The First Group

About Us

Our People

The First Group Board

Initiating and leading The First Group's ethos of a passion for perfection is a highly experienced first-class board of company Chairmen and Directors. Under their dexterity, guidance and supervision, The First Group team work to provide the superior and distinctive quality associated with The First Group.

Danny Lubert - Co-Founder and Joint Chairman

Danny Lubert's devotion to the global property market and aptitude to detect emerging markets has proved extremely successful, taking the group of companies to the United Kingdom, Spain, Cyprus, South East Asia and the UAE which is where he and his family are now permanently based. With a background in commerce and mathematics, Lubert specialises in financial structuring, acquisition and marketing.

Gary Shepherd - Co-Founder and Joint Chairman

British-born Gary Shepherd has been actively involved in overseas property development since the early 1980s and predominantly in partnership with Danny Lubert, upon realising the power of their collaboration. Previously Shepherd has worked in Spain and South East Asia and in the 1990s grew a large Hong Kong-based property marketing business, as well as consulting for major development companies such as Eurodisney and the Berajaya Group of Malaysia. The First Group is now Shepherd's focus and he specialises in product development.

Rob Burns - Chief Operating Officer

Rob is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University where he studied Business, Marketing and Hotel and Resort Management. His career in marketing dates back to 1986 and spans across the US, United Kingdom and Europe. He has experience in a wide array of disciplines including brand advertising, database marketing, direct mail, telemarketing, print and public relations, as well as extensive interactive experience. Having worked with major institutions around the world, Rob arrived in Dubai as the group's Chief Marketing Officer to be quickly promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

Mark Tolner - Chief Financial Officer

With over 30 years' experience in a variety of senior-level business operations, including shipping, asset management, venture capital and feature film production and distribution, Mark has proudly assisted in the key development of a huge number of international ventures. He now continues to apply his expertise in managing The First Group's rapid growth.

Rashad Barajakly - Chief Information Officer

Rashad brings years of experience to The First Group, thanks to a career spanning in finance and investment banking encompassing both the US and Dubai. He held senior positions in New York and Atlanta before joining DIFC, then moving on to help launch DIFX and later extending his banking career working with NBK Capital and boutique investment companies. His experience of operations and finance in both private and publicly listed companies is a valuable asset to The First Group.

Amr Al Bawab - Director of Construction

Amr Al Bawab joined The First Group in March of 2008 as Director of Construction.

With 22 years of experience, at various multi national companies in different parts of the world, Amr has gained the expertise and the skills to deliver projects on time, as planned and to the highest standards.

David Scott - Director of Product Development

With over 35 years of experience in several areas of UK financial services, including sales, marketing and product development, David has a detailed understanding of the technical investment requirements of international high net worth individuals. He continues to meet investor demands for The First Group by developing cutting-edge property-based financial products and investment funds.