Darren Gardiner

I lead the development of large-scale real estate projects, specializing in retail, hospitality, and leisure. Currently, I'm the Director of Development at Diriyah Company, where I oversee the creation of a major retail destination in Saudi Arabia as part of a $62 billion masterplan. Before that, I held similar roles at other leading real estate companies in the Middle East and the UK. Essentially, I transform visions for new developments into reality, managing everything from design and feasibility studies to stakeholder engagement and construction.

I have over 16 years of experience in real estate development, with a focus on retail, residential, hospitality, and leisure projects in the Middle East and the UK. I have a proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex, multi-million dollar projects from concept to completion. My expertise lies in design management, stakeholder engagement, feasibility analysis, and project planning. I am passionate about creating innovative and sustainable developments that benefit communities and drive economic growth.
Currently, I am the Director of Development at Diriyah Company, where I am responsible for the creation of a major retail destination in Saudi Arabia. Prior to this, I held similar roles at other leading real estate companies, including SEVEN, MAF Properties, and Gulf Related.

My educational background reflects my commitment to professional development in the real estate field. I hold an MBA and an LLM in Construction Law from the University of Strathclyde. This combination has equipped me with both the business acumen and specialized legal knowledge essential for successful real estate development. My foundation in quantity surveying, established through my Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Edinburgh Napier University, ensures I have a keen understanding of cost management throughout the development process.