About Matt
Matt Donovan is Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa at MRG, specialising in executive search for Saudi Arabia’s real estate and development sector. He works with PIF-backed companies, government developers and private real estate businesses to appoint senior leaders across development, project delivery, asset management, commercial leadership and operations.
Matt has worked in executive search for 15 years, including seven years focused on the Middle East, and has delivered senior appointments across some of Saudi Arabia’s largest development programmes.
Q&A With Matt
How has your career at MRG progressed?
Since joining MRG, my role has evolved significantly. I began in 2019 by focusing on senior-level real estate appointments in the UK and have since progressed to leading our Middle East and Africa operations. Today, I manage complex executive search campaigns across giga-projects in Saudi Arabia and beyond, while also contributing to the company's strategic growth internationally.
How do you add value to your customers?
We add value by acting as a strategic partner, not just a recruiter. My team understands the complexity of my clients’ organisations and projects, which allows us to identify talent that fits not only the technical brief but the broader business context. We also work at breakneck speed, communicate transparently, and build trust across all levels.
Is there a particular project that you have been involved in that you're proud of?
I’m particularly proud of our ongoing partnership with some of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious giga-projects. We’ve helped build multiple leadership teams across development, delivery, and commercial functions, often under challenging timelines. Seeing those hires now lead transformational, city-scale projects has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally.
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