ratings, which have improved significantly, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to excellence and quality. Based on an independent survey, the company is the 2nd most recalled brand amongst premium real estate intenders in the UAE market, a testament to its dedication to customer satisfaction.
Under his able guidance, Sobha Realty has successfully delivered several projects and accomplished numerous milestones, including the ISO International Standard Certification for upholding environmental, health, and safety standards. These achievements are a source of pride and confidence for the company and its stakeholders.
Latest Project Details & Future Plans
Sobha Realty boasts nine masterplans across the UAE, including notable projects like The S Tower, Sobha SeaHaven, and Sobha Orbis. In 2023 alone, under Francis’s leadership, the company launched three new masterplans: Sobha Hartland 2, Sobha Reserve, and Verde by Sobha.
Under Francis’s leadership, Sobha Realty has introduced its latest master plan in 2024, Sobha Siniya Island. This landmark project, a testament to Francis’s strategic vision, seamlessly blends luxury living with nature. Featuring villas, mansions, and resorts, the island preserves mangroves and wildlife, offering a unique mix of tranquillity and adventure. With its unique features and commitment to preserving the environment, Sobha Siniya Island is set to become a sought-after residential destination.
In addition, Sobha Realty has also launched a first-of-its-kind mall in the Sobha Hartland flagship community under Francis’s astute leadership.
Aligned with the UAE strategic initiative ‘Make it In the Emirates’ to strengthen the local industrial sector, Sobha Realty has established a second furniture factory in Dubai Industrial City (DIC), which is approximately valued at AED 450 million. This facility will be the UAE’s most significant and automated factory.
Sobha Modular is another manufacturing vertical of Sobha Group, covering an area of 2.5 million sq. ft.
Sobha Façades is a state-of-the-art glazing and façade manufacturing facility. Additionally, Sobha Pods manufactures over 15,000 complete bathroom models for Sobha Realty’s projects in the UAE.
With a keen eye for detail, dedication to timely project completion, strategic vision, and operational expertise, Francis contributes significantly to elevating Sobha Realty to newer heights globally.