Savills ME Boosts Commercial, Appoints Toby Hall Head of Commercial Agency

Savills Middle East has announced the appointment of Toby Hall to lead its commercial agency services. This move reflects the company's strategic response to the rapid growth of commercial real estate activity across the Middle East, with a particular focus on the UAE.

Growth in Dubai's Commercial Market

The commercial market in Dubai has seen a notable increase in leasing interest, driven by both new corporate entries and expanding companies. According to Savills’ recent office market report, Grade A office rental values in the city experienced a 14% year-on-year growth as of Q1 2024, with some areas witnessing spikes of 20% to 30%. Additionally, the industrial sector has also seen heightened demand, particularly from industries such as FMCG, logistics, retail, and e-commerce, leading to rental growth in several sub-markets.

Toby Hall’s Role and Focus

In his new role, Toby Hall will initially focus on building Savills’ commercial agency services in the UAE, concentrating on landlord leasing and office sales. He will also lend his expertise to other regional Savills teams that have established commercial agency operations.

Hall's Experience in the UK and the UAE

Toby Hall brings a wealth of experience to the position. He returned to the UAE after 2.5 years in London, where he held senior roles at both JLL and Kingly Partners. At JLL, he served as Senior Director in the Central London office team, and later, at Kingly Partners, he helped launch their office leasing team, specializing in tenant representation and flexible workspaces.

Leadership in Dubai’s Real Estate Market

Before his time in London, Toby Hall led JLL’s commercial agency team in Dubai, where he was instrumental in establishing their landlord leasing operations. His expertise also extended beyond the UAE, as he worked with the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, contributing to their leasing strategy and flexible space offerings during the early stages of the project.

Professional Qualifications and Industry Involvement

Toby Hall is a qualified MRICS surveyor and holds both a BSc in Land Management and an MSc in Planning and Development from the University of Reading. He has been an active leader in the real estate community, serving as a Board Member and Chair of the CoreNet Global Middle East Chapter, a group that connects corporate real estate professionals across the region. Additionally, he has held a board position with the Middle East Council for Offices (MECO).

Speaking on his appointment, Toby Hall, Head of Commercial Agency, said, “The opportunities presented by this dynamic market is one of the key reasons for my return to the UAE. With the region’s rapidly evolving commercial landscape, I look forward to leveraging my experience in office leasing in the region and London to drive growth, build strong client relationships, and deliver innovative leasing strategies that align with the ambitious vision of the exciting Middle Eastern markets.

Savills has cemented its position as an internationally renowned real estate company and I look forward to working with some of the best minds in the business across Savills expansive global network. Together with the talented team at Savills, I am excited to create lasting value for our clients and partners.”

Steven Morgan, CEO at Savills Middle East commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Toby to the Savills business to further expand the commercial agency offering in the Middle East. Over the years across many markets, Toby has gained significant experience that is highly relevant to our business and markets. Led by the UAE, our region has showcased tremendous potential for commercial sector growth and Toby and the team are well positioned to tap into these opportunities and unlock value for our clients.”

Savills’ Broader Expansion Plans

This latest appointment at Savills Middle East follows a major expansion of its residential division in the UAE earlier this year. By the end of the year, Savills plans to add over 100 new agents to its residential team, reflecting the firm’s commitment to growth across various segments of the real estate market.