Mark Saunders

Career arc

1. Associate Director - LegalApr 2026 — Present

   ALDAR· Abu Dhabi· Full-time
2. Senior Legal CounselJan 2022 — Mar 2026

   Al Maryah Retail Company· Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates· Full-time
3. Senior Legal CounselSep 2017 — Dec 2021

   Gulf Related· Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
4. Senior Associate SolicitorJun 2017 — Aug 2017

   Harold Benjamin· London, United Kingdom
5. Senior SolicitorDec 2016 — May 2017

   BBONNETTS SOLICITORS LIMITED· Hounslow, Greater London, United Kingdom
6. Senior Associate/Team LeaderNov 2014 — Dec 2016

   Hogan Lovells· London and Birmingham, United Kingdom
7. Senior Associate, Real EstateMay 2011 — Oct 2014

   Shoosmiths LLP· Nottingham, United Kingdom
8. AssociateMay 2006 — Apr 2011

   Shoosmiths· Nottingham, United Kingdom
9. SolicitorAug 2002 — Apr 2006

   Shoosmiths· Nottingham, United Kingdom
10. SolicitorSep 2001 — Aug 2002

    DLA Piper· Sheffield, United Kingdom
11. Trainee SolicitorSep 1999 — Sep 2001

    Davenport Lyons· London, United Kingdom

Education

• Healing Comprehensive School
  GCSEs · Mathematics, History, English, French, German, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, CDT and Further Maths.1987 — 1992
• BPP Law School
  Professional Skills Course · Law1999 — 2000
• Franklin College, Grimsby
  A Levels · Ancient History, Mathematics and English Literature (A Levels) and German (Languages at Work)1992 — 1994
• The Nottingham Trent University
  LLB Honours (2:1) · Law1994 — 1997
• Southampton Solent University
  Sea Survival Training · Warsash Maritime Academy1998 — 1998
• Nottingham Law School
  Legal Practice Course (LPC) · Law1997 — 1998

About

Experienced Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Legal with a proven track record within the Real Estate and Retail industries and as a leader of Legal departments, both in house and in private practice.Over eight years in house legal experience in the UAE and prior to that eighteen years working in large national and international law firms in the UK.Achieved success over a sustained period working as part of multi-disciplinary teams on complex international mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance arrangements and high value Real Estate transactions.A pro-active and strategic lawyer who applies legal knowledge and commercial experience to ensure that the objectives of the business are met and risks are effectively mitigated.Recognised as a specialist and a leader in a number of fields,

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