Starting from scratch: George Azar

In the years before the property crash in 2008-09, friends and work colleagues urged George Azar to dip his toe into Dubai’s booming property market, and take advantage of the impressive returns on investment. As a banker in the city, Azar resisted the temptation, sensing it wasn’t the right time. Fast forward a few years to when the franchise for one of the world’s most luxurious property brands Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR) came up for tender, and Azar found himself among five in the bidding process for the UAE-based property franchise. As the only one without real estate market experience — a banker up against four real estate companies — Azar says he won the lengthy bidding process through his pitch and approach.

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Mega-Rich Plotting Return to London, Sotheby’s Housing Boss Says

Ultra-rich individuals leaving London due to tougher wealth taxes are keeping their homes with the view of returning once the policy environment changes.

Market commentary

The Roaring Twenties: Why London is in a ‘golden decade’ for super-prime property

Spear's 500 Live 2024: Sotheby's George Azar, along with Mayfair 'guru' Peter Wetherell and acclaimed developer Nick Candy, told Spear's 500 Live why the city's property market is big business for UHNWs