Home Integrator
STARZPLAY CAPTURES THE REALITY BEHIND THE UAE’S MOST ELITE PROPERTY DEALS
Exclusive Interview with Ben Bandari, CEO, BenCo. Real Estate & Sarah Serhan, Associate Partner, BenCo. Real Estate
Ben Bandari
Ben Bandari is a powerhouse in the UAE real estate industry, having closed over AED 25 billion in sales and earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most influential and successful brokers. Since starting his real estate career in the UAE back in 2002, He has earned some of the industry’s highest honours, including Number 1 Real Estate Broker in the UAE by Arabian Business, inclusion among the Top 150 Real Estate Icons by Finance World and the prestigious Agency of the Year award by The Entrepreneur. Beyond his brokerage success, Ben is also the star and executive producer of Million Dollar Listing UAE, the hit reality series that takes viewers inside the glamorous, high-stakes world of the UAE luxury real estate.

Sarah Serhan
In the UAE’s competitive luxury real estate market, Sarah Serhan has quickly established herself as one of its most dynamic rising talents. She is a luxury real estate agent and broker as well as an area specialist for Dubai Hills Estate, combining cultural awareness with deep market knowledge. In her first year she had closed more than AED 100 million in sales and by 2024, she was averaging AED 3 million in transactions daily. Recognised by Ben Bandari for her drive and professionalism, she joined BenCo Real Estate in early 2024 where she now serves as Associate Partner.

Questions:
Beyond luxury listings, the show focuses heavily on ambition, rivalry, and pressure. Why do you think audiences connect so strongly with that side of the story?
Ben Bandari: At its core, the show really isn’t about houses – it’s about people. While luxury listings are exciting and aspirational, it’s the universal themes of ambition, competition, pressure, and even self-doubt that truly resonated with STARZPLAY’s audiences in Season One once it aired. That strong response is exactly what paved the way for Season Two.
Audiences connect because they’re seeing the authentic side of success – the wins, the stress, the rivalries, and the emotional ups and downs that come with working in a high-pressure market like the UAE. Partnering with STARZPLAY allowed us to bring this format closer to home for MENA viewers and ground it in a reality they recognise. Viewers aren’t just watching deals close; they’re watching real people who push themselves, make mistakes, and grow, and that honesty is what makes the story relatable, and why it continues to resonate even more strongly in Season Two.
Sarah Serhan: As a newcomer to both the show and the industry, there is an undeniable pressure to prove yourself as a capable broker who can overcome challenges, obstacles and manage mental pressure. With that, you still need to balance the demands of work with time spent with family. What I believe truly resonates with the audience is the authenticity of that journey. When they see me, they see a human like everyone else, a woman with ambitions and goals, a woman with a family she must always put first, yet someone who continues to push forward, they connect on a much deeper level, probably reflecting their own struggles and aspirations.
Mr. Ben Bandari, as a returning cast member and Executive Producer, how has your role evolved in shaping the direction and authenticity of Season 2?
In Season Two, my role became much more hands-on. As Executive Producer, I was closely involved in shaping the narrative to make sure it truly reflected the realities of the UAE real estate market. The focus was on real pressure, negotiations, and consequences. I wanted viewers to see what the job actually demands. The goal was to let the stories unfold naturally and stay true to the people and the market we’re representing.
Rivalries are a big part of the show; do they sharpen your edge or complicate your strategy?
It’s genuinely a bit of both. Healthy rivalry pushes you to raise your standards and stay sharp, especially in a market as competitive as the UAE. I’ve learned to use competition as motivation while staying focused on the bigger picture, which is serving clients and closing deals. A great example of rivalry in the show is in Episodes 1 to 3, where Dr. Baydoun of Damac Properties makes Riad and I compete for a luxury property, “Villa Flora.”
You’ve been part of the franchise since its early days in the UAE—how has the real estate market changed since Season 1, and how has that changed you?
