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George Azar

Chairman & CEO | Sotheby’s International Realty

(Dubai, United Kingdom & Saudi Arabia)

Dubai, AE

George Azar

Full Circle Capital

Verender Badial

ME Asset Management Ltd

George Azar’s Biography

George Azar is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s International Realty across the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, overseeing luxury residential real estate operations across major international wealth markets. His work focuses on prime and super-prime property, international investment and advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices and private clients on cross-border real estate.

Since 2013, George has served as Chairman and CEO of Dubai Sotheby's International Realty, building it into one of the region's leading luxury real estate brokerages. He now also leads the operations of Sotheby's International Realty in Abu Dhabi. He expanded the Sotheby's International Realty footprint into Saudi Arabia, and in 2023 took over the UK business, broadening its reach across Prime Central London and the broader UK market.

Prior to luxury real estate, George spent more than a decade in international private banking, wealth management and corporate finance. He began his career with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith in the Middle East and... George Azar is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s International Realty across the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, overseeing luxury residential real estate operations across major international wealth markets. His work focuses on prime and super-prime property, international investment and advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices and private clients on cross-border real estate.

Since 2013, George has served as Chairman and CEO of Dubai Sotheby's International Realty, building it into one of the region's leading luxury real estate brokerages. He now also leads the operations of Sotheby's International Realty in Abu Dhabi. He expanded the Sotheby's International Realty footprint into Saudi Arabia, and in 2023 took over the UK business, broadening its reach across Prime Central London and the broader UK market.

Prior to luxury real estate, George spent more than a decade in international private banking, wealth management and corporate finance. He began his career with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith in the Middle East and later worked with Swiss Bank Corporation. In 1998, he became General Manager of Banque SCS Alliance Groupe.

George joined Union Bancaire Privée in Dubai as a Director in 2001 and was promoted to Managing Director in 2004. In 2005, he established and led UBP Qatar LLC as Chief Executive Officer, advising high-net-worth clients across the region. His banking and wealth management experience continues to inform his approach to property investment and long-term wealth strategy.

Known for identifying opportunities and building long-term client relationships, George has developed businesses across major international wealth centres. He was named among the 100 Most Influential People in Private Wealth on the Spear’s Power List 2025.

He obtained his MBA at the American College of Switzerland and speaks English, French and Arabic. READ MORE VIEW LESS

George Azar’s Newsfeed

Sothebys

Among the Stars: Chairman and CEO George Azar Honoured in Spear’s 2025 Power List

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Finance World

Top 150 Real Estate Icons of the UAE 2025 – Finance World Powerlist

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George Azar’s Background

Sotheby's International Realty

Chairman & CEO | Abu Dhabi

2025 - Present

Abu Dhabi, AE

George launched the Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty business in 2025, extending the group’s UAE presence beyond Dubai. The firm operates in the luxury and super-prime residential market and works with developers on projects in areas including Saadiyat Island and Al Maryah Island.

Sotheby's International Realty UK

Chairman & CEO | UK

2023 - Present

London, UK

George acquired the UK Sotheby’s International Realty business in 2023 and subsequently expanded its brokerage and leadership teams across Prime Central London and the wider UK market. Under his direction, the firm has reported significant growth and leading market share in Mayfair for two consecutive years.

Sotheby's International Realty

Chairman & CEO | Dubai

2013 - Present

Dubai, AE

George has led Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty since 2013, overseeing its growth in the UAE’s prime and super-prime residential property market. The business advises private clients and investors on luxury residential sales, acquisitions and investment opportunities in Dubai.

Sotheby's International Realty

Chairman & CEO | Saudi Arabia

2013 - Present

Dubai, AE

George oversees Sotheby’s International Realty’s Saudi Arabian operations, covering luxury and super-prime property across markets including Riyadh and Jeddah. The business works with private clients, investors and developers on high-value residential property and new developments.

Union Bancaire Privée (UBP)

Chief Executive Officer | Qatar

Mar 2005 - Jan 2010

Doha, QA

George established UBP Qatar LLC in 2005 and served as Chief Executive Officer, advising affluent clients in the region as part of Union Bancaire Privée’s international private banking operations.

Union Bancaire Privée (UBP)

Managing Director

2001 - 2011

Dubai, AE

George joined Union Bancaire Privée’s Dubai office as a Director in 2001 and was promoted to Managing Director in 2004. His work focused on private banking and wealth management for clients across the Gulf region.

CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA (CBH Bank) | Formerly: Banque SCS Alliance S.A.

1998 - 2001

Geneva, CH

Banque SCS Alliance S.A. was a Geneva-based Swiss private bank specialising in wealth management. It changed its name to CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA (CBH Bank) in December 2009.

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George Azar’s Gallery

Media

George Azar | News

Updates & Insights

Dubai, AE

View George's Insights & Updates here.

Sotheby's International Realty UK

The Journal

London, UK

View Sotheby's Journals & Blogs here.

Awards & Recognition

Spear's Power List 2025

Named | Among the 100 Most Influential in Private Wealth (2025)

Nov 2025

London, UK

George Azar was named to the 2025 Spear’s Power List, which recognises 100 leading figures shaping the world of private wealth. The annual list celebrates influential individuals across business, finance, entrepreneurship and the wider wealth management sector.

Finance World Magazine | Top 150 Real Estate Icons in the UAE | 2025

Named

2025

George Azar was named among Finance World Magazine’s Top 150 Real Estate Icons in the UAE for 2025, recognising leading figures within the country’s real estate sector.

George Azar’s Education

American College of Switzerland

MBA | General Business Administration & Management