By Akeel Ghani, Founder of Jones & Redfearn Dubai
When I first started in UK real estate, the focus was largely on long-term value where things were slow, steady and more regulated. Everything moved at a measured pace. Whether I was working on retrofits or navigating planning regulations, the emphasis was on compliance, conservation and proven returns.
Then I made the move to Dubai, and found myself in a market that was fast, ambitious and constantly evolving.
At first glance, the two markets seem worlds apart. Dubai’s property scene is high-growth and opportunity-driven. You see new communities rising from sand to skyline in record time. Investors here move quickly, often based on future potential rather than past performance. Timelines are shorter, expectations are higher and innovation moves at speed.
But beneath the surface, I’ve found the fundamentals are the same.
Whether you’re in Manchester or Marina, the essentials of trust, quality and clarity don’t change. Clients want confidence. Buyers want transparency. In both regions, a property becomes more than a building; it becomes a long-term financial decision tied to lifestyle, risk and value.
What has served me well in both markets is a hands-on, client-first approach. In the UK, that meant detailed technical advice. In Dubai, it means knowing the market’s rhythm – when to move, what’s trending and how to cut through the noise to find real opportunity.
One key difference? Dubai rewards agility. You have to stay on top of legislation, sustainability goals, off-plan launches and digital tools that shape the buying process. But it also rewards vision. If you can offer a clear path from blueprint to keys-in-hand, clients will trust you with big decisions.
My advice to anyone entering this space: learn from both. The UK teaches you depth. Dubai teaches you speed. If you can blend both, you’ll build a business that lasts and grows.
