With his strategic brilliance and industry foresight, Mr Syed Irshad Rahman, Vice President – Sales of DAMAC Properties, has helped shape the landscape of luxury real estate in the region. In an exclusive interview with Aakanksha Naval-Shetye, the visionary talks about his journey, leadership, and the future he envisions for DAMAC and beyond
In the ever-evolving world of luxury real estate, few names resonate with as much influence and integrity as Mr. Syed Irshad Rahman, Vice President – Sales at DAMAC Properties. With nearly two decades of expertise in sales and a proven track record of driving excellence, he has not only cemented his place as a market leader but also as a visionary who continues to redefine the benchmarks of success in Dubai’s real estate landscape.
In an exclusive and indepth podcast conversation, Mr. Rahman opens up like never before. More than just a seasoned professional, he reveals the heart and human behind the title and offers an inspiring journey through his experiences, challenges, values, and triumphs. From the humble beginnings of his career to leading one of the most prestigious real estate brands in the region, he shares candid insights on leadership, legacy, and the ever-changing meaning of power.
What sets this interview apart is the raw authenticity with which Mr. Rahman speaks. With warmth and clarity, he touches on topics that go beyond business, right from the emotional intelligence behind effective leadership to the moral compass that guides his decisions. As he puts it, true power lies not just in money or position, but in the ability to uplift others and leave behind a meaningful legacy.
Whether you’re an aspiring professional, a seasoned executive, or someone passionate about the evolving face of real estate in Dubai, this conversation offers valuable takeaways and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with vision and purpose.
Excerpts from a chat as we discover the real man behind the success!
Coming from such a position of power, what does power mean to you?
Frankly the definition of power keeps changing from time to time. Like when I first started, I thought power is money, then I thought it’s your position, but then I realized that being a good human being, having a good legacy, being able to influence people to be better human beings felt like power to me. But I would say it’s a combination of everything, and that includes financially, emotionally, and professionally.
You have been in Dubai for quite a long time now, but what was it that first brought you here?
I first came here for a short visit in 1999 – 2000. I had just completed my post-graduation and I was looking for a job, so I’d just wanted to look at the markets here. I went back to India in a few weeks time, but then I got a job offer here which brought me back and I have been here since. And I’ve never really thought of going anywhere else because I feel like Dubai is the best place in the world to be.
What do you most love about it?
The fact that travel-wise we are so close to India, and we don’t feel like we are away from home at all! The safety here, the luxury, the lifestyle, are all such important aspects, including the infrastructure. People from all over the world are moving here because of the safety here, plus we don’t have to pay taxes. So it’s a combination of everything!
“…There’s been a lot of influx of multi-millionaires moving from all over the world to Dubai. So it’s become very effective for us in terms of real estate as well for the clients who want to buy real estate. Another important draw has been the Golden Visa. It has been a game-changer! People are now looking at long-term plans here rather than short-term goals!”
Indians make for a huge part of expats here, what would you say about their contribution to the country’s progress?
Ever since UAE was formed, whether it’s medical field or labourers or real estate or anything which is linked to any industry over here, we Indians have played a very big role in it. Luxury to real estate, Indians are a huge market too.
As a visionary and a market-leader in the real estate industry here, what would you say have been the biggest trends that have emerged especially post-covid?
Dubai was more beneficial post-covid and it has been proven that there is no better place than Dubai in terms of security, safety, healthwise! If you remember, Dubai was the first city to get vaccinations. A lot of countries could not provide it even to the richest, whereas, in Dubai, every resident was vaccinated free of cost. When Covid was announced, it was openly announced that the residents of Dubai are the responsibility of the country so anything related to hospitals, health, medicine, vaccinations was taken care of. That earned so much trust that people from all over the world realised that Dubai is the place to be, so there’s been a lot of influx of multi-millionaires moving from all over the world to Dubai. So it’s become very effective for us in terms of real estate as well for the clients who want to buy real estate. Another important draw has been the Golden Visa. It has been a game-changer! People are now looking at long-term plans here rather than short-term goals!
“I think the transparency and the quick process is a huge draw! Like once you decide the property, the paperwork and the process is smooth and convenient. Everything is digital and that eases the process.”
Also the infrastructure is unparalleled and all this without any taxes…
Yes, that’s true. I’ve been here for the last 20 years and every few months there’s been constant development – a new route, a new bridge, people are always on the move here which is helping the economy of the country, which in turn is boosting real estate here.
Besides the city itself, what makes Dubai such a draw for real estate?
I think the transparency and the quick process is a huge draw! Like once you decide the property, the paperwork and the process is smooth and convenient. Everything is digital and that eases the process.