The market has matured dramatically. Buyers are more informed, expectations are higher, and transactions are far more complex. Since Season One, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE have evolved into a truly global luxury market. That evolution has forced me to grow personally as well as upgrade BenCo. to 70 plus staff and still growing. I’ve become more disciplined, more strategic, and more resilient. I’ve also setup a whole new business, Highgate Investments, which caters to investors looking at and acquiring properties, or designing and developing old, rundown ones. The business has skyrocketed with 8 ongoing projects so far.
Ms. Sarah Serhan, joining a well-established cast can be intense, what was your mindset walking into Season 2?
I was aware that my presence as a new face and a rapidly rising professional might be perceived as threatening to some of the other cast members. I anticipated questions like “who is she?” “Why is she here?” and “how did she get here?”. Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect from the others, but also, I never felt the need to prove myself to anyone. As I’ve always believed, my performance and my numbers speak for themselves.
What message do you hope ambitious professionals, especially women, take from your journey?
My core message is simple yet profoundly powerful: When you stay disciplined, rooted in self-belief, and fully committed to the work, you don’t need to prove anything. Your progress moves faster than doubt, and your results speak long before you ever have to.
What surprised you most about operating in this environment, on or off camera?
What surprised me the most was how intense the environment is, both on and off camera. What I did not expect was how much discipline and emotional intelligence it would require to stay focused and professional while doing my job with cameras and a crew filming at all times. The mental fortitude required is truly immense, and it’s something you can only fully appreciate once you’re living it.
Home Feature
THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER SUMMER SHOPPING AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS UNDER ONE ROOF

As the summer holiday season begins, Jashanmal Group is set to bring its highly anticipated Warehouse Sale: Summer Edition to Cityland Mall Dubai. Following the overwhelming response to its recent Warehouse Sales in the region, the legacy retailer aims to create a family-focused sale for all ages.
The five-day shopping extravaganza taking place from June 24th to 28th is thoughtfully designed to offer a vibrant mix of shopping experiences. Adding to the experience, the Warehouse Sale: Summer Edition will feature a curated selection of premium international brands such as Kenwood, Clarks, Kipling, De’Longhi, BALLY, Hoover, Delsey Paris, Russell Hobbs and many more.
Commenting on the initiative Mr. Anurag Verma, Chief Distribution Officer, Jashanmal Group said, “Given the overwhelming popularity and enthusiastic response to our warehouse sales this year, truly a favorite among shoppers, we are thrilled to bring the highly anticipated Warehouse Sale Summer Edition to Dubai. Summer is a time when families come together, planning their travels and preparing for the season ahead, and it is truly the perfect time to shop. At Jashanmal, we bring together everything you need, offering a complete destination for all your summer shopping needs across multiple lifestyle categories.”
As the retail shopping experience continues to evolve in line with the changing consumer lifestyles and expectations, Jashanmal Group remains at the forefront of delivering immersive, experience-led engagements whether through unique retail concepts, seasonal campaigns and enhanced shopping experiences.
Aligned with the UAE Year of the Family, The Warehouse Sale: Summer Edition underscores the Group’s commitment to community focused initiatives, while celebrating the importance of family at the heart of life in the UAE.
Mr. Verma further added, “We are proud to offer an experience that reflects community spirit, togetherness and joy of shared moments. Through our upcoming sale, we are bringing together trusted brands, exciting experiences and attractive offers in one destination, creating a shopping event that the whole family can enjoy.”
Home Feature
WHY BRANDS MUST CONFIDENTLY CHAMPION A “MADE IN THE UAE” ETHOS AND MOVE AWAY FROM OVER-RELYING ON THE PRESTIGE OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS
By Carlo Magistretti, Chief Strategic Advisor, Sobha Furniture
For decades, premium furniture has been closely associated with established European manufacturing centres, particularly Italy, where design heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural influence have shaped global standards. That reputation is deserved. But the global landscape has changed.
Today, the conversation around premium products can no longer be defined by where something has traditionally been made. It must be defined by the quality of design, the precision of execution, the consistency of production, and the value delivered to the customer.

The UAE is a powerful example of this shift.
