Meet Our Team
The Core Meritus Development team
ANDREW LEMON
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew is an Architect and member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Architects. He has over 35 years’ experience in design, construction, and property development, and has worked in Russia, Qatar, Indonesia, Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. His development work ranges from logistics facilities for an international FMCG company in Moscow, Russia to creating some of the most valuable residential property developments in Dubai. He has extensive experience in all sectors of the built environment, with many projects being built in both environmentally and politically challenging jurisdictions.
As CEO of Meritus his focus is to lead the team in developing successful projects that are beneficial to both our investors and the greater community.
MOHAMMED AL DAHBASHI
Chief Legal Officer
Mohammed Al Dahbashi is a prominent Emirati lawyer and currently the Managing Partner of a leading law firm based in Dubai. Having graduated from the United Kingdom, with a bachelor’s degree of Law with Honours (LLB Hons), Mohammed is of the few Emiratis that is experienced in both corporate/ commercial transactions and disputes work. With his international standards and cross border legal skills, Mohammed has been able to reach outstanding outcomes for his clients in Africa.
VIMBAI HUNGWE
Chief Financial Officer
A Zimbabwean national, Vimbai holds a BSC in Economics, Finance and Banking, from the University of Portsmouth, UK, and is currently studying for an Executive Masters in Public Administration at the London School of Economics.
Vimbai was also head of finance operations at Careem for several years. She played an instrumental part in them becoming the first tech company from the Middle East to reach a $1 billion valuation. Since then, she has worked as the head of operations at AstroLabs where she advised and mentored startups through legal and financial processes. She also managed the day-to-day operations of the HUB including recruitment and designing and teaching classes in finance.
Vimbai now splits her time between Meritus Development, where she serves as Chief Finance Officer, and ADG Legal, a Dubai head-quartered law firm, where she serves as Chief Operating Officer.
PETER GRAY
Chief Investment Officer
A Cambridge University graduate, Peter trained at the Bar before starting his practicing career at LeBoeuf Lamb (later Dewey & LeBoeuf) in the City of London.
Having moved to Dubai in 2010, he set up Kingsgrove Partners in 2015, before creating ADG Legal with Mohammed Al Dahbashi in 2017. Peter now splits his time between ADG Legal and Meritus. Much of Peter’s career has been focused on the Middle East and Africa. Peter is responsible for identifying and developing potential investments for Meritus. He spends significant time visiting the project sites and meeting local partners.
MASIMBA HUNGWE
Director
Educated at Peterhouse School in Zimbabwe and RMIT University, in Melbourne, Masimba’s career has been focused on logistics. After spending a number of years working on operations in Australia, Masimba is now based full-time in Lusaka, where he is CEO at Prime Time Logistics, a leading Zambian freight forwarding business. Masimba will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Meritus’ Zambian projects as well as overseeing logistics projects elsewhere in Africa.
The Meritus Impact Fund Board
The impact fund board of directors will be headed up by Meritus CEO Andrew Lemon. Other board members will be Mohammed Al Dahbashi, and Vimbai Hungwe, In addition to the core Meritus team we have invited three financial experts to join the board of The Meritus Impact fund.
JOHN PROBANT
Former chairman of Citic Travel, China, John has a demonstrated history of working in venture capital and private equity. He holds a BBA from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and has spent much of his career in Asia and the USA.
John is now focussing on the Middle East and African Markets. John has a broad investment track record, with successful exits from the Health and Fitness, Hospitality, Biotech, High Tech, Impact, Food, and Entertainment Sectors. John is advising Meritus on investment structuring and fund raising.
MARK BEER OBE
Mark is a strategic advisor and independent non-executive director. He is also a qualified lawyer. He has over 25 years’ experience overseas including Chief Executive of the Dubai International Finance Centre’s Dispute Resolution Authority, Registrar General of the DIFC Courts. Mark has advised governments.
Meritus Advisory Board
Over the years we have worked with some exceptional people in a wide range of fields. Meritus is very fortunate in being able to retain a wide selection of experts on their advisory board. Our advisory board are available to us at all times to be able to bring their expert perspectives to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. The board currently includes:
SIMON ATKINSON - LT COL (RET’D)
Simon Atkinson commissioned into the British Army in 1990, and recently retired after a career that spanned over two decades. His expertise is in the management of medical assets and the functioning of hospitals in adverse conditions.
ALEX GEORGE
Alex is a production engineer. Alex has over 35 years’ experience in the production of processed foods and their distribution.
DR. ING ULRICH MALCHOW
International shipping expert with more than 30 years of experience in the maritime industry including seafaring, container shipping, shipbuilding, port business and logistics as senior manager, managing director, entrepreneur, professor and senior consultant. Qualified shipping specialist (“Schifffahrtskaufmann”). Certified engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) in naval architecture and mechanical engineering and doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) in maritime technology/transport. Professor for maritime economics.
ABDULLAH SAEED AHMED LOOTAH
Abdullah is a banker. He was educated in the UK and Canada and brings extensive experience to the management team. His achievements include an Executive Directorship of the Lootah Educational Group. Board member of Saeed Lootah and Sons which is an umbrella for many national companies wand institutions.
ALISTAIR KERON
Alistair is a civil engineer. He has over 40 years’ experience in the design, construction and supervision of civil engineering and infrastructure projects.
GUY WILKINSON
A highly experienced hospitality and real estate consultant, based in Dubai since 1995, Guy has managed or contributed to some 450 hotels and related projects throughout the Middle East, as well as in Ethiopia and the following other African countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Sudan, Uganda and Zanzibar.
PAUL DONAGHUE
Paul is a property developer and restauranteur. He has over 25 years’ experience in high-end property with an emphasis on food and beverage.
JOHN ROBERTSON
John has had a distinguished career in the field of mining in Africa. His understanding of logistics and operations in Africa are key to the main objectives of Meritus.