ValuStrat’s key strength and advantage is the experience and reputation that its senior management and team bring to the table.

Shahid Kazi’s extensive professional experience spans over 30+ years in a variety of corporate sectors including consulting, banking, finance, real estate, engineering and project management. Having worked for over 10 years in the Corporate & Investment Banking Division of Citigroup and over 4 years in engineering and industrial project management at SIEMENS, he provides insightful leadership to ValuStrat’s consulting practice. Shahid joined ValuStrat as Partner & Managing Director in 2009 and spearheaded the company’s growth to become one of the leading consultancies in the region. He also led ValuStrat’s international expansion, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and Qatar. His multi-faceted qualifications and hands-on experience in various professional fields make him ideally suited to lead ValuStrat as its CEO, a position he took over in 2013.

During his stint at Citigroup, he worked in various local and regional management positions within the Corporate and Investment Banking Division in Pakistan, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates where he dealt with a whole range of corporate sectors including public sector, multinationals, local corporations, and financial institutions. He has also been extensively involved in several international capital market transactions on behalf of Citigroup. Shahid’s project management experience in the Industries & Automation Division of SIEMENS also adds significant value to various consulting projects.

Shahid is passionate about charitable work for promoting education. He is an active volunteer and Board Member of CARE Foundation, a renowned charity organization providing quality education to underprivileged children in Pakistan.

Shahid is a Britannia Chevening Scholar and holds an MBA in Finance with Distinction from Imperial College, London and a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering with Honors from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. He is an active speaker at international and regional conferences, seminars and leadership events. Shahid has also received a large number of accolades and awards for a variety of exceptional academic and professional achievements.

Declan leads ValuStrat’s real estate valuations and research and brings over 28+ years of international experience. He is a Professional Member of The Royal Institutions of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), UK as well as a Professional Member of The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (MSCSI).

Prior to joining ValuStrat, Declan was Manager – Valuation & Research Department at Hamptons International UAE where he was instrumental in  enhancing the division’s business and processes. He also served as Manager, Residential Valuations with Colliers International based in Abu Dhabi. Prior to moving to the Middle East, Declan had a 21 year career in  property development, sales & valuations in Dublin, Ireland.

Declan’s advisory and valuation experience encompasses a broad range of reporting on all asset types for lending, audit, legal & transactional requirements. He has dealt with an extensive variety of clients including government entities, financial institutions, multinational & local corporations and private individuals.

Declan’s over two decades of successful experience in real estate involving business development, sales, processes and independent advisory brings a wealth of knowledge, integrity and maturity to ValuStrat’s consulting business.

Khurram Merchant leads ValuStrat’s
Advisory department, overseeing operations across all offices and driving the
firm’s strategic advisory initiatives. With over 12 years of experience at
ValuStrat, he has guided hundreds of successful consulting engagements, serving
prominent clients such as public sector entities, ministries, conglomerates,
corporates, financial institutions, real estate developers, and SMEs.

Renowned for his leadership skills
and focus on delivering precise, actionable advice, Khurram empowers clients to
achieve their strategic objectives confidently and navigate complex challenges.
Khurram’s core expertise lies in feasibility studies, business planning,
valuations, socio-economic studies, market entry and business turnaround
advisory. His work spans diverse sectors, including finance, industrials, real
estate, healthcare, logistics, and technology. As a seasoned advisor, he has
led initiatives such as structuring large-scale public-private partnerships,
preparing clients for IPOs, and delivering financial feasibility studies for
cutting-edge projects, including vertical hydroponic farms and healthcare
applications. His specialisation in real estate advisory across the GCC has
been instrumental in guiding high-profile clients through valuation,
development, and market research.

Throughout his tenure at ValuStrat,
Khurram has spearheaded over 100 consulting engagements, from transaction
advisory for significant industrial developments to valuations of high-profile
assets like the Meydan racecourse. His ability to integrate financial,
strategic, and market perspectives has made him a trusted partner for public
and private sector stakeholders.

Before joining ValuStrat, Khurram
gained valuable experience in equity research and financial analysis. At
Timescape Capital, a hedge fund, he provided advisory services to NYSE-listed
companies across diverse industries, strengthening his expertise in market
dynamics and corporate strategy.

Khurram is a Certified Financial
Analyst (CFA Charterholder) and holds an MBA from the Lahore University of
Management Sciences (LUMS) and a BBA in Finance from the Institute of Business
Administration (IBA), Karachi. His strong analytical acumen and strategic
insight underpin his reputation as a leader in the advisory field.