This is a country built on ambition, but more importantly, on the ability to turn ambition into reality. It is a place where bold ideas are not left as concepts. They are planned, engineered, built, and delivered at scale. From iconic skylines and world-class infrastructure to landmark hospitality and residential developments, the UAE has consistently shown the world what is possible when vision is matched with execution.
That same spirit is now shaping its manufacturing sector.
“Made in the UAE” is no longer a statement of convenience or proximity. Increasingly, it is becoming a mark of quality, capability, and confidence. It reflects a country that has invested deeply in industrial infrastructure, advanced technology, logistics, talent, and operational excellence to create a manufacturing ecosystem that can compete on a global stage.
The momentum behind this shift is clear. The UAE’s manufacturing industry recorded 7.7% growth in Q1 2025 and contributed 12.8% to non-oil GDP, underscoring the country’s growing industrial capability and its role in the wider economic vision.
For UAE-based businesses that continue to rely solely on imported products, whether from Italy or any other market traditionally associated with premium craftsmanship, there is a risk of overlooking what is happening here. The Emirates are no longer simply a destination for global products. They are becoming a place where global standards are created, manufactured, and delivered.
The premium furniture industry needs to recognise this change. Premium should not be reduced to geography. It should be measured by design integrity, material quality, manufacturing precision, service reliability, and the ability to deliver consistently. By those measures, UAE manufacturing is proving that it can stand alongside some of the most established production hubs in the world.
At Sobha Furniture, we have long believed that the future of premium furniture manufacturing is about integrating the design excellence and the manufacturing expertise within one fully integrated ecosystem.

This philosophy has shaped the way we build our business. Our own design teams in Milan – Italy draw on deep expertise in creating proportion, materiality, timeless aesthetics, and meaningful living solution while our manufacturing capabilities in the UAE ensure that these ideas are engineered, produced, finished, and delivered with precision.
This high level of integration is fundamental. In furniture, design and execution cannot exist as separate disciplines. A compelling design only achieves its full value when it is translated flawlessly into the finished product. By connecting design, engineering, manufacturing, finishing, and quality control within a unified process, innovation moves faster, customisation becomes more achievable, and the original design intent is preserved throughout every stage.
For customers, this translates into a more dependable experience, with greater transparency, rigorous quality assurance, enhanced flexibility, and confidence that every piece is delivered exactly as intended.
In recent years, global supply chains have faced repeated disruption, from shipping delays to material shortages and geopolitical pressures. Businesses that rely heavily on distant production networks have often found themselves vulnerable to factors beyond their control.
Manufacturing in the UAE changes that equation. It gives brands greater control over quality, timelines, and responsiveness. It also creates a clearer connection between a brand, its product, and its place of origin. From a customer’s perspective, that translates into confidence and trust.
This belief also shaped the launch of Flaer during Milan Design Week. Flaer represents a new expression of what a premium furniture brand from the UAE can be: globally minded, rooted in Italian design culture, and powered by the UAE’s ability to make ambitious ideas real. Presenting Flaer in Milan was not only a design statement, but a statement of confidence. It demonstrated that a brand conceived, manufactured, and built through the UAE’s capabilities can enter one of the world’s most influential design conversations with clarity and credibility.
This is the opportunity in front of us. The UAE has already earned a global reputation as a place where bold visions are realised. Now, that same reputation is extending into manufacturing, design, and industrial excellence.

The real question is no longer whether UAE manufacturing can compete internationally. The evidence increasingly shows that it can. The question is whether businesses are prepared to move beyond outdated assumptions and recognise the opportunity this shift presents.
As an industry, we must move beyond the belief that premium is synonymous with imported. Excellence can be designed globally, manufactured locally, and delivered to the world. The brands that embrace this mindset will not only strengthen their own competitiveness but will also help define the next chapter of global manufacturing.
The future of premium furniture will belong to those who can combine design excellence, manufacturing precision, operational control, and customer confidence into one seamless experience. The UAE is increasingly proving that it can do exactly that.
