Savills Appoints Thea Rowe To Strengthen Cross-Border Retail Advisory Expertise

Thea Rowe has recently joined the team at International real estate advisor Savills, bringing with her over a decade of experience from Bruce Gillingham Pollard. Here, she honed her skills in both the leasing and tenant representation sectors, collaborating with some of the most notable landlords and leisure operators in the UK.

Now based in Dubai, Thea's primary focus will be to enhance the company's cross-border retail advisory services in the Middle East. Her role involves assisting both new and established entities in expanding their market footprint.

In her capacity as Associate Director at Savills, Thea expressed enthusiasm about her new position, highlighting the dynamic and rapidly evolving retail landscape of the Middle East. She noted the region's openness to international businesses, which has become more pronounced recently.

Toby Hall, Head of Commercial Agency at Savills Middle East, remarked, "Thea will be an excellent addition to the cross-border retail team from the key hub of Dubai, continuing to deliver a fully integrated and consistent service offering. Brands across categories are not only recognising the region's phenomenal economic growth, but also its growing appeal as an international tourist destination. Bringing her expertise within retail leasing, Thea is well positioned to drive forward our plans in the Middle East."

Furthermore, a Savills report on luxury retail indicates that despite a slowdown in global luxury store openings, the Middle East is experiencing robust growth. Projected to see its luxury goods market double to €30 billion by 2030, the region is driven by significant contributions from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These nations are pivotal in redefining the global narrative on luxury, suggesting a bright future for high-end retail in the Middle East.

Thea Rowe's appointment is a strategic move for Savills as they look to strengthen their global retail team's capabilities, particularly in the cross-border advisory space in the Middle East. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of the retail sector make her well-equipped to support both emerging and well-established brands in navigating the market's complexities.

As the Middle East continues to cement its position as a key player in the global retail and luxury sectors, Thea's role will be instrumental in ensuring Savills' clients can capitalize on the growth opportunities available in this vibrant and evolving market.