Dubai - Leading global real estate consultancy, Knight Frank Middle East, is delighted to announce the addition of two accomplished industry professionals to its Valuation & Advisory department.

Paulina Tenderowicz and Edward Pugh are joining the firm's growing team, bringing with them a wealth of experience and specialized market expertise that will augment Knight Frank’s extensive real estate valuation and advisory services in the Middle East.

Paulina Tenderowicz, who is in the capacity of a Senior Manager, is an RICS and RERA Registered Valuer, and holds a license from the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport as a valuer. With an impressive 10 years of global real estate experience, including 3.5 years in the Middle East, Paulina’s expertise encompasses valuation of a wide array of commercial properties such as retail, office, industrial assets, complex residential projects, as well as land and development projects. Her proven track record in conducting assignments in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is expected to strengthen Knight Frank’s presence in the region.

Edward Pugh returns to Knight Frank Middle East from Knight Frank London as an RICS Registered Valuer, brings four years of commercial valuation experience across the UK and the UAE. He specializes in industrial, office, retail, residential, and land valuations within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Edward's return to the Middle East represents a strategic advancement for Knight Frank, as his in-depth expertise and experience will be instrumental in expanding the firm’s footprint and enhancing client services in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the new appointments, Tim Holmes, Partner – Valuation & Advisory, MENA, says, “We are thrilled to welcome Paulina and Ed as we expand our valuation team in the UAE. Their diverse backgrounds and demonstrated excellence in the valuation sector align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering world-class advisory services. This expansion underscores Knight Frank’s unwavering dedication to harnessing top talent for the benefit of our clients.”

In addition to these developments, it is essential to recognise a significant current challenge: the introduction of Corporate Tax in the UAE. Historically, the UAE's tax-free status has been a magnet for businesses and investors, fostering remarkable industrial growth. However, the recent implementation of a corporate tax framework, including the Economic Substance Regulations and the introduction of VAT, has reshaped the business landscape.

While the UAE still maintains its appeal due to comparatively low tax rates in the global context, businesses now face the task of navigating a more intricate tax regime. This transformation could potentially influence decisions related to business location, investment strategies, and overall competitiveness.

Nonetheless, it is important to underscore that these developments do not diminish the UAE’s world-class logistics, transport, connectivity, and port facilities. These assets have been instrumental in establishing the UAE as one of the world’s key logistics hubs and will continue to be an essential advantage for businesses operating in the region.

Echoing on Corporate Tax, Stephen Flanagan, Partner, Head of Valuation & Advisory, UAE says: “UAE emphasises the significance of the real estate sector in the country. Initially, the corporate tax law left many aspects of real estate businesses unaddressed. However, a recent cabinet decision has clarified taxation on revenue derived from real estate for both corporations and individuals.

The new tax framework now includes the real estate sector within its scope, subjecting it to corporate tax. The key distinction lies in the location of the business: those operating in the UAE mainland are subject to taxation, while those exclusively in free zones are exempt. Corporations are liable for taxation on any income generated from real estate activities, whereas individuals without trade licenses are exempt from real estate income tax.

It's important to note that this new tax regime may impact available capital for industrial investments, potentially affecting long-term industrial space demand. Nevertheless, the current industrial sector remains vibrant, with robust rental growth in Dubai."

About Knight Frank:

Knight Frank LLP is the leading independent global property consultancy. Headquartered in London, the Knight Frank network has 487 offices across 53 territories and more than 20,000 people The Group advises clients ranging from individual owners and buyers to major developers, investors, and corporate tenants. For further information about the Firm, please visit www.knightfrank.com.

In the MENA region, we have strategically positioned offices in key countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Egypt. For the past 13 years, we have been offering integrated residential and commercial real estate services, including transactional support, consultancy, and management.

Understanding the unique intricacies of local markets is at the core of what we do, we blend this understanding with our global resources to provide you with tailored solutions that meet your specific needs. At Knight Frank, excellence, innovation, and a genuine focus on our clients drive everything we do. We are not just consultants; we are trusted partners in property ready to support you on your real estate journey, no matter the scale of your endeavour.

Let's connect socially - find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. For more information and to explore how we can be your partners in property, please visit our website at https://www.knightfrank.ae/

For all Media and PR inquiries, please contact:
Roksar Kamal, Press Manager
Roksar.kamal@me.knightfrank.com

About Valuations & Advisory:

Representing one of the largest and most reputable real estate consultancies in the GCC, our team provides comprehensive real estate valuation and advisory services across the region.

Working for many of the world’s largest operators, funds and investors, providing accurate and reliable advice, which is critical to the success of every real estate investment. Our Valuers are RICS qualified, and RERA registered in the UAE and Bahrain and Taqeem qualified in KSA. providing Valuation reports that conform to the highest international professional standards including, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK and The International Valuation Standards Council.

Find out more about Valuation & Advisory, UAE: https://www.knightfrank.ae/valuation-and-advisory/property-valuation

Edward Pugh, Senior Surveyor, Valuation & Advisory
Paulina Tenderowicz – Senior Manager, Valuation & Advisory
Stephen Flanagan, Partner, Head of Valuation & Advisory, MENA
Tim Holmes, Partner – Valuation & Advisory, MENA