OBM International (OBMI), the international master planning, architecture and interior design firm, has announced the appointment of Tareq El Zayat as Chief Executive Officer, EMEA. He will retain joint oversight of the Dubai and London studios, two offices whose development he has led since 2020.
The appointment brings the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa under a single leadership structure, at a time when the region accounts for a growing share of the global hotel development pipeline. OBMI operates multidisciplinary teams based in Dubai, Riyadh and London, working on large-scale hospitality, mixed-use and residential projects across the region.
A career built since the Dubai launch
Tareq El Zayat joined OBMI in 2019 as Associate, Corporate Development, before taking charge of the Dubai and London offices from June 2020. He was promoted to Principal of the firm in July 2023, a role he has held alongside his position as Managing Director.
Under his leadership, the Dubai studio has established itself as one of OBMI’s flagship locations, in a market where hotel architecture has been showcased through high-profile projects such as the Zaha Hadid-designed ME Dubai. Tareq El Zayat subsequently led the opening of the London office, before building and overseeing the multidisciplinary teams in Dubai, Riyadh and London.
Before joining OBMI, he spent six years in commercial and leadership roles at Saudi Diyar Consultants in Jeddah, first as Commercial Contracts Lead and later as Chief Commercial Officer and Business Development Lead. He began his career at Projacs International in Cairo as a project management engineer.
His academic background combines law and construction engineering: a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from the American University in Cairo, a Master of Laws (LLM) in Construction Law and Practice from the University of Salford, and a Graduate Diploma in Law from The University of Law. He also holds Full Member certification in Quantity Surveying, as well as in the contractual and legal aspects of construction.
A career recognised by leadership
Mike Wilson, President & COO of OBMI, highlighted the pivotal role Tareq El Zayat has played in the firm’s development: “Tareq has played a decisive role in OBMI’s growth across the Middle East and Europe, and this appointment is a natural continuation of his leadership within the firm.”
This leadership move comes amid a wider trend of senior appointments strengthening leadership teams across the Middle East, following moves such as Alain Debare’s appointment at HVS to lead investment and asset management across the Middle East and Africa.
A firm with nine decades of hospitality expertise
Founded ninety years ago, OBMI has built an international reputation for the design of luxury resorts, high-end private residences and mixed-use urban developments. The firm’s portfolio includes the design of the Royal Mansour Marrakech, a benchmark in Moroccan palace-hotel hospitality, and a collection whose expansion continues with a new property in Tangier.
The appointment of Tareq El Zayat forms part of this ongoing strengthening of leadership, as OBMI continues to expand its teams across the hospitality and residential markets of the Gulf, the United Kingdom and beyond.
At a Glance
OBMI appoints Tareq El Zayat as Chief Executive Officer, EMEA
Tareq El Zayat retains oversight of OBMI’s Dubai and London studios
He joined OBMI in 2019 and became Managing Director, Dubai & London in June 2020
Promoted to Principal in July 2023
The appointment marks OBMI’s ninetieth year of operation
Background combines construction engineering (AUC) and construction law (Salford, The University of Law)
Previously held commercial leadership roles at Saudi Diyar Consultants in Jeddah