As the architect of ValuStrat’s
growth in the Advisory division, Khurram is pivotal in crafting strategic
roadmaps and providing high-level interventions that shape the direction of
client engagements. His leadership ensures the Advisory team delivers solutions
that are innovative, impactful, and highly appreciated by clients, solidifying
ValuStrat’s reputation as a trusted partner in the region.

Darshan leads ValuStrat’s Industrial Consulting Division and is actively involved in client management, business development as well as full execution, project & team management of this business for all our group offices in UAE, Saudi Arabia & Qatar.

Prior to ValuStrat, Darshan has over 20 years of experience with various multinational companies such as Knight Frank, Mott MacDonald, and Dun & Bradstreet. He has undertaken several technical due diligence and industrial asset valuation assignments across various sectors such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food & beverages, textiles, metals, power, electrical, etc. Darshan has also executed valuation projects relating to industrial real estate. In addition, he has significant experience in undertaking various other consulting assignments and roles such as techno-economic feasibility & viability studies, project monitoring, and lender’s engineer.

Darshan is a Professional Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), U.K and a Fellow Member & Approved Plant & Machinery Valuer of The Institution of Valuers, New Delhi. He also holds a B.Sc Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Mumbai, India.

1. Kevin Sidebottom is the Managing Director of ValuStrat’s Advisory Division, leading its strategic growth and operational excellence. With over 38 years of experience in business advisory and transformation, he has held leadership roles at world-class firms such as EC Harris, Arcadis, KPMG, and OC&C Strategy Consultants.
   
   Kevin has been pivotal at ValuStrat for the past decade, delivering high-impact advisory engagements across real estate, education, healthcare, financial services, and family businesses. His expertise spans strategy development, business planning, programme management, and transformational change.
   
   Kevin specialises in organisational structuring, business process improvement, cost-saving initiatives, and performance management systems. Known for his leadership and ability to mentor teams, he ensures the seamless execution of complex projects by addressing transformational change's people, processes, and systems aspects.
   
   Kevin has led significant projects across the Middle East, including:
   
   1. Qatar – Health and education strategy for Lusail City, a new development for 450,000+ residents.
   
   2. Saudi Arabia – Feasibility study for an Islamic Tourist Resort island, including socio-economic impact analysis.
   
   3. Jordan – Restructuring of the Directorate of Government Buildings, enhancing asset management for 10,000+ properties.
   
   4. Abu Dhabi, UAE – Estates management strategy for a developer overseeing USD 75 billion in mixed-use assets.
   
   5. Dubai, UAE – Industry analysis and investment strategy to support Dubai World Central’s aerotropolis vision.
   
   6. Hong Kong – Strategic procurement framework for HKD 15 billion in capital and operational expenditure for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
   
   Before ValuStrat, Kevin spent six years at EC Harris and Arcadis, leading strategy and transformation initiatives within built assets and social infrastructure. He holds an MBA from Bradford University Management Centre and is recognised for his strategic vision, leadership, and ability to drive complex business transformations.
   
   

Yousuf has over 23+ years of experience in a variety of sectors including audit, banking, real estate and capital markets and brings valuable expertise to ValuStrat’s consulting practice, especially in Saudi Arabia. He is a Saudi citizen and has previously worked as Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Dubai and Lehman Brothers/Nomura in London and Dubai, covering MENA clients in the Fixed Income sector. Prior to that he worked at SAMBA Financial Group and National Commercial Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in product development and treasury sales, covering Saudi corporates and family offices. Yousuf has also worked with Deloitte in their Audit Division in Saudi Arabia.

Yousuf holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the CFA charter. He also has the honor of being awarded a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records for “Youngest CPA in the World”. Yousuf is also a Member of TAQEEM (Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers).

Pawel Banach is a seasoned real estate advisory professional and a recognised subject matter expert in property valuations, investment advisory, and commercial due diligence. 

As Managing Director – Qatar and Head of Commercial Valuations – UAE at ValuStrat, Pawel brings over 21 years of international experience, including over a decade in the Middle East, with eight years dedicated to the Qatari market.

In his leadership role at ValuStrat, Pawel drives strategic growth, oversees complex valuation mandates, and advises a diverse portfolio of clients — from institutional investors and developers to financial institutions and corporates. His expertise spans all major real estate asset classes, supporting clients with critical insights for investment decisions, development planning, and regulatory compliance.