Home Integrator
MAJID AL FUTTAIM AND DUBAI SME EXPAND MA’AN TO SHOWCASE HOMEGROWN SMES AT MALL OF THE EMIRATES
Majid Al Futtaim, a leading developer and operator of shopping malls, communities, retail and leisure destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has expanded Ma’an by Majid Al Futtaim, with the launch of its latest customer-facing showcase at Mall of the Emirates. The initiative marks a significant milestone in Ma’an’s evolution, creating direct market access for Dubai’s homegrown businesses and connecting them with millions of consumers across one of the region’s most visited retail and leisure destinations.
The launch was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior representatives from Majid Al Futtaim and Dubai SME, officially opening the showcase to visitors. This exciting concept provides customers the opportunity to discover and shop for Dubai based homegrown brands across fashion, jewellery, food, lifestyle and design-led retail, all under one roof, reflecting the breadth and quality of entrepreneurial talent already established across the city.
Ma’an was created to help Dubai based entrepreneurs gain greater visibility, reach new customers, and unlock practical opportunities for growth. To date, the initiative has supported close to 70 homegrown brands across the wider Majid Al Futtaim ecosystem, including retail, leisure, entertainment, and loyalty platforms. This growing network of participants reflects both the commercial readiness of Dubai’s SME community and the effectiveness of public–private collaboration in generating real market opportunities.
As part of the programme, 27 brands have been featured across destinations such as THAT Concept Store, VOX Cinemas, ACTIVATE, and iFLY, while 30 brands are participating in dedicated mall pop-ups across Majid Al Futtaim destinations. A further 12 brands have also been onboarded onto the SHARE Rewards Programme, extending their reach beyond the physical mall environment and connecting them with customers through Majid Al Futtaim’s digital loyalty ecosystem.
The first phase of Ma’an focused on opening applications and onboarding Dubai based SMEs into Majid Al Futtaim’s consumer ecosystem, giving selected brands access to retail, entertainment, loyalty, and marketing platforms across the group. With participating brands now integrated into customer-facing channels, the programme has moved into its second phase, focused on direct visibility, discovery, and market access.
This next phase reflects the importance of practical market access in supporting SME growth. By connecting homegrown brands with established retail environments, entertainment platforms, and digital engagement channels, Ma’an supports Dubai’s wider efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, enable business growth, and increase the contribution of SMEs to the economy. As a cornerstone of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the city’s economy by 2033, SME-enabling initiatives such as Ma’an play a direct role in building the commercial foundations required to sustain long-term, diversified growth.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), said: “Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience, and Ma’an by Majid Al Futtaim is a direct expression of that confidence, showing how public-private collaboration can create practical growth opportunities for SMEs. By connecting homegrown brands with established consumer destinations and digital platforms, the programme gives entrepreneurs direct access to customers, visibility and commercial insight to support sustainable growth.
“Dubai SME’s focus continues to be on ensuring that entrepreneurs are given the market access and partnerships needed to grow. Initiatives such as Ma’an strengthen the bridge between emerging businesses and major private sector platforms, advancing the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a city where SMEs can scale with confidence. As global conditions continue to evolve, Dubai is committed to enabling its business community, and this programme is a tangible outcome of that commitment.”
Khalifa Bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, said: “Ma’an was created around a simple belief: extraordinary businesses already exist across the UAE, but many still face barriers when it comes to access, visibility, and scale. Through Ma’an, we are opening Majid Al Futtaim’s ecosystem to help address those challenges in a practical and tangible way.
“By giving homegrown brands access to customers, retail environments, loyalty platforms and live experiences, we are creating opportunities that would traditionally take years to build independently. This is more than a moment of visibility; it is a platform for growth. The founders participating in Ma’an represent the creativity, resilience, and ambition of the UAE’s SME community, and we are proud to support them as they take their next step.”
Following its debut at Mall of the Emirates, the Ma’an roadshow will continue to City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira, spending two weeks at each destination and introducing customers to a new selection of Dubai based SMEs and homegrown businesses.
Through Ma’an, Majid Al Futtaim and Dubai SME continue to support homegrown businesses by creating tangible pathways to customers, visibility, and commercial growth, while strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to support the UAE’s entrepreneurial community.
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