If you had to give some advice to the investors who are looking at investing in real estate in Dubai, are there any specific areas you’d recommend?
I would recommend them to invest in Dubai Maritime City, which is in the heart of Dubai and a few minutes drive from the international airport. Also having a sea-facing apartment is really a wonderful location to invest in. We at Damac have co-branded with Chelsea Football Club and have our Chelsea Residences, which I would definitely recommend people to buy, as this will give you very good ROI. Plus the concept is a huge draw. Since it’s built on the theme of Chelsea Football Club, you’ll find a lot of features and amenities. So this will make for a very good investment. If you are looking for something that’s more reasonably priced, I would recommend our Riverside apartments that are up for sale. They give very good ROI for Air BnB. Also since they are located close to the airport, they are much in demand. There are a lot of communities coming around, and I think Damac is one of the best communities. The first phase is fully sold out, but we still have a few apartments. Plus we also have projects in Damac Islands, which are fully sold out but we may have new releases in Dubai Marina, which are Cavalli themed. For Damac Island, our ambassadors are Bollywood stars Amitabh Bacchan, Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan, so it was a great impact on Indians because of these superstars and also it became a brand worldwide. The Damac island villas and communities have been really well-received so they’re a great place to invest whether it’s luxury living or simply investments.
Dubai is known for luxury. So is there something you like to indulge in, watches or cars perhaps?
I am not really a great great fan of buying watches or cars, though I do own a few expensive time-pieces! Whenever I have good money, I invest in real estate! As an insider, we know where to buy, so I would always prefer purchasing and investing in real estate over impulsive buys of other kinds.
As a market leader, what helps you take the decisions and what keeps you grounded?
When it comes to company decisions, we have our top management that takes care of the market trends. In fact, we are one of the fastest decision making companies in Dubai. As for me, as an individual, the most important thing is staying grounded, being close to the brokers, to our teams, to our management which is to be accessed by everyone. We are used to working in high stress situations, so it’s important to stay grounded on the personal front too. Your family plays an important role, especially when it comes to destressing.
So, when you are not busy in your boardroom, what will you be most likely seen doing to destress?
I spend time with my family on holidays, or vacations which I try to take atleast twice or thrice a year. On weekends, I go out with my friends or family for a movie. I have two daughters so I spend most of the time with them and that’s the best stress buster. There’s so much to do in Dubai, so many places to visit, so there’s always something happening on that front. Besides, movies are outings we enjoy a lot.
“The most important thing for me is to be ethical and honest in whatever I do. I can’t manipulate things, and that’s my nature. In fact, it will show on my face if I ever try that. I hope all the youngsters instill this in them because this should be a core innate part of any professional.”
And what is the core ethic that defines your choices or decisions?
The most important thing for me is to be ethical and honest in whatever I do. I can’t manipulate things, and that’s my nature. In fact, it will show on my face if I ever try that. I hope all the youngsters instill this in them because this should be a core innate part of any professional.
Talking about movies, were films a part of your early years?
Of course, you know being an Indian, Bollywood toh khoon mein hai (laughs). Even my mom was a fan of actors and actresses back in India as well as the music, so Bollywood was a huge part of our growing years.
“I didn’t have posters, but I remember, the first postcard I bought when I was in school was Aamir Khan’s postcard from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. I still remember I used to go to the stationary shops and used to ask for Amir Khan’s postcards.”
Whose posters did you have in your room?
I didn’t have posters, but I remember, the first postcard I bought when I was in school was Aamir Khan’s postcard from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. I still remember I used to go to the stationary shops and used to ask for Amir Khan’s postcards. Anything new came up, I used to buy that. So there’s a lot of nostalgia attached to films. I remember when I was in 10th standard, the first time I bunked my class and went and watched a movie in the theatre and when my parents found out there was a situation back home!
If you had to give advice to your 25 year old self, what would it be?
To travel a lot. I enjoy it now too, but the kind of fun I would’ve had at 25, would’ve been much different and enjoyable, because back then in college with friends and all its totally different. and you are quite charismatic as well so it’s good.
And what advice would you give to youngsters today?
What I’ve observed in the last few years is that the youngsters are very short-term oriented. They don’t have a vision and want shortcuts in everything. I wish they would understand that nothing comes for free and that there’s a lot of perseverance, hard work and patience that goes into being successful and that you have to earn it the hard way. Also have the right influence in your life who will take you in the right direction in life.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
For me it was my dad and I still try to imbibe the good qualities he had. Unfortunately he passed away in 2018 but I still carry his legacy. But all through my life, I’ve been inspired by many people who made an impact through my different phases – from teachers to bosses that I worked under.