Latest news with #BenCrompton
Khaleej Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi housing faces affordability test as population rises; could legal partitions help?
Soaring demand for affordable homes in Abu Dhabi is set to intensify as the capital's population climbs towards 5.4 million by 2040, with industry insiders warning that current supply chains could leave lower‑ and middle‑income residents scrambling for unregulated options. An Abu Dhabi housing expert says regulators should rethink the focus on new luxury developments and instead tap into the city's existing building stock. 'More sensible options would be to renovate older stock and make [it] friendly to those in multiple occupations,' said Ben Crompton, managing partner at Crompton Partners. He added that authorities ought to 'permit the legal and approved partition of villas and apartments to allow those with lower incomes to live safely and within regulations.' Crompton highlighted a mismatch between what's being built and what most people can afford. 'Currently most launches are upper mid‑market to super‑luxury and the other price points aren't being serviced,' he explained. 'There seems to be a very large gap between supply and demand at a lower level, but we aren't seeing it pushing prices just yet. It seems there was some slack in the system at the lower price points, but a broad‑based increase in population will stress this sector.' Projects launched since 2020 have predominantly been priced above Dh10,000 per square metre, forcing incoming residents to turn to older, cheaper properties and — potentially — to shared or partitioned units. Legalise shared housing? With Dubai's recent crackdown on illegally partitioned villas fresh in mind, the risk of a similar scenario unfolding in Abu Dhabi is real. 'Yes, I think this will happen,' Crompton warned. 'Sections of the new population coming in will need to look elsewhere, in older stock and into partition units.' Rather than rely solely on enforcement, he argues, the capital should formalise and regulate shared living arrangements. Renovation over new builds Given today's construction costs, Crompton believes that repurposing existing buildings is the quickest path to impact. 'Developers face a big issue; most of the profit is in the more expensive projects. Given the price of construction — even with cheap land — it is hard to develop affordable housing. More sensible options would be to renovate older stock and make [it] friendly to those in multiple occupations.' This approach addresses urgent affordability concerns while supporting sustainable urban renewal. Nonetheless, not all new arrivals will strain the affordable segment. 'Given that one of the major population drivers in Abu Dhabi is the ADGM on Maryah Island and the huge number of hedge funds and asset managers relocating there, we expect to see a larger emphasis on luxury real estate than might otherwise be the case." Furthermore, limited new delivery will push up rents and prices. According to most reports only about 3,000 units were delivered in 2024; 'couple that with an increase in population of 300,000 — that is 100 new entrants per unit. Pressure on prices is inevitable.' On whether new mega‑projects drive population growth, Crompton said their role is more about attraction than generation. 'I don't believe that building real estate has much of an effect on population by itself, outside of the people hired in to work for developers and construction companies.' However, assets like the Guggenheim and the Disney theme park make Abu Dhabi more attractive to people who can choose where they want to live. 'Most new arrivals will be coming to work in the thriving economy, but a small number have independent means or can work remotely and they are drawn by these signature developments.' Suburban and satellite communities being on the rise will push development further afield. 'There needs to be more development outside the current corridors across Reem and the Northern Islands,' he said. 'Broad‑based demand will mean people looking for more affordable options and these will necessarily be further out.' Crompton noted that growing populations underpin market confidence: 'Population growth means increases in rents which by itself drives investor sentiment. If you are buying property as an asset you need returns, and rents bring those,' he explained. 'Also, the more people coming into the emirate means more potential buyers, and demand improves prices.' He cautioned that matching supply to demand is inherently difficult. 'Being a developer is a very tricky occupation. Launch to handover is at best two and a half years and that doesn't include the planning phase. It will be very hard for developers to accurately gauge demand three years into the future, and the difficulty in doing this is one of the reasons why countries generally often over‑ and under‑build for their populations.' Finally, Crompton noted little current policy emphasis on budget‑friendly segments; 'there doesn't seem to be this focus currently. Most developer launches are in the upper mid‑market range to super‑luxury. Launches in the Dh10,000 per square metre and below ranges are very rare.'
The National
02-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Emiratisation and the future of work in the UAE
For decades, most Emiratis have worked in government roles. But now, thousands are joining private companies as part of a nationwide plan to balance the workforce. Early iterations of Emiratisation began in the 1990s, with programmes formalised in the early 2000s. About three years ago, the UAE gradually implemented quotas for hiring Emiratis and gave private-sector companies deadlines to meet them. Now, those deadlines continue to come up. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim hears from our own Ali Al Shouk and Ben Crompton of Crompton Partners on Emiratisation, how it's affecting companies, and what it means for the future of work in the UAE.
