Riad Gohar

Based in Dubai, BlackOak Real Estate is a leading innovative real estate company providing its clients with knowledgeable market insights. BlackOak connects buyers with the perfect property, whether for personal-use or as an investment opportunity. The company is comprised of a select group of talented, experienced and consultative professionals trained to understand the needs of its clients with both traditional and innovative sales strategies and solutions. With more than $3bn+ in sales and acquisitions experience, the company has established strong relations in the market with both developers and investors. In a market where real estate has become commoditised, BlackOak does things differently. We are very much a client-focused company acting in the best interest of our clients ensuring they receive practical and unbiased advice. We are project agnostic and therefore find the perfect fit property without being influenced by commissions. We are further here to assist with the full spectrum of ancillary services such as mortgage advice, relocation assistance, visa, tax and legal. We are also changing the way real estate is done. We are integrating future technological advances, such as AI, blockchain and fractional property investment to offer our clients an enhanced and unique experience along with selective investment products.

A Creative gourmet food concepts served through trendy looking Airstreamers/Food Trucks • Formulated the company, created the financial plan and business strategy. • Designed and created two successful and innovative event-based food concepts, “Frings” and “Zapiekanka” • Secured partnership in the most exclusive and major global events across the UAE • Within one year of operation, through design and innovation, we became one of the highest revenue generating food truck concepts with a leading market share per event and an average of 20% net profit. • Designed two of the most remarkable food trucks in the UAE • Receiving various franchise offers. • Currently working on the business projections to scaleup through raising first round of funding.

Heading the Sales and Marketing Operation of the upcoming SLS Hotels & Residences. Composing and implementing an innovative Sales Strategy from a startup phase and drawing a road map for the successful launch and sale of the Mega 75 Story Iconic Tower. Co-started the Dubai office development/Sales arm of the construction group MNG, along side the CEO and the Development Director, through a well designed plan and a defined Strategy, whereby I: • Composed and implemented an innovative Sales Strategy from a startup phase • Drew a road map for the successful launch of SLS DUBAI • Designed the International Marketing and Sales plan, and personally lead each team to a successful International reach, including China, HK, Taiwan, Nigeria, UK and Egypt through monthly Road Trips, across tier 1 and tier 2 cities. And in process of developing the business across MENA and central Europe. • Priced the entire residential component, and defined a phase-release strategy • Supported the marketing team with best approach to lead generation and brand awareness • Positioned SLS DUBAI, in less than 5 month as one of the most iconic project and a benchmark to Real Estate Developments

Manages real estate portfolio growth strategy, business planning, business development, and innovation. • Composed the company’s strategy map on business planning forecast, aiming to reposition the company as a leading Brokerage Firm • Introduced “Area of Specialization” business plan, leading to dominate Major Dubai “Villa Communities” which increased substantially the company’s sales revenues. • Secured major exclusive deals with top developers, revamped their projects image and strategies. • Developed bespoke sales force infrastructure for various new projects and existing communities. • Introduced sales workshops, developed community teams, head hunted the highest caliber brokers and main key players in the real estate market. https://www.facebook.com/DubaiRealty

Formulated the company, built the business strategy and managed the sales and marketing divisions • Rebranded and restructured the company under a franchise business model with Fine & Country Association in 2009 to cope with the 2008 housing crisis • Changed the real estate marketing landscape in 2009, by introducing a more personalized property images and adding the brokers faces for the first time on the Gulf News advertising channels. • Becoming the highest advertised company on gulf news freehold paper in 2009 with a massive lead generating outcome. • Created and successfully launched “US INVEST”, the first US property investment in the UAE that enabled customers to buy foreclosed lands from auctions in the Florida State – 2010/2011 • Created and Managed “Platinum Invest Fund”, a UAE focused property investment fund with a mixed portfolio of AED 20 Million worth - 2007/2010 • Exclusively launched and sold various high rises across Dubai and Abu Dhabi

In-charge of Segmenting, analyzing and forecasting the market of Anti-Depressant products. • Setting the Annual budget and objective for the company's anti-depressant product in the UAE. • Enhance the brand and product awareness through influencing regional leaders • Over achievement for the 2006 stretched budget with 101% over all and 8% growth over target Received the Excellence award for the 2006 outstanding performance and excellent team work

In-charge of Segmenting, analyzing and forecasting the market of Cardio-Vascular products. • Reached the company objective for the use of the Diabetic drug as “first line therapy” in the treatment of diabetes across all Major Cairo Hospitals with a leading market share Best Performer Initial Training May 2005

Responsible to build up a new business and a new production line of Blood Bags. • Working closely with European consultancy agency "Quality First International", on achieving the International standards and specified requirements for manufacturing to pass the FDA requirements in order to get the permits to export to the US across all the company’s products. • Led due diligence, strategy, operational research for the Blood Bags business across the region. • Setting down a strategy for manufacturing of blood bags to market distribution. • Quality control and management trainee program business training.

* Brand awareness, Researches and data collection of consumer habits * Participated in the Launch of both, KENT and LUCKY STRIKE in Egypt and successfully improved the conversion rates from other competitor brands