MAGNA Developments has appointed Akram El-Sheikh as Head of the Commercial Sector, strengthening the company’s commercial development and sales operations as it advances its growth plans.
El-Sheikh brings more than 22 years of professional experience across business development, commercial sector management, industrial development, real estate investment, marketing, consulting and asset management.
His appointment at MAGNA Developments marks a new stage in a diverse career that has taken him across several industries and leadership positions, giving him extensive experience in developing commercial strategies, managing growth and establishing strategic partnerships.
El-Sheikh Brings More Than 22 Years of Experience
Commenting on his appointment, Akram El-Sheikh, Head of the Commercial Sector at MAGNA Developments, said the move represents a new phase in his professional career.
He explained that accumulated experience across different sectors becomes increasingly valuable when applied within an industry offering genuine opportunities for growth, pointing to the current dynamics of the Egyptian real estate market.
El-Sheikh emphasized that the commercial function in real estate is no longer limited to achieving sales targets.
According to him, commercial teams have become strategic partners in shaping the real estate product itself, understanding customer needs, determining project launch mechanisms and building long-term relationships with the market.
From this perspective, he said his role at MAGNA Developments will extend beyond sales management to helping build an integrated commercial system that supports the company’s direction during its next phase.
Building a Flexible Commercial Strategy
El-Sheikh stressed that the Egyptian real estate market is currently experiencing a phase that requires companies to anticipate changes rather than simply react to them.
Accordingly, his focus at MAGNA Developments will be on developing a flexible commercial strategy capable of balancing the company’s objectives, customer needs and market challenges.
He added that the commercial sector can play a broader role in understanding market movements and translating those insights into strategies that support sustainable growth.
From Information Technology to Business Development
El-Sheikh began his professional career between 2005 and 2012 in information technology and digital programming at Oracle.
He subsequently moved into marketing and marketing consultancy through ACE Marketing Consultancy, before taking on business development and planning roles with companies operating across industrial, marketing and export sectors.
This diverse experience provided the foundation for a career focused increasingly on business development, investment, expansion and commercial strategy.
Egypt-TEDA Investment: Expanding Large-Scale Development
At the end of 2012, El-Sheikh joined Egypt-TEDA Investment as Business Development Manager.
During his time with the company, he participated in its expansion plans and the development of an area covering up to 7.5 million square meters.
He was also part of the team involved in organizing the commercial aspects of the Chinese President’s visit to Cairo during that period, which resulted in strategic trade agreements between Egypt and China.
The experience added large-scale development, international business relations and strategic investment planning to his professional background.
Polaris Parks and Industrial Development
At the end of 2015, El-Sheikh moved to Polaris Parks Industrial Development, joining as Business Development Manager.
He participated in preparing the company’s expansion plans, including the development of an industrial zone in Sadat City covering 2 million square meters.
His responsibilities also included planning a strategic partnership for the development of an area covering 5.5 million square meters in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The role strengthened his experience in industrial development, expansion planning and large-scale investment projects.
Leadership at Cleopatra Group
In 2017, El-Sheikh joined Cleopatra Group as Head of Development and Asset Management at Eldorado Industrial Development.
In this role, he oversaw several portfolios related to industrial assets, development and improving business efficiency across the group’s real estate and commercial projects.
The position further expanded his expertise in asset management, development and commercial operations.
Joining Radix Development
El-Sheikh moved into the real estate development sector in 2018, joining the founding team of Radix Development as Head of Business Development.
Following the company’s restructuring, he was appointed Executive Vice President, a position he held until 2024.
From 2024 until mid-2025, he served as the company’s Co-Founder and CEO.
His time at Radix Development added senior executive leadership and direct experience in real estate development to his professional career.
Advisory and Executive Roles Across the Real Estate Sector
From mid-2025 through the end of the third quarter of 2026, El-Sheikh held several advisory and executive positions related to the commercial sector at real estate companies.
His roles included positions with Golden View Development, Mass Development, Prop-Commercial and ARX Development.
These experiences further strengthened his understanding of commercial strategy, sales operations and market dynamics within Egypt’s real estate sector.
He subsequently joined MAGNA Developments as Head of the Commercial Sector at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2026.
Professional Qualifications and Certifications
Alongside his more than two decades of professional experience, El-Sheikh holds several academic and professional qualifications.
In 2008, he earned a Project Management Professional diploma (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In 2009, he obtained a Diploma in International Marketing from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Trade Training Center (FTTC).
He also holds an export and international marketing license from the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC).
In 2010, El-Sheikh obtained a diploma in Governance and Startups & Entrepreneurship Management through a USAID grant from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
He also earned an Advanced Business Development Certificate from the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC) in 2012.
Professional Memberships
El-Sheikh is a member of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and the Egyptian-Canadian Business Association.
His memberships reflect his professional network and relationships across business, investment and development sectors.
A New Commercial Chapter at MAGNA Developments
El-Sheikh said his next stage is not simply about moving into a new position, but about translating more than two decades of accumulated experience into tangible results.
At MAGNA Developments, he aims to help build a commercial sector capable of creating real value for both the company and its customers.
His appointment comes at a time when Egypt’s real estate market continues to evolve, increasing the importance of commercial strategies that combine market understanding, customer needs, sales performance and the ability to anticipate changes.
With his experience spanning technology, marketing, industrial development, business development, asset management and real estate, El-Sheikh brings a multidisciplinary background to his new role as MAGNA Developments continues to advance its commercial and growth strategy.