The National
02-07-2025
- Business
- The National
What to know about Emiratisation
For decades, most Emiratis have worked in government roles. But now, thousands are joining private companies as part of a nationwide plan to balance the workforce. Early iterations of Emiratisation began in the 1990s, with programmes formalised in the early 2000s. About three years ago, the UAE gradually implemented quotas for hiring Emiratis and gave private-sector companies deadlines to meet them. Now, those deadlines continue to come up. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim hears from our own Ali Al Shouk and Ben Crompton of Crompton Partners on Emiratisation, how it's affecting companies, and what it means for the future of work in the UAE.
The National
29-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Private sector companies tell of benefits recruiting Emirati talent as latest deadline nears
UAE business leaders making an investment in local talent are helping to change the face of an evolving private sector landscape as the government's Emiratisation strategy takes shape. Companies told The National of the importance of integrating citizens into their workplace culture and said it was crucial to think outside of the box when launching recruitment drives. Private sector firms with 50 or more employees must ensure 7 per cent of skilled roles are filled by Emiratis by June 30, with substantial fines levied from the following month for those caught flouting the rules. The latest six-monthly target is part of the country's mission to have 10 per cent of private sector jobs taken up by Emiratis by the end of 2026. More than 141,000 Emiratis were employed in private companies by the end of May, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said. While businesses are eager to avoid financial penalties, they have been urged to adopt a big picture view of the benefits of unlocking the potential of thousands of new recruits. Learning curve Ben Crompton, managing partner of Crompton Partners estate agents in Abu Dhabi, said that starting early is essential as 'it's a learning curve for everyone involved'. 'First, we needed to know where to advertise to attract Emirati talent. Then, we needed to explain the nature of real estate pay structures [commission-based pay] in comparison to typical salaried jobs. 'We also wanted to ensure our Emirati team members were comfortably settled into a multicultural team, where English is the primary language. And finally, we needed to overcome assumptions about some Emiratis only preferring government jobs. This last challenge is merely an assumption,' said Mr Crompton. Mr Crompton said that the company has benefitted greatly from adding Emiratis to the workforce. 'Some of our clients who are local investors benefit from our Emirati team members' ability to connect with them both linguistically and culturally, and we now have even more success stories with Emirati team members working on highly successful projects that involve selling Emirati-specific properties.' Broadening scope Bader Alawadhi, executive director of Leader Group, which has an extensive portfolio of interests spanning from retail and real estate and shopping malls, said encouraging Emiratis to switch from the public sector remained a challenge. 'There is a limited pool of Emirati talent actively seeking roles in the private sector, especially outside government entities,' he said. 'Many qualified nationals are already in public sector roles that offer more attractive salaries and shorter working hours,' said Mr Alawadhi. Mr Alawadhi advised companies to broaden their scope when searching for Emirati hires and not to solely rely on recruitment portals established by the government. 'There are other talent providers and consultancies that can help access Emirati CVs. Unfortunately, many HR teams focus only on the usual platforms, which narrows the search. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation might also consider accrediting more sourcing partners to broaden the pool and help companies meet targets more efficiently.' Mr Alawadhi said that they've avoided fines on a compliance level 'but the real win has been seeing committed young Emiratis thrive within our teams'. Carving a niche Mohammed Al Gaith, a senior level worker in real estate, said that finding jobs in the private sector at the senior level proved much harder than junior level jobs. 'When I graduated around 2017, I secured a civil engineering role even before finishing university. At that time, the entry-level landscape was more open. But as you rise through the ranks, the dynamics change − networking, demographics and relationships begin to matter more than merit alone. 'I'm at the senior manager level. But even with that experience, I still face structural barriers. Emiratisation strategies in many organisations focus on entry-level or admin roles to tick the KPI [key performance indicator] box. There's far less emphasis on integrating Emiratis into strategic, decision-making positions. 'This misses a huge opportunity. Emirati professionals at the senior level can offer not just technical skill but cultural intelligence, stakeholder access and a long-term commitment to the national vision.' Mr Al Gaith advised young jobseekers to find a niche and build their career around it. He used the example that where 'there might be hundreds of civil engineers competing for the same role, there are far fewer project controls specialists or planners with deep expertise'. He added that carving a niche sets you apart and increases your value in a highly competitive market. Wealth of talent 'The work experience and knowledge gained in the private sector are extensive, given its dynamic and fast-paced environment,' said Maryam AlNuaimi, Emiratisation and early careers specialist at Marsh McLennan, a professional services company with a focus on risk and strategy. 'If companies take advantage of this initiative by implementing long-term strategies for Emirati employees, the benefits will be significant for everyone involved − the Emiratis, the companies, and the nation as a whole. 'I strongly encourage all companies to adopt this initiative, as there is a wealth of talented Emiratis with great potential,' 'Meeting deadlines is manageable if the company has a strategic recruitment plan in place for hiring Emiratis and has made an effort to maintain a solid pool of candidates to replace on time those who resign,' she added.
