Chestertons has appointed Chris Hobden as its new strategic consultancy head for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Based in Dubai, he will be responsible for driving consultancy services through feasibility study, design consultancy and market research projects.

Hobden boasts broad real estate advisory experience from both an international and GCC perspective. In 2017, he joined Savills’ Bahrain-based Northern Gulf advisory team as an associate director, following which he led the company’s research and consultancy services in Thailand.

“The international experience and ability to work across both the consulting and valuation service lines underscores the importance of Hobden’s appointment as we further strengthen our Mena advisory team. As our business continues to grow year-on-year in the region, Chris will have a vital role to play in supporting that growth and expanding our service offering into new territories. Going forward, we look forward to introducing him to our regional client base,” said Nick Witty, managing director (MENA), Chestertons.

He began his career in the UK, working for a firm of chartered surveyors, covering commercial agency and professional services.

Speaking about his new role Hobden remarked, “I am delighted to join Chestertons, having always admired the firm’s depth of expertise and diverse service offering across Mena. I look forward to supporting Chestertons’ continued growth in the UAE, Bahrain and the wider region.”