Before joining ValuStrat, Pawel was a Partner at Cavendish Maxwell, leading the commercial valuation practice across the UAE and Oman. He successfully managed a team of 30 professionals, delivering high-profile assignments across the GCC region.
His earlier career includes pivotal roles at globally renowned firms such as Deloitte, JLL, Savills, Knight Frank, and Prologis. At Deloitte, as Manager of the Real Estate Advisory Division, Pawel led multidisciplinary teams on various advisory services, including feasibility studies, real estate appraisals, and plant & machinery valuations.

With a track record of delivering valuation and development advisory across residential, office, industrial, retail, and large-scale shopping mall projects, Pawel has been instrumental in guiding key stakeholders through investment processes and commercial due diligence exercises across emerging and mature markets.

Pawel is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) and a Polish Qualified Valuer. He holds a master’s degree in Property Appraisal and Management from Sheffield Hallam University (UK) and an Engineering Degree in Land Surveying from Warsaw University of Technology.

Committed to advancing industry standards, Pawel has also been an RICS Assessor for over a decade, mentoring the next generation of valuation and real estate professionals.

With his deep sector knowledge, leadership acumen, and international perspective, Pawel continues to enhance ValuStrat’s advisory capabilities, delivering value-driven solutions to clients across Qatar, the UAE, and beyond.

Haider heads ValuStrat’s real estate research department with responsibility for our delivery of informed market commentary, bespoke research work and MIS.

Arriving in Dubai in 1997, Haider has more than 35 years’ experience in real estate research, property valuation & development, corporate training, solution development and banking, with past roles in the UAE, UK and Iraq.

Haider holds a BSc in Statistical Sciences and has an IT certification background with extensive experience in market research, information management, data analysis, system development and training.

Prior to joining ValuStrat, Haider was Head of Real Estate Research Dubai at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank’s subsidiary MPM Properties.

Previously, he was Manager Valuation, MIS and Research at Limitless LLC, a Dubai World Company, responsible for real estate market research and valuation support of multi-billion Dirham master planned projects across the MENA region. He contributed to several major projects in Dubai including Downtown Jebel Ali, Jumeirah Village and International City. Haider was instrumental in providing accurate on time market intelligence utilising his data management experience and IT skills.

Saadain joined ValuStrat in 2017, with a mandate to significantly enhance the marketing efforts of the group.

As Managing Director & Group Head Marketing, he is responsible for the development and execution of marketing and communication strategies across all regions. Saadain has over 14 years of experience as a marketing and communications professional. He has worked on several prominent brands and has been able to help them grow and transform their market positioning and brand equity. He has previously worked with three of the largest global advertising groups in Pakistan namely Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett, and Grey. Saadain’s previous clients included large global and local brands such as British American Tobacco, Philips, Engro Foods Limited (Royal Friesland Campina), P&G, OLX, Emirates, Castrol, Glaxo SmithKline, and Habib Bank Limited. His diverse marketing and communication experience internationally has honed him into becoming a strategic marketing and communications specialist. Saadain holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from SZABIST and has bagged several prestigious Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS) awards for the campaigns he worked on during his time in the advertising industry.

At ValuStrat, he has been instrumental in propelling the brand to greater heights of success with technologically advanced, engaging and integrated marketing strategies across all communication mediums.

Mehreen is an innovative professional with an accomplished career track record of over 16 years across industries ranging from the power sector, FMCG, financial institutions and HR advisory as well as consulting.

Prior to joining ValuStrat, she worked for the Habib Group in close coordination with the executive management, developing Policies, Training and Development, and Recruitment. Mehreen has also worked for Byco Oil – Pakistan’s largest oil refinery, Colgate Palmolive, Engage Consulting, HRSI (Human Resource Solutions International).

She holds a BS.c degree in Computer Science from Griffith College, Dublin.

Vismer has over 28+ years post-graduate qualification experience in property and other business asset valuations, property management/property development consultancy, real estate and rating valuations in the UK and Africa. Vismer is a Chartered Valuation Surveyor registered as a Professional Member with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), UK. He is registered as a Corporate Member with The Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV), UK along with The Institute of Realtors of South Africa (MIRSA), South Africa.

Vismer has conducted major valuation assignments in the UAE and across the GCC. His areas of specialization at ValuStrat include valuation and assessment of plants, machinery, and various types of commercial, industrial and residential properties. Vismer is also responsible for conducting investment appraisals and quantitative analysis for investment properties for all our major clients.

