Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) has announced the appointment of Bertrand Julien-Laferriere as CEO of the properties business which has a portfolio worth $10 billion.

Julien-Laferriere joined in February 2015 and is responsible for the overall growth of the group’s entire property portfolio, in addition to the pipeline of development projects. The portfolio comprises 17 shopping malls, 11 hotels and three mixed-use communities.

Commenting on the appointment, Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding (MAF), said: “Bertrand has extensive experience in international development and in managing real estate firms over the past 30 years. His appointment will help strengthen Majid Al Futtaim’s regional leadership position and I know he will play an instrumental role to support the future of the company and our next phase of growth.”

Julien-Laferriere was the Managing Director of the world famous Ricardo Bofill design practice and has worked in hospitality, with worldwide responsibilities for Accor Hotels and Club Méditerranée. Prior to joining MAF he has held executive positions for both listed and non-listed real estate firms including Chief Development Officer and Member of the Management Board of Unibail-Rodamco, the largest real estate investment trust in Europe specializing in shopping malls. This was before his appointment as CEO of Société Foncière Lyonnaise in 2010, a French listed real estate company with a $5 billion of prime office and commercial assets in Paris Central Business District.

Following the appointment Ghaith Shocair will resume his role of Chief Financial Officer for MAF Properties after stepping in as Acting CEO since September 2014.