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers ready to 'receive offer', Celtic finalising deal, ex-Hibs man taken on trial
The latest Scottish football transfer news on Friday morning involving Rangers, Celtic, Liverpool and Ross County. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here are the latest transfer rumours surrounding Scottish football on Friday morning, including Rangers, Celtic, Liverpool and more. Ross County capture ex-Sunderland man Ross County have confirmed the signing of former Sunderland defender Ben Crompton on a two-year-contract as boss Don Cowie continues to revamp his Staggies squad following their relegation to the Scottish Championship. The 21-year-defender was released by the Stadium of Light outfit at the end of last season having been unable to break into their first team squad, but featured regularly for Tamworth in the National League after joining them on loan in the second-half of last season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was particularly impressive in their FA Cup third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur, where he came up against Timo Werner and Spurs captain Son Heung-min, with the fifth tier side taking them all the way to extra-time. 'We are really happy Ben has chosen to join us,' said Staggies boss Cowie. 'He had a really productive loan spell with Tamworth last season, and he offers a strong ability on the ball as well as an imposing physical presence.' Ex-Sunderland defender Ben Crompton has moved to Scotland. Liverpool 'make Robertson decision' Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is 'ready to allow' Scotland captain Andy Robertson to leave Anfield this summer as they edge closer to the megabucks signing of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. The 31-year-old has interest from Atletico Madrid, with his place in the Reds starting XI now under serious threat amid the pending arrival of Hungarian international Kerkez. Should the Cherries defender arrive in the coming days, it will leave Liverpool with three left-backs on their books vying for one spot, with fellow full-back Kostas Tsimikas also said to be courting interest from Leeds United. However, according to a new report, Slot is 'prepared to cash in' on Robertson, with the ex-Dundee United man said to favour a move to La Liga rather than remain in the English Premier League. Liverpool defender Andy Robertson could leave Anfield this summer. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Celtic man in 'lowest moment' Forgotten Celtic forward Luis Palma admits being taken off at half-time during Honduras' 6-0 defeat to Canada is one of his lowest moments in football. The 25-year-old is expected to leave Celtic Park this summer having fallen down the pecking order at the club. He spent the second-half of last season on loan in the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, but will not return to Erythrolefki after they opted against taking up the option to make his deal permanent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite being out of favour at club level, he was handed a start for his international side as they faced Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup match on Wednesday, but was hauled off at half-time with his side 3-0 down. "It's one of my lowest moments in my career,' said Palma in the aftermath of the defeat. We have to accept we are going through a very difficult time at the moment. But we all know that was nowhere near acceptable. Now we have to use this as a learning experience for the rest of the tournament. The whole team is devastated by this setback. Luis Palma has an uncertain future at Celtic. | AFP via Getty Images Dundee mull over deal for ex-Hibs man Dundee head coach Steven Pressley is mulling over a former Hibs and St Mirren midfielder Kyle Magennis after taking the 26-year-old on trial. The former Scotland Under-21 international is a free agent after being released by Kilmarnock last month following an injury-plagued couple of years at Rugby Park, but has been offered a chance to prove himself after being offered a trail with the Den's Park side, who returned to pre-season training this week. New boss Pressley, who replaced Tony Docherty earlier this month, will also run the rule over ex-Burnley academy player Tommy McDermott, who was released from Turf Moor last month. Both players have previously worked alongside technical manager David Longwell. Meanwhile, the club have confirmed the departures of Joe Shaughnessy, Antonio Portales, Mo Sylla and Scott Fraser following the expiration of their contracts. Kyle Magennis is on trial at Dundee following his release from Kilmarnock. | SNS Group Rangers 'set for transfer offer' Rangers are set to receive a 'formal' offer for star striker Hamza Igamane this month, as interest in the Moroccan international heats up. The 22-year-old has interest from English Premier League sides Everton and West Ham United, though it has been reported that the Ibrox hierarchy would request a 'huge price' should any side want to make an offer for his services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, according to a new report, West Ham are now in a position to launch an official bid for the forward. 'West Ham are about make a formal move for Igamane,' ex-scout Mick Brown told Football Insider. They've had scouts up there watching him and he's one of the names on their radar. But I'm told they're not convinced he's ready to make the step up to the Premier League. He's looked impressive for Rangers at times, but he's playing in a side which finished 17 points short of Celtic, so it's a difficult one to judge.' Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is in demand this summer. | SNS Group Celtic 'edge closer' to finalising move Celtic look set to complete their second signing of the summer, after Fulham youngster Callum Osmand was spotted at their Lennoxtown training ground on Thursday, as per a report from the Herald. Brendan Rodgers has already completed the Bosman free transfer signing of former hero Kieran Tierney, and has had a bid of £1.7million accepted for Swedish international Benjamin Nygren by FC Nordsjælland, as he looks to build a squad capable of competing both domestically and in the Champions League next season.
