Property Finder welcomes Owen Wilson, CEO of REA Group, to its Board of Directors in a major industry move
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 19, 2025: Property Finder, MENA's leading property portal (or 'the company'), has announced the appointment of Owen Wilson, CEO of REA Group, to its Board of Directors. Wilson brings decades of executive and operational experience, including nine years at REA Group, where he progressed from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Executive Officer.
During his tenure he led REA Group, which operates realestate.com.au, Australia's #1 property platform, through a period of sustained growth and international expansion. Under his leadership, the business became widely regarded as the most advanced digital real estate company in the world. Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) with a market capitalisation of approximately USD $20 billion, REA Group, a former shareholder in Property Finder, is majority-owned by News Corp, the global media company founded by Rupert Murdoch.
Wilson's addition to the Property Finder Board signals the company's ambition to accelerate innovation, underscore governance, and deliver even greater value to home seekers, buyers and partners across the MENA region.
Michael Lahyani, Founder and CEO of Property Finder, said: "Owen brings deep industry expertise to our Board. His leadership at REA Group, shaping digital transformation, driving strategic M&A, and championing customer-first innovation sets a strong benchmark for the industry. As we continue our mission to change living for good in the region, Owen's insight will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our purpose and strengthen our position as the regional leader."
Owen Wilson, Board Member, Property Finder, adds, 'I'm deeply passionate about creating personalised experiences that redefine how people engage with property. I've long admired Property Finder's bold vision and the transformative role it plays in reshaping real estate across the MENA region. Under Michael's leadership, the team's relentless focus on innovation, customer experience, and data-driven decision-making closely aligns with the values I've championed throughout my career. I'm excited to support Michael and the Board as the company embarks on its next chapter of growth and continues to shape the future of property search.'
About Property Finder
Property Finder is a pioneering property portal in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, dedicated to shaping an inclusive future for real estate while spearheading the region's growing tech ecosystem. At its core is a clear and powerful purpose: To change living for good in the region. Founded on the value of great ambitions, Property Finder connects millions of property seekers with thousands of real estate professionals every day. The platform offers a seamless and enriching experience, empowering both buyers and renters to make informed decisions.
Since its inception in 2007, Property Finder has evolved into a trusted partner for developers, brokers, and home seekers and buyers. As a lighthouse tech company, it continues to create an environment where people can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the transformation of real estate in MENA.
For more information, please contact: Gambit PR & Communications
propertyfinder@gambit.ae
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
5 minutes ago
- Zawya
New report by DHL spotlights top AI and social media trends shaping online shopping in the UAE
89% want AI-driven shopping tools — from virtual try-ons to voice search — to guide their decisions 84% abandon their carts when preferred delivery options are missing 42% drop out due to sustainability concerns Dubai, UAE: Social commerce is rapidly becoming the new e-commerce as a vast majority of UAE consumers (86%) say they have already made a purchase via social media, and 96% expect these platforms to become their primary shopping destination by 2030. This is according to the findings of DHL's E-Commerce Trends Report 2025, which draws on insights from 24,000 online shoppers across 24 key global markets, including the UAE. The report underscores how the traditional e-commerce website is increasingly being replaced — or bypassed — by social platforms as consumers are turning to apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook not just for discovery, but for purchase. The power of influence also plays a critical role, as 93% of shoppers in the UAE say viral trends and social buzz influence their buying decisions. Facebook and Instagram, in particular, are driving change in the UAE, where 69% and 68% of online shoppers report buying through the app. This shift signals a major transformation in how and where brands need to engage with their audiences, and calls for seamless, mobile-native experiences built for in-app conversion. "Our E-Commerce Trends Report underscores how UAE shoppers are becoming far more discerning as they increasingly rely on devices to make purchases. To succeed in today's competitive e-commerce market, online retailers need to understand how they can attract a diverse mix of shoppers and turn these browsers into repeat buyers. The rise of the environmentally-conscious