Vismer undertook various assignments including capital and rental valuations of a variety of commercial, industrial and residential properties for various private companies and organizations in the UK and in Africa. Some of his other assignments in the past include valuations of hotels, airports, port harbours, various sized commercial/industrial properties, and various single and multi-tenanted residential properties/complexes.

Kashif has over 21+ years of multi-faceted experience working in various business sectors including 4+ years working with Ernst & Young’s Transaction Advisory Services. Kashif has worked across a diverse array of business sectors including the financial sector, aviation, insurance, government services, corporate finance, transaction advisory and management consultancy where he has worked with clients from healthcare, financial sector, aviation, government agencies, oil & gas, ecommerce, logistics, education, medical supplies manufacturing & trading, other manufacturing and trading, food & beverage, FMCGs and many other sectors. Kashif has extensive experience in performing Business Valuations, Feasibility Studies, Business Plans, Market Research Studies, Financial and Commercial Due Diligence studies, Intangible valuations, Purchase Price Allocation and Impairment Testing, IFRS related advisory, Internal & Forensic Audits, Risk Assessment with review & gap analysis of policies and procedures framework, Turnaround strategies and Transaction Advisory.

Kashif has also worked extensively on Public Private Partnership projects, working closely with government and semi government agencies, PPP units and organisations where he has advised on various aspects of different infrastructure projects to be taken to market under the PPP model and has performed pre-feasibility, feasibility and post feasibility assignments for a number of infrastructure projects including tourism, roads, sewage treatment plants, labour accommodations, hotels, sport arenas and stadia etc.

Kashif is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and Pakistan Institute of Public Finance Accountants.

Sean is a highly experienced real estate advisory professional, specialising in property valuation across the GCC region.

At ValuStrat, Sean brings 14 years of expertise as a valuation surveyor. His
professional experience has been gained from leading international and local practices, with geographical coverage spanning the UK, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Having continuously directed complex valuation mandates across the broader UAE and KSA, Sean is currently leading the firm's strategic push in Abu Dhabi. He ensures that high-stakes capital deployment is supported by valuation advisory and market intelligence.

His professional knowledge encompasses a comprehensive range of property asset classes, including office, retail, industrial, hospitality, residential, and alternative asset classes. Sean utilises this broad sector expertise to advise a diverse portfolio of clients, working directly on behalf of international and local banks, lending institutions, developers, investors, and owner-occupiers.

In his leadership capacity, Sean’s vision is absolute: to build a highly regarded and reputable on-the-ground real estate valuations practice in Abu Dhabi. He
partners closely with ValuStrat’s executive leadership to scale the Abu Dhabi division and valuation capabilities across the wider MENA region including key contributions to research outputs along with the renowned ValuStrat PriceI Index (VPI).

Sean is a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and an RICS Registered Valuer.

Anthony joined ValuStrat in 2017 as a Senior Valuer and has progressed fast, currently holding the position of Director, Valuations at ValuStrat Qatar. He has over 8 years of experience in real estate advisory, involving property valuations, development appraisals, market research and rental assessment studies.

Before joining ValuStrat, Anthony held the Valuer and Research Analyst position for Land Sterling Property Consultants, Dubai. During that tenure, he conducted multiple real estate evaluations and successfully executed advisory assignments for major corporate clients, including banks. He was also involved in developing quarterly real estate market research and economic analysis reports. Before moving to the UAE, he worked as a Property Valuer and Operations Manager in Sri Lanka, where he built expertise in portfolios valuations for secured lending, auditing, and transactions. Besides, he was also involved in multiple advisory projects for private Sri Lankan developers and municipalities.

Anthony holds an Honors degree in BSc Hons. Real Estate from the University of Greenwich, London, with majors in various aspects of real estate such as property valuation, advisory, sustainability, building technology and estate management. He is a Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Abdur Rahman has served ValuStrat since 2012 and has more than 18 years of experience in a variety of areas. He was instrumental in setting up our Field Verification (FV) / Contact Point Verification (CPV) business several years ago, which was a game changer for many banks that wanted to outsource their KYC and due diligence process for SMEs and retail banking customers.

Abdur Rahman’s multi-faceted expertise in technology, surveying and client management enabled us to create an ipad based solution for our banking clients through our tailor-made proprietary software ‘Valuware’, which delivers verification and due diligence reports in as little as 3 hours from the time of survey. This also led to the Mandoob service offering to Islamic banks who required verification and due diligence on the physical assets taken as collateral for Islamic financing requirements. Abdur Rahman manages a large team of surveyors, call-center staff and technology experts who seamlessly carry out this sensitive business for some of the largest banks in the region.

