JLL, one of the world's leading real estate investment and advisory firms, has announced the appointment of Michael Heitmann as its new head of strategic consulting team for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

Heitmann has over 17 years of experience in the real estate industry, having worked extensively in the GCC, Levant, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He joined JLL in 2007 to develop its advisory business in the region. His comprehensive consulting capabilities include real estate developments, undertaking feasibility studies, highest and best use studies, risk analyses, and valuations and transactions of real estate developments, said a statement from JLL.

He has an in-depth knowledge on mixed-use developments, airports, metro networks, leisure and entertainment, affordable housing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and industrial projects, it added.

Alan Robertson, the chief executive of JLL Mena, said: "Heitmann has exemplified excellent leadership during his tenure at JLL, and I am confident in his ability in his new role as head of strategic consulting for Mena. He will be responsible for providing strategic advisory services to private and institutional investors, developers, financiers, owners and occupiers."

Heitmann’s expertise will be invaluable for both domestic and international clients, and he will be overseeing several high-profile and complex developments across the region, he added

On his new role, Heitmann said: "Our business maintains a market leading position and I am thrilled to be leading such a dynamic team. This is an interesting time for expanding capabilities and working on high-profile and complex developments across the region. I look forward to continue to drive growth within our businesses."

Before joining JLL, Heitmann worked for more than six years with PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) in the advisory real estate team in Berlin and Frankfurt (Germany), said the JLL statement.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, Germany, besides a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences in Wedel, Germany, it added.-TradeArabia News Service