Manama: Gulf Holding Company (GHC), the Kuwait-based developer of the $700 million Villamar project in Bahrain, yesterday announced the appointment of Laith Yousif Al Memar as chief development officer.

In the new role, Mr Al Memar will oversee GHC’s real estate projects across the region.

GHC chief executive Majed Al Khan said the firm was confident of delivering its flagship Villamar project as a “luxury mixed-use residential project in the Bahrain Financial Harbour” with Mr Al Memar taking a leadership role.

“With the restructuring and reactivation of key projects, GHC has reaffirmed its commitment to its investors and shareholders,” he added.

Mr Al Memar has more than 30 years of commercial and residential real estate experience, which includes structuring investments, fund management, logistics, property management and executing new property developments.

Prior to joining GHC, he was the chief executive of Al Khaleej Development (Tameer) from 2009 until 2015. He was also a board member of several companies, including Bahrain Investment Wharf, Tamcon Contracting Company, Tala Island Development and Durrat Marina Bahrain. Earlier in September, the company announced a new leadership when it named Mr Al Khan as the new chief executive.

Since then, Mr Al Khan has embarked upon the process of restructuring the company and reactivating flagship projects.