Team
The NorthCourse® team has vast knowledge in leisure real estate, specifically a deep specialized knowledge of shared ownership and mixed-use properties in local markets around the world.
In contrast to other advisory firms, we believe that we have far more real-life hands-on experience - beyond consulting - in the critical functional areas that affect the success your project. Our team has held senior management positions within some of the world's leading hospitality, travel-related companies and real estate development companies.
This lets us analyze each assignment with a true insider's perspective, leading to recommendations that are far more thorough and insightful. We leave you with the tools and know-how to help you successfully navigate today's increasingly complex and uncertain development landscape.
To learn more about the NorthCourse team, we encourage you to read our executive bios:
Claude Attala
Global Managing Director
Claude brings an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of Middle Eastern real estate development and tourism to his role as head of business development in the Middle East. Prior to NorthCourse, Claude served as Head of Planning and Operations at the Qatar Tourism Authority, where he developed the licensing framework for the hospitality sector and drafting the classification systems for hotels and tour operators. He was also head of the business development team, advising potential investors and developers with tourism-related projects in Qatar.
Claude has held senior level sales and marketing roles with Rezidor SAS, Intercontinental Hotels, Meridien Hotels and Resorts and Sheraton. Italian by nationality, Claude is fluent in English, French and Italian and holds a Bachelors' degree in Business Administration from Schiller University in Strasbourg, France.
Rodrigo Tsutsumi
Manager, Advisory Services, Americas
rodrigo.tsutsumi@northcourse.com
Rodrigo provides advisory services on fractional and whole ownership developments and hotel and resort projects. He gained strong firsthand experience in the hospitality industry during his 10 years at the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, serving in a variety of management roles, including Revenue Manager and Rooms Manager.
Rodrigo holds a B.S. from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. He was awarded Manager of the Quarter and Manager of the Year by Hyatt Regency Miami.
Shakir Alibhai
Manager, Middle East & Europe
shakir.alibhai@northcourse.com
Shakir brings extensive experience in consultancy to the NorthCourse team. Shakir's experience includes working as a financial consultant in the transaction advice team at one of the 'Big Four' accountancy firms. This has enabled him to gain significant exposure to real estate and hospitality developments. His key strengths lie in the analysis of cash flows and investment income (profit testing). In addition he is actively involved in assignments relating to scenario analysis for annual business plans, financial valuations and further project finance initiatives.
Shakir holds a Bachelor in Actuarial Science from London School of Economics, England. He is fluent in English, Swahili and Gujarati.
Nikola Reid
Consultant, Middle East & Europe
Nikola is a Consultant in the Dubai team and plays an integral part for research, market intelligence and strategy. Prior to joining NorthCourse, Nikola was involved in numerous research assignments which assisted key stakeholders including governmental and hotel organizations in Dubai. Nikola is involved in all aspects of the consultancy process and her key areas of expertise involve researching market conditions affecting clients' proposed projects, conducting extensive research on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits, and translating complex findings into written text which support the concept development and feasibility studies of proposed projects.
A British expatriate, Nikola has been based in the Middle East for 18 years, previously residing in Singapore and Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Tourism Management from The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.
Our team's expertise is grounded in rigorous first-hand industry experience.