Robert Di Franco

Key Responsibilities: Stakeholders
· Technical Advisor to H.H. Sheik Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi (Ruler of Ras Al Khaima)
· Technical Advisor to H.H. Sheik Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qassimi (Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaima)
· Technical Advisor to other Royal Family Members and Ras Al Khaima Palace Authority
· Board advisor with/for other Ras Al Khaima Government Authorities E.G. Ras Al Khaima Tourism Development Authority, Ras Al Khaima Hospitality, RAK Municipality, RAK Investment Development Office, RAK Protocol Department
Highlights:
Asset/Facilities Management of 3.3 Billion USD Mixed Asset on International Portfolio- Residential/Hospitality/Retail/F&B
Managed a Project Portfolio of 2.1 Billion USD Mixed Portfolio-Residential, Marine, Infrastructure, Hospitality/MICE, Retail/F&B
VVIP Stakeholder Management including High Level Liaison and coordination with local and federal authorities.
Key Achievements and Responsibilities:
Hospitality-
• ** 34 Key Boutique Ritz Carlton Beach Resort Hotel GDV 36 Million USD Led from Asset Transfer, Redevelopment to Operator Handover now Managing it as an OpCO Interest of Al Hamra
· **126 key Ritz Carlton Desert Resort Hotel GDV 122 million USD Partial Design-Operator Handover
· ** MICE Convention Center GDV 27 million AED Led from Inception to Operator Handover
· Attends Monthly Business Review meetings with Hotel Operators
· Liaises with Hotel Operators Technical/Engineering Services team for current 5 and upcoming Hotel Properties + Asset Performance Reviews
· **Completed full design and became the first property to achieve 92.3% Building Efficiency (GFA/BUA) Design-Enabling works currently.
· Negotiation of HMA and TSA Agreement on New Hotel
· Design and Build of a New Golf Club Facility including Retail, F&B, and Members Area +Course refurbishment
· **Identified 3.6 million AED per annum in Operational Cost Savings
· Analysis and execution of Asset improvement on existing Hospitality Projects including dilapidation surveys.
· Design on Existing Hilton Beach and Golf Resort + Mock-up Execution
· Design of New 4 Seasons Resort Hotel
· Operator CAPEX request review and approval for 5 hotels

Retail:
· Design and Delivery of 120, 000 SQF Manar Mall Masterplan development that includes Mall, Hotel, and New Retailtainment and waterfront area.
· Oversaw Retail leasing, Fit-out and coordination teams including execution of works.
· Analysis and implementation of Retail Asset and operational improvements.
· Al Hamra Mall Extension Phase I (Parking and F&B)
· Tbilsi, Georgia Mall Extension and Asset Enhancement Phases I &II Design-Completion
· Created new boutique/Bespoke contracts that were more employer-centric in nature but still referred to FIDIC Guidelines
· Created a Marina F&B Area including tenant coordination and fit-out works.

Residential:
· Completion and Handover of 160 LEED Certified Residential
· Creation of an Affordable Housing Product
· Design + Feasibilty on Phase II Bayti Homes
· Achieved a residential product at a construction cost of below 220 per SFT utilizing modern technology and building methodology.
· Real Estate Product Development E.G. Identifying retail and residential opportunities for development and making recommendations to the board.

Marine and Infrastructure Works:
• Delivered a new Class 5 Marina Master Plan including 222 Berths, Fueling Station, An RYA Sailing Club and Academy, Retail, F&B, Interactive Public Spaces, and Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration Base. Design to Handover
• New Beach head construction to complement Hospitality Assets, Armored Revetment, Groins, and defensive barriers. Approx. 1km at Al Hamra Beach. Phase I Design, Marine Studies, review, stakeholder approval, Phase II Execution Phase 3 Old handover, New TOC/Handing Over
• Quay Wall 900 M, Secant Pile sea walls 500 m, Armored Rock Revetment, Protective Groins, 3000m2 Mangrove Reclamation and Re-Nourishment in coordination with Local Authorities.

Managed Luxury Class and Retail Division and multiple projects with specific responsibility for Kadinsky House development project. Full lifecycle and project team operational management responsibilities, introducing comprehensive employee engagement and incentive program to engender collaborative culture
Co-ordinate global Architectural, Engineering and Interior Design Management stakeholders across 5 countries - managed budgets, operational processes including scheduling, risk and health and safety compliance and vendor relations including contract negotiation and management.
Responsible for sourcing, evaluating and approving all raw material, furniture and façade materials to ensure highest quality and standards.
Introduced western project management approach and building practices, developed and lead Project Management Training program. Introduced stringent QA/QC standards and HSE procedures, integrated ISO/OSHA/ Fidich Guidelines, HR Policies and Working Practice Code of Ethics.