Sheraz Khan has been serving ValuStrat since 2004 and has more than 28 years of experience in a variety of areas. He brings tremendous expertise to our Automobiles and Heavy Equipment valuations business. His deep knowledge in these sectors has enabled ValuStrat to become a very reliable source of data and analytics for top banking clients who finance automobiles and heavy equipment extensively.

Sheraz has successfully trained a team of surveyors and analysts under his able guidance who carry out the tasks of this division accurately and efficiently. Our unmatched turnaround time in this business is extremely helpful for banks who rely on our due diligence and valuation expertise before extending car loans and heavy equipment financing to their clients. Sheraz’s long standing service has gained the trust of clients as well as of other divisions of ValuStrat who often require data on auto and heavy equipment as part of larger assignments.

Ajmal Hussain is a highly experienced engineering professional with deep expertise in asset valuation, technical due diligence, project monitoring, production engineering, and plant maintenance.

As Associate Director – Industrial Consulting at ValuStrat, he plays a key role in helping clients optimise, value, and manage their industrial assets. His sector experience is broad, covering chemicals, pharmaceuticals, marine vessels, heavy machinery, and complex engineering systems. Ajmal understands that every asset tells a different story. Whether he’s conducting due diligence, overseeing project controls, or valuing plant and machinery, he applies a practical, insight-driven approach, ensuring clients benefit from both technical precision and strategic guidance.

With a solid technical foundation and a clear grasp of industrial operations, Ajmal is integral to ValuStrat’s reputation for delivering high-quality consulting, valuation, and due diligence services. He focuses on driving efficiency, safeguarding value, and helping businesses make informed decisions that maximise asset performance while mitigating risk.

Over the course of his career, Ajmal has held key positions at leading organisations, including Emerson Process Management India Ltd, Bharati Shipyard Ltd (India), Arabian Inspection and Survey Co. Ltd (KSA), and LCC Siporex. These roles provided him with invaluable hands-on experience across diverse engineering environments. As a result, he brings clients actionable advice that is grounded in real-world understanding and tailored to complex industrial landscapes.

Ajmal holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Production Engineering from the Government Engineering College, Thrissur, Kerala, India. He is also an Associate Member of the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (TAQEEM), specialising in Plant and Machinery Valuation—a reflection of his commitment to professional excellence and adherence to industry standards.

Adrian boasts 17 years of experience in real estate valuation,
predominantly in the UAE's residential sector. A Chartered Surveyor, he is a
Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), an RICS
Registered Valuer, and also a Member of the Institute of Philippine Real Estate
Appraisers (MIPREA).

Throughout his distinguished career, Adrian's expertise in residential
valuation has seen him undertake various roles with esteemed companies in the
UAE. This includes a senior position at Cavendish Maxwell, the role of
Residential Manager at MPM Properties (a subsidiary of ADIB), where he oversaw
Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and a notable position at Chestertons.

Adrian consistently offers valuations, associated advice, and
negotiation services to private clients and corporate financial institutions,
always adhering to the standards set out in the RICS Red Book and IVS. As an accomplished Chartered Surveyor, he has an enviable track record in residential property valuation. His adeptness at executing tasks in high-pressure environments and meeting stringent deadlines is commendable.

Anum joined ValuStrat in 2017 and since then, she has been at the forefront of our growing team in Qatar. Currently heading the research team in Qatar, she is actively publishing informed market commentaries, bespoke research reports and providing research support to other business divisions.

At ValuStrat, she also manages the research database to support the Valuation and Strategic Advisory Divisions. She has also launched ValuStrat Price Index (Residential Market) in Qatar from Q1 2018 in collaboration with the Valuation Division, an index that monitors the change in residential prices and rents quarterly for 16 locations across Qatar.

Before joining ValuStrat, Anum worked with a management and investment consultancy, Concept Qatar, as a Business Development Manager. She was involved in scoping potential clients and researching new trends in the construction and real estate sectors of Qatar.

She has also worked as a Research Fellow on various social development and policy centric projects with international Non-Government Organisations like USAID, UNICEF and World Bank. Anum has two publications under her name, used as training materials for seminars for public sector representatives in Pakistan. Her main specialisation is in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

She holds an MSc honours degree in Economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), where she was also awarded top position in her batch.