Turned Bold Career Risks Into Retail Leadership

From beginning his career in sales in the UAE to becoming Chief Leasing Officer at Upwyde Developments, Sobhy Mourad has built a professional journey shaped by ambition, bold decisions and a deep understanding of commercial real estate.

With experience across more than 40 malls and retail developments, his story reflects the importance of taking risks, recognizing opportunities and building a career around something you genuinely love.

From Early Sales Experience to Discovering His Professional Purpose

Every successful career begins with a decision to explore something new. For Sobhy Mourad, that journey started in the United Arab Emirates, where he spent four years working in sales at Amer Dubai.

Those early years introduced him to customer relationships, negotiation, business development and the competitive nature of the UAE market.

Rather than following a predictable career path, Sobhy decided to explore entrepreneurship. He established his own real estate brokerage company in Dubai, working with property opportunities across international markets.

Running a business brought valuable lessons about responsibility, financial decisions and understanding client expectations.

Although entrepreneurship offered independence, Sobhy was still discovering the industry that would eventually define his professional identity.

His next move would take him back to Egypt, where commercial real estate leasing became his passion.

Finding His Passion at Mall of Arabia

Returning to Egypt marked a major turning point in Sobhy’s career.

He joined MARAKEZ, associated with the Alhokair Group, and became involved in retail leasing operations at Mall of Arabia in 6th of October City.

Working within a major shopping destination gave him a deeper understanding of how successful malls operate.

He learned that leasing is not simply about filling empty spaces. It involves understanding customer behavior, selecting suitable brands and creating a retail environment that attracts visitors.

His responsibilities expanded across important retail assets, including Mall of Arabia’s first phase and expansion, Mall of Tanta, Town Center and D5M.

These experiences helped Sobhy develop expertise in tenant relationships, retail positioning and commercial negotiations.

More importantly, he discovered that leasing combined everything he enjoyed about business: strategy, people, creativity and measurable results.

Building Experience Across Major Retail Developments

As his experience grew, Sobhy began taking on greater leadership responsibilities.

He joined Almarasem International, part of the BinLadin Group’s business network, as Deputy Leasing and Retail Director.

The position introduced him to larger commercial real estate development strategies across Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

His responsibilities involved supporting the expansion of commercial portfolios, including developments across East Cairo, West Cairo, the North Coast and the Saudi retail market.

Working across different locations required him to understand changing consumer expectations, investment priorities and retail demand.

Every project presented different challenges, from attracting suitable tenants to creating a balanced commercial environment.

Through these experiences, Sobhy strengthened his ability to connect development objectives with practical leasing strategies.

His professional journey also extended across markets including Bahrain, further expanding his regional understanding.

Moving Beyond Leasing Into Strategic Business Transformation

One of the most significant chapters in Sobhy’s career came through his leadership role at LMD Group.

As Director of Leasing and Retail, he became increasingly involved in the strategic direction of commercial assets.

His work extended beyond traditional retail leasing into asset management, commercial positioning, office leasing, specialty leasing and portfolio strategy.

For Sobhy, successful retail destinations require more than recognizable international brands.

They need the right tenant mix, financial planning, customer experience and long-term commercial vision.

He focused on helping businesses improve leasing cycles, budgeting, sales performance and the overall positioning of their commercial developments.

This strategic approach transformed his understanding of leadership.

Rather than concentrating only on individual transactions, he began examining how leasing decisions influence the performance of entire developments.

His experience demonstrated that commercial success comes from connecting every part of the business.

Leading Upwyde Developments Into Its Next Growth Chapter

Today, Sobhy serves as Chief Leasing Officer at Upwyde Developments, bringing years of regional experience into a senior leadership position.

Upwyde is advancing a portfolio of nine projects featuring lifestyle malls, community centers and mixed-use destinations.

His responsibilities include leading the leasing function, overseeing Lease Contract Management and supervising the Retail Design and Delivery function.

These responsibilities require balancing commercial opportunities with operational execution and long-term value creation.

Across his career, Sobhy has worked on more than 40 malls and retail developments in Egypt and the UAE, with broader experience across regional markets.

He has also held responsibility for leasing operations involving 12 malls.

For him, these achievements represent more than professional milestones. They reflect years of learning, difficult decisions and continuous development.

His leadership philosophy centers on building destinations that create meaningful experiences while delivering sustainable business performance.

Retalks Podcast: Creating Conversations Beyond Commercial Real Estate

Sobhy’s professional interests extend beyond shopping malls and development projects.

As the founder and host of Retalks, a podcast focused on the retail and marketing industries, he has created a platform for professional conversations and industry perspectives.

The podcast reflects his belief that knowledge becomes more valuable when people share their experiences.

Through Retalks, he connects his passion for retail with his interest in communication, industry development and professional learning.

His background also includes a Bachelor of Laws from Cairo University, providing an educational foundation that complements his experience in contracts and negotiation.

By combining practical expertise with industry conversations, Sobhy continues contributing to the wider retail business community.

The Courage to Take Risks and Know When to Move Forward

Behind Sobhy’s achievements is a personal philosophy shaped by career changes and challenging decisions.

He believes that professional growth often requires leaving familiar environments and accepting uncertainty.

One piece of advice captures his approach to life and leadership.

“Always choose the right time to let go. Without risks, life has very limited choices.”

For Sobhy, this message reflects the importance of recognizing when a chapter has served its purpose.

His transition from sales to entrepreneurship, retail leasing and executive leadership demonstrates that meaningful progress rarely happens without change.

He encourages aspiring professionals to remain curious, develop practical skills and never allow fear to determine their future.

Sobhy Mourad Building a Lasting Legacy in Retail Leadership

Looking ahead, Sobhy remains focused on strengthening commercial real estate performance through strategic leasing and thoughtful asset development.

His ambitions involve creating retail destinations that respond to changing lifestyles while supporting businesses, investors and communities.

From his early days in Dubai to leading commercial leasing strategies in Egypt, his career illustrates the value of persistence and adaptability.

For emerging professionals, Sobhy’s journey carries an inspiring lesson.

Success is not always about holding on to every opportunity. Sometimes, it begins with having the courage to pursue a better one.

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