shopper also marks a transformational shift in buying behavior – one that retailers should not take lightly," states Samer Kaissi, CEO of Gulf Cluster and UAE Country Manager at DHL Global Forwarding Middle East and Africa. Delivery remains the No. 1 conversion killer and the biggest drivers of cart abandonment, with 84% of consumers in the UAE saying they would abandon their purchase if their preferred delivery option is not available. Just as critically, 85% will leave if the return process doesn't match their expectations. Trust also plays a major role, with 67% of shoppers in the UAE reporting that they will not buy from a retailer if they don't trust the delivery and returns provider. A vast majority (82%) also now consider sustainability when making online purchases and 42% have actively abandoned their carts due to sustainability concerns. These expectations emphasize the importance of transparent, customer-centric logistics strategies — not just as an operational concern, but as a core part of the conversion funnel. One of the most highly anticipated and demanded innovations among consumers is virtual try-ons, AI-powered shopping assistants, and voice-enabled product search. Shopping via voice commands is already on the rise, with 59% shoppers in the UAE making purchases hands-free. Additionally, 68% of shoppers in the UAE express willingness to participate in recycling or buy-back programs offered by retailers. These behaviors point to a growing expectation that brands will not only reduce their footprint, but actively empower consumers to shop more sustainably. DHL's insights provide a clear roadmap for retailers aiming to capture the attention of today's diverse shopper demographics. By embracing technology, prioritizing sustainability, and understanding the evolving preferences of consumers, businesses can transform challenges into opportunities. Further insights and information as well as the full report are available under the following link: or About the DHL E-Commerce Trends Report 2025 The E-Commerce Trends Report 2025 surveyed 24,000 consumers from Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Its findings offer actionable insights for e-commerce brands seeking to meet changing expectations, personalize experiences, and create growth through smarter logistics and innovation. You can find the press release for download as well as further information on Media Contact: DHL Group Media Relations Sara Seggari On the internet: Follow us at: DHL – The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as 'The logistics company for the world'. DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
Zawya
21 minutes ago
- Zawya
MVola: Powering financial inclusion at scale with WSO2
Dubai, UAE – MVola, Madagascar's pioneering mobile money service and the country's first licensed digital bank, is redefining how millions access and manage financial services. As MVola scaled operations and transitioned from a telecom-run service into a standalone digital bank, the company faced the critical challenge of building a modern, resilient, and scalable digital infrastructure. In response, MVola turned to WSO2 to provide a cloud-native integration and API management platform that could support its rapid growth and need for operational independence. "We needed a platform that could deliver both reliability and flexibility at scale—WSO2 gave us exactly that,' said Lakruwan Senevirathne, Chief Information Officer at MVola. Working alongside MVola's internal teams, iTelaSoft implemented a comprehensive WSO2 API Management solution at MVola. Head of EMEA at iTelaSoft, Shiraz Thajudeen said, 'We implemented the solution for MVola, thereby centralizing API management, improving scalability, and supporting 100 million transactions monthly. This reduced operational risks, enhanced performance, and positioned MVola for future growth with real-time insights.' With WSO2, MVola now manages over 20 APIs that handle more than 1 billion transactions each year. These include over 300 million high-volume, customer-to-merchant transactions powered through a stable integration with Amdocs DFS. The company also launched a secure, branded developer portal using WSO2, enabling external partners to easily integrate MVola's payment services into their own apps and websites. 'WSO2 helped us expand beyond internal capabilities and open our ecosystem to trusted third parties—critical to our mission of driving digital inclusion,' Senevirathne added. Beyond performance and scalability, WSO2's platform ensures consistent service delivery across channels, from the USSD interface to the Super App, allowing MVola to meet customers where they are—regardless of device or connectivity. Real-time analytics and seamless monitoring have further enhanced MVola's ability to proactively optimize services and ensure continuous improvement. "WSO2 has been instrumental in helping us build a future-proof digital banking platform," said Senevirathne. "Their technology supports our goal of delivering accessible financial services to every Malagasy citizen, and positions us to keep innovating as demand grows.' About MVola Launched in 2010, MVola's mission is to provide access to affordable, high-quality financial services to all citizens in Madagascar. They are aiming for financial inclusion of the entire Malagasy population by offering them equal opportunities for success. By making money transfers accessible, MVola simplifies the lives of more than 10 million customers and also develops innovative savings, advance, and insurance services. MVola became the first Electronic Money Establishment (EME) in Madagascar in 2018 and obtained bank status in 2021, thus becoming the first digital bank in Madagascar. About WSO2 Founded in 2005, WSO2 is the largest independent software vendor providing open-source API management, integration, and identity and access management (IAM) to thousands of enterprises in over 90 countries. WSO2's products and platforms—including our next-gen internal developer platform, Choreo—empower organizations to leverage the full potential of artificial intelligence and APIs for securely delivering the next generation of AI-enabled digital services and applications. Our open-source, AI-driven, API-first approach frees developers and architects from vendor lock-in and enables rapid digital product creation. Recognized as leaders by industry analysts, WSO2 has more than 800 employees worldwide with offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US, with over USD100M in annual recurring revenue. Visit to learn more. Follow WSO2 on LinkedIn and X (Twitter). About iTelaSoft iTelaSoft is an innovation partner specializing in solving business challenges through technological solutions. Founded in 2009, the company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and has a team of over 150 experts working globally, including strategists, architects, DevOps engineers, designers, and developers. iTelaSoft offers services such as product development, digital transformation, AI enablement, custom software development and implementing WSO2 solutions and Salesforce. Their focus is on delivering tailored, impactful solutions to organizations of all sizes. For more details, visit iTelaSoft. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Zawya
22 minutes ago
- Zawya
ATPI appoints first female general manager in Saudi Arabia as part of strategic expansion through Arjaa ATPI
ATPI, a global leader in business travel and events management, has appointed Zara Higgins as General Manager for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone for Arjaa ATPI, its joint venture with the esteemed Al Majdouie Group. This appointment signals Arjaa ATPI's commitment to the Kingdom and its alignment with the ambitions of Vision 2030. Zara will lead Arjaa ATPI's Saudi Arabia operation, overseeing the delivery of advanced business travel solutions, strategic growth initiatives, and the development of a high-performing local team. Her focus will be on deploying innovative travel technology, enhancing service efficiency, and ensuring an exceptional client experience across the Kingdom. Zara will also retain her role of Global Head of Energy for the ATPI group to drive continued growth across the energy sector. This appointment is particularly noteworthy as Zara becomes the first female leader within Arjaa ATPI, and within the corporate travel sector in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the progressive leadership of the Al Majdouie Group, who continue to position themselves as trailblazers across the Kingdom. By empowering women in leadership roles, the Group is contributing meaningfully to the Kingdom's evolving economic and social landscape, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals for diversity and inclusion in the workforce. 'Being appointed to lead the operation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at such a transformative time is a real privilege,' Zara commented. 'This is an incredible time to be joining the business as Saudi Arabia is a market with significant opportunities, innovation, and ambition. I am committed to supporting our team, clients, and the industry with cutting-edge travel solutions, through investing in local talent and technology. My ambition is for Arjaa ATPI to lead the way and transform the business travel sector across the Kingdom'' Lynn Coutts, Managing Director for the Middle East at ATPI, commented: 'Zara's appointment is a proud moment for Arjaa ATPI and a reflection of our belief in investing in exceptional talent to lead our regional growth. Zara brings a wealth of experience, a strong focus on innovation, and a collaborative leadership style that aligns perfectly with our goals in the Kingdom. We are confident she will make a lasting impact.' Under Zara's leadership, Arjaa ATPI will continue to evolve its offering in line with local market needs, focusing on automation, sustainability, duty of care, and operational excellence. This strategy supports businesses across Saudi Arabia as they scale up and modernise their travel operations, in line with the broader ambitions of Vision 2030. Arjaa ATPI, formed through a strategic partnership between ATPI and the Al Majdouie Group, offers clients in Saudi Arabia access to world-class travel management capabilities, powered by global technology and delivered with local expertise. The joint venture combines ATPI's international network and technology leadership with Al Majdouie's deep-rooted presence and reputation in the Kingdom.
