Chris O’Donnell

Chris O’Donnell

Connections are spread across the world – the real world, that is – for the CEO of government-owned real estate developer Nakheel, the company responsible for Dubai’s artificial island chains, the Palm and the World.

September 29, 2008 5:32 by kippreport

Chris O’Donnell, the chief executive of property developer Nakheel, will certainly be resting more easily these days. The $1.5bn Atlantis hotel on the Palm Jumeirah opened its doors to guests on Sept. 24.

O’Donnell was appointed as the CEO of the government-owned developer in 2006. He came in from Australia-based development company Investa Property Group, where he had been managing director since 2000. Before that, O’Donnell also held senior positions with other Australian companies including Lend Lease, Leighton and Westpac Banking Corporation. He was appointed as the director of the Green Building Council of Australia in 2004.

Earlier this month, he announced that Nakheel is considering launching an initial public offering (IPO) within the next 12 months and plans to raise Dh4.4 billion in bank loans.