BurJuman appoints new management head

Dubai-based shopping centre BurJuman has appointed Australian national Leigh Regan to head the management teams of BurJuman and its sister retail establishment Reef Mall from February 1, 2014.

Regan, who has over 25 years of international experience in retail and real estate, moves to Dubai from Shanghai, China, where he oversaw the development of a number of landmark shopping centres. He will take on the management responsibilities from outgoing general manager Eisa Adam, who will stay on in an advisory role during the transition.

Born and educated in Australia, with a business degree and a CPA Accounting Certification, Regan’s first experience in shopping malls came as general manager of two malls in Melbourne. In 1995, Leigh joined Asian retail giant Lippo as the COO to establish a ‘western-style’ shopping centre in Jakarta, Indonesia. Regan returned to Australia after five years in Indonesia, first as national portfolio asset manager retail for Jones Lang LaSalle and then as GM of a regional shopping centre. Since 2006, Regan has been based in Asia – returning to Indonesia to oversee number of shopping centres in various stages of development and operation, before moving to China.

“We welcome Leigh at a very exciting time for the business, as we near the completion of an extensive refurbishment project at BurJuman and look ahead to a new era of growth and success. Leigh has a particularly impressive track record in growing business and his experience in both Western and Asian markets make him ideal for a cosmopolitan market like Dubai,” says Majid Saif Al Ghurair, president of BurJuman Centre and Reef Mall.

Adam was feted for his long service to the company and his instrumental role in shaping the success of BurJuman and Reef Mall, and before them, Al Ghurair Centre.

“BurJuman’s position as a stalwart of Dubai’s retail scene is a product of Eisa’s committed leadership.  We are truly grateful for Eisa’s charismatic stewardship of the business and for the drive and commitment which has helped us to enjoy great success for more than two decades,” concludes Al